Highlanders v Rebels, RD 5 - 28th Feb

[KevinO]

Battle of the battlers.

I think the Rebels could actually pinch a win here, Uelese, Jones, Magnay, To'omua all expected to be available for selection.

My team would be:

1. Gibbon
2. Rangi
3. Ainsley
4. Koegelenberg
5. Phillip
6. Wells
7. Hardwick
8. Naisarani
9. Louwrens
10. Deegan
11. Koroibete
12. Meakes
13. Magnay
14. Kellaway
15. DHP

16. Uelese
17. Orr
18. Smith
19. Jones
20. Cottrell
21. Lomani
22. English
23. To'omua

Thought Deegan did enough to retain his place, RHP and Phillip each need rests so would give RHP the rest this weekend. Think giving most of the guys from last week first crack and then having a experienced bench to finish off the game hopefully works in the Rebels favor. The bench I have picked coming on for the last 20-30 minutes should be able to lift momentum towards the end where the Clan is struggling.

 

[Finsbury Girl]

They still haven't called in Matty Gicquel?

 

[KevinO]

They still haven't called in Matty Gicquel?

Tough call when his a blindside flanker and you have Wells, Cottrell and Leota all fit.

 

[Tex]

English had a pretty suss game, and having Lomani play as halfback would be good rather than a shanghaied winger

 

[Finsbury Girl]

Tough call when his a blindside flanker and you have Wells, Cottrell and Leota all fit.

Lucky Matt can also play openside & the above have not exactly set the house on fire. None of the rebel pack has.

 

[KevinO]

English had a pretty suss game, and having Lomani play as halfback would be good rather than a shanghaied winger

That's why I went for 3 backs on the bench. I'd still take English over Pincus who is straight off the plane.

 

[Sully]

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[RugbyReg]

They still haven't called in Matty Gicquel?

he hasn't been playing in their A team. Suspect he's no longer down there

 

[Tex]

he hasn't been playing in their A team. Suspect he's no longer down there

Who's that Reg?

 

[The Nomad]

Matt Gicquel is back in Brisbane training with Jeeps.

 

[Micheal]

I'd go:

9 Louwrens
10 Deegan
11 Koroibete
12 To'omua
13 Meakes
14 Kellaway
15 DHP

21. Lomani
22. Magnay
23. English

Tbh, I've always thought English to be hugely overrated. He is the Luke Jones of your backline IMO.

 

[KevinO]

Tbh, I've always thought English to be hugely overrated. He is the Luke Jones of your backline IMO.

His suffered more from never being picked in one spot for extended periods of time like Hodge. 22 trys in 94 games and always been the more secure defense winger in the Rebels side is not a bad record.

In 2014 pre Cheika he was involved in Wallabies squads and went on end of year tour. I actually think his more underrated than overrated. His been very consistent while never being the stand out star. His a lot harder to tackle when he is running than most people realize.

 

[Tex]

As a finisher he's reasonable, but as soon as there's a need to create for outside players he's pretty average. Poor passing technique and a tendency to take the ball into contact.

That said, with a sniff of the line he's pretty reliable.

 

[KevinO]

^^^See I prefer a player to take the ball into contact and secure possession rather then try force the pass and turn it over. Yes, the forced pass looks great when it works, but 95% of the time it really isn't worth it. He has a good football brain for when to throw that pass, remember his hail Mary to Higgers once game. Think the whole stadium stopped wondering why the hell he threw the ball in the air over his head.

But hey I am a forward who just likes to hit it up anytime I got my hands on the ball.

 

[Finsbury Girl]

Matt Gicquel is back in Brisbane training with Jeeps.

Well I'm glad as a GPS man but sad for him, he deserves a shot.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Well I'm glad as a GPS man but sad for him, he deserves a shot.

I thought he was good in the trials so, in a way he did get a shot.

The problem for him is that the Rebels are not short on decent backrowers. We still have Killingworth and Kemeny waiting for a chance and Wilkin has to be getting close to being available.

 

[The Nomad]

I thought he was good in the trials so, in a way he did get a shot.

The problem for him is that the Rebels are not short on decent backrowers. We still have Killingworth and Kemeny waiting for a chance and Wilkin has to be getting close to being available.

Also have Pat Morey from UQ down there , played NRC for Melbourne and stuck around to trial for the top squad . Would imagine he could also be back in QPR if not required at the Rebels.

 

[Rebels3]

I’d like to see

1 Gibbon
2 Rangi (Only cause Uelese can be eased off the bench)
3 Smith
4 Jones
5 Philip
6 Wells
7 Hardwick
8 Naisarani
9 Louwrens
10 Deegan
11 Koroibete
12 To'omua
13 English
14 Kellaway
15 DHP

16 Uelese
17 Orr
18 Anyone but Ainsley, is Fa’amasuili fit yet?
19 Koegelenberg
20 Cottrel
21 Lomani
22 Meakes
23 Magnay

 

[Mr Wobbly]

I’d like to see

1 Gibbon
2 Rangi (Only cause Uelese can be eased off the bench)
3 Smith
4 Jones
5 Philip
6 Wells
7 Hardwick
8 Naisarani
9 Louwrens
10 Deegan
11 Koroibete
12 To'omua
13 English
14 Kellaway
15 DHP

16 Uelese
17 Orr
18 Anyone but Ainsley, is Fa’amasuili fit yet?
19 Koegelenberg
20 Cottrel
21 Lomani
22 Meakes
23 Magnay

Pretty much nailed it for the XV I reckon.

I'm still not sure about Orr. He seems mobile and good around the ground but I think Sa'aga is the better scrumager.

Wouldn't mind Eloff at 18 again. I'm loving some of the hits he's been putting on in defense.

 

[Dctarget]

Highlanders: Michael Collins, Josh McKay, Rob Thompson, Josh Ioane, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Marino Mikaele Tu'u, James Lentjes (c), Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Jack Whetton, Jesse Parete, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Res: Scott Gregory, Teihorangi Walden, Kayne Hammington, Dillon Hunt, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jeff Thwaites, Ayden Johnstone, Liam Coltman.