I see no reason for any changes unless purely down to fitness/tactical reasons. They will all get their chance to play as there is now a good healthy competition for places within the squad for the 17 places on the team sheet each week.

Totally agree, only changes I can see this week ould be for any injuries that are picked up.The lads have all earned to have another go to keep the shirt

Sorry. I meant to quote hullwhitestar, see post below.

I agree, it would be difficult, but Agar is paid to make difficult decisions. I see the battle a place in the forwards as crucial to how our season pans out.

Agar has hinted at possibly rotating some of the forwards, if this is to be the case then it will be interesting to see how individuals react. At the moment, there seems to be a great sense of togetherness coming from the players and hopefully that will continue if and when players are not used for a game.

For me, Agar got the selection of the forwards spot on at saints. And although it would be a tough decision, I would understand if someone lost their place to accommodate Moa this week. Personally, Moa would not get in my starting 17 when we have a full squad to choose from, but I would understand if he was used this week to give us a little bit more bite against a tougher set of forwards.

If Moa was selected I would expect Dowes to be the one to miss out. This would not be a reflection on his last performance, but simply the coach giving us the best chance to win. Hopefully when these scenarios come around the players will understand and it won’t affect the team spirit that we seem to have developed.

Well the 19 will be announced today won't it?

I reckon if Moa is in the 19 he will be in the 17, otherwise whats the point in dropping Washy or Turner from the 19 if Moa isn't going to play?

Tad unfair to me as i thought dowes had a solid game against saints.
Think moa has to bide his time and keeping busting a gut in training

The thing people forget is Dowes was playing 60 to 70 minutes every game last season and was knackered half way through the season but this year he only has to do 40 minutes and he has looked and played miles better.

I agree, and if it was up to me I’d stick with the same 17. However, we all seem to acknowledge that we potentially have the best set of forwards in the league and if you were to ask the fans who their forwards line up would be then you would get umpteen different variations. And if I was Agar, I’m not sure I’d be 100% on who would be my first choice forwards.

If Agar is to rotate the forwards, then past performances may not come into it, especially if he continues to have the luxury of a full set of forwards to pick from.

All I’m saying is it would not surprise me to see Moa feature on Friday. It would be harsh on whoever was dropped, but as we are coming up against a tougher set of forwards, I would understand the reasoning behind it. We have got a great pack, and I think Agar needs to use them all wisely to get the best out of them.

WHERE YOU THERE


cussack ran his blood to water, steamed the ball in too many times to remember and flattened everything in front of him, had a superb game!!
when we are facing big uns like Crabby we need to match em with other big uns like Cussack

Moa would give more yardage than Cusack but the Yak put in a great defensive effort against Saints. I would say stay the same, the full 17 deserve another shot. The only possible exception might be Houghton.

fair shout in my book too!
however i recal Agar saying at the last forum that he plans to rotate forwards to keep them all fresh unless injuries dictate!!
Moa is a worthy replacement but he is just that a replacement guys, but to drop a Cussack with his stats to fit him in would be madness, especially when we have go forward from so many other areas now!!
Cussacks brief will be to ghost Crabby i am sure of it and bang him every time he touches the ball, and Luaki on Griffin will be the other match up!!

i was there and il say it again cusack is a good solid pro who will graft in attack and defence but nothing more. 1 of the reasons why our pack was weak and soft last year was the pack was unbalenced to many so called grafters workhorses and not enough impact big front rower. give moa a game and see how he goes if he dosent perform then he wont get in the team simple as but most importantly we need to get the balance right within the team and pack and to me that means 2 impact props which would be omeely and moa with dowes and radders as our grafters playing longer minutes. then theres lauaki who can fill in at prop but would leave in the secound row.

cussack was missing due to injury most of last season, I believe if you recall back to one or two of Cussacks goal line hits there would be a saints fan / player or two who would love him to be playing for them!!!
only thing unbalanced here is your comments on Cussack

Would let Moa stake his claim against Crusaders. We were 26-0 against Saints, that was due to the impact and defensive efforts of the pack. For another tough game the starting 13 should remain unchanged. The only change I would look for would be on the bench with either Washy or Turner for Houghton. But, even then I don't really think it is necessary.

you just dont get what im saying do you im not saying cusack is crap im just saying that we need to get the right balance in the pack and for me that means 1 of dowes, radders and cusack would be dropped for moa to give us impact and some pure aggresion.

Which we had plenty of against Saints to be leading 26-0 without Moa!

I really don't get people wanting anything to change, the 17 that played at Saints showed more pride, passion, comittment and ability than we saw last season, barring injuries, keep it the same.

i hope agar picks moa lets see how he goes if he dosent perform then drop him but im more then confident heel perform.

Nuff said

well i know some people wanted calderwood to come in the team if he was fit to replace hall. what would you do because no matter what the same 17 should play shoundt they

Would leave Hall on the wing, he did nothing wrong. but calderwood won't be available.......will he

i know he aint available but was saying if he was would you drop hall for calderwood becasue i know i would. it would be harsh on hall becasue he dint do nowt wrong but calderwood would offer alot more to the team.

As has been said by others...."if it aint broke, don't fix it"

Soon be time to see the squad