TEAM LIST Pre-season Challenge Round 2 vs. Raiders

[SeanT]

Its clear Matamua ain’t ready and with Joffa being out Sheens probably felt no other option was needed but Twal at 13. Matamua will get some time but even Sheens thinks he ain’t ready.

He isn't ready. But having Twal at 13 isnt going to help with point scoring.

Is it 2024 yet? Haha

 

[OzLuke]

For those of you old enough to remember it

Fraser was the man!!!

 

[craigtob]

Still a lot better than last year,that’s for sure.
I am hoping that we can be competitive.And don’t give up,onwards and upwards.

 

[Halbrowne61]

WOW!!
For me, this team just highligts the (still) lack of depth in this squad.

First thing I thought too. Same old same old,
the new tactics better be good.

 

[Wiz]

this list certainly offers some insights into Sheens thoughts.

it looks as if he's willing to look past Talau's defensive issues in favour of his attacking upside. while I think its the wrong call to make, we'll see how he looks up against Seb Kris this weekend, who will give him plenty to do. I think Talau will improve, but that said he's starting from a pretty low base.

might be looking into it a little too much considering Blore's recent niggles, but it looks as if he'll be on the bench on the entirety of the year for impact. I think its a good move. his ability to bend the line and whack the opposition in defence is a great thing for us.

Twal at 13 effectively means that he's holding it for Ofahengaue and that Matamua will have the time he needs in reserve grade to begin the year.

bench make-up for R1 (providing we're at full strength) looks like Simpkin/Staines, Twal, Pole and Blore. personally I reckon it has the potential to be the best bench in the comp. keen to see James and Simpkins go around and how they fare against a massive Raiders pack.

Agree regarding Blore. He played nine or 10 games in a row at the back end of 2021 and I thought he was really solid. Saw him bend the line a few times (one our few to do so) and his defence was first class. Struggled with his timing with Brooks on the short ball, but that can be worked on.

Given the “relatively” weak back row, I’m surprised Kit Katouga didn’t get a spot in the 24. He is/was highly rated and made a brief debut last year. Perhaps the rumours of him having signed with the doggies are true.

 

[innsaneink]

Why being played at Belmore?

Pascoe gift to Gus

 

[watersider]

So many problems but Twal at lock is horrible. The best teams have mobile ball playing high energy players. Twal is a slow prop. I think twal is quality, he's just not a lock. You want that lock pushing up in the defensive disrupting attacking plays and again, as good a defender as twal is, that's not his strength. I don't think it helps twal any playing him this way either.

I see us struggling to control the play the ball with misdirection and inside switch plays getting our big slow middle players of seyfarth, klemmer, doueihi and twal struggling to wrap the smaller speedier players up and failing to get numbers in the tackle due to slow lateral movement.

Hastings at 13 was really good at being first man in and sticking and disrupting the opposition. There's absolutely no one on our side capable of that. I think they're moving twal to 13 to strengthen the defense but they're thinking about it the wrong way.

 

[watersider]

Does anyone see how we score points? Maybe improv play by doueihi might produce something? Maybe a flukey bomb? There's not enough speed or threat or size. Sorry to be negative.

 

[Wiz]

One less obvious selection is that James got the nod over Faniu (spelling). James is not on a top 30 contract whereas I believe Faniu is in the first of 3 years as a top 30 player.

 

[KingRobbie]

One less obvious selection is that James got the nod over Faniu (spelling). James is not on a top 30 contract whereas I believe Faniu is in the first of 3 years as a top 30 player.

Fainu on the second of three years in the Top 30.

Off-contract end of '24.

Hasn't impressed.

 

[king_sirro]

Not good

Does anyone see how we score points? Maybe improv play by doueihi might produce something? Maybe a flukey bomb? There's not enough speed or threat or size. Sorry to be negative.

It looks bare without Brooks I must admit.

However Laurie at 1 and Doueihi at 6 behind a stronger pack should see something created. Wakeham just needs to take good options.

Talau in the centres is concerning. They are seeing something we all aren't. AJ is faster, better footwork, more mobile and better hands.

 

[king_sirro]

So many problems but Twal at lock is horrible. The best teams have mobile ball playing high energy players. Twal is a slow prop. I think twal is quality, he's just not a lock. You want that lock pushing up in the defensive disrupting attacking plays and again, as good a defender as twal is, that's not his strength. I don't think it helps twal any playing him this way either.

I see us struggling to control the play the ball with misdirection and inside switch plays getting our big slow middle players of seyfarth, klemmer, doueihi and twal struggling to wrap the smaller speedier players up and failing to get numbers in the tackle due to slow lateral movement.

Hastings at 13 was really good at being first man in and sticking and disrupting the opposition. There's absolutely no one on our side capable of that. I think they're moving twal to 13 to strengthen the defense but they're thinking about it the wrong way.

I'm not against your opinion that we need a certain player at lock, but I disagree saying Twal is a slow prop. He is one of the more mobile middles in the game. He has good leg speed and it's one reason he doesn't miss tackles after making more then everyone else. I actually think he is mobile enough for an edge and should be tried there instead of Seyfarth because Twal has shown he is comfortable getting the ball right on the line hitting a hole. Not saying he would be good on an edge, just that it was worth a try over Seyfarth.

 

[tiger_one]

If Twal scores a try, does it officially count?

 

[Red88_Tiger]

If Twal scores a try, does it officially count?

I’d put money on that he would count it

 

[tiger_one]

 

[Needaname]

So many problems but Twal at lock is horrible. The best teams have mobile ball playing high energy players. Twal is a slow prop. I think twal is quality, he's just not a lock. You want that lock pushing up in the defensive disrupting attacking plays and again, as good a defender as twal is, that's not his strength. I don't think it helps twal any playing him this way either.

I see us struggling to control the play the ball with misdirection and inside switch plays getting our big slow middle players of seyfarth, klemmer, doueihi and twal struggling to wrap the smaller speedier players up and failing to get numbers in the tackle due to slow lateral movement.

Hastings at 13 was really good at being first man in and sticking and disrupting the opposition. There's absolutely no one on our side capable of that. I think they're moving twal to 13 to strengthen the defense but they're thinking about it the wrong way.

Interesting, oh by the way Hastings didn’t want to play 13 though I agree he could have transitioned into a good lock. Keen to see how he handles a full year at halfback though.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I'm not against your opinion that we need a certain player at lock, but I disagree saying Twal is a slow prop. He is one of the more mobile middles in the game. He has good leg speed and it's one reason he doesn't miss tackles after making more then everyone else. I actually think he is mobile enough for an edge and should be tried there instead of Seyfarth because Twal has shown he is comfortable getting the ball right on the line hitting a hole. Not saying he would be good on an edge, just that it was worth a try over Seyfarth.

Twal when he started at Lock for us a few years back was all over the middle defensively and his ball running was way more effective. 45% of his mtrs were post contact it was the biggest PCM % by 10% of any season & most of any forwards in last 5yrs at least (haven’t gone further). His play the ball speed is also fast, so if he makes more PCM with quick play the balls we can attack faster off the back.

Think people though are more concerned about the ball playing which can understand to some extent but geez we need something in defense which hands down he gives us.

 

[tony soprano]

Sheens on 2gb soon apparently

 

[tony soprano]

On now

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

If Twal scores a try, does it officially count?

No as it’s not a NRL try.