In Ricky's Defence.

[Rusty]

I know its popular on here to bag Stuart, and I am no fan myself but a few points to make -

When he said he doesn't know what Hoppas plans are, I think the message he was trying to give was he doesn't care. The selection was about here and now.

Secondly, Hoppa is one hell of a player, I find it amusing that on here you can find some of the same posters mentioning that he is a superstar, and a one in a generation talent and then suggesting he shouldn't be picked.

Honestly I can't think of anyone who would do a better job then him in any of the back three positions, Idris - No, Lyon - doesn't want to be there, Mini - No, the other Morris - No, even Hayne is not the player that Hoppa is.

Ricky has just seen what we all have - this guy is a massive talent, and he is right selecting him, honestly he gives him versatility and cover.

 

[manlyforever08]

Hoppa is gonna bring a lot to our team. I think we're just like no, we are playing this weekend - we want all our players. But this is a great reward for Hoppa for all his work in just the first half of the season.

 

[The Who]

I posted earlier on the inconsistency with Stuart pre Origins 1 and 2. Hoppa is just one of them. I think it is asking of Hoppa too much in this must-win games, the toughest match in the RL world, to play out of position and to try to match Inglis. Surely it would have been a more sensible selection to pick Idris who has played for Australia and proven himself to be able to outplay Inglis.
He's panicked, and all this pre Origin 1 spin about sticking with players and building a squad for the future has been shown to be crap.

 

[firechild]

Couldn't agree more. I don't subscribe to the conspiracy theories that Bozo or Ricky are in his ear trying to lead him one way or another. I think every fan of the game has seen this year that Hoppa is a massive talent and would not be out of place in any representative side. What he brings to the team is not just his skill and his enthusiasm but also it brings some versatility to the back 5. Hoppa can move to the wing or fullback if required leaving the centre spot for Lewis or they can switch throughout the game as it common for wingers/fullbacks. QLD have safe hands under the high ball and Hoppa is as safe as they come which is important when defending against one of the best kicking games around. He makes plenty of meters and in a team that has led the comp in that department, he has easily been our best. I'd love to see him running out at Brookie this weekend but I know that Robbo and Wolfman can do the job, they've done it many times before.

 

[Rex]

Hoppa wing, Hayne fullback & Idris centre (on Inglis) seemed the simple solution. Don't know why Stuart wants to complicate matters playing people out of position.

 

[The Who]

Hoppa wing, Hayne fullback & Idris centre (on Inglis) seemed the simple solution. Don't know why Stuart wants to complicate matters playing people out of position.

... and yet, playing people in their exact positions was Stuart's justifications for his flawed selections in Origin 1. Stuart's doing more backflips than a gymnist.

 

[mosto]

QLD have safe hands under the high ball

Slater??? Apart from being a grub, his other flaw is under the high ball. Bomb him all day and he WILL spill one. They bombed him once in SOO1 and he wasn't in the same postcode when he went up for it.

 

[manlyfan76]

Slater is still using his feet in tackles too. Someone should stomp and break his leg the next time he tries to stop a try with them.

 

[firechild]

QLD have safe hands under the high ball

Slater??? Apart from being a grub, his other flaw is under the high ball. Bomb him all day and he WILL spill one. They bombed him once in SOO1 and he wasn't in the same postcode when he went up for it.

Slater isn't great (though he certainly is a grub) but the outside backs are pretty safe. It's a huge benefit having someone who jumps head and shoulders above everyone else and can manage to make plenty of meters after taking a high ball in traffic. Slater is unlikely to be the target of Thurston's bombs, they will be put up for wingers and centres.

 

[Masked Eagle]

QLD have safe hands under the high ball

Slater??? Apart from being a grub, his other flaw is under the high ball. Bomb him all day and he WILL spill one. They bombed him once in SOO1 and he wasn't in the same postcode when he went up for it.

You also forgot his passing ability. Unless of course he means to hit the guy in the third row instead of his winger.

 

[stoodamire]

I just hope Young Hoppa and Choc aren't hurt in the game because of Ricky's crazy selections

Although i do play OzTag against Ricky Stuart and he is a good bloke.

Hell of a passing game!

 

[Rusty]

QLD have safe hands under the high ball

Slater??? Apart from being a grub, his other flaw is under the high ball. Bomb him all day and he WILL spill one. They bombed him once in SOO1 and he wasn't in the same postcode when he went up for it.

Slater isn't great (though he certainly is a grub) but the outside backs are pretty safe. It's a huge benefit having someone who jumps head and shoulders above everyone else and can manage to make plenty of meters after taking a high ball in traffic. Slater is unlikely to be the target of Thurston's bombs, they will be put up for wingers and centres.

Slater is unlikely to be the target of Thurstan's bombs? If only because they play on the same team... I know, I know, at try scoring time he could be, but usually the target of someone's kicks is the person defending not the person attacking.

Here is a far from exhaustive list of reasons I dislike Slater,

1. He is a grub.
2. He plays for Melbourne.
3. Bellamy likes him, hence I dislike him.
4. He goes missing after he has been shown up, doesn't hit back.
5. He is a cock.
6. Because I can.
7. He is not great under the high ball.
8. He is terrible it defense of the try line, only thing that saves him is unlike everyone else no one notices when he uses his feet.
9. He rorted the game, and won't apologize.
10. I will never forgive any of the Melbourne team for 2007.
11. He is a wimp. I have watched tons of NRL fullbacks, and Slater is the worst at avoiding tackles. The number of times he passes the ball to a team mate right before the defense is amazing. Take a hit up you little slug.
12. He takes the 'Hail Mary' option too often, when he should play it safe. Sometimes this works, and it is great when you are behind by 6 or so, but if you are defending a slim margin then it is stupid.
13. He is no where near as good as some make him out to be.
14. At the same time he has talent, and it just isn't right for someone who is such a cock to have talent.

That is all for now.

 

[Masked Eagle]

I just hope Young Hoppa and Choc aren't hurt in the game because of Ricky's crazy selections

Although i do play OzTag against Ricky Stuart and he is a good bloke.

Hell of a passing game!

Touch is much better than OzTag!

 

[Cameron]

I think stuart is doing a good job

He sent messages out to choc and hayne and they have now worked the bums off to get their spots in the squad.

I thought the team showed great spirit and reslove in game one and were very close to getting the bickies with alot less possession.

He has gone along way towards restoring the pride in the blue jersey and imo hes doing a heaps better job than bellyache

 

[Phantar]

QLD have safe hands under the high ball

Slater??? Apart from being a grub, his other flaw is under the high ball. Bomb him all day and he WILL spill one. They bombed him once in SOO1 and he wasn't in the same postcode when he went up for it.

Slater isn't great (though he certainly is a grub) but the outside backs are pretty safe. It's a huge benefit having someone who jumps head and shoulders above everyone else and can manage to make plenty of meters after taking a high ball in traffic. Slater is unlikely to be the target of Thurston's bombs, they will be put up for wingers and centres.

Slater is unlikely to be the target of Thurstan's bombs? If only because they play on the same team... I know, I know, at try scoring time he could be, but usually the target of someone's kicks is the person defending not the person attacking.

Here is a far from exhaustive list of reasons I dislike Slater,

1. He is a grub.
2. He plays for Melbourne.
3. Bellamy likes him, hence I dislike him.
4. He goes missing after he has been shown up, doesn't hit back.
5. He is a cock.
6. Because I can.
7. He is not great under the high ball.
8. He is terrible it defense of the try line, only thing that saves him is unlike everyone else no one notices when he uses his feet.
9. He rorted the game, and won't apologize.
10. I will never forgive any of the Melbourne team for 2007.
11. He is a wimp. I have watched tons of NRL fullbacks, and Slater is the worst at avoiding tackles. The number of times he passes the ball to a team mate right before the defense is amazing. Take a hit up you little slug.
12. He takes the 'Hail Mary' option too often, when he should play it safe. Sometimes this works, and it is great when you are behind by 6 or so, but if you are defending a slim margin then it is stupid.
13. He is no where near as good as some make him out to be.
14. At the same time he has talent, and it just isn't right for someone who is such a cock to have talent.

That is all for now.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[swoop]

Hoppa wing, Hayne fullback & Idris centre (on Inglis) seemed the simple solution. Don't know why Stuart wants to complicate matters playing people out of position.

According to ricky the reason he didn't pick Idris last game is because he's a specialist right centre and gasnier has that spot and didn't want to play him out of postion. Yet he takes a gamble to put hoppa at left centre out of position, having said that I'm sure he can handle it. Ricky has no idea, wtf is he thinking going in to origin 2 with only two specialist front rowers. Gallen is better at attacking the fringes of the ruck, another out of position. 2-0 coming up.

 

[simz]

I really don't understand everyone using hoppa as a point to prove Ricky wrong. Hoppa is wasted on the wing, most other teams he would be a centre or fullback.

 

[swoop]

I really don't understand everyone using hoppa as a point to prove Ricky wrong. Hoppa is wasted on the wing, most other teams he would be a centre or fullback.

Do you think Gallen is being wasted at prop?

 

[simz]

I have no issue with you questioning ricky in regard to gallen or the whole forward pack for that matter, really he deserves it. I Just don't get it in regards to hoppa, he is easily the best man for the job.

 

[Masked Eagle]

I really don't understand everyone using hoppa as a point to prove Ricky wrong. Hoppa is wasted on the wing, most other teams he would be a centre or fullback.

Do you think Gallen is being wasted at prop?

I don't. Where he'll be missed is that they haven't replaced his workrate in the backrow. IMO choc is wasted on the bench and must start.