I think Beale has become a different player. It's not unreasonable that he's improved in a different professional set up, playing with World XV players like Finn Russell & Vakatawa.
He's been playing a lot of centre and can do a surprisingly good crash ball now. I was also listening to a podcast with Mike Prendergast, the attacking coach of Racing 92 and he said that Beale had the best cross the body pass he's ever seen. Definitely has hands that Hodge and Banks don't. Check out any recent match highlights (
like here in his game from the weekend) and you'll see him get a couple assists each game.
I'd rather him than Nawaqanitawase.
Fair points... his experience is
definitely worth the punt I suppose but not totally convinced. Again, I hope he proves me wrong if he is eventually signed..
So this trial match is likely to start with our starting squad. So I'm predicting:
1 Bell
2 Porecki
3 Johnson-Holmes
4 Holloway
5 Douglas
6 Swinton
7 Gamble
8 Warren-Vosayaco
9 Jake
10 Donno
11 Turner
12 Foketi
13 Perese
14 Funa (Ramm upon Harro return)
15 Ramm (Harro upon return)
16 Horton
17 Smith
18 Tauakipulu
19 Cridge (I haven't been paying enough attention to this position to have a firm name)
20 Tizzano/Harris (depending on the plan for the game)
21 Edmed
22 Roberts
23 Newsome/Nawaqanitawase (Funa upon Harro return)
Personally I prefer Tizzano in 7 & Harro in 10, but coaches and most others tend to prefer Gamble & Donaldson in those jerseys, I can't see my personal preference being the way those jerseys get filled (I'm talking after Harro's return from injury, obviously).
Harris is doing a brilliant job but I think the reverse bug (WV) currently edges him out. It's very close, though. I'm rooting for him to improve and claim the 8 jersey as his own.
I want to like Nawaqanitawase, especially after the Statue Of David comments on twitter / in podcasts. But in the trials he was still coughing up too many balls and not being even remotely evasive when tackled. Getting bundled over the sideline etc too easily.
Newsome was better in the trials than he's been to my eyes the last few years of Super Rugby. So I'm undecided between him & Nawaqanitawase at 23 (until Harro's return).
I'm really hoping Horton can learn to throw accurately and claim the 2 jersey. But I haven't seen enough in the trials to think he can do that yet. As with Harris, I'm rooting for the improvement and stepping up the pecking order.
I haven't been paying enough attention to the locks to really have firm names in the positions. Holloway, Douglas, Sinclair, Cridge, any combination of those 4 names leaves me more than satisfied.
I also need to pay more attention to our alternate props. Starting props I have certain people locked in. Bench & injury props I really couldn't say which names are best.
The Reds trial this weekend plus the first game against the Fijian side will definitely show how the new coach is working his troops.
I think Tizzano may be injured? He is a good player and should start.
Harris has potential but as you say will probably be on the bench.
Backline should be as you said although Newsome may start ahead of Turner which would have Grant as a half on the bench, Edmed 10 and 12 sub and possibly the new man Roberts on the bench as back up depending on this weeks trial and his fitness.
Ramm has the ability to play the 15 role which will be interesting to see how that pans out.
Donaldson has patiently waited in the shadow of his good friend Harrison but look to see him unleash the backline and claiming the 10 jersey permanently.
Funa looked good in the Brumby trial as did Turner. Marky is there abouts as well but may miss out on the 23.
Making the final 8 would be a great outcome if the squad can maintain their defence. They showed last year they can definitely score points.
Looking forward to the season opener.
