Re: Bulls vs. Skolars - Snow : Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:36 pm  

I don't think we'll go in with no half back cover. In fact, I think Pickersgill will start with Chisholm coming off the bench again.

No need to make Chizzy do the full 80 minutes just yet - it's a game we should win comfortably without needing to stack the bench with props

Re: Bulls vs. Skolars - Snow : Fri Mar 02, 2018 4:26 pm  

Bulliac wrote:

Maybe he's got an injury? I can't see any other reason not to pick him.

I can. There are better options.

Hallas & Flanagan are far better players than Halafihi. I think some people are getting carried away with the fact he had a couple of decent games against some sub standard opposition.

Whilst I accept you don't drop in-form players, I wouldn't count a good game against West Wales in a thrashing as reason to keep your place over a much better player, which IMO the other two hookers are.

As another example, Brandon Pickersgill has been playing well. But when Chisholm is fully fit, would anyone really want Brandon to keep his place over Dane, unless Dane came back in terrible form?

Re: Bulls vs. Skolars - Snow : Fri Mar 02, 2018 5:36 pm  

The club have just sent the following email:

The Bradford Bulls can confirm that there will be a pitch inspection tomorrow morning at 9:00am ahead of the game against the London Skolars at Odsal on Sunday.

The pitch inspection will be carried out by the match referee Tom Crashley.

Despite the snow and freezing conditions that have affected Bradford in the lead up to this weekend’s game, the Bradford Bulls are incredibly confident that the playing surface will pass the 9:00am pitch inspection.

This was the image attached:


I think we're going to need a few more shovels...

Re: Bulls vs. Skolars - Snow : Fri Mar 02, 2018 7:48 pm  

HamsterChops wrote:

I can. There are better options.

Hallas & Flanagan are far better players than Halafihi. I think some people are getting carried away with the fact he had a couple of decent games against some sub standard opposition.

Whilst I accept you don't drop in-form players, I wouldn't count a good game against West Wales in a thrashing as reason to keep your place over a much better player, which IMO the other two hookers are.

As another example, Brandon Pickersgill has been playing well. But when Chisholm is fully fit, would anyone really want Brandon to keep his place over Dane, unless Dane came back in terrible form?

So according to you York were sub standard opposition proves to me either you nothing about RL or don't attend matches, or Halafifi some how wronged you

Re: Bulls vs. Skolars - Snow : Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:02 pm  

ifallwerelikemumby wrote:

So according to you York were sub standard opposition proves to me either you nothing about RL or don't attend matches, or Halafifi some how wronged you

I was referring to Keighley & West Wales.

I saw the York game via the stream. He was OK, nothing more. And that was largely because he's a nippy player going against a few fat lads in York's pack. Just because he's found his level against C1 sides doesn't mean he deserves a place over 2 better hookers.

He hasn't "wronged me" at all. I don't know the kid. People who do know him say he's a right nice lad, and I'm sure he is. But that doesn't make him a good RL player, and I don't rate him. I do rate Hallas & Flanagan.

Edit: Actually let me correct that. 3 better hookers. Because I think Reiss Butterworth is better than him too. And Butterworth's very promising development could potentially be stifled by picking Halafihi ahead of him.

Re: Bulls vs. Skolars - Snow : Sat Mar 03, 2018 10:26 am  

HamsterChops wrote:

I was referring to Keighley & West Wales.

I saw the York game via the stream. He was OK, nothing more. And that was largely because he's a nippy player going against a few fat lads in York's pack. Just because he's found his level against C1 sides doesn't mean he deserves a place over 2 better hookers.

He hasn't "wronged me" at all. I don't know the kid. People who do know him say he's a right nice lad, and I'm sure he is. But that doesn't make him a good RL player, and I don't rate him. I do rate Hallas & Flanagan.

Edit: Actually let me correct that. 3 better hookers. Because I think Reiss Butterworth is better than him too. And Butterworth's very promising development could potentially be stifled by picking Halafihi ahead of him.

Kear seems to rate as did Toovey last year, I'd trust these guys judgement over yours

Re: Bulls vs. Skolars - Snow : Sat Mar 03, 2018 1:02 pm  

bullpower2014 wrote:

Kear seems to rate as did Toovey last year, I'd trust these guys judgement over yours

No doubt. But that doesn't stop me having my own thoughts from what I see. I'm not going to be a sheep who has an opinion just because it's our coach's opinion. It's like those people who say someone played well based on radio commentary, when really they're just repeating the commentator's opinion and not forming their own.

I would counter what you say though and say the fact Kear signed Flanagan despite having Hallas, Halafihi & Butterworth already, suggests he isn't as confident in Vila as you suggest he is. As well as him not including him in the 19 for this week.

Re: Bulls vs. Skolars - Snow : Sat Mar 03, 2018 2:56 pm  

HamsterChops wrote:

No doubt. But that doesn't stop me having my own thoughts from what I see. I'm not going to be a sheep who has an opinion just because it's our coach's opinion. It's like those people who say someone played well based on radio commentary, when really they're just repeating the commentator's opinion and not forming their own.

I would counter what you say though and say the fact Kear signed Flanagan despite having Hallas, Halafihi & Butterworth already, suggests he isn't as confident in Vila as you suggest he is. As well as him not including him in the 19 for this week.

All 3 of those players are relatively inexperienced, despite their strengths at different parts of the game. I sometimes think Halafihi's utility value counts against him. Flanagan is older, more experienced and obviously JK wants an experienced head in such a crucial position.