1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Maiks Sivo
3. Will Penisini
4. Morgan Harper
5. Bailey Simmonson
6. Ethan Sanders
7. Dylan Brown
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Joey Lussick
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Ryan Matterson
13. J'maine Hopgood
Interchange:
14. Brendan Hands
15. Makahesi Makatoa
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Kelma Tuilagi
Reserves:
18. Sean Russell
19. Luca Moretti
20. Daejarn Asi
21. Wiremu Grieg
22. Blaize Talagi
INs: Maika Sivo, Ethan Sanders, Brendan Hands, Makahesi Makatoa
OUTs: Sean Russell, Daejarn Asi, Bryce Cartwright, Blaize Talagi
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Replies
Sanders defence in the halves is actually better than Hands. NSW Cup stats would back this statement up as well. Hands is actually a poor defender in the halves. He is barely cup quality in cup. Hands is an out and out hooker in my opnion.
Going Forward once Moses returns i would like to see the following team
1. Blaize Talagi
2. Maiks Sivo
3. Will Penisini
4. Clint Gutherson
5. Bailey Simmonson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Joey Lussick
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Ryan Matterson
13. J'maine Hopgood
Interchange:
14. Brendan Hands
15. Makahesi Makatoa
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Kelma Tuilagi
Reserves:
18. Ethan Sanders
19. Luca Moretti
20. Daejarn Asi
21. Wiremu Grieg
22. Morgan Harper
No Carty??
Don't understand why you have Talagi at fullback..... totally unproven there and his defence would have to be highly questionable and also the high ball. Everything else we have done with him hasn't worked, cannot imagine the extra reponsibility of fullback would change that.
Cartwright is a silly omission he actually give's shape and balance to our pack as an edge forward that can get into open space. I am assuming that last week was an abberation because of his injury, although I did note an aura of overconfidence in his mannerisms.
Who else plays fb?? Gutho is busted. I will be shocked if he makes it through a full year. Simmo was terrible against Cronulla. I don't know why Martyn hasn't been playing fb in cup. Looked alright the game that I saw. At the end of the day its Gutho playing busted or not at full capacity or bite the bullet and put someone else in there. Neither roption is ideal. Gutho needs to move to the frontline. His to tough for his own good.
Issue is, seems everyone has caught on that Gutho's knees have had it for the demands of playing Fullback, but BA doesn't want to put Talagi at 1 for a few reasons.
1) Gutho and Brown is same issue of both 6's
2) Talagi has not been playing that well at Fullback and needs a lot of time to develop there. He will be targeted.
3) BA needs a win, so Sanders at half is less of a risk as you are just making one change instead of two.
I have no doubt that Simmo would be our best alternative if Gutho is out, but I also think Russell would play in front of Talagi if you do not want a potential total embarrassment. God help us if we had Asi there,
Don't disagree with Martyn continuing to be blooded in Reggies, he has more potential than most.
There is no excuse for not having Martin in Cup. Just pure negligence.