Although he performed excellently all last season, I can't see L'Estrange starting unless Diskins being rested.

L'Estrange does play well as a starting hooker, don't get me wrong, but I feel he would be more benefit to us coming on and running at tired defences and putting people through gaps. That's the role he played in the NRL GF winning team.

Why?

Big step up from championship to super league and he has lots to learn and in my opinion will not be quite ready.I'm sure MP will recognise that and go with more experience to start. Great prospect that he is , i'd hate to see his confidence wrecked by putting him in the team too soon.

I've said it before, start Briggs. He's got to play at somepoint so it might as well be sooner than later.

I think he will go really well. Looked good in the highlights of the Dewsbury game and can only get better the more he trains as a full time player.

I was thinking the same about easing briggs in gradually. but after seeing dewbury highlights I've changed my opinion. He made the transition look effortless. Providing he doesnt have a howler on sunday I wouldnt have any qualms throwing him in against leeds.

As long as Briggs and Herbert kick Leeds to death then I'm happy

That sounds like a plan

we all knew briggs looks good against championship team. Lets see the wakey game to see how he does against a SL team

Really looking forward to the wakey game, hopfully will come though it without any injuries;


Royston
Raynor
Ah Van
Platt
Ainscough
Kearney
Herbert
Scruton
L’Estrange
Lynch
Elima
Walker
Langley

Whitehead
Diskin
Hargreaves
Kopczak


possibly with Briggs at SO and Kearny aat FB

given its only friendly that briggs and herbert have opportunity to play together before leeds thinks its pretty much a certainty that briggs will start at standoff. And would imagine we wont be restricted to a 4 man bench.

appologies, Thats what i would go for at the starting of the season, with regards to the friendly I would start with briggs and herbert then maybe swap with Kearny at half time

tbh I wouldnt bother swapping at halftime. Like you I was thinking leeds game would be too early to throw brigg in at SL level but after seeing Dewsbury highlights he looks to have slotted into our setup pretty seamlessly. so unless he really doesnt click with herbert on sunday I'm coming round to idea of just putting him straight in against leeds.

After his pre season performances, Ian Sibbit will be pushing Whitehead close for the starting backrow spot. Allthough I think Potter will probably opt for him off the bench to provide a bit of impact. Could never understand the criticism that Sibbit got or why Potter was criticised for signing him. He's a good player and will do really well for us.

Kearney
Ah Van
Platt
Walker
Raynor
Briggs
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Elima
Whitehead
Langley

Koppy
Scruton
L'estrange
Sibbit

Sibbit is a must in the squad on yesterdays performance imo. I actually like the look of the team above, as I thought Sykes didnt look as good as platt or walker yesterday. I am unsure on Raynor but he will only improve and because of the depth at centre, Ah Van will probably start at wing although he certainly looks like he could do a very good job in the centres.

I thought whitehead looked good but did seem to fall off a few tackles. I think we could be on trouble with the high kicks out wide this season so hopefully Potter works on this.

I'm sticking with my original squad after yesterday, with Sibbit pressing for a place if any of the pack don't perform.

I'd go along with that one. only change I'd consider would be royston on bench instead of sibbit. depends whether we want to go for a power game, in which sibbit gets nod, or go more for skill in which case royston goes in. think platt is ahead of sykes by a long way for berth now and whilst ainscough hasnt done anything wrong per se think platt and ah van is a better pairing for leeds.

Nah to Royston on the bench. He hasnt impressed me. Dont think he offers more than Sibbitt.

the one thing he offers that sibbit doesnt is cover for the backs. If we lose a back to injury our only real option would be one off diskin or l'estrange dropping back. Whereas if a 2nd rower gets injured then walker could go into 2nd row and if a prop got injured then langley could move their. But on balance I'd probably take gamble that all backs would stay fit and use sibbit for this game. Think we need to think more in terms of having cover on bench later in season when people start carrying knocks.

i think we need cover tbh, we have to have a back option on the bench with a full squad. 4 forwards on the bench usually takes place when clubs have injuries. Whilst Royson didnt blow me away, he would mean we could rejuggle to cover FB, loose, 2nd row, centre and the halfs. Plus his back up play is awesome

all true, but for first game or two when everyones 100% fit then we can probably take gamble on not picking up any serious injuries and go for power on bench. As season progresses and we start picking up niggles it would certainly make sense to think in terms of having cover on bench. That said I think leeds will really miss JP and we could potentially look at having a back on bench and just go with 3 forwards and still overpower them in the forwards battle. given quality of leeds's backline it may be beneficial to have a fresh back available to come on at some stage. Bit of a selection headache for Potter but thats why he's the coach and we're just spectators I guess.

My concern is that we will have a backline which includes:

Herbert- injured last year and took a knock other day
Walker- Back from serious injury
Kearney- Bad injuries previously and suffered a little last year
Briggs- Bit of a step up physically
Ah Van- Think he was injured last season

In addition Raynor hasnt had much action and langley has got a slight groin strain. Bit risky imo

Herbert took a knock? These things happen and it was only precautionary him been taken off
Walker - gamble yes, in terms of fitness and whilst a bad brea he has come back and could provie a real bargain
Kearney - 1 bad injury as i recall, yes he got a knock last season but again, cant be helped
Briggs - possibly, possibly not
Ah Van - not picked last season by NZ Warriors as i understand

Ah Van picked up a minor injury. But was unable to get back into the side due to player who took his spot was having a great season

my point is that alot of the backline havent played 10 games on the bounce in the last couple of years and as such it is more of a gamble not having ANY cover on the bench. Whilst the players should be niggle free at the minute, they are more likely to pick up strains etc so given all of that, I think it would be a good idea having royston on the bench to give cover here and flexibility in the forwards. simply the number of scenarios he covers makes me think its better than a 4th forward on the bench when chev can easily slot in there

I'd rather risk it and go with 4 forwards on the bench tbh.

If it's just for cover in 1 game, Sibbit or Whitehead could be shifted into centres. Watching Saints last season, I reckon Potter might go with this. If Ah Van is on the wing and a centre gets injured, he can shift in and if theres a younger forward on the bench with a bit of pace (Donno, Addy etc) they can be put there. Hell, Roby was switched to wing for part of a Saints match last season.

Obviously there'll be occasions where a back may be more sensible, but overall i'm more of a fan of having a hooker, 2 props and a back rower on the bench.