Team round 1

the Gold Coast are a great team that have gone out and recruited exactly what they needed. their edges are lethal, and Clark will open up the middle corridor when he comes on at 13. Verrills is a brilliant signing as well.

Foran is the key, you could see as much in last week's trial. his ability to go deep into the line and create space for his outside men is what makes him so good. cutting his time down and working hard from the inside will ensure we cover that.

Gold Coast's left edge is where the points are coming from. Foran, Fermor, Sami, Khan-Pereira. that's the side with AD, Talau and Nofo. they were brilliant last week defensively but they're going to have to step it up again if we're going to get anything from this game.

I think we'll overpower them through the middle and I have no issues with our attack but our halves need to control the game with their fifth tackle options. I'm still not completely sold on our defence. two lightning quick wingers, an elite backrow pair, a brilliant fullback in Brimson and Foran at 6 is going to be a huge assignment.
we will bash the hell out of foran he is past it, old body. You stop Foran that greatly limited Gold Coast
 
That's my best 21 squad
Still reckon Staines will start over Tupou (Experience wise)
1. Laurie
2. Nofoaluma
3. Talau
4. Naden
5. Staines
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Utoikamanu
9. Koroisau (c)
10. Klemmer
11. Papali’i
12. Blore
13. Ofahengaue

14. Simpkin
15. Twal
16. Pole
17. Bateman

18. Matamua, 19. Kepaoa, 20. Tupou, 21. Wakeham
That’s exactly how I see it at the moment. Blore and Bateman half a game each.
 
our linespeed last week was poor. can attribute that to the heat and the fact that it was our first outing but it will need to improve considerably. if you give guys like Fifita, Foran, Brimson and Fermor a wide berth they'll cut you to pieces. hopefully it's being spoken about this week and next.
100% on the money with our line speed. We were better last week than in 22 but still below par. Having said that Canberra dropped off after the first 10 so the heat may have played a part. I expect Furner will have them doing a few defensive sets back to back focusing on exactly that over this next week.

I'm pretty confident we will hold the middle and although they will throw some weight at us I expect Foran to be looking to attack using block shape like he did against the Dolphins.

What concerned me about our defensive shape last week is that although the inside decisions were mirrored across the line there were a few times that our wingers, Nofa in particular, were stepped back. Foran will make us pay by going deep and hitting the deep man while the winger tries to jamb in. I trust we make a subtle change in the structure this week and have them up with the line to shut this play down. That means Daino and the middles need to be providing cover to herd them towards the touch line and snuff out any play out the back.
 
That's my best 21 squad
Still reckon Staines will start over Tupou (Experience wise)
1. Laurie
2. Nofoaluma
3. Talau
4. Naden
5. Staines
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Utoikamanu
9. Koroisau (c)
10. Klemmer
11. Papali’i
12. Blore
13. Ofahengaue

14. Simpkin
15. Twal
16. Pole
17. Bateman

18. Matamua, 19. Kepaoa, 20. Tupou, 21. Wakeham

I'd go that but I'd swap out Kepaoa for Talau personally.
 
That's my best 21 squad
Still reckon Staines will start over Tupou (Experience wise)
1. Laurie
2. Nofoaluma
3. Talau
4. Naden
5. Staines
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Utoikamanu
9. Koroisau (c)
10. Klemmer
11. Papali’i
12. Blore
13. Ofahengaue

14. Simpkin
15. Twal
16. Pole
17. Bateman

18. Matamua, 19. Kepaoa, 20. Tupou, 21. Wakeham
I think you've got it spot on .Dont think Bateman will be ready for Rd 1
Hope Daino has a blinder but if not Rd 2 might see Staines to FB and Tupou to wing
 
That’s exactly how I see it at the moment. Blore and Bateman half a game each.
I think you've got it spot on .Dont think Bateman will be ready for Rd 1
Hope Daino has a blinder but if not Rd 2 might see Staines to FB and Tupou to wing
I'd go that but I'd swap out Kepaoa for Talau personally.
Makes me think Tupou will win the spot due to the trials combos

Tupou & Kepaoa looked good on the edge
 
I would play Kepaoa on the wing to replace Ken. Big, fast - will make metres out of the own half. Played great on the trials
Nofo and Kepaoa as wingers? Not bad but personally I’d have Kepaoa play that Garner role of bench cover for the backline 1-5 or 2nd row.
Then have Jake S on the bench for D.H +2x mid forwards.
not really sure of which winger misses out of the 17. one of Staines, Tupou and Nofo will be in SC.
 
Nofo and Kepaoa as wingers? Not bad but personally I’d have Kepaoa play that Garner role of bench cover for the backline 1-5 or 2nd row.
Then have Jake S on the bench for D.H +2x mid forwards.
not really sure of which winger misses out of the 17. one of Staines, Tupou and Nofo will be in SC.
Does no one else dread the words kepoa and winger together. I think tupou should be winger since he can replace ken as an aerial target plus is signed up longer so the faster he gets used to first grade the better it is for us
 
Gold Coast game
simple , they were pretty good and quick , shut them down early and aggressively, take the first 25 minutes of pain push them back , hit them hard , take Foran out of the game early , from then on we play our game , fast , many passes , aggression up the middle , make sure Fafita gets 3 on him every tackle , we win
 
1. Laurie
2. Stains
3. Naden
4. Talau
5. Nofoaluma
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Klemmer
9. Koroisau (c)
10. Utoikamanu
11. Papali'i
12. Blore
13. Ofahengaue

14. Simpkin
15.Twal
16. Bateman
17.pole
If we play like today I could see us going 4-1 to start the season with the loss being against the Storm.
Settle down tonto.... Don't get too ahead of yourself
 
Is this where we name our predicted starting side?

1. Daino
2. Nof
3. Tommy
4. Nado
5. Staines
6. Brooks
7. Doueihi
8. Joffa
9. Api
10. Klem
11. Iceman
12. Blore
13. Pole
14. Jakey
15. Stef
16. Twally
17. Kepoa or Bateman (if available)
 
1. Laurie
2. Stains
3. Naden
4. Talau
5. Nofoaluma
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Klemmer
9. Koroisau (c)
10. Utoikamanu
11. Papali'i
12. Blore
13. Ofahengaue

14. Simpkin
15. Twal
16. Bateman/Kepoa
17. Pole
 
1. Laurie
2. Nofoaluma
3. Talau
4. Naden
5. Tupou

6. Doueihi
7. Brooks

8. Utoikamanu
9. Koroisau
10. Klemmer
11. Papali’i
12. Blore/Kepaoa
13. Ofahengaue

14. Simpkin
15. Pole
16. Twal
17. Kepaoa/Blore

18. Staines
19. Wakeham
20. Matamua
21. Seyfarth

Bateman comes in when ready be it starting on the bench.
I like the idea of having Blore come off for a breather and have his 2nd stint in the middle for some much needed power.
Tupou I think will grow with confidence and our style of play allows for that.
 

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