Shentons Injury - Re-Organisation : Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:08 pm  

A torn quad muscle apparently. I'm not sure how long these things take, 4 to 6 weeks ?!

Injuries were always going to happen at some stage,(hope Shifty is ok) it's a shame it's our form centre, we are certainly gonna miss him. So how do we re-organise ?

I'm not sure playing Ferres there would be the immediate answer. I would be tempted to play Dixon there and possibly give Ford his chance on the wing, although I think Wainwright will get first shot at it. His lack of pace could be exposed at the KC.

I would also play Chase from the start now.Let him get the combinations going with Shifty at half back and play Sione as an impact player from the bench, to be used in the second row. I think McGoldrick has been fantastic at full back on the whole and I would keep him there, then he can float about on attack.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:10 pm  

Wainwright in, Goldy to centre and Owen at FB?

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:23 pm  

I was going to suggest moving Dixon back over into his centre position, switching Owen to the wing with Evans, and then putting Wainright on the wing with Dixon. But that would mean splitting up the Dixon/Evans partnership. I think i'd do what Disco said.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:34 pm  

I'd stick Rangi at 6, put Faumuina in the second row, Ferres/Owen and Evans/Dixon and keep Goldy at fb where i think he's playing very very well. I'd also tell Faumuina i don't want no fancy stuff for this one, just some big hits in the middle. Rangi and Shifty along with Goldy can pull out the fancy stuff.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:37 pm  

marshman wrote:

keep Goldy at fb where i think he's playing very very well.

Goldy looks great running out of FB with ball in hand, but I still hold my breath every time he's under the bomb. Was it Brown who almost picked a sitter off him tonight? I'm not saying Ritchie would be a whole lot safer like, but I think it's worth a go.

Either way I fear for our last gasp defence if Shenny's not there.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:41 pm  

I know what ya mean, but i'm not that overly confident with Owen at FB either and think he's just as prone to mistakes and daft decisions.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:52 pm  

McGoldrick has been fantastic at full back and by moving him, I think we will weaken that position, to fill Shennys void. Maybe your suggestion Marshman of Ferres/Owen wouldn't be that bad on second thoughts, stronger defensively than Dixon / Wainwright. I think they will be facing G Horne / Calderwood with Yeaman / Briscoe up against Evans/Dixon.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:55 pm  

Wainwright in.

Owen and Evans on left Dixon and Wainwright on right with Goldy at fullback.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:06 pm  

James Ford definitely isn't an option< He keeps getting caught out postionaly a lot in the reserve games.

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:03 am  

If wainright comes in kiss goodbye to any wins .
Sion or Ferres / Owen and keep evens / dixon but prob the Sion/Owen option with chase at 6