Safety First Against the Pies? : Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:37 am  

I know we have got another pre-season game to go and the likes of Dudson and Galea may get some game time, but I would think barring injuries Denis will opt for a tried an tested 17 against Wigan:

My guess would be Hanbury, Flynn, Phelps, Marsh, Ah Van, Brown, Mellor, O'Carroll, White, Manuokafoa, Tickle, Clarkson, Cahill with Gerrard, Joseph, Heremaia and Leuluai on the bench. Dean may get the nod over Marsh in the centres (or indeed it may be a case of perming any two between Dean, Marsh and Phelps).

Galea and Dudson may make a case for selection if they do well at Castleford, particularly Galea, who is Mr Reliable. No doubt Dudson will be itching to play against his former Club, but may still be a bit undercooked!

Re: Safety First Against the Pies? : Thu Jan 22, 2015 2:06 pm  

Nice to have options, but Alex Gerrard would be in my starting 13 every day of the week.

Re: Safety First Against the Pies? : Thu Jan 22, 2015 2:44 pm  

AJ Viking wrote:

Nice to have options, but Alex Gerrard would be in my starting 13 every day of the week.

I agree with you there Gerrard in the 13 every week

Re: Safety First Against the Pies? : Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:02 pm  

The backline almost picks itself,its which centres start,imo it should be dean and phelps as the are both wingers centres,flynn would get more opportunities if either of those were his centre partner,marsh cant pass and he crabs a little

I would start with manase and gerrard at props with o'carroll(if fit)and joseph as rotating props,white will start at 9 but he looks unconvincing atm so dont be surprised to see heremia starting,imo clarkson has earned his starting spot partnering tickle in the second row

My 17 would be hanbury,flynn,dean,phelps,
ah van,brown,mellor,gerrard,white,manakufoa,tickle,clarkson,cahill,subs o'carroll,joseph,heremia,galea

We have several players in the squad who can easily slot into the 17 atm so that can only be good for competition for places in training COYVs

Re: Safety First Against the Pies? : Thu Jan 22, 2015 5:09 pm  

I can't believe Marsh has never been played on the wing, he's an out and out winger for me and he'd be in my team ahead of Ah Van.

O'Carroll and Gerrard starting props in my opinion. Manuokafoa is a new player that needs to prove his worth to get a starting spot, I'd imagine Phil Joseph will have a better season this year as he was poor for large spells of last year. Dudson too needs to push hard to break in.

Re: Safety First Against the Pies? : Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:05 pm  

AJ Viking wrote:

I can't believe Marsh has never been played on the wing, he's an out and out winger for me and he'd be in my team ahead of Ah Van.

Completely agree.

Re: Safety First Against the Pies? : Fri Jan 23, 2015 7:59 am  

I think Willie Isa will be in the 17

Re: Safety First Against the Pies? : Sat Jan 24, 2015 10:10 am  

Don't see the point of signing Heremaia to speed up the 'ruck' and then play him from the bench while starting with the pedestrian like White.Vice versa for me

Re: Safety First Against the Pies? : Tue Jan 27, 2015 10:47 pm  

Myself would go with
Hanbury
Flynn, Phelps, Dean, Marsh
Brown, Mellor
Gerrard, Heremaia, Dudson
Galea, Tickle
Cahill
Manukoafoa, O'Carrol, Clarkson, White

Re: Safety First Against the Pies? : Sun Feb 01, 2015 9:30 pm  

Dug Out wrote:

Don't see the point of signing Heremaia to speed up the 'ruck' and then play him from the bench while starting with the pedestrian like White.Vice versa for me

Interchange hookers can often be good after the 20 minute mark when players start to tire slightly after the tough opening 20, that might be the ample time to bring on someone like Heremaia. I wouldn't be surprised to see Heremaia coming from the bench.