Agreed

I would have Vinnie in at , johnson is not a , his defence hasn't been up to scratch lately!

You would expect that Higham will play off the bench allowing Monas to move to scrum-half and Bridge to slot in a centre for periods of the game. Not a bad team.

I agree 100%, i havent been his biggest fan, but cant fault the guy in his effort for the wire over the years. Gutted for him.

Love him or hate him, Clarke as been a fantastic servant for the club, and it is a tragedy that he is going to miss out on the clubs biggest game for years.

Hopefully this is just the first of many finals, and the likes of Clarke, Wood, etc will get their chance very soon.

Wood, Clarke, Grix and Carney are the only absentees?

Johnson may be slower than at his peak, but the first five or six years of his pro carreer were at centre, starting at the Pies. Vanderson has much less experience at centre. Personally I'd keep Bridge at centre, anyway.

I'd go with this and leave Bridge at centre.

Mathers

Hicks
Bridge
King
Riley

V Anderson
Briers

Morley
Monaghan
Carvell
Westood
L Anderson
Harrison

Subs

Cooper
Rauhihi
Johnson
Higham

Good call....Briers is pretty much our pivotal player, so his half back partner can afford to be pretty much a flexible utility player, such as Vinnie Anderson....Any support Briers requires can come from Monaghan, who at least in the absence of Clarke is left in his best position.

Feel sorry for Clarke.. however we have a damn good squad and a damn good chance... don't want to say it but think this could be it...

Only problem with Vinnie at 6 is speed off the mark. I imagine that had Grix been fit his No 1 mission would have been to snuff out Robinson, who IS quick off the mark. Do you think Vinnie can doe this?

he can do a good job of closing kickers down, if he can be d,

Have just heard from a reliable source that the team will be:


MATHERS
HICKS
BRIDGE
KING
RILEY
V.ANDERSON
BRIERS
MORLEY
MONAGHAN
CARVELL
L.ANDERSON
WESTWOOD
HARRISON

BENCH
HIGHAM
JOHNSON
COOPER
MCCARTHY

Would imagine monas would move to 7 when Mickey comes on. Looks like a strong team though with a lot of good options. Feel a bit for Mitchell missing out, but young Tyrone has grasped his chance with both hands.

Absolutely gutted for Clarkey.

McCarthy instead of Rau..... can't see it myself.

I would agree with that too. With Mona's usual halves/hooker switch, it may be what helps us win the game.

With Wood out, our prop rotation looks a bit weak, personally I would go with McCarthy over Mitchell. If needed Harrison and Benny can spell at prop.

do you think higham playing is a gamble seen as he has been out so long, for me could be a mistake like roby playing for saints in semi.

I can. Rauhihi is too slow getting back and quite frankly has not made any impact going forward. Personally i'd be a lot happier with Westwood/Harrison stepping up to prop and Mccarthy covering one of them.

Me too. One of our hardest working and, when on form, best players.

I'd go with exactly the same team only a couple of positional changes, Bridge is better in the middle due to his kicking ability.

Me too.

thats what im worried about has he even played a game since getting injured??

I think this will be decided on the day and if Higham plays and we win TS will be hailed as a genius (as he is).

A one off winner take all game - surely it's a risk worth taking!!!

Come on the Wire!!!!

mathers

hicks
johnson
king
reilly

briers
bridge

morley
monaghan
carvell
l.anderson
westwood
harrison

cooper
v.anderson
rauhihi
higham

but who knows!