Chris Lawrence to 5/8

[The_Tooth]

Just when you think the halves are sorted, it seems Sheensy is keeping his cards close to his chest.

Over on NRL.com they have the Tigers 2012 preview. Very insteresting, if not shocked, to hear from both Freddy Fittler and Chris himself that there is some chance he'll play 5/8.

Freddy mentioned he'd been out at training a couple of times and judging by what was said, and not said, reading between the lines it looks like Sheens hasn't given up on the idea of Lawrence at 5/8\. Possibly if Moltzen doesn't work at 7 or Tedesco struggles, then Chris might in fact be moved.

I'm partial to the idea, but not in 2012\. With Miller, Chrisholm and Humble in the squad along with Moltzen, Chris at 5/8 doesn't even come into my calculations.

With an Australian selection at centre already and most likely a NSW selection it doesn't seem the right time to shift Lawrence. And what, Benji to 7 😱pen_mouth:

 

[851]

This has to be a smokescreen from Sheens,otherwise this is up there with his Fitzy at 6 and Morris at 7 hair brain schemes over the years,we don't need the coach making things harder than they already are,surely a bluff from the old fox.

 

[tiga4eva]

1\. Strike centre in the world moved to 5/8…...not even Sheens would contemplate it(remembers Beau in 2nd row) UH OH!
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[coolcat]

I can see him doing well there. He has the hands and the running game. Move Ready to center. Could only see this happening of benji got injured. We don't have anyone to replace benji. And that would give other teams something to think about
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[Wacko_Jacko]

Sheens does a good job of throwing people off the scent

 

[Goose]

Im guessing this is a contingency plan only.

 

[happy_tiger]

Yes definitely only a back up plan , but in the future when Benji retires we will have to find a six

I still think that Lawrence may still end up as a lock one day

 

[Guest]

Im guessing this is a contingency plan only.

Agree, but even then, I'd be more inclined to move Chisholm to 6 ahead of Lawrence as he has a kicking game and better ballplaying ability IMO.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

God, please no.

 

[Marshall_magic]

Oh god no! I hope this never happens. Why move one of the best centres in the world to 5/8 when we already have the best 5/8 in the world? Where does that put Benji? Halfback? Are we going to weaken 2 positions to strengthen another? Moving strike centres to 5/8 rarely works: Gasnier and Inglis are 2 that come to mind.

 

[The_Tooth]

This has to be a smokescreen from Sheens,otherwise this is up there with his Fitzy at 6 and Morris at 7 hair brain schemes over the years,we don't need the coach making things harder than they already are,surely a bluff from the old fox.

The worrying thing is this doesn't seem a smokescreen by Sheens as he hasn't come out and publically said this. Its more reading between the lines on what Chris and Freddy have said. The fact Sheens hasn't even mentioned Chris in the halves in recent months makes me wonder if he is hiding something.
I would agree though that it would have to be a contingency plan or future plan only , assuming Moltzen at 7 or the fullbacks don't work out. Hopefully its a plan C or D only.

 

[stryker]

Poor move IMO. We have plenty of halves and if this truly is a contingency for Benji then it would be weakening two positions to cover for him.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

If he ever moved from the centres i'd love to see how he'd go at fullback

 

[Chris]

Queue Balmain Bug

 

[Tiger_Watto]

I had a feeling this was a possibility once Sheens moved Moltzen to 7 and the rumours coming out that Reddy will be in the 17\. I figured Marshall will be our Halfback in 2012 and Moltzen will play more of a traditional 5/8 role. Sheens is always hedging his bets and if the Marshall/Moltzen doesnt work, Rowdy would move to 6 with Moltzen shifting back to Fullback.

This way our first reciever doesnt change and there is little disruption. It also gives us a clearer indicator of where Reddy fits in!

Big gamble though moving the worlds best Centre!!!

 

[Tigerdave]

Surely we have plenty of other halves in the off chance that Moltzen gets injured or doesn't work out? It makes no sense weakening one position to try to fill a gap in another.

 

[innsaneink]

Queue Balmain Bug

Got no opinion on it yourself?
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He's been mentioned in the past also as a possible backrower in future (not that ive agreed in the possibility of moving him) but seeing him last Sat at the Fndtn Cup he was _looking_ physically a lot more like a forward…beefed up imo

 

[TIGER]

If anyone believes this in the slightest they have no idea. This is a Sheens special.
I can see him Lawrence and Benji having a giggle at anyone who buys this, classic stuff.

 

[alexaki]

why not I say…at various stages during the game, like close to the line throw Lawrence in at 5/8 he will take on the line and can throw a decent pass...imagine how confused the opposition would be...they wouldn't have a clue who to mark up or what is about to come their way!...I'm a fan...but only during certain plays and circumstances

 

[TIGER]

He's a ball runner he is one of the best at it also. Using him close to the line would be the worst place! no room or time when attacking close to the line. He's a finisher, the one running the lines and receiving the pass rather than creating and giving it, anyone who thinks otherwise has no idea about the game.