Mitchell Moses, Origin or Injured, who would replace him if it happened that he needed to be.

These thoughts arise with the potential of Cleary being out for the next Origin or for that matter Moses being injured.

Now I have little confidence in Jake Arthur being good enough yet to replace either half, whether it is Brown or Moses. I suspect though that BA will go with JA if Brown was out (not my choice).

So this leaves for me that Jordan Rankin is the obvious and deserving playmaking half to replace Moses, i.e. not JA!

If the opposite happens and Brown is out then I believe Gutho should go 5/8 but then this leaves us the fullback position to fall back on.....maybe Rankin could play fullback, he has in the past at NRL level, I am not sure of what I saw of the young NZ fullback playing reggies is ready for the job..... Is Opacic capable of playing fullback? and Penisi coming into the centres?

Now in writing all these one off's and if's please leave any nepotism or favour discussions from the coach out of it. Keep it to just who people think are the best for the circumstances, otherwise it will become a bash BA exercise.

"I've never agreed with the term "swap" being used in this saga. There is no swap. Lomax isn't an employee of ours. Not sure why the nrl want to involve themselves in this, or the players association for that matter. It's an agreement between us and…"

"Best example I can think of is if a player tears an acl then the club rips up his 4 year contract 🤣 unfortunate situations happen but you've signed the damn contract "

"It's just not the right way to do things is it. I have no idea what the final outcome of this will be, as I said before likely that Lomax pays some sort of compensation and it's done - not ideal from our perspective but that's life."

Replies

JEELman June 29, 2021 at 8:31am

I watched Rankin play against the Mounties, and yes it was the one game, but he looked very, very pedestrian.

If we lose Mitch to SOO, which I don't think we will, I would have no confidence in the lower grade options.
- Poppa > JEELman June 29, 2021 at 9:22am
  
  Rankin did have a relatively poor game in what you saw, but in general he has been Parra;s best in the reggies, has had FG experience as well......but your response will probably be the most likely I suspect.
John Eel June 29, 2021 at 8:58am

JA replaced Dylan Brown when out due to suspension because Will Smith was unavailable due to injury.

I believe that in BA’s mind that Will Smith is next man up.
- Poppa > John Eel June 29, 2021 at 9:20am
  
  Good point!
Brett Allen June 29, 2021 at 9:39am

Hell no to Jordan Rankin, he is simply not NRL standard. If there were an injury it will clearly be Jake Arthur.

End of story.
- Poppa > Brett Allen June 29, 2021 at 9:45am
  
  We can agree to disagree there Brett, I don't think JA is NRL standard/ or ready.
  - Brett Allen > Poppa June 29, 2021 at 9:56am
    
    He's not ready, but he is still a better option than Smith or Rankin. JA plays better with better players around him.
    - Rowdy Roddy > Brett Allen August 5, 2021 at 12:09am
      
      Rubbish
- Anguillidae > Brett Allen June 29, 2021 at 11:39am
  
  Hell no to Jacob Arthur, he is simply not NRL standard.
Offside June 29, 2021 at 9:43am

Rankin is useless

In the unlikely case that Moses plays origin but more likely injured/suspended

Brown plays 7 with Smith 6

Maybe JA gets another chance he will get better over time but those defensive reads will need working on.

Or Gutho to 6 with fergo at fullback

We would be in trouble if Rankin gets a call up