Surely they should leave the backline as much as is as possible and put a direct replacement for Jennings into centre.
That probably rules out French. Hoffman was the last reserve back standing last week and is probably the safest choice, especially in a team full of rookies.
However, Ethan Parry looks like he could handle first grade if his defence is up to it and against the Dogs, it would not be throwing him into the deep end.
Salmon has shown he can handle 1st grade; however, has not been playing the trials as centre but as 5:8. That may be because BA thought we were skinnier in the halves than the centres for backups and he may have trained a bit as a centre.
Parry and Salmon look likeour potential future centres, so would give them priority. If Taka is the other centre maybe we need a more mobile centre to balance the backline a bit.
However, I would give Parry a go.
Replies
Fox sports is expecting it to be French but him I the centre is a terrible idea
not much better TBH
but just going on what foxsports had which was
1. French into the centres
2. Tepai to lock and Paulo as starting prop
I expect Salmon in or Hoffman
Salmon would of been the starting centre in round 1 if not for his suspension.
Ive not seen much of Salmon, but from what I did see last year he looked a bit timid in first grade. Would love to hear others opinions who have seen more of him. What does he bring at centre? I thought he was suppossed to be a 5/8 originally. IMO I’d rather see Parry get a go, from the small shot he got in the trial he looks like a goer with plenty of toughness and confidence. This is a building year for Parra, mays well embrace it when opportunity arises.
Definitey Salmon or Hoffman. Parry is outside the top 30, and I'd suggest they'll debut him on he wing if that opportunity comes this year.
So development players can’t be used?
They can be used after June 30
Thanks
1: B French
2: B Ferguson
3: B Takarangi
4: C Gutherson
5 M Sivo
6: D Brown
7: M Moses
8: D Alvaro
9: R Mahoney
10: T Moeroa
11: S Lane
12: M Nuikore
13: D Gower
14: J Salmon
15: K Evans
16: Jr Paulo ( ease him back in
17: T Mannah
thats my side for the dogs game
salmon should be the new utility
Paulo on bench for more impact
french to fullback gutho to centre
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