3 games this year have all had one thing in common. Paramatta have started all games horribly as they have been rolled through the middle by the opposition with ease.
This has resulted in JDB being dropped. However, JR said JDB still has an important role to play in NRL so hopefully he fixes it that ASAP because we need it now with the news of Hopgood doing his ACL.
I think JR learned his lesson today that Walker needs to stay on the bench and is not the answer to fixing our poor starts. Smith is a speed bump to start games if he doesn't have support from his middles. Walker does not help that.
Paulo is meant to be the leader of the forward back but he is ageing and providing no go forward. Plus his defense to start the games have been poor. However with a lack of options I think Paulo will start.
You can tell JR knows this is a problem as he has been pushing hard to buy an elite middle from the open market which we all know has failed time and time again.
Our bench has been very strong this year and been the reason we have got back into games the past 2 weeks. So to me Walker, TDS, Doorey and Tuivita have to remain on the bench for me. Don't change that. The only person that has potential to start is Tuivita but I wouldn't consider that till end of the year or next year because Tuivita is still very young and needs to build his defence still and play consistent NRL.
To me William is a starting backrower or a bench middle. He is not a starting middle forward. He does not have that aggression to start games in the middle. Perhaps its more mental that a phsyical limitation for him starting games cause he has the leg speed and size. Got to be more aggressive with his line speed and first contact in defence. The way he plays right now I would want to start him as the eddge backrower and move him intot he middle at the 20th minute. But the problem with this strategy Williams, Walker, TDS, Tuivita and Doorey is a 5 man bench. So I assume JR will persist with starting Tuilagi at backrow and Williams at lock.
8. Paulo
9. Smith
10. Moretti
11. Tuilagi
12. Kautoga
13. Williams
14. TDS
15. Walker
16. Doorey
17. Tuivita
18. Guymer (hopefully he is ready to step up to starting nrl games in the middle. At his best he loves to lead the line speed and be aggressive in defence. However, his meterage is not the best)
19. Papalii
I think 18 and 19 will be filled by Samrani and Papalii when Samrani and Penisni is fit.
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I said a couple years ago that Guymer best spot will be lock. As I said in the blog, won't know if he is ready for it until we give him the chance.
I love his quick play the ball and workrate. He uses first contact to get down on elbows and generate quick play the ball. He can pass too. Might be time to see how he goes.
Is Penrith too much of a baptism of fire in the middle though?
Personally I don't think it matters who plays there against Panthers. We will get smashed regardless
True and unfortunately it is not to be embarrassed about as everybody is getting smashed by Penrith.
Yep I hate Panthers but I still admire how they have only conceeded 2 tries across 3 games. No shit teams either. Roosters, Broncos and Sharks.
Yeah you have to admire them. Purely just skill is how they are so good. No ref favouritism or dud calls or easy draws. Just purely too good.
I fear all the other 16 clubs are making the numbers.
There the benchmark they've been setup correctly and have all the pieces to the puzzle on and off the park.I mean every player they've lost has pretty much moved on and made max dollars elsewhere.That says a lot.I reckon the only one they wish they kept was Critta and yet they still look like a team that's on a mission.
Best team in the comp early by the length of the street.
At times I recon they wish they still had Korisau. He would give them a point of difference in attack. JFH, Luai and Kikau massive losses too
Maybe De Belin is brought back in for some experience? Personally i would go Tuivaiti to start and Moretti onto the bench. I know Doorey and Moretti are similar Props but Tuivaiti is better suited to starting over them.
Teancum Brown in time could start late in the year.
I do not want to rush Tuivita though. He is only 21. Let him fully own the bench role for a dozen games at least before promoting him.
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