How well will we cope without Hayne

As much as I'm looking forward to State of Origin, I'm nervously anticipating the opportunity to see how well we go without Jarryd Hayne. If anyone can remember last season, we were absolutely abysmal without him and we're about a thousand times more reliant on him now than we were.

Given we'll also lose Timana, it's going to be a big test for the rest of the boys.

The first question is how will we line-up? If Timana hadn't been selected I would have moved Burt to fullback and Inu to the wing (with the expectation that Grothe should be returning). However, with Timana's selection it means you have to bring in someone outside of our core side, almost certain Humble at fullback or Wright into the centres of wing.

I can't help but think that tonight's game for Humble was as much an audition for the role of Hayne's backup as it was to fill in for KK. If that was the case, I think he probably passed the test and I think that might be my preferred option with Inu into the centres and keeping Burt and Grothe on the wing.

I honestly don't know how we're going to go though, but I think maybe it's a good thing. It might give a couple of our other blokes the chance to step up and lift their form a notch. While I said in another blog, it would be good to see Feleti settle into a role, I think taking on more responsibility in the absence of Jarryd could be a benefit.

It's going to be very interesting!

Looking at the draw, Parra play cronulla before origin 1 so will be without Hayne and Tahu, Parra luckily have their second bye before origin 2. Parra then have to play New Zealand in NZ before origin 3(could be difficult). So we are a good chance to win all our games without Hayne.

We have a harder run with games after origin where Hayne and Tahu will be backing up. We play St George on Friday night football 2 days after origin 1. We then Play the Knights in Newcastle on the Monday after Origin 2. That gives Hayne and Tahu about 4 days to recover after origin 2. We then play the Cowboys at home on Monday after Origin 3. So again we have 4 days rest. So it looks like we are getting Monday games at the right time.

"A good chunk of it is open to the public. There's a small memorabilia section, cafe, shop and reception area that are all publicly accessible. Then next door is the actuall community facility. That's the facility that will be available for public…"

"I'm pretty much over all the speculation. If he comes to Parra on a reasonale deal, great.
If he goes anywhere else, inevitably, he'll be a roadblock to some other up and coming talent, which opens up options.
The noise from the dogs is just about…"

Replies

MAXFORCE ELECTRIFYING EELS 2010 May 18, 2010 at 2:51am

well humble will be there but where is the question, 5/8 Wing or FB . I would speculate and have trusty burt at fullback , he is terrific and reads the game too well . He is reliable and quick .
reddy and inu centres , grothe to wing , It may be out of position but humble may get the wing spot . KK and morts will get the halves . So do we use Humble as interchange ? This is a tough tough call .
BEN SMITH CAN GO TO CENTRE AND HAVE INU TO THE WING
jamesy May 18, 2010 at 3:01am

I think the way our defence is going, I'm not to concerned about Hayne being away for rep duty. Without Hayne our attack will suffer no doubt, But the 3 games Hayne is likely to miss will give players like Mateo, Humble, Mortimer, Kris Keating an opportunity to stand up and show what they can do. If our defence can keep opposition down to 3 tries or less, I think our weakened attack should still be strong enough to win.

who are we playing in the rounds Hayne will be missing?
jamesy May 18, 2010 at 3:37am

Looking at the draw, Parra play cronulla before origin 1 so will be without Hayne and Tahu, Parra luckily have their second bye before origin 2. Parra then have to play New Zealand in NZ before origin 3(could be difficult). So we are a good chance to win all our games without Hayne.

We have a harder run with games after origin where Hayne and Tahu will be backing up. We play St George on Friday night football 2 days after origin 1. We then Play the Knights in Newcastle on the Monday after Origin 2. That gives Hayne and Tahu about 4 days to recover after origin 2. We then play the Cowboys at home on Monday after Origin 3. So again we have 4 days rest. So it looks like we are getting Monday games at the right time.
- Active > jamesy May 18, 2010 at 7:33am
  
  The good thing about the Saints game after origin 1 is that they have Coops, Creagh, Weyman & Morris backing up also.
Makybe Steva May 18, 2010 at 5:56am

I'd like to see Jono Wright brought into the team. Burt to fullback, Inu to centre, Grothe and Wright on the wings. The kid deserves a go.
ElDoughan May 18, 2010 at 7:53am

id put humble to fullback, keating back to 5/8, inu and jono wright in the centres, and grothe and burt on the wings
YDIDISAYIDO May 18, 2010 at 8:15am

On the positive Mateo has hit some form and would like to see him play more minutes while Hayne is out.

Burt is playing brilliantly on the wing... there is no way I would move him.

Would love to see Wright again at right centre. In particular his D. Reddy makes too many misreads IMO at centre.... Reddy's techically a great tackler in traffic but I think Grothe has made him look less poor when defedning our line.
SP May 18, 2010 at 8:21am

I thought Humble had a great debut. Even after his first couple of touches in attack and defence I automatically got a sense of confidence in him which I rarely get, for example, with an Inu or even a Tahu. I think Burt and Smith's form, contribution and momentum in their current positions precludes them from being moved around. Humble will do the job at fullback no worries, Inu into the centres and hopefully Grothe can come back on his wing.

And a special mention to Tim Mannah who is developing into a first class prop for us. Fuking awesome to watch his enthusiasm and commitment at the moment
BG May 18, 2010 at 8:35am

I would like to see them try and keep as many players in their normal positions as possible. Lucky it's Cronulla!!! But then again, they are our bogey side.
Barra Eel May 18, 2010 at 8:54am

Most important part of them being out for origin is how DA sets up our players and their roles. The weeks prep is gonna be about alot of second phase stuff and alot of the pressure will fall on our halves for attacking options obviously. How morts will handle that is my only concern but its his chance to take it and run with it, Im pretty comfortable in having humble their again and getting grothe back.

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