jirskyr
Well-known member
Totally agree, time to favour athleticism in the side rather than experience or "smarts".surely Tupou is in this week. Staines to full back. Laurie to Nadens wing. Tupou to the other wing. Nofa to reserve grade and told he is free to look around, as should Laurie be. As soon as a spot frees up we promote and debut Bula. Hunt for a 7 from england asap . brooks to 6
Staines is not a great fullback but he has pace to trouble opponents, and right now we need to build our confidence by destabilising the opposition. Laurie is a better footballer than Staines but he just isn't offering any physical or creative threat.
Nofo is one of the dumbest footballers going around and we've already seen his best many years ago. Tupou is a legitimate physical threat, and whilst he will probably make some bad errors as he gets more experience, his build is the prototype for the new young NRL star (tall, rangy, strong, fast - a new era of Greg Inglis types, e.g. Sualii, Warbrick, Kiraz etc.)
Just maybe Laurie could go to halves and replace Brooks. I don't know if it would work. I think it's time to start making those decisive changes now, rather than doubling-down on old rosters that have never done the job.
Stefano to the bench until he gets his handling right and his confidence up. Twal or Pole (when fit) to starting prop. Joffa needs to get his 2022 form back or put him back in the middle.
In fairness to the coach, apart from that he is a little short of other options given a mini injury crisis in the forwards.