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Does Peats captaincy talk suggest 80 minute role?

Posted by 1Eyed Eel on February 19, 2015 at 1:28pm

If I had to make a call I think Nathan Peats is most likely to be co-captain and I wonder if the fact that he's so in the frame, suggests that BA definitely sees him as an eighty minute hooker.

I guess he doesn't have to play hooker and he can slide back to the backrows, but 1) he won't like that and 2) we have much better backrow options.

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Replies

Trini Lopez calling Go Go Gomez February 19, 2015 at 1:43pm

I wouldn't like to see Peats at second row, Phil and hopefully I won't.

I can't believe BA would take our best hooker and play him in a position to which he has no entitlement. As you suggest, he'd be well down the pecking order for a gig in the backrow.

I'm beginning to think that Hoppa may get a mention as vice / co-captain.
- 1Eyed Eel > Trini Lopez calling Go Go Gomez February 19, 2015 at 2:02pm
  
  Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting he'll play second-row for the whole game, but rather he might dropback into a 13 role while IDG moves to hooker. I don't like that, either. I'd much rather we use our interchange to bring on a player like Pauli Pauli to give us a bit of oomph.
Waterboy February 19, 2015 at 1:58pm

BA did say "we are lucky to be able to have IDG and Peats on the field at the same time."
Adam Magrath February 19, 2015 at 2:11pm

With the new rule change and the speed of everything going on around the ruck I can't see too many hookers playing 80 minutes. Whether he goes off or to second row remains to be seen.
Tom Mus February 19, 2015 at 2:16pm

I'd argue that a good fresh hooker can give EVERY forward a dose of extra oomph. Sure, Pauli could maybe take one hit up per set, if the ball was in the right place. A fresh hooker could enable every play to be that little bit more crisp and dangerous, as well as shouldering an extra load of work in defense, keeping the big boppers going for longer.
Wayne February 19, 2015 at 2:17pm

Peats is great out of dummy half but does he have the creativity and skills to play as a ball playing forward? If so he could be used in a similar role to what Paulo tried to play last year as an extra ball player. Definitely worth considering in small spurts to mix the attack up.
JJ - The EEL February 19, 2015 at 2:17pm

Because of his competiveness and aggression I think Peats would be an ideal fit as Co-Captain. The only issue I have is can his body handle playing week to week 1st grade at the standard he sets. From the 8 - 10 games we saw him play last season he is as aggressive as anyone in the comp but can his body do it over 26 rounds and hopefully semi final football.

At this point of time that's unproven territory for Peats
Eel for life February 19, 2015 at 2:24pm

i think you will find that Tim will be captain and lead the boys and Peats will be Vice Captain and will take over when Mannah is off the field.
sturge February 19, 2015 at 2:25pm

he is an 80 minute player but i think BA will use de goise as well so peats will get a rest if he doesn't slide into lock.
Prof. Daz February 19, 2015 at 5:44pm

Does it really make sense to think Peats would revert to second row if IDG came on? If the idea is to give Peats a rest, sub him right off, as otherwise you've got a guy playing second row at something other than full tilt.

Mannah has been co-captain while being subbed off like any front rower, so Peats being in the frame for co-captain tells us little about BA's plans for Peats' game-time.