My expected team list for round 1 is a lot different to what it was this time last week. Particularly my bench, seems BA was not pleased with us at all, as seen in a video shown on Instagram which mic'd up BA and after the match he expressed that he wanted the team to show their identity and they didn't do it, reiterrating it is a trial but still should've shown more than they actually did. This is how i wanted BA to be, setting expectations, rewarding those like Greig and Makatoa with a chance to solidafy a spot on the bench in Round 1. Having players like Ogden, Rodwell and Momoisea who were given the chance to get their spot for round 1, but instead they didn't perform so they are now on the outside looking in.
Zac Cini has been given a crack at Centre while Simonsson and Blake recover from injury, Lumelume now is seen as the next depth winger over Komolafe. It seems Blake would be fit for Round 1 though from training pics it seems Blake has been positined on left wing as that is the coaches preference for him, so right Centre could be open regardless, which brings Cini into it. Morgan Harper is another that could come in by Round 1 and take a Centre spot.
The bench rotation is the biggest question mark on this team right now, with Jack Murchie considered the only certainty for round 1. JA has been named and i believe he, along with Rein and Asi, will be 14 to cover for Hodgson in first few rounds, once Matterson is back could see a 4 forward rotation. Greig and Makatoa look the favourites for the last two spots, fighting with Ogden, Rodwell and Momoisea. That is where my focus will be, seeing how these reserve forwards go, but it could be Makatoa and Greig get more minutes giving them more time to strike their claims.
Competition is always great, can never have enough talent, however the issue with this bench is not so much who to pick headache due to leaving someone out, it instead is headache about who to pick that is best for the bench in general. Signing Taupau would've helped as he automatically is better than all the options on the bench. Could we be looking for a middle forward again this year? Makatoa we know what we will get, an OK player that can do a job but he has no ceiling being 30 this year. Greig on the otherhand at least has a ceiling and can improve and be a force. Hopefully once Matterson is back, himself, Murchie and Greig along with say Asi would make a nice even bench with impact and workrate, Murchie being able to cover the edge as can Matterson, Asi being a utility and Greig an impact Prop.
Another player i really want to watch who i think can be a good addition is Toni Mataele, i think there is a good chance he can leap Doorey as starting Second-Rower by years end. Could an upgrade and bench spot for round 1 be out of the question? I mean could do way worse. Anyway, tomorrow's game will be fascinating and very important for us, the starting forward pack is set in stone, the backline is pretty much set with only Blake and Simonsson's injuries changing that. If Blake is fit he will go onto the wing or at centre and Russell will play the other wing or vice versa. If Blake is out then Cini will play unless Harper comes then i think he will be thrown in til Blake is right.
Who are you all interested in watching tomorrow night?
Replies
Penisini is right centre so left centre is up for grabs and at the moment cini has the inside running.
All this talk about Asi but has he even been named?, doubt we will see him at the start of the season.
Murchie, Grieg and makatoa look certainties for a round 1 bench spot and I hate to say it but I think BA will select JA as 14.
Edit: The lack of trial games for Blake, Sivo and Dunster is a concern, it appears as they won't be ready for round 1.
Asi is injured.
What type of injury?
Was in a knee brace.
You are right on left and right, thank you for correcting me.
Asi is out hurt, i agree that JA will play 14 until either Cartwright or Asi are fit.
Blake is experienced enough that he can play round 1 without a trial, same with Sivo.
From memory, Sivo came back last year after ten or twelve rounds and looked better than he did before his injury.
I don't think there will be any rush with Dunster as Russell is a far better option anyway.
Dunster is a winger and that is all, could be a centre but i think wing is all he will be. Russell has more positional flexibility. In terms of being better, i think Dunster is a better winger atm, though Russell has more upside.