The Luai dilemma...

[lathami]

I really don’t know what they should do, but bunji so far doesn’t change a winning team. I know Luai is a strong leader for the club. I reckon Luai either sits out this game and rests his knee longer or he plays the 14 for this week. I reckon Luai would cop that fairly. This creates a great culture at the club. If we are going poorly against the donkeys u bring him on. If we smash them rest him. Keep the winners in, unless they screw up like Skelton!
Just my call

 

[Tigerdazz2]

If Jock is not in the 19 for the Broncos game, Benji should at least award him Captaincy of the Magpies this weekend.

 

[EllisFan]

If Jock is not in the 19 for the Broncos game, Benji should at least award him Captaincy of the Magpies this weekend.

I think we’ll see them both in the 19 and both will know their form needs to hold if they want the 7 jersey.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

If Jock is not in the 19 for the Broncos game, Benji should at least award him Captaincy of the Magpies this weekend.

That would be Tyrone McCarthy to decide that and the Magpies have the week off

 

[Tired Tiger]

Probably controversial but this is my take.

Luai is the best 5/8 at the club and when fit he starts.

Jock stays at 7, has earnt the right. Plays direct, organises the team, gets them deep, has the best kicking game at the club and kicks goals.

AD goes to lock, strong running game, erratic in accurate kicking game. Can kick goals.

TWAL to the bench, gives AD a breather at lock.

Latu stays as the 14

Sayfarth enjoy NSW cup.

It's literally the best solution for the team but I don't think it's likely to happen. I think it was a big mistake to virtually guarantee AD the number 7......

 

[lathami]

Probably controversial but this is my take.

Luai is the best 5/8 at the club and when fit he starts.

Jock stays at 7, has earnt the right. Plays direct, organises the team, gets them deep, has the best kicking game at the club and kicks goals.

AD goes to lock, strong running game, erratic in accurate kicking game. Can kick goals.

TWAL to the bench, gives AD a breather at lock.

Latu stays as the 14

Sayfarth enjoy NSW cup.

It's literally the best solution for the team but I don't think it's likely to happen. I think it was a big mistake to virtually guarantee AD the number 7......

Don’t agree, Doubie has been our best player this season. He has earned his spot, and it’s his to lose. Keep winning and playing well, keep your spot!
Simples
Rest Luai another week, not hard really

 

[Adam Doobie]

This is just my opinion, I feel that Adam Doueihi can do everything he is doing now at centre. You give him stipulations that when we are in the opposition 40m he essentially becomes a second 5/8 and can roam as he sees fit.

You don't see it often but it has happened in another form in the past. Back when Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was a Rooster, he would start on the wing, but when they were in the 40m he would be at fullback and Minichiello would go to wing. We can do the same here - I think the coverage is Bula going to centre in red-zone attack.

We'll find out what Benji does tomorrow. My gut feel is he will allow Luai and Doueihi the opportunity to prove themselves as the halves combo going forward. I can foresee him making changes mid-game if the first 20-25 minutes doesn't work.

 

[mtd#2]

Don’t agree, Doubie has been our best player this season. He has earned his spot, and it’s his to lose. Keep winning and playing well, keep your spot!
Simples
Rest Luai another week, not hard really

Not hard to rest our highest paid player another week when he was probably ready to play against the knights? Lol I disagree.

 

[lathami]

Not hard to rest our highest paid player another week when he was probably ready to play against the knights? Lol I disagree.

Probably is not a fact, resting a knee injury in a long season is smart. Especially when we are going well. It’s a 4-6 week recovery period and I understand if we are losing to rush him back. But we aren’t so we shouldn’t.

 

[innsaneink]

Herbert kicks goals

18/25 NRL career

 

[mtd#2]

Probably is not a fact, resting a knee injury in a long season is smart. Especially when we are going well. It’s a 4-6 week recovery period and I understand if we are losing to rush him back. But we aren’t so we shouldn’t.

In theory yeah maybe. But i guess we are all operating on theories at the moment.
Ive anticipated team lists Tuesdays before, but this one is big!

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

I reckon If Luai is good to go he goes back to 6, AD 7 and latu would need to be 14 to cover hooker. Madden extended bench or cup.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

I really don’t know what they should do, but bunji so far doesn’t change a winning team. I know Luai is a strong leader for the club. I reckon Luai either sits out this game and rests his knee longer or he plays the 14 for this week. I reckon Luai would cop that fairly. This creates a great culture at the club. If we are going poorly against the donkeys u bring him on. If we smash them rest him. Keep the winners in, unless they screw up like Skelton!
Just my call

as AD should be willing to step into another role for the team as he is the most versatile

 

[TrueTiger]

All I can say is that JL is our highest paid player,but, how can you dump Jock after his games so far,great goal kicker,great organiser and kicks in play are great....
AD has had a fair few injuries but playing recently he seems to want to prove a point..one thing he has to learn is he can't win the game on his own,so find the gaps and spread the ball ...
Benji has a headache that I don't think Panadol will cure....

 

[tig_prmz]

The strongest pArt of our game this year has been Pole, Twal, May and Api. That's a killer front row for now and I wouldn't change that.

Douehi is taking his opportunities but he's not kicking goals or taking kicks. He's not running at full strength.

Id get him to rehab/ rest his hamstring all week and then play him off the bench in the game. He's not a lock, he doesn't straighten the attack much and definitely cannot defend.

I would have Hunt, Seyfarth, Douehi, Latu and Sukkar on the bench. We can use Latu and/or Douehi depending on whether we need more attack in the middle or on the edges.

Madden has to be 7 until Douehi is 100% but then if Madden continues like this then he stays regards of how good Douehi is going.

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

Just remember this is a good problem to have.

 

[stevied]

AD creates everything on the right. Luai will do likewise on the left. He’s just a better player than Jock and a leader on the field. Madden is the backup he’s done a tremendous job so far. It’s not a dilema it’s what good teams are supposed to have.

Douehi is a better runner than Madden, but not a better organiser, which is what a number 7 should do.

 

[mtd#2]

The strongest pArt of our game this year has been Pole, Twal, May and Api. That's a killer front row for now and I wouldn't change that.

Douehi is taking his opportunities but he's not kicking goals or taking kicks. He's not running at full strength.

Id get him to rehab/ rest his hamstring all week and then play him off the bench in the game. He's not a lock, he doesn't straighten the attack much and definitely cannot defend.

I would have Hunt, Seyfarth, Douehi, Latu and Sukkar on the bench. We can use Latu and/or Douehi depending on whether we need more attack in the middle or on the edges.

Madden has to be 7 until Douehi is 100% but then if Madden continues like this then he stays regards of how good Douehi is going.

Thats not a bad idea actually. Its a new workload for AD playing #7 and a week off may not be a bad thing. In saying that, he has been one of our most in form players. I dont know how happy he would be to be rested.

One thing is for sure, all these ideas are a massive headache for benji.

Bloody Jock, no one saw this coming .

 

[stevied]

Probably controversial but this is my take.

Luai is the best 5/8 at the club and when fit he starts.

Jock stays at 7, has earnt the right. Plays direct, organises the team, gets them deep, has the best kicking game at the club and kicks goals.

AD goes to lock, strong running game, erratic in accurate kicking game. Can kick goals.

TWAL to the bench, gives AD a breather at lock.

Latu stays as the 14

Sayfarth enjoy NSW cup.

It's literally the best solution for the team but I don't think it's likely to happen. I think it was a big mistake to virtually guarantee AD the number 7......

I like some of your ideas but Twal to the bench - there'd be an outcry! Douehi to centre with Madden at 7 is what I'd do.

 

[stevied]

The strongest pArt of our game this year has been Pole, Twal, May and Api. That's a killer front row for now and I wouldn't change that.

Douehi is taking his opportunities but he's not kicking goals or taking kicks. He's not running at full strength.

Id get him to rehab/ rest his hamstring all week and then play him off the bench in the game. He's not a lock, he doesn't straighten the attack much and definitely cannot defend.

I would have Hunt, Seyfarth, Douehi, Latu and Sukkar on the bench. We can use Latu and/or Douehi depending on whether we need more attack in the middle or on the edges.

Madden has to be 7 until Douehi is 100% but then if Madden continues like this then he stays regards of how good Douehi is going.

I don't think Pole has been one of our strengths. The forwards have but not Pole. Frequent dropped balls and inconsistent, sometimes lazy defense. Also, Douehi is wasted on the bench. Both Jock and Adam have to be in the team. They are both playing extremely well so, as I've said many times, Luai back in at 6, Madden stays at 7 and Douehi to centre. Easy peasy. No dilemma! Having said all that, I think Benji, sadly, will pick Jock at 14.