Trial Match v Cronulla Sharks *LIVE Thread

Another thing that stands out for me is the hooker role. Our strength this year is our pack and IC will want someone to drive the pack forward (and maintain defensive structures). He will also want to identify players who can feed off our big boys and strengthen the link to Brookes and our backs. I think IC will test out both McIlwrick and Reynolds at hooker to see who can drive the pack.

The other thing of interest against Cronulla will be the tactics we use. There were some very obvious tactical plays last week so I'll be watching for those this week - that is if it is televised.

Finally - it is just a trial so everyone should cool down.
 
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But Russell said Lolohea is a lock for fullback

Well I was also talking about real games not trials :roll

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.

The goal kicking this season is a real problem I believe. We don't really have anyone (except maybe for Gamble) who is a reputable kicker :brick:
 
Why play a bloke for 80 minutes in the centres in both trials if you are not going to us him?

No one seems to have Kev in their sides, but it seems Ivan does.
 
The selections are surprising and interesting. As long as they play with the same attitude as last week, and smash the opposition I will be happy. Bit of a bummer to see Gamble named in the ISP, was looking forward to seeing how he went
 
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I can’t see Naiqama starting in the centres.

Why..?

Because hes 1.78m and 93 kgs. Thats fine if your quick like jimmy the jet, but if your not then you have to have size. He doesnt. More suited to wing.

latrell mitchell is quick, tall and over a 100kgs. Thats what we need. Id ratger mcqueen there before naiqama, and hes a backrower.

Goalkicking has been a problem since Hodgson. Bloody hell I hope we get nathan Cleary.
 
I'd be very surprised it Thompson was our fullback for round 1\. I'd see it more that Cleary is experimenting with his side and he would know this is his last chance to see Thompson combining with the NRL squad in a match setting.
Given he wants to experiment now's the time to see how Thompson goes at fullback for more than 20 mins. Rather than ui only play 30-40 mins it's better that he play the full 80 in ISP, and then he'll probably come onto the bench to play 20-30 in NRL trial too.

I'd expect a number of changes to all 3 squads. Fringe players will always feature in multiple games. There's no point Mikaele only playing 15 mins in the NRL trial if he can also play 45 in NSW cup.
 
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I can’t see Naiqama starting in the centres.

Why..?

Because hes 1.78m and 93 kgs. Thats fine if your quick like jimmy the jet, but if your not then you have to have size. He doesnt. More suited to wing.

latrell mitchell is quick, tall and over a 100kgs. Thats what we need. Id ratger mcqueen there before naiqama, and hes a backrower.

Goalkicking has been a problem since Hodgson. Bloody hell I hope we get nathan Cleary.

I hope Ivan Cleary thinks like you…
 
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I suspect players like Gamble , Lolohea , McQueen , JJF will be playing long mins in NSW Cup so Ivan can see how they go over 80 mins.
And give others like Thompson a good go in the 1sts

Thats the smartest comment so far and IMO .

Longer minutes.

All 4 look like they are in gonna be in or about the top 17.
 
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Another thing that stands out for me is the hooker role. Our strength this year is our pack and IC will want someone to drive the pack forward (and maintain defensive structures). He will also want to identify players who can feed off our big boys and strengthen the link to Brookes and our backs. I think IC will test out both McIlwrick and Reynolds at hooker to see who can drive the pack.

The other thing of interest against Cronulla will be the tactics we use. There were some very obvious tactical plays last week so I'll be watching for those this week - that is if it is televised.

Finally - it is just a trial so everyone should cool down.

.
As long as Josh R isnt at hooker for long. His service was terrible including a forward pass, His value isnt in this role.

As for being cool… Its been a long off season and We are all champing.
 
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Maybe some of those unexpected selections have been washing Ivan's car.

I don't think Ivan is going to keep players in first grade if the are consistently underperforming. Who knows tho…..........
 
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I suspect players like Gamble , Lolohea , McQueen , JJF will be playing long mins in NSW Cup so Ivan can see how they go over 80 mins.
And give others like Thompson a good go in the 1sts

Thats the smartest comment so far and IMO .

Longer minutes.

All 4 look like they are in gonna be in or about the top 17.

Probables first half.
Possibles second half.

I also agree with whoever said everyone should calm down…some wrist slitting already at trial II?
 
I posted this on Sunday in another thread

Interesting to note that when Thompson was at the back Cowboys didn't score and Thompson was doing a lot of talk
Saw a write up about this today saying how well the team had done with Thompson at the back
Obviously Ivan has the same idea and just wants to confirm this on the weekend against the sharks
Fullback is now Thompson's position to loose
I still think Tui will go back in the halves and it may be with Reynolds if Brooks doesn't preform
 
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I posted this on Sunday in another thread

Interesting to note that when Thompson was at the back Cowboys didn't score and Thompson was doing a lot of talk
Saw a write up about this today saying how well the team had done with Thompson at the back
Obviously Ivan has the same idea and just wants to confirm this on the weekend against the sharks
**Fullback is now Thompson's position to loose**
I still think Tui will go back in the halves and it may be with Reynolds if Brooks doesn't preform

Don't think so mate, he's just keeping the position warm for Tui (whilst he sorts out his chatter from the back).
 
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