With the news going around that Foran will take a break from the NRL, what do you think our playing spine will look like next year? At the same time there have been talks of Jarryd Hayne returning, but if this happens what will be the repercussions? In particular, both French and Gutherson have signaled their intention to play at fullback in the future, but I can't see either of them playing fullback while Jarryd is in our team. Some could argue that Jarryd could play in the halves, but we've done that before and fullback looked like his better position in both attack and defense. Following this, with Semi and Gutherson playing at wing, where does this leave French? For me, he is too good to leave out of the side. Taka and Jennings are also set in the centre positions, so this doesn't leave a lot of room in the back line.
On another note, who should partner Norman in the halves? Currently we have Robson, Cornish, and Kelly. Robson is contracted until the end of the year and said he would retire at the end of the season. However, depending on how well we play in the remaining rounds, I don't think it is out of the realms of possibility that Robson could play on next year. Earlier in the year, Kelly was preferenced over Cornish, and I don't see either as mainstays but rather as backup options. Overall, the depth in our halves needs improvement, and if we don't sign another half for next year I can see Hayne being forced into a halves role out of necessity rather than based on his best position.
To sum up, I think there is a lot of quality in our back line and it will force the coaching staff to make some tough decisions. Assuming no half is purchased for next year and Robson retires at the end of this season, I see the back line shaping up like this:
1. Bevan French / Clinton Gutherson
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takarangi
5. Bevan French / Clinton Gutherson
6. Jarryd Hayne
7. Corey Norman
In terms of who I preference at wing and fullback in this scenario, I would have Gutherson at fullback and French on the wing. I don't believe French is ready for the fullback position yet, but his speed and defense is suited perfectly for the wing. In fact, I would go as far as to say in this particular configuration, French would score more tries than Semi :P
Replies
You'd be best leaving Gutherson at centre and putting Taka on the bench as a utility - he's a very damaging player so imagine having him come on with fresh legs against people that are tired. Hayne or French is a very interesting question, both a very creative players, personally I'd like to see Hayne at 5/8 and bit well within the play of the ball just to help Norms with the creation side of things. French out back would be very difficult to stop with his speed hitting gaps down the middle.
I just don't think French would be defensively sound having forwards and 2nd rowers running into him down the middle, but catching someone on the back end and from the side is something I think he can (and has shown) manage quite well.
We already have enough star players.
If Foran did leave us and Hayne came back I would put Hayne 5/8 and French at fullback and Gutherson wing
There are several scenarios:
Hayne fb, French at half (could be a liability in defence), Guth centre & Taka interchange
OR
French fb, Hayne centre, Guth & Taka as above & new halfback
OR
French fb, Hayne in halves, Guth & Taka as above
Hayne really paid too much money to be anything but a fb or in the halves