Cusack by all accounts looks less fit than Moa.

So with Calderwood injured, the two senior players not selected are Moa and Burnett. With all due respect, as senior players go they are two your more junior. With a nearly fully fit squad this is going to happen every round - not in the least controversial IMO.

I think it's more the case that people want the team to be selected on form and also that they want two out of the four props to be able to add a bit of impact. I don't think there's a place for Radford, Dowes and Cusack in the same team - they're all too similar.

There is no form we've played a couple of friendlies one was against Sheffield the other against a side that lost all of it's pre-season games. We will have had harder training sessions than those two run outs.

Think your team relies a bit too much on Dowes

If Calderwood is injured then that makes the selection significantly less odd. Bad luck for Calders, and also for us as I don't think that Hall works that well as a winger. I agree that a Whiting/Hall partnership would be the best combination.

Moa seemed to have shown up well enough in pre-season to have earned a spot. Maybe as Joe says he's gone for fitness, although Cusack didn't look that fit against Rovers. I don't agree with that tactic but it's not a disaster.

The proof will be in how it all pans out at the weekend.

Correct, we have no idea what is happening in training or any thing, for me it looks a strong squad, I am happy with it.

Nail on the head.

Perhaps you're right. Personally, I would have liked to have seen Moa in there and feel that he has done enough to warrant a place.

1 - Tansey
2 - Briscoe
3 - Yeaman
4 - Whiting
5 - Turner or Hall (Think Turner may get the nod after all the positive comments from the camp)
6 Horne
7- Long
8 - Dowes
9 - Berrigan
10 - Cusack
11 - Fitzgibbon
12 - Tickle
13 - Radford

14 - Meley
15 - Lauaki
16 - Houghton
17 - Manu

Washbrook and Hall to miss out.


Think Whiting has done enough to be in the team from the two friendlies we have played. He will hopefully have Manu & Lauaki on the bench for impact with Meley also covering.

I think with Calderwood out, Whiting has to play for his defensive abilities.



I don't suppose it is. If Manu, O'Meley and Hame are on form we should still have enough impact. Of the impact players in the squad, Lauaki is the one I would have left out, if any.

As has been said Hall doesn't do too well as a wingman so I'd be tempted to play Turner on the right with Whiting inside him. Gutted for Calderwood though.
Not too disappointed about the Moa thing, I think O'Meley, Manu and Lauaki give us enough impact for this game, there are going to be periods were we are under pressure and I'd be happier with Cusack for this, I think!

I think Whiting and Turner will get one side with Yeaman & Briscoe on the other. There has been so much positive stuff coming out about Turner in the off season.
Hall will be better when the pitches dry up a bit and his attacking game will come to the fore.

The ground will be heavy this week and i presume Agar will be playing a 3rd prop at loose man. It makes sense though and with a good chance of rain as well it will limit any flowing rugby.

I agree with that. Sam is unlucky because he has done well in pre season. His season isn't over because of this squad selection. The selection is fine for the game. It is up to those selected to be at the top of their game and warrant their places.

1 Tansey
2 Turner
3 Whiting
4 Yeaman
5 Briscoe
6 Horne
7 Long
8 Dowes
9 Houghton
10 Radford
11 Manu
12 Tickle
13 Fitzgibbon

14 O'Meley
15 Cusack
16 Lauaki
17 Berrigan

Close , but Turner & Washy will miss out

Good choice of rotating Dowes with Dowes though

Think Tickle needs a good game have not being impressed with him in pre - season

Well done RA !!





Might aswell fasten that rod to your back from the very first game !! Saints pack must be terrified at the thought of having to deal with Radford, Cusack AND Dowes in the same 17 !!

Turner and Washbrook will be the unlucky ones. Hall to start on the wing.

Two props on the bench with Houghton/Berro and either Manu/Lauiki as the others depending on who starts.

Much as I'd have liked to have seen Moa play, I don't think his absence is going to make a difference to how much 'terror' the Saints pack will feel. Also, given the conditions this game could easily end up as a grind - and the pack Agar has picked is better suited to grinding than one with Moa in it.

Let's see how it goes. I'm more interested in how the side plays than who gets picked, and Radford and Dowes have been pretty good in pre-season.

Tansey
Hall
Whiting
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Long
Cusack
Berrigan
O ' Meley
Manu
Tickle
Fitzgibbon

Radford
Dowes
Lauaki
Washbrook

Bit dissapointed Moa hasn't made the squad really.

Gone for washy instead of houghton. Berro should be good for 30 mins each half, washy to cover the rest and also give fitz a breather, can't see him making 80mins against saints

1 Tansey
2 Hall
3 Whiting
4 Yeaman
5 T. Briscoe
6 Horne
7 Long

8 Cusack
9 Berrigan
10 O'Meley
11 Fitzgibbon
12 Tickle
13 Washbrook

14 Houghton
15 Manu
16 Lauaki
17 Radford

18 Turner
19 Dowes

Not happy with the exclusion of Moa, I'd have him in the 17 over Dowes, Radford and Cusack every day of the week. If Calderwood is injured then fair enough. Gone with Whiting over Turner for his defence and experience, a Turner and Hall partnership would be very inexperienced. Put Hall on the wing as I think you've got to find a place for him. Gone with Cusack over Dowes as its a complete waste of a quota spot if you don't.

People moaning about Radford, Dowes and Cusack in the squad need to remember that our pack was not the big problem last year. Radford has the weght of the captaincy removed from his shoulders and in the Rovers friendly he looked like a new player to me.
We still have impact with Manu and Lauaki and if Meley is played from the bench he will also add to that.

Give the team and coach a chance before moaning about it. We all have our favourites in the team and we are dissapointed when they are not in.

couldnt of put it better myself,well said.

also does anybody actualy no why moa is not in?




















































Didnt think so.

no info about Calderwoods "injury" anywhere that I can see, I hope the increased communication isn't waining.