Next Weeks Team V Rabbitohs

[TigerLouis]

Bula
Nofoaluma
To’a
Talau
Tupou
Laurie
Brooks (Goalkicker)
Pole
Papali’i
Blore
Klemmer
Koroisau (c)
Stefano
Bench
Smith
Matamua
Ofahengaue
James

Although we won against the Dragons it was not a very good performance by the boys. I would make a few changes especially now that we can pick players from our reserve team. Firstly I would put Daine Laurie in at 5/8 for Brandon Wakeham who is not a first grader. Secondly I would put Shawn Blore in for John Bateman who will probably be out with his hamstring injury. Then I would bring in Will Smith on the bench who is a good utility and can cover many positions & even replace Koroisau at hooker if needed. Jake Simpkin for mine is a waste on the bench as he does not get enough game time and cannot cover the backline. I would also give Justin Matamua an opportunity on the bench to replace AJ Kepaoa who is a liability in defence. And lastly I would also bring in a Aitasi James for Alex Twal which will give us more aggression from the bench.

 

[sparci]

harsh on Twal, hes had his career best games the last month or so. Also Laurie doesn't have any sort of kicking game, at least Wakeham can get some repeat sets

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Bula
Nofoaluma
To’a
Talau
Tupou
Laurie
Brooks (Goalkicker)
Pole
Papali’i
Blore
Klemmer
Koroisau (c)
Stefano
Bench
Smith
Matamua
Ofahengaue
James

Although we won against the Dragons it was not a very good performance by the boys. I would make a few changes especially now that we can pick players from our reserve team. Firstly I would put Daine Laurie in at 5/8 for Brandon Wakeham who is not a first grader. Secondly I would put Shawn Blore in for John Bateman who will probably be out with his hamstring injury. Then I would bring in Will Smith on the bench who is a good utility and can cover many positions & even replace Koroisau at hooker if needed. Jake Simpkin for mine is a waste on the bench as he does not get enough game time and cannot cover the backline. I would also give Justin Matamua an opportunity on the bench to replace AJ Kepaoa who is a liability in defence. And lastly I would also bring in a Aitasi James for Alex Twal which will give us more aggression from the bench.

Simpkin needs to drop to get game time into him so he can properly cover for Api during origin

 

[Demps]

1 Bula
2 Nofo
3 Toa
4 AJ?
5 Tupou
6 Wakeham
7 Brooks
8 Klemmer
9 Api
10 Stef
11 Bateman (Hopefully)
12 Ice
13 Pole

14 Simpkin
15 Twal
16 Blore
17 Joffa

 

[old_man_tiger]

1 Bula
2 Nofo
3 Toa
4 AJ?
5 Tupou
6 Wakeham
7 Brooks
8 Klemmer
9 Api
10 Stef
11 Bateman (Hopefully)
12 Ice
13 Pole

14 Simpkin
15 Twal
16 Blore
17 Joffa

I'd take this. AJ not a great centre, but miles ahead of Talau. I'd probably have him there even if Bateman is out and play blore for Bateman.

 

[Demps]

I'd take this. AJ not a great centre, but miles ahead of Talau. I'd probably have him there even if Bateman is out and play blore for Bateman.

Yeah, AJ is not ideal... but I'd not be playing Talau ever again.

We're missing Naden.
Letting the team down with that suspension.

Believe we can play some cup players now but not many options there either

 

[weststigerman]

I'd take this. AJ not a great centre, but miles ahead of Talau. I'd probably have him there even if Bateman is out and play blore for Bateman.

100% agree.

 

[old_man_tiger]

Yeah, AJ is not ideal... but I'd not be playing Talau ever again.

We're missing Naden.
Letting the team down with that suspension.

Believe we can play some cup players now but not many options there either

I nearly gave Tommy's jersey 1 point in the 3,2,1. Went the whole game in a paddock without a single stain!

 

[weststigerman]

There won’t be much change from a winning side but when Stefano and Klemmer go off we lose a lot of momentum.

Might be better to have Joffa at 13 and bring Pole off the bench.

Twal and Pole perform well but I think Joffa is a step below them atm.

 

[Speed2burn]

how far is Atasi James off a debut? He’s looked good in cup every time I’ve watched

As someone else said Simpkins could do with 80 mins in his legs in reserves, he’ll probably have to play 80 in Api’s absence

 

[Tim Sheens]

Simpkin needs to drop to get game time into him so he can properly cover for Api during origin

Or double up for the Magpies if WT play a day or two before the KOE games.

 

[Harvey]

Need a couple of sacrificial lambs to belt Walker & take Lattrel’s head off

 

[Buttface]

Simpkin needs to drop to get game time into him so he can properly cover for Api during origin

That’s a good call.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Unchanged side bar Bateman returning from injury, as two wins on the trot and finally getting some combinations going.

Same spine for 3 weeks now, and apart from being by far our best goal kicking option, I cannot understand anyone wanting to break up something that is beginning to work by dropping Wakeham.

 

[Buttface]

1 Bula
2 Nofo
3 Toa
4 Sakura/Reilly/Kioa
5 Tupou
6 Wakeham
7 Brooks
8 Klemmer
9 Api
10 Stef
11 Blore
12 Ice
13 Twal

14 Simpkin
15 Pole
16 James
17 Joffa

I have edited this coz I reckon Bateman won’t be ready and found out James had a cracka on the weekend and if ya gunna debut a bloke you should do it while in form or after a good game and as a reward for such form.

 

[Tucker]

Need a couple of sacrificial lambs to belt Walker & take Lattrel’s head off

Got a feeling Klemmer is set for an extended holiday after next round.

 

[Harvey]

Same side except for hopefully Bateman back & Kepaoa taking Talau’s spot.

 

[Yossarian]

Aside from the penalty kick not finding touch I think Wakeham was okay today. He’s doing the job he was recruited to do - play a reasonable standard of footy without being great. Made over 20 tackles today and didn’t miss many. I’m not convinced Laurie improves things in that position.

 

[izotope]

wouldnt mind if sheens tinkered with a position or rotation

eg. no talau, AJ rotation, blore back in second row.

Bunnies are running hot and we realistically are very unlikely to beat them

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Aside from the penalty kick not finding touch I think Wakeham was okay today. He’s doing the job he was recruited to do - play a reasonable standard of footy without being great. Made over 20 tackles today and didn’t miss many. I’m not convinced Laurie improves things in that position.

I thought he was solid. Was unfortunate about that touch finder which really swung the momentum. The other thing that bugs me is he frequently passes to a player with a defender right on them.