Gone are the days were trials were exactly that, trials. Where a Coach had the opportunity to give up and comer's, fringe and new recruits a go, to push for selection and put pressure on the big boys who themselves believe would be certainties for Round 1\. That doesn't seem to be the case or scenario with Wests.
Coach Sheens to me already has his top 17 team picked for Round 1, with perhaps fitness of a few playing a potential part in seeing an perhaps an odd addition or two disturbing his preferred selection.
The likes of Mullaney, Fiftia, Taumata, Davis, Pritchard, Akeripa, Gower for example are players that SHOULD be getting a definite run, to push their claim for a NRL berth come Round 1\. Instead, it seems that persistence with a few individuals that are obviously flavour of the month has taken precedence in trials thus far.
Having the trials played in 4 x 20 min quarters presents the perfect opportunity for any Coach to try players in different positions, not to mention the opportunity to try more players and see how they perform, to see if their form may warrant a First Grade start.
Instead, just like last week, we will see Lui play all 80 mins in the halves, with another halves prospect in Arana Taumata miss out on a chance and opportunity to assert his claim for the 'vacant' No. 7 jersey. The options at halfback are probably the best they've been in years. Even more reason to let Lui, Moltzen, Taumata, Lazarus all have a decent crack at snaring the No. 7.
Competition for spots, breeds success within a football team. Players knowing that there is someone, a team mate breathing down there neck keeps the incumbent on his toes, knowing that there is no room for error or complacency. It seems that such a thing as healthy competition within does not exist at Wests, with Coach Sheens knowing the squad he wants.
I for one hope, Coach Sheens does take up a larger squad up the F3, and i hope that players like Brown, Fitzhenry, Daniela, Lui are also playing a lot of NSW Cup in the early rounds of the proper Rugby League Premiership with other prospects mentioned above getting to feature in their place.
I believe Lui will be served well if Wests take the Canterbury mindset and approach and treat him like their promising half Ben Barba. Barba who proved to be an enigma in the NYC tore his opposition apart, however was way out of his depth when it come to handling it with the big boys in First Grade. Last year, Moore played him in the NSW Cup. Not only did he bulk up, he was given the opportunity to prove his worth against men, seasoned players with NRL experience, where his development and progress benefited as a result. Lui is raw talent, he has the potential and capability of being a classy half. No question about it, however, i far from ready, and is not the answer to lead Wests to a finals campaign or premiership in 2010 at where his game is currently at. A stint in Reserves maybe just the trick to transform him from an exciting prospect to a valuable prodigy.
See ya's at Gosford :wink:
