As the article illustrates, Parra are likely to have one of the heaviest forward packs this year.
More interestingly, the Roosters have one of the lightest packs. It goes to show that size alone hasn't been our issue (which is commonly perceived), it might be that we don't have a pack with dominant leaders; players like JWH and Josh Maguire that bring sheer agression.
Equally, if your backline is lacking size and quality, perhaps you can't carry a small forward pack? Perhaps it was only players like Ferguson and Mitchell and co who allowed the Roosters pack to be efficient enough to get the job done...if that is correct, I think the Raiders will come close to the spoon this year.
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A team that had to use 31 players throughout 2018 season might have a bit to do with it. Manu Ma'u is about as agressive as you get but was out most of last season. Peni Teripo is also an agressive misile when he hits the line & he looks even better this season after watching him in the trial. Juior Paulo looked to be a demolition machine in the trial so that should certainly help. Shaun Lane also looked really good in the trial apart from trying to force a pass on the first tackle & loosing the ball. Daniel Alvaro is a good honest forward but he definatly needs some controlled agression ( Gives away a few too many penalties ) Tepai Meroa needs to get it together, Watching him last season as well as in the recent trial, he gets left on the ground after tackles too often leaving the defence line short. Marata Niukore looks like a definate top 17 the way he played in the trial, Nathan Brown is another good forward that was out most of last season. Timmy is going to struggle to make the top 17, I love the guy but I think it's almost time. Gowie is the most underrated forward we have & should be coming off the bench as a utility, This guy is the real Mr Fix it for us.
Coach, good post. We have the makings of a good forward pack, especially with the return of injured playes such as Ma'u, and Brown, Peni plays very much above his weight and should Ma'u get back to his early form, he's vital and with Jnr back there is size added as well. Alvaro, has good moments but when he gets going he is a very strong forward, not taking his trial match into account though as he was down in what he can do.
As for Tepi, he is no middle forward and should be playing on the edge, he makes more ground from there, I think his slownes in getting up is often more to do with how many opposition are tackling him. Lane and Niukore are likely gimme's for a top spot, rotation will be a big thing this year, but I believe we have the players to make an impression on the comp.
Johhny, Interesting article you shared. Not sure pack weight will be as relevant. I think intimidation factor and toughness is more important.
Coach Jim, Good post. Agree with a lot of that.
Agree to a large extent HEL. The article demonstrates that weight does not determine the effectiveness of the pack. I think it counts for something though; physics cant be ignored in contact sport. also agree with Coach Jims comments.
A good spine doesn't go astray either.
What we have missed the past couple of years is Junior Paulo. He basically replaced Fui in that bustling go-forward type player. This is how Parra played most years since Fui burst onto the scene, and hopefully we can get that back this year.
I'd like to see the fowards offloading a bit more, but they also need players following them looking for the pass. Parra can certainly turn things around this season, but it will take a different attitude to pull this off.
There were plenty of offloads in the trial on Friday
Roosters have arguably the best spine and outside backs in the competition. No one team can cover all positions in this salary cap era
The roosters forwards only have to hold their own for their spine and outside backs to win them games. They will go back to back.
Our pack looked like a bunch of cyclists last year (skinny as f*ck).
We lacked beef.
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