Might well have worked last season.But there are 2 major differences this season.Interchanges down to 10 and no Jammer.The policy baffles me.

Like you say there is no scientific way to find out which means its a great talking point. If the debate was do you support Saints it would be a very short thread as we all know even Rouges secretly loves us too. He's just battling those inner demons from the way he was raised.

In the end we all want Saints to do well, we just disagree on the minor points of the method.

I'm sure some manner of data is gathered during a match by the coaching team. But they aren't likely to share it on the big screen.

Although I agree with the points you are making, how many other NRL coaches regularly name sides with no intention of playing all 17 unless a player gets injured?

If they don't do it, and they have "NRL attention to detail", why don't they do it?

I know it is all supposition without the data, but wouldn't you agree that it seems reasonable to assume that spelling an extra forward is more likely to result in a fresher pack than not spelling an extra forward? The cumulative effects of doing this every week must make a difference too, given how much all coaches talk about fatigue at the back end of a season?

The NRL is a completely different competition. It's played faster. The defensive intensity is higher. The talent level is greater. The tactics are unique. The fixture structuring (and thus the workload placed upon teams) is different. Each side can draw upon two reserve grade teams - a good proportion of whose players are NRL ready from the first game. The relationship with the fans is different. They have access to cutting edge data analysis on every facet of individual and team behaviour etc. etc.

I don't think it makes any sense judging Royce by what goes on over there.



Let's say for a moment you are right - the pack is fresher. This begs the question - HOW MUCH fresher? If the answer is - not enough to make any significant difference then, by your rationale, we must [igain[/i towards the end of the season (in comparison to every other side) because we're achieving a similar level of effectiveness without having to call upon the services of a 17th player. If we completely rest a player in 20-25 games per season we're that much fitter come the business end.

Hull under the coaching of aussie Peter Gentle never used the full compliment of 17 players against Warrington.

Jordan Turner was left to freeze on the bench, so its not just a tactic of Royces.