BBC have the best defense on paper.
Paper thin in a couple of spots unfortunately.
You can't play with 1 to 2 players down ( in effect ) and expect to beat the top teams. Defense and composure cost against TSS - more than the kicking that the casual observer simply hung it on.
And then of course there is the lineouts and kicking on a windy day and what the lineout has been reduced to with a lot of shovel to 1st man - which is also what it was reduced to through last season as well.
It will be a game of fascinating match ups though.
In the tight 5 - BBC probably have a ball running edge - but Nudgee own the scrum and the lineout.
In the loose forwards - Gibson and Nofoagotoa is the marquee match up and one on one it's hard to separate them , even though , I believe Gibson has the higher all round work rate . However , Nudgee own the on ground advantage with Lowrie being the competition's best and Jock Thompson providing a massive advantage in his all round game - line out option , running game , defense , defensive ruck contester and all round aggressive manner.
The 9's aren't close with Nudgee by a mile - and Pasitoa is Pasitoa , even though , Claridge is about the only guys capable of taking him one on one and providing meaningful resistance. Claridge also with a very good long range kicking game and is emerging as a class play facilitator.
Ripley and Lastus is probably the match up of the day , and for me , Lastus has been the competition's form 12. And by a bit. Both guys can punch the line - Lastus just consistently judges his moments a lot better and picks up the links when they are there - probably not as visually appealing for the casual observer - but a more effective Rugby player - on both sides of the ball.
BBC own the 13 spot although Ulia will toil well defensively and just has to link to his wings that own a massive match up advantage in Nudgee's favour with Mapa, Banjo and Muller over Annan ( not a wing ) and replacement Brad Altman ( a utility replacement ) for Byron Johnson .
On reputation, and on paper , Bowyer is > than Athan Waia , however , Waia has quietly put together a helluva season , has a booming left boot that will come into play today , and , if I had to put together an "all defense back 3" in the 2019 class - he'd be in it with IGS's Ethan King and BBC's Byron Johnson
Nudgee with too many match up advantages ( the biggest one being Coaching and Management ) and are much better balanced and put together.
I don't reckon it will be close
