I think that is right tbh. I can see Radford being the other prop with O'Meeley and either Cusack/Moa as the the bench props. Then Lauaki on the bench to cover Manu and then one of Washbrook/Turner/Houghton as the final bench player. Centre spot will probably go to Hall based on how last year ended although Whiting has certainly pushed himself into the reckoning.

If Saints attack at Lauaki theres trouble ahead. His tackling and positional play is very poor to say the least.

Quite correct. Also the fact he is blowing out of his ass after 10 mins ain't good either.

But he has big hair so it don't matter

Dont think Tickle is a shoe in by any means

I would much rather see a pack of

Dowes
Berrigan
Cusack/Shrek
Radford
Tickle
Fitzgibon

With Manu, Yak/Shrek, Houghton, Moa

Also im a big fan of Whiting but we have to start with Hall imo. Hall and Briscoe could be devestating and for many years to come. I still say he is our best attacker.

Must admit that was a concern after watching the Rovers friendly. Hopefully it's something that can be worked on.

1:Tansey
2:Calderwood
3:Yeaman
4:Hall/Whiting/Turner
5:Briscoe
6:Horne
7:Long
8icon_biggrin.gifowes
9:Berrigan
10:Radford/Cusack
11:Tickle
12:Manu
13:Fitzgibbon

O'Meley
Lauaki
Moa
Houghton

Tough decision over Hall, Whiting & Turner plus not sure which I'd go for with Radford or Cusack. Tickle I think will be in from the off due to nobody else having kicking duty in the friendlies.

Big plus is that each player has to perform each game now or face losing a place in the 17.

He will get better with games in terms of his fitness. It's his impact with the ball that could be really useful, his defence should get better as the fitness does. Not saying he is an automatic pick but I would have him as my replacement backrower to spell Manu.

On the props, one has to miss out and I think it will be Moa although personally I would drop Cusack. Radford, Dowes, Cusack and O'Meeley means we have no real impact off the bench apart from shrek.

and what does tickle do apart from drop the the ball and just as bad with tackles

Hes overated in attack aswell imo. Dont really see what he brings to the team except his big hair.

Are you serious ?

Guess we'll see as the season progresses.

FWIW I probably wouldn't start with Tickle. However, he is a solid defender, runs some good lines and generally works very hard, he is a very good player to have as cover and I wouldn't grumble if he was first choice.

There is some real tough choices to make atm, I think there are only about 10 players who are guaranteed of a place in the 17, centres, props and second rows are very much in doubt.

I agree with Paul M that when he gets match sharp he could prove a real asset as impact to compliment the rest of the pack.

Surely we haven't seen enough of him to be writing him off just yet?

hame will become a good player in weeks to come

From what I saw in the derby, Moa is worth a bench spot. I think he could be a real handful this season.

yes



all he did last season was drop off tackles

the only reason he was playing week in week out was that he could kick a goal

Of course Moa is worth a bench spot. Some people on here would have Radford, Dowes and Cusack as three of our props every week if they had their way and we would have the most dour and ineffective front row in SL.

O'Meley
Berrigan
Cusack
Manu
Tickle
Fitzgibbon Moa Lauaki Houghton Washbrook

TBF the couple of games i saw him play last season were pretty much the same and when you factor in his obvious discipline problems i think he'll be more of a liability than an asset. Most of the south sea islanders are very much hit and miss, lack the roll your sleeves up attitude of others and are notoriously bad trainers. They look the part, look mean but more often than not they are error ridden and fail to deliver.

I think you've got to have two of each, two of Dowes, Radford and Cusack, and two of O'Meley, Moa and Lauaki (unless you are going to play Lauaki in the back row then you can get away with all three). A front of Cusack, O'Meley, Moa and Lauaki would tire quickly (don't forget Cusack is getting on as well) and the hard work would get neglected. However like you say if you played Cusack, Dowes, Radford and O'Meley for example we would lack a bit of penetration.

Moa has to be on the bench as he offers great impact . However I can see him being the one to miss out , Think Yak needs some more game time and just to much of a risk to put him in against saints.

I agree 100%. For me, should be

Front row O'Meley Moa and two from Cusack/Radford/Dowes

Backrow Fitzgibbon Lauaki Manu and two from Tickle/Washbrook/Burnett/Whiting

Last season he was not fully fit and had hardly any training or preparation. I'm waiting to see how he goes after a full pre season and a few games under his belt before judging him one way or the other.

Agreed, to do anything else right now would be stupid. Players need judging 6-10 games into the season not after 1 or 2 friendlies.