1. Iongi
2. Fox
3. Russell
4. Samrami/Penasini
5. Simmonson
6. Pezet
7 Mo
8. Jnr
9 Smith
10. Williams
11. Kelma Tuilagi
12 kit Kautoga
13. Debelin
14. Da Silva
15. Sam Tuivaiti
16. Walker
17. Doorey
18. Hopgood
* Kelma did enough and is a strike weapon out wide. Although Williams is a steadier player, i really think Kelma creates opportunities both on and off the ball. He also had a massive pre season as Ryles pointed out. Without Kelma we don't beat the donkeys
* Also, i don't know what to do with Hopgood/ Williams fighting it out for a prop rotation position.
* I think Ryles will opt for Penasini over Samrami if fully fit. If Samrami is kept at centre i have no issues.
* The bench must be retained, each of the four turned the tide for the eels in the second half
* Williams & Hopgood. Williams the player of the year 2025 wont be left outHopgood returns after suspension - a good headache for Ryles to have having a number of choices
Debelin/Hopgood. One of these two will.be left out
Some interesting choices
Replies
The Dragons have the weakest pack in the comp, but the are young and mobile.
Manly would like to have a word.
If we went on form it be jdb. However realistically it be either doorey or tuivati despite both offering more than any starting prop/lock
This is the team I would want but I don't see that happening. Moretti will probably still be in cup and Doorey will be in the team but probably unused on the bench.
I expect
Starting paulo should be fine against the dragons forward pack but against elite teams it won't work out
EA
who you got breaking through on the wing out of Rokosuka, Alameddine, or someone else? Richard P I feel may have fallen behind? Maybe not.
Richie's chance would have been 2024, we debuted Jake Tago and Lorenzo Mulitalo. I reckon guaranteed Barrett would have thrown Richie a debut. But he did his ACL while BA was still there. Injuries after injuries, then Nanva getting on the scene as well Samrani kicking on, just got worse for him.
Maybe Perth pick him up.
I think they will sit Penisini til his groin is 100%. Why rush when Samrani did a job.
But other than that, i reckon 100% that is the team. Tuivaiti or Doorey would be the question of who misses out, with Tuilagi more likely being used off the bench allowing Williams to go into the middle and the style he is, Doorey becomes expendable for now. You need Tuivaiti who has 2-3 defenders on him to bring him down.
Moretti the forgotten man. Id always have him in the 19
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next