snowman
Total gronk
it was leaked last night
after finally being picked for the aus team, I expect him to really lift for next season.
feel that wade's the kind of bloke who will relish from being in the aussie team for a month or so.
expecting big things from him next season.
feel that wade's the kind of bloke who will relish from being in the aussie team for a month or so.
expecting big things from him next season.
Matty C of the Shire
Great White
Versatility puts Sharks star Wade Graham in box seat for Kangaroos Test debut
WADE Graham’s versatility has put him on the verge of a Test debut with the Kangaroos.
Graham wore the Australian jersey for the first time when he started from the bench in the World Cup hit-outs against Fiji and PNG.
He made an immediate impact when he took his place in the back row and then spent the bulk of the second game against Fiji at five-eighth.
His value as a utility has him primed to win a bench spot for Australia’s opening clash against England on October 27.
Graham’s inclusion hinges on who wears the No. 6 jersey.
Michael Morgan is a certainty to be picked in the 17, but if he starts at five-eighth it opens the door for Graham to be named on the interchange bench.
James Maloney, Ben Hunt and Cameron Munster are other bench utility options.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said Graham’s performance on Saturday night had put the “pressure on”.
“He was excellent,” Meninga said.
Wade Graham is on the verge of a Test debut.
“We were going to put him at nine but we decided to rest the Melbourne guys, who didn’t get much game time.
“Wade played some good minutes. He played left edge, can play five-eighth. I have no doubt he can play at centre.”
Graham, 26, knows his best shot of cracking a Kangaroos spot is as a utility off the bench.
“The one to 13 almost picks itself,” Graham said.
“(The utility spot) is probably the role I’ll play for. I’m happy to do that. Whatever Mal needs me to do, I’ll do.
“Touch wood we have Cameron (Smith) there, who will play the majority of the game.
“But if we need someone (to play hooker), I’ll put my hand up.
“I couldn’t ask for a better start for a career at this level. I was very excited (to be picked in the squad).
“The last couple of weeks after being selected I’ve just wanted to play.”
Michael Morgan is a certainty to be selected in Australia’s 17.
Graham turned back time with his performance at five-eighth. He laid on a beautiful try to Josh Dugan with a bullet cut-out pass which allowed his future Cronulla teammate to get on the outside of the Fijian defence.
“I wound back the clock,” Graham said.
“Some of the way I play in the back-row at Cronulla is not a traditional back-row role.
“I do a fair bit of ball playing and a bit of kicking. It’s not as if I’ve thrown that part of my game completely in.
“I’ve been grateful to experience Origin and a grand final. This is the last thing and it will be a dream come true.”
WADE Graham’s versatility has put him on the verge of a Test debut with the Kangaroos.
Graham wore the Australian jersey for the first time when he started from the bench in the World Cup hit-outs against Fiji and PNG.
He made an immediate impact when he took his place in the back row and then spent the bulk of the second game against Fiji at five-eighth.
His value as a utility has him primed to win a bench spot for Australia’s opening clash against England on October 27.
Graham’s inclusion hinges on who wears the No. 6 jersey.
Michael Morgan is a certainty to be picked in the 17, but if he starts at five-eighth it opens the door for Graham to be named on the interchange bench.
James Maloney, Ben Hunt and Cameron Munster are other bench utility options.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said Graham’s performance on Saturday night had put the “pressure on”.
“He was excellent,” Meninga said.
Wade Graham is on the verge of a Test debut.
“We were going to put him at nine but we decided to rest the Melbourne guys, who didn’t get much game time.
“Wade played some good minutes. He played left edge, can play five-eighth. I have no doubt he can play at centre.”
Graham, 26, knows his best shot of cracking a Kangaroos spot is as a utility off the bench.
“The one to 13 almost picks itself,” Graham said.
“(The utility spot) is probably the role I’ll play for. I’m happy to do that. Whatever Mal needs me to do, I’ll do.
“Touch wood we have Cameron (Smith) there, who will play the majority of the game.
“But if we need someone (to play hooker), I’ll put my hand up.
“I couldn’t ask for a better start for a career at this level. I was very excited (to be picked in the squad).
“The last couple of weeks after being selected I’ve just wanted to play.”
Michael Morgan is a certainty to be selected in Australia’s 17.
Graham turned back time with his performance at five-eighth. He laid on a beautiful try to Josh Dugan with a bullet cut-out pass which allowed his future Cronulla teammate to get on the outside of the Fijian defence.
“I wound back the clock,” Graham said.
“Some of the way I play in the back-row at Cronulla is not a traditional back-row role.
“I do a fair bit of ball playing and a bit of kicking. It’s not as if I’ve thrown that part of my game completely in.
“I’ve been grateful to experience Origin and a grand final. This is the last thing and it will be a dream come true.”
HaroldBishop
Megalodon
DJ, maybe time to propose?
Gards
Jaws
Postal Vote HB - not legislated
HaroldBishop
Megalodon
Matter of time mate. Can start the planning.
djhabib
Jaws
it's difficult to do it from 100 metres away
Sir Chadley
Jaws
Smoke signals??
HaroldBishop
Megalodon
Great. Get ready for Wade to have a stinker of a year.
Next NSW origin captain.
Proud Shark
Jaws
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I may be off my head and Im well prepared to get flamed for this but is there any risk in playing him at 6?
He's currently seeing the ball more of 5th and taking more kicks than hodkinson. In regard to backline plays he'd be more than capable at first reciever to dish it wide. Which is essentially all we are asking hodkinson to do.
An added bonus would be getting bukuya 80 minutes on the edge seeing he is in great form, plus further strengthening that left edge defence.
Have at it, happy to cop it if its the worst idea all season but was just an idea that popped into my head. Obviously this is all whilst we lack a genuine extra option at 6 or 1 respectively.
He's currently seeing the ball more of 5th and taking more kicks than hodkinson. In regard to backline plays he'd be more than capable at first reciever to dish it wide. Which is essentially all we are asking hodkinson to do.
An added bonus would be getting bukuya 80 minutes on the edge seeing he is in great form, plus further strengthening that left edge defence.
Have at it, happy to cop it if its the worst idea all season but was just an idea that popped into my head. Obviously this is all whilst we lack a genuine extra option at 6 or 1 respectively.
Wiz
Jaws
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Not the worst idea - I see where your coming from, Running five eights can cause havoc if they have the right skill. Would Flanno do it though is another question
Western Sharkie
Jaws
Wade has played there before for us (a few years back).
It Wasn’t that successful but we do have an overall better side than then so who knows.
Mark^Bastard
Great White
He has played plenty for us in the halves.
He had an okay combo with a young Townsend IMO.
Was shocking with Kelly and Tim Smith but that is a given.
I don't mind the idea. Gets him more active.
He had an okay combo with a young Townsend IMO.
Was shocking with Kelly and Tim Smith but that is a given.
I don't mind the idea. Gets him more active.
HaroldBishop
Megalodon
I'd rather play Moyza at 6. Put Duges at the back with Ramien in the centres.
Mark^Bastard
Great White
Yeah it basically boils down to Ramien or whatever forward we would bring in.
Proud Shark
Jaws
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Completely agree. The way I see it our best 13 has hodko out and either ramien or boogs in. Was just thinking of another option.
Proud Shark
Jaws
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Honestly dont think theres a chance in hell it happens.
HaroldBishop
Megalodon
Wade has been very disappointing so far imo. I wouldn't pick him for SOO at this stage.