Alternate suggestion for Riverview 1st XV next year:
1. Evan Pritchard.
2. Hosea Fotukava.
3. Daniel Kilpatrick.
4. Beau Peterson.
5. Jack Bowditch.
6. Jack Hayson.
7. Conor Menzies.
8.
9. Gabe Cooper/Dan Rorke/Louis Anderson.
10. Jack McGregor
11.
12. Henry Hutchinson.
13. Joseph Stageman.
14. Connor Hurley.
15. Bill Freeman.
Very few changes from the team posted above. My changes stem mainly around positional changes.
Forwards
I believe that Pritchard would be better at Loosehead as he is quite short and a very technical scrummager, while Kilpatrick is larger and more suited to Tighthead in build. As well as that, I think it would be more effective having Beau at 4 in the scrum, and Bowditch at 5 - there would be a lot of power generated on the tighthead side in the scrum, that's for sure.
I can't think of an ideal candidate for Number 8 at this point. There are actually rumours circulating that Bill Freeman will move into the backrow, but I can't confirm these. If that WERE the case I would consider moving Menzies to 11, with fullback become a position of contention. I personally think that Weston and Hancock are both good players, but I don't think Number 8 is their position, and I would rather pick people on a position-by-position basis, rather than on skill, as Riverview has done in the past, hence why it would be preferable that Freeman stay in the backs.
One problem that this forward back will face is height in the lineout. While Beau and Bowditch are obviously quite tall, I can't recall seeing them in them jumping. I only really see Hayson, no. 6, as a jumper. A good coach will probably use the South African method of having tall guys lift short guys e.g. Beau and Bowditch lifting Menzies.
Backs
I honestly have no idea who should play half-back. Dan Rorke is incredibly tough, a handy player, and I thought he played very solidly during his time in the 1sts this year. Gabe Cooper presents himself as a good option though, however, with his good ball skills, though his lack of experience in the opens might incur a bit of selectional bias against him. As well as this, rumours are circulating that Louis Anderson will make the switch to half-back. I think he has the skill to be in the 1sts, but unless he does a lot of work in the off-season at half-back it would be both unfair and unwise to pick him in a position he has no experience in. I would love to see him work hard and develop into a half-back though, he wouldn't be out of place skill wise.
I would also prefer Hutchinson at 12. A lot of people disagree claiming that he needs space, but personally I think he creates his own space. His style is comparable to Tim Horan in my opinion - fast acceleration, a lot of strength in the contact zone (i.e. around the thighs), and a great ability to slot through gaps. For me, he is an inside, while Stageman, who plays a similar game, would be a nice complement at outside - ideally they would be used interchangeably at either position to cause confusion in defence.
As well as this, I would rather Hurley at 14. where he can carry the ball in his right hand while running along the wing, allowing him to operate at maximum pace, and also fend with his left. True, he may not get the ball as much here, but I think that's where he best serves his purpose as a strike weapon. I am undecided on 11. not because there aren't options, but because of certain factors that may or may not make certain people available to play there e.g. the aforementioned example involving Conor Menzies. Another potential option is to move Hurley to 13., where he lacks experience, but has the physical and athletic dimensions for, and play Stageman on one of the wings.
I believe that this Riverview team has a lot of potential, however I am quite concerned that the various individuals in the team won't click together well. I have seen too many teams with this kind of hype fail when it comes down to it, e.g. the Riverview side of 2012.
With current coach Jim Potts leaving, and an undecided successor on his/her way, I hope that the quality of coaching will improve somewhat and more intelligent decisions are made in the way the boys play. I would happily volunteer if I weren't still at school.