Ive thought long and hard about this
1. Gutherson
2. Auvaa
3. Jennings
4. Hayne
5. French
6. Norman
7. Moses
8. Mannah (c)
9. King
10. Matagi
11. Edwards
12. Mau
13. Brown
14. W. Smith (Hooker / Utility)
15. Scott (c)
16. Evans
17. Alvaro
Taka was the hardest to leave out. Because i like that he adds an extra dynamic with his ability to kick even as a second rower.
The reasons i left him out was because
A. His kicking game might be a nice thing to have in the side, but the amount if time that it will be used will be minimal and they are also low percentage plays. We need to put full trust in our halves. Having Taka as a back up play maker or kicker in the forwards says we dont trust our halves. I believe BA will start the season with Taka out of loyalty but Taka wont be there at the end of the season unless due to someone getting injured
B. I tried to put him on the bench but W.Smith is more valuable because he can cover too many positions incase of injury. Hes a good halve, he can play both sides of the Wing, he can play Hooker and he can play Fullback.and is pretty good at all of them. Hed be a starter on many teams in either of those positions
If any of our Halves, Wingers, Hooker or fullback go down, Smith comes in and we lose next to nothing!
Ontop of that Smith chews up more meters out of dummy half than King. He also scores more trys. But King is a better tackler so he gets the start. Defence is key for BA.
I prefer the idea of an 80min hooker but the fact is that Smith covers too many positions and is high quality in all of them. I Cant leave him out. On top of that hes strengths are Cam Kings weaknesses and Vice versa. They balance each other out.
C. With Mannah & Matagi another year older, we might lack grunt during a long grueling season, so we will be needing our Second row to be picking up the slack and hitting the ball up with aggression, Taka is not the man for that. Mau and Edwards are.
I considered Terepo in the second row since he has more grunt, but hes a terrible reciever and handler of the ball when.in attacking range and when the pressure is on and the game is on the line, hes no good under pressure
Moeroa misses out because he doesnt have the grunt Edwards and Mau have. Doesnt have the Energy or agility, and his shoulder still worries me.
Takas only benefit in the second row was his passing and kicking game which wont be utilized enough to justify a position. And his passing and kicking game would only be a 4th option after Moses Norman Gutherson
I dont think my 1 to 17 will be round 1s team
Im thinking more likely after the first 2months thats how it will pan out.
I think BA will show loyalty to Taka, but it wont work out
Replies
Very good side! No place for Taka ?
The reasons i left him out was because
A. His kicking game might be a nice thing to have in the side, but the amount if time that it will be used will be minimal and they are also low percentage plays.
B. I tried to put him on the bench but W.Smith is more valuable because he can cover too many positions incase of injury. He can play both sides of the Wing, Hooker and Fullback. If any of our Wingers Hooker or fullback goes down, Smith comes in and we lose nothing!
C. With Mannah & Matagi another year older, we might lack grunt during a long grueling season, so we will be needing our Second row to be picking up the slack and hitting the ball up with aggression, Taka is not the man for that. Mau and Edwards are.
I comsidered Terepo in the second row since he has more grunt, but hes a terrible reciever and handler of the ball when.in attacking range amd the defence is rushing off the line.
Moeroa misses out because he doesnt have the grunt Edwards and Mau have. Doesnt have the Energy or agility, and his shoulder still worries me.
Takas only benefit in the second row was his passing and kicking game which wont be utilized enough to justify a position. And his passing and kicking game would only be a 4th option after Moses Norman Gutherson
Think longer or harder or both. Taka will be in the team somewhere probably 14 as the utility. So will Tep. My guess at the expense of Smith and Matagi from your team list (King to play 80 and Tep to rotate between edge and middle forward).
Terepos only chance is of Matagi gets injured or Alvaro or Evans under perform
If a fullback or winger goes down hayne goes there and taka goes to centres
Taka will only grow this year as a ball playing second rower off the bench
Will take Kennys place imo
2. Gutherson
3. Taka
4. Jennings
5. Hayne
Alternate French, Gutherson and Hayne throughout the game.
I'd start Alvaro in place of Matagi and Tepai in place of Edwards who goes on to the bench with Smith missing out.
Watched him very closely last year. Pathetic to say the least.
Smith is a thousand to one for round 1
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