Trial Match v Cronulla Sharks *LIVE Thread

[The_Old_Fox]

Maybe he'll give Gamble a look in at full back, he's defence is far better than Tui's and he probably kicks better?..strange move but remember it's only a trial, Tui may have personal reasons this week? who knows.

 

[fergiefurr]

Whilst I trust Cleary, on paper that's comfortably the worst 1-17 in the comp.

Really hoping ET, Twal, Sue and Benji are fit for round 1 and Tui/McQueen kill it in nsw cup

 

[fergiefurr]

Something must have happened for Tui to have been dropped and not even on the bench. He was our starting 1 just 4 days ago. It's not like all of a sudden in 4 days Ivan has decided he isn't at a desired fitness, he wouldn't have been playing in Cairns if that was the case. Has something off field happened?

I thought he was good for us at the back. He attacked kicks and was looking to get involved. Whilst Thompson was good he wasn't that much of a stand over Tui.

If it was Simply Thompson playing better then surely Tui would at least be on the bench

 

[Cairnstigers]

Roosters have no idea who they will be lining up against round 1
That makes it that much harder for them to prepare against us
Don't forget we smashed one off the competition favorites in the first trial
We did that missing Packer Matalino Taylor Twal Liddle and Marshal
That is almost our starting forward pack and a lot of experience
Our backs still put on 6 tries
I think we're in a good position

 

[Guest]

Interesting starting side for this match, injuries notwithstanding…Also surprised Lolo isn't named at 1 but Thompsons footwork did look impressive last week and a couple of guys on here, I think fergie above reckoned Thompson was training the house down so maybe his fitness has got him over the line at this stage, until Lolo can show otherwise...

I would suspect with no game time under his belt, Sue may very well start the season in State Cup along with Twal. Felise definitely looked fit and agile last week and if he carries that form into this weekend, he might be a smokey for a bench spot in round 1.

 

[fergiefurr]

Interesting starting side for this match, injuries notwithstanding…Also surprised Lolo isn't named at 1 but Thompsons footwork did look impressive last week and a couple of guys on here, I think fergie above reckoned Thompson was training the house down so maybe his fitness has got him over the line at this stage, until Lolo can show otherwise...

I would suspect with no game time under his belt, Sue may very well start the season in State Cup along with Twal. Felise definitely looked fit and agile last week and if he carries that form into this weekend, he might be a smokey for a bench spot in round 1.

I hadn’t heard anything re Thompson mate. My mail was that the 2-5 was going to be what it at the end of last year, which does appear to be true. Was also told ET had been training at 13 so interesting to see where he fits into the side when fit.

 

[Needaname]

A little from column a, a little from column b.
I'm not so sure if the objective is for Tui to develop better game awareness (in defence mostly) and improve his fitness than having him on the bench for firsts would be required.
I'd say what's happened is exactly the most obvious thing to happen whom we were given a hint that it will most likely be the case that Thompson was killing it at training.
Tui was told he would get first Crack. He had that.
I know cleary doesn't give much away but if you listen closely to the press conference prior to the first trial, Ivan states that everyone's training well but thats out of a game situation.
Someone mentioned the other night that the Cowboys did not score the whole time Thompson was at the back.
It's probable that Tui is not at the ideal place just yet and Thompson is prefered in every way.
Hopefully it all works out and Tui has a good season in one position in ISP and as I mentioned earlier, I believe Liddle will spend the majority of his time there also.
All emotions aside. This exact thing is what we've been hoping for for years.
Have a coach and a system that promotes players on merit not potential. That kind of set up is what has made clubs like the Storm, Broncos, Roosters, Sharks and Cowboys so successful.
Good signs that we are moving in the right direction.

 

[Cairnstigers]

A little from column a, a little from column b.
I'm not so sure if the objective is for Tui to develop better game awareness (in defence mostly) and improve his fitness than having him on the bench for firsts would be required.
I'd say what's happened is exactly the most obvious thing to happen whom we were given a hint that it will most likely be the case that Thompson was killing it at training.
Tui was told he would get first Crack. He had that.
I know cleary doesn't give much away but if you listen closely to the press conference prior to the first trial, Ivan states that everyone's training well but thats out of a game situation.
Someone mentioned the other night that the Cowboys did not score the whole time Thompson was at the back.
It's probable that Tui is not at the ideal place just yet and Thompson is prefered in every way.
Hopefully it all works out and Tui has a good season in one position in ISP and as I mentioned earlier, I believe Liddle will spend the majority of his time there also.
All emotions aside. This exact thing is what we've been hoping for for years.
Have a coach and a system that promotes players on merit not potential. That kind of set up is what has made clubs like the Storm, Broncos, Roosters, Sharks and Cowboys so successful.
Good signs that we are moving in the right direction.

Yes that was true about Thompson at the back
And he seemed to be barking a few instructions when the cowboys were attacking us
I thought he looked good

 

[WT2K]

More importantly, looks like most in supercoach will need to find a solution with Milne looking less likely to be there come R1 😂

 

[TYGA]

Cleary looks like he wants a look at Tui and Thompson for 80 minutes. Tui is a lock to start at fullback he wants to see how his backup performs.

Twal, ET, Lawrence don’t need to display much they are also locks to start the year if not injured.

I think round 1 will be 1\. Tui 2\. Nofa 3\. Milne 4\. Marsters 5\. MWZ 6\. Reynolds 7\. Brooks 8\. Packer 9\. Mcilwrick 10\. Mats 11\. Lawrence 12\. ET 13\. ET 14\. Twal 15\. Aloai 16\. McQueen 17\. Marshall

I’d be stunned if Kev starts over Milne, Thompson over Tui, Rochow over McQueen or Felise over Twal.

I believe I heard Cleary say the squad was healthy so not sure if injury is impacting the selections. It’s only pre season though.

 

[cktiger]

It will take a miracle for Tui to be named fullback for round one mate. You dont play the first choice spine member in reserve grade to give the back up a run. Believe me, barring injury, Thompson will start round one as our fullback.

For what its worth i think its crazy Tui isn't in the team. Evan if Thompson is now regarded a better fullback, surely we need Lolohea's strike power and goal kicking somehere.

I agree on both counts, he's unlikely to be in firsts round 1 and it's going to be to our detriment because we need his strike power and goal kicking. Thompson, Reynolds, Brooks, McIlwrick is a dire spine to be running out against Tedesco, Keary, Cronk, Friend…

I dont think Lolo makes that much diff tbh

Well he's one of those players that always seems to put himself in a position to score points and we don't have many of those, so leaving one of the few we do have out seems pretty unhelpful to me…

From James Tedesco to Corey Thompson …sheesh.

 

[supercoach]

Tui missing out has to be a discipline thing, he is the only one that comes close to having the X factor. I would also have Milne with Masters in the centre. As for only being a trial, except for a few injured players to come back, this will be our starting side come round 1…Scary

 

[FOD001]

Tui missing out has to be a discipline thing, he is the only one that comes close to having the X factor. I would also have Milne with Masters in the centre. As for only being a trial, except for a few injured players to come back, this will be our starting side come round 1…Scary

You’re over thinking Tui. It’s just a trial and there’s no issue. Thompson and Smith also train at fb. Smith has been injured so Thompson is the backup plan. IC is a great thinker is dotting his I’s and crossing his T’s. Do it now and not during the season. Why show your full hand now?

 

[happy_tiger]

I'm not sold on Rochow - he was steady in the first trial but he is never going to be any more than a backup for injuries.

Actually thought he went pretty well , few times if he had players sitting off his hip he had real good chances to offload

 

[newtiger]

Whilst I trust Cleary, on paper that's comfortably the worst 1-17 in the comp.

Really hoping ET, Twal, Sue and Benji are fit for round 1 and Tui/McQueen kill it in nsw cup

In the trial game against the Cowboys JJ was 10 times the player the Jesse Sue will or has ever been, if you are pinning your hopes of a top 8 on Sue then don’t put any of your hard earn cash on us.

 

[The_Old_Fox]

Hodgo may have some input here, I though Tui had a good game in attack but caught out of position in defence at fullback…he does have some issues with in he's technique when it comes to defence and the good teams will expose him...I think this has been identified by someone.

 

[Harvey]

Your fullbacks defence should not be the main selection criteria. If this is the first choice squad, it could be a long season

 

[Fade_To_Black]

Wanted to go to this trial.. Doubt if I'll make it from work, castle hill to cambo, since I finish at 6:30pm… Hopefully there's a stream.

From the NRL app

On Saturday, NRL.com will have journalists at every match involving two NRL teams and a rolling blog keeping you up to date with all action as it happens.

We will also be hosting livestreams from four Saturday matches – the Gold Coast Titans v Auckland Warriors (6pm AEDT kick-off), Penrith Panthers v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (6.30pm AEDT), Cronulla Sharks v Wests Tigers (7pm AEDT) and Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights (7pm AEDT)

Thanks mate. Looking forward to this one.

Also, who are the Auckland Warriors?

The New Zealand Warriors (NRL)..ISP feeder team..Auckland Warriors..

Are the Titans playing against the ISP Warriors? Would hazard a guess that it is just another oversite by the comically inept NRL HQ.
Manly Seagulls might be running around again this weekend. Ahh Johnny Grant, I wonder where that blubbering fool is these days?

 

[Harvey]

Maybe LoLo wasn't picked because he was interfering with Brooks taking control of the team.
In terms of ball players that create space, that team is almost threadbare

 

[upthetigers]

Thompson at fullback and Brooks at halfback doesn't that just fill you with a HUGE amount of confidence. Everyone is on the bus with you now Cleary let's not be getting stupid now.