I thought hunt looked great, but he really didn't show enough to make me think that he is best used at 5/8. awesome defense, tough in contact, good boot. He did a good job in a position he hasn't yet mastered. I'd put him at fullback. Play JOC (James O'Connor) at 5/8; we have some good alternatives for wing
I dont see Paia'aua getting a run this season.No McDuling Reg?
I doubt they'd go with both Magnay and CFS on the bench, they are too similar a player in outside centres / wings. Plus, I don't think Magnay is quite ready yet. Give him another year or two.
I would expect they'd go with Taps/Ant/Paia'aua where either Taps or Ant starts with CFS / Kuridrani / JJT, depending on which 2 of those three starts.
It will be a close call between Browning and Thomson as well.
I dont see Paia'aua getting a run this season. .
I think due to injuries to the forwards they will have to run with more forwards than preferred on the bench, so you then need to look at reserve backs that can cover multiple positions.Nonsense. He'll play minutes at some stage, but it'll be off the bench (as it should be) with JOC (James O'Connor) and/or Hunt playing the stop gap role.
Hopefully he isn't forced to shoulder more responsibility than his experience level and form suggests he is ready for.
No McDuling Reg?
I doubt they'd go with both Magnay and CFS on the bench, they are too similar a player in outside centres / wings. Plus, I don't think Magnay is quite ready yet. Give him another year or two.
I would expect they'd go with Taps/Ant/Paia'aua where either Taps or Ant starts with CFS / Kuridrani / JJT, depending on which 2 of those three starts.
It will be a close call between Browning and Thomson as well.
McDuling should have been in my injury assumptions.
I think with Hunt and JOC (James O'Connor) in the team, we cover 10 so no point for Duncan P to cover there. It comes to who is the better player and Magnay has impressed me more so far.
My guess as it stands now and is likely to change. Assumptions are the following players are out injured:
Quade Cooper, Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, Sef Faagase, Ed Quirk.
15 JJ Tualagi
14 James O'Connor
13 Samu Kerevi
12 Anthony Fainga'a
11 Chris Kuridrani
10 Karmichael Hunt
9 Will Genia
8 Jake Schatz
7 Liam Gill
6 Curtis Browning
5 James Horwill
4 Ed O'Donaghue
3 Sam Talakai
2 Saia Fainga'a
1 James Slipper
16 James Hanson
17 Ben Daley
18 ????? Some Tight Head Prop from somewhere. Phil Kite???
19 Marco Kotze
20 Adam Thomson
21 Nick Frisby
22 Ben Tapuia ???
23 Chris Feauia-Sautia
Not sure how Taps is placed. I guess Duncan could come in for him if Taps is out, but I'd also seriously consider Campbell Magnay.
EOD had a fucking horrendous opening stanza against the Crusaders and didn't improve much after that period. Kotze better start.
Seriously, if he spent more time actually playing hard instead of just doing stupid shit and committing stupid penalties in an attempt to look like he's playing hard (also lots of angry faces, lots) and he wouldn't be a bad backup.
Who? EOD or Kotze?
Ok, so there's been the chatter about the new recruits etc, but what happened to the Hendrik Tui guy. Has he arrived yet, is he playing or training or what? I haven't heard anything about him yet this year.
Isn't he a Kiwi?He's actually doing english lessons. RG has said he can't play until he understands the words "crouch , bind, and set", from the ref, and "hit him in the fukkin head" from the skipper.