Round 1 Team Prediction

[Mr Wright]

What i think we'll see

Gordon
Val
Feki
Beale
Gagan
Barba
Robson
Gal
Ennis
Fifita
Bukuya
Graham
Lewis

Toops
Heino
Arona / Taga
Bird

 

[Sir Chadley]

I still get a 1-5 back line of six players:

Gordon
Feki
Beale
Bird
Gagan
Holmes

Now six into five just doesn't go, so am I out of my mind if I suggest this for our 1-7:

Gordon
Feki
Beale
Bird
Gagan
Barba
Holmes

Yes Holmes at 7. May not happen Round 1 but I think Val has the maturity, the organising smarts, the kicking game and the speed to be considered there.

Or am I out of my gourd?

 

[HaroldBishop]

You're out of your gourd. More pressure on a halfback than any other player. If it ever does happen it won't be for a few years yet.

 

[Sutty]

Or am I out of my gourd?

Yeah you're cray-cray.

Playing at fullback and popping up to finish off plays is a world away from actually organising the plays and controlling field position.

 

[stormshark]

I would like to see:

1 Gordon
2 Holmes
3 Feki
4 Beale
5 Gagan
6 Barba
7 Robson (Hopefully not, hopefully someone passes him in the pecking order.)
8 Gallen
9 Ennis
10 A. Fifita
11 Graham
12 Lewis
13 Heighington

14 Bukuya
15 Tupou
16 Prior/Arona/Tagataese/D.Fifita/Houma/Roqica (Whoever earns it, that's the order I'd have them in ATM)
17 Bird

This would be my wish

 

[Mr Wright]

You're out of your gourd. More pressure on a halfback than any other player. If it ever does happen it won't be for a few years yet.

Agreed.

He'll get the full time gig at FB next year and maybe just maybe transition to 6 in his mid-late 20's but i cant seem him becoming a 7.

Val does seem to have tactical awareness and composure, but me personally I like a more traditional 7.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Would you guys be more inclined to start with Prior at prop and bring Feefs on 15-20 into the match? More likely to do more damage then?

 

[Mr Wright]

Would you guys be more inclined to start with Prior at prop and bring Feefs on 15-20 into the match? More likely to do more damage then?

Id rather Fifita start. We need his physical intensity to open the game and match the opposing teams grunt. He shown in the past he can play long minutes with sustained aggression, so im not too worried about him dropping off.

 

[Blair]

A few of you have feki in centre. Did he spend any time there during the nines. I only saw two games and he was primarily on the wing.

I reckon he would go good as a centre, but I haven't seen it suggested anywhere outside of this forum.

 

[HaroldBishop]

A few of you have feki in centre. Did he spend any time there during the nines. I only saw two games and he was primarily on the wing.

I reckon he would go good as a centre, but I haven't seen it suggested anywhere outside of this forum.

Played all of his juniors at centre.

 

[Gumby]

Just wanna say how good is it to be to able to write down bukuyas name in these team lists! So glad to have him back here!!

 

[Sir Chadley]

You're out of your gourd. More pressure on a halfback than any other player. If it ever does happen it won't be for a few years yet.

Fair enough. I was just thinking outside the square.
Looks like we're stuck with Robbo then.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Fair enough. I was just thinking outside the square.
Looks like we're stuck with Robbo then.

Don't think outside the square mate, get back in your box.

Seriously though, Robbo....so depressing.

 

[Sir Chadley]

Don't think outside the square mate, get back in your box.

Seriously though, Robbo....so depressing.

Ha ha! . Yeah Robbo. That was the only reason I was thinking outside the square.

 

[Gibs]

I can see BIrd being used as a utility off the bench come round 1. Pending trial form

 

[Cesare6t9]

1) Gordon
2) Feki
3) Leutele
4) Beale
5) Holmes
6) Barba
7) Robson
8) A. Fifita
9) Ennis
10) Prior
11) Lewis
12) Graham
13) Gallen
--------------------------------------
14) Tupou
15) Bukuya
16) Heighington
17) Bird

 

[vicsharkfan]

I went to put down the team I think will be chosen, really it is hard. Been so long since better than decent players will miss out as oppose to some teams we fielded that were littered with nuffies.

 

[mattaus]

I really want to see Bird, Gagan and Holmes in the backline but one has to miss out. Hence putting Bird in the utility spot.

Gordon, Beale and Feki are guaranteed starters.

Ricky and Brown don't make the side IMO.

1. Gordon
2. Holmes
3. Beale
4. Feki
5. Gagan
6. Barba
7. Robson
8. Gallen
9. Ennis
10. Fafita
11. Graham
12. Lewis
13. Heino

14. Tagatese
15. Bakuya
16. Toupo
17. Bird

 

[CrankyShark]

I would like to see:

1 Gordon
2 Holmes
3 Feki
4 Beale
5 Gagan
6 Barba
7 Robson (Hopefully not, hopefully someone passes him in the pecking order.)
8 Gallen
9 Ennis
10 A. Fifita
11 Graham
12 Lewis
13 Heighington

14 Bukuya
15 Tupou
16 Prior/Arona/Tagataese/D.Fifita/Houma/Roqica (Whoever earns it, that's the order I'd have them in ATM)
17 Bird

What do you have in mind with Bird on the bench?

Personally I see carrying a back on the bench as a waste of a bench position. They should be playing the whole game. We have just freed up a bench spot by getting an 80 minute hooker and it shouldn't be squandered. Bird should either be picked in his own right or not at all.

 

[Mr Wright]

What do you have in mind with Bird on the bench?

Personally I see carrying a back on the bench as a waste of a bench position. They should be playing the whole game. We have just freed up a bench spot by getting an 80 minute hooker and it shouldn't be squandered. Bird should either be picked in his own right or not at all.

Bird would be more than handy playing as an edge back rower. Giving him minutes there off the bench will only make it easier for him to start at centre down the line.