Your team vs Penrith

[Harvey]

Stefano has been a major disappointment this year. Start with Joe O or Twal and bring him off the bench

 

[Blaze]

Anyone going to the game? I’ve decided to have a road trip with the kids and go…

 

[diedpretty]

We need a ball playing 13. Our attack is so one dimensional. Pole is a good footballer but he is not the answer at 13. He is just a 3rd prop on the field. The best 13s are not far behind the halves on the number of times they receive the ball and the number of passes they make. They are virtually a 3rd playmaker. Pole's receipts and passes are lower than our props.

 

[Hbom]

Stefano has been a major disappointment this year. Start with Joe O or Twal and bring him off the bench

Agree, however I though he had a very good game on Sunday, watching from the ground.

 

[stevied]

1. Jahream Bula (did well although Staines unlucky)
2. Charlie Staines
3. Bent Naden (If not available, Talau)
4. Starford To'a
5. Junior Tupou
6. Daine Laurie (Not brilliant in Cup but better than Brooks. Give it a shot)
7. Brandon Wakeham (need him for goal kicking)
8. Alex Twal (hard working toiler + played well last week)
9. Apisai Koroisau (c) (If Laurie initiative fails, move him to half and plug Simpkin into hooker)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Joe Ofahengaue (more value starting for his work rate)
13. John Bateman (plays link man)

14. Jake Simpkin (cover for Api if moved to half)
15. Stefano Utoikamanu (more impact than Twal or Ofa off bench)
16. Fonua Pole (tell him to go hell for leather as sub)
17. Asu Kepaoa (Liability in defence as a centre. Better as bench forward)

Brooks has to be dropped. Should have been weeks ago. Laurie will, at least look for the ball, show more vision and be more confident in what he does. Of course, this is all a nonsense because Sheens will pick the same team, including the untouchable, next Andrew Johns, good old Brooksy.

 

[Stevec]

1. Jahream Bula (did well although Staines unlucky)
2. Charlie Staines
3. Bent Naden (If not available, Talau)
4. Starford To'a
5. Junior Tupou
6. Daine Laurie (Not brilliant in Cup but better than Brooks. Give it a shot)
7. Brandon Wakeham (need him for goal kicking)
8. Alex Twal (hard working toiler + played well last week)
9. Apisai Koroisau (c) (If Laurie initiative fails, move him to half and plug Simpkin into hooker)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Joe Ofahengaue (more value starting for his work rate)
13. John Bateman (plays link man)

14. Jake Simpkin (cover for Api if moved to half)
15. Stefano Utoikamanu (more impact than Twal or Ofa off bench)
16. Fonua Pole (tell him to go hell for leather as sub)
17. Asu Kepaoa (Liability in defence as a centre. Better as bench forward)

Brooks has to be dropped. Should have been weeks ago. Laurie will, at least look for the ball, show more vision and be more confident in what he does. Of course, this is all a nonsense because Sheens will pick the same team, including the untouchable, next Andrew Johns, good old Brooksy.

He can have his 10 minute rest at half time, we need his talent for 80 minute

Well thought out you must be one of us who watch every game
My only difference of opinion is Stephano actually bends the opposition line back whereas Twal who is a hard working tackler I noticed braces before the collision .I would rather start with Steph and move Twal to 2nd row and Joe to bench . Just an opinion but still like your team . In the long term however we must recruit at least one classy center and of course a playmaking half

 

[stevied]

Well thought out you must be one of us who watch every game
My only difference of opinion is Stephano actually bends the opposition line back whereas Twal who is a hard working tackler I noticed braces before the collision .I would rather start with Steph and move Twal to 2nd row and Joe to bench . Just an opinion but still like your team . In the long term however we must recruit at least one classy center and of course a playmaking half

Good conversation between Steves! Yes, I made a point of watching KOE Cup closely on Sunday and I noticed a few things. In a bludger of a game, I thought Laurie looked like a half, Mansfield was useful and Saukuru showed potential as a strike centre. However, regarding Twal and Stef, I will still stick to swapping them. Yes, Stef bends the line and he, probably played his best game in 2023 v Manly but Twal also played very well and, actually bent the line a bit. Let Twal do an all round job, including plugging the defence, and bring on Stef to terrorize the tired Penrith forwards later in the game. Also, start with Ofa for his work ethic then bring Pole on to charge up the guts. Just my thoughts.

 

[Stevec]

Good conversation between Steves! Yes, I made a point of watching KOE Cup closely on Sunday and I noticed a few things. In a bludger of a game, I thought Laurie looked like a half, Mansfield was useful and Saukuru showed potential as a strike centre. However, regarding Twal and Stef, I will still stick to swapping them. Yes, Stef bends the line and he, probably played his best game in 2023 v Manly but Twal also played very well and, actually bent the line a bit. Let Twal do an all round job, including plugging the defence, and bring on Stef to terrorize the tired Penrith forwards later in the game. Also, start with Ofa for his work ethic then bring Pole on to charge up the guts. Just my thoughts.

Well said I also was impressed with Saukaru in Cup and think Laurie has ball playing skills

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Good conversation between Steves! Yes, I made a point of watching KOE Cup closely on Sunday and I noticed a few things. In a bludger of a game, I thought Laurie looked like a half, Mansfield was useful and Saukuru showed potential as a strike centre. However, regarding Twal and Stef, I will still stick to swapping them. Yes, Stef bends the line and he, probably played his best game in 2023 v Manly but Twal also played very well and, actually bent the line a bit. Let Twal do an all round job, including plugging the defence, and bring on Stef to terrorize the tired Penrith forwards later in the game. Also, start with Ofa for his work ethic then bring Pole on to charge up the guts. Just my thoughts.

I can’t recall Twal having a better overall game for us. Great metres, a couple of nice offloads and a little aggression too. Far from a plodder in the last game.

 

[Tiger_claws]

I think both Stef and Pole should be on the bench as a tactic. Both could bring huge impact against a tiring defence. We don’t have anyone that can be a ball playing lock but I think Bateman can cause a bit of havoc in the 13. Joffa and Klem to start.

 

[Aceshigh]

I think both Stef and Pole should be on the bench as a tactic. Both could bring huge impact against a tiring defence. We don’t have anyone that can be a ball playing lock but I think Bateman can cause a bit of havoc in the 13. Joffa and Klem to start.

We still got to get the ball over the line

 

[matchball]

1. Jahream Bula (did well although Staines unlucky)
2. Charlie Staines
3. Bent Naden (If not available, Talau)
4. Starford To'a
5. Junior Tupou
6. Daine Laurie (Not brilliant in Cup but better than Brooks. Give it a shot)
7. Brandon Wakeham (need him for goal kicking)
8. Alex Twal (hard working toiler + played well last week)
9. Apisai Koroisau (c) (If Laurie initiative fails, move him to half and plug Simpkin into hooker)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Joe Ofahengaue (more value starting for his work rate)
13. John Bateman (plays link man)

14. Jake Simpkin (cover for Api if moved to half)
15. Stefano Utoikamanu (more impact than Twal or Ofa off bench)
16. Fonua Pole (tell him to go hell for leather as sub)
17. Asu Kepaoa (Liability in defence as a centre. Better as bench forward)

Brooks has to be dropped. Should have been weeks ago. Laurie will, at least look for the ball, show more vision and be more confident in what he does. Of course, this is all a nonsense because Sheens will pick the same team, including the untouchable, next Andrew Johns, good old Brooksy.

With the bean counters in the front office Brooks is an impossibility to be dropped.
The bloke is on 40 grand a game.
He's too expensive to not play.

 

[stevied]

With the bean counters in the front office Brooks is an impossibility to be dropped.
The bloke is on 40 grand a game.
He's too expensive to not play.

In dollars maybe. But he's even more expensive to play, in terms of on field success. I reckon putting him in KOE Cup is money well spent.

 

[Tucker]

4 ex panthers staines, laurie, koroisau & nado
I think this is the best team we can provide for now
Damn I wish we were playing them when they have their origin stars out
Oh well if we lose 1-12 I'll still be happy

Why?
A loss is a loss.

 

[stevied]

Is the team released tomorrow?

 

[88]

1. Jahream Bula (did well although Staines unlucky)
2. Charlie Staines
3. Bent Naden (If not available, Talau)
4. Starford To'a
5. Junior Tupou
6. Daine Laurie (Not brilliant in Cup but better than Brooks. Give it a shot)
7. Brandon Wakeham (need him for goal kicking)
8. Alex Twal (hard working toiler + played well last week)
9. Apisai Koroisau (c) (If Laurie initiative fails, move him to half and plug Simpkin into hooker)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Joe Ofahengaue (more value starting for his work rate)
13. John Bateman (plays link man)

14. Jake Simpkin (cover for Api if moved to half)
15. Stefano Utoikamanu (more impact than Twal or Ofa off bench)
16. Fonua Pole (tell him to go hell for leather as sub)
17. Asu Kepaoa (Liability in defence as a centre. Better as bench forward)

Brooks has to be dropped. Should have been weeks ago. Laurie will, at least look for the ball, show more vision and be more confident in what he does. Of course, this is all a nonsense because Sheens will pick the same team, including the untouchable, next Andrew Johns, good old Brooksy.

If we had the luxury with out starting pack to get Steph and Pole on the bench it would provide a huge punch against other teams bench packs I reckon. Matamua might also be a great option when they feel he is ready for regular first grade. Not sure how many younger props/locks we have with first grade potential?

 

[Tito Santana]

Talau should never play another game for us now. What’s the point? Let him rot.

 

[tony soprano]

Yes, now that was easy money. But as TS says he gave it up to do what he’s doing, so says a lot about the guys intentions.
Maybe like other assistants in the NRL the secret to being a good head coach is working out what NOT to do, rather than the other way around.
And have some b…s. Go with your gut.

Could still be playing too.

 

[matchball]

In dollars maybe. But he's even more expensive to play, in terms of on field success. I reckon putting him in KOE Cup is money well spent.

I agree with you. Just looking at it from an admin point of view. They can't sit out a player on that kind of money without huge criticism as well.
It's all self preservation. Nobody wants the sack.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

I can’t recall Twal having a better overall game for us. Great metres, a couple of nice offloads and a little aggression too. Far from a plodder in the last game.

twals best game for the club was the Manly game