cf2 is back
Reserve Grader
Mathematically we are still alive, but in reality, we all know our season is as good as over after Sunday's gutsy but unfortunate loss.
Everyone knows teams have always lived or died by the quality of their spines, and these days killer wingers are almost as important.
These are the decisions Des must face...
Fullback:
Now that Tom and Elliot are both out, please Des do NOT pick Garrick as fullback. Some wingers can play no. 1, others definitely need to stay on the wing. Please give Albert Hopoate or Luke Metcalf a go who are genuine fullbacks. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
Wing:
We all know it, and finally Des you know it too, Taufua's time is done. One big running hit every month just doesn't cut it while letting in a litany of tries down the left wing every single match. Penrith made an absolute fool of our left edge and every other team is aware of it too. Given we've no Ado-Carr's on the roster (see below) Funa must be given Jorge's jersey. Sad but it happens, just like when Brad Arthur had the balls to tell Tim Mannah his time was up.
5/8:
Once again, there are players who's careers are in the process of moving on, or have already moved on. Walker may not yet be in the latter, category, but he's definitely heading that way. Harsh? Well if a 5/8 doesn't have a kicking game, or much of a passing game, and on top of that has lost his speed, what does that leave? The answer is Cust, who must own the no.6 jersey.
Half:
DCE is obviously trying his guts out, and he's a proven match winner, but: 1. Please can we stop the endless slow sideways runs before slow motion handing the ball back inside. It's so predictable; 2. Please way less predictable 5th tackle bombs that do nothing, if DCE/team are too far out to attack a bomb, the kick has to be more dangerous either across field, or a searching grubber; 3. Please get DCE to run the ball more in a straight direction, his ability to break the line is massively underused
Hooker:
Levi tries hard, but he's no Fainu who would have killed it with set re starts. Croker is not a bad 3rd choice 5/8 when needed and tries hard too, but he's simply not a hooker. In lieu of Fainu being released to play again, is there anyone else? Who would have been reserve grade hooker if they'd played this year?
And while we're here...
Bench:
Paseka and Keppie are finally showing their size can make a huge impact, and hopefully Olakau-atu will be the same. They are must haves.
Sipley. Where is he? Why isn't he being considered? Have I missed something? He looked great before injured last year.
Schuster? Any other names?
Next season releases:
1. Taufua - see above - plus we need the cash
2. Walker - ditto Jorge - sometimes you just have to make tough calls
3. Boyle - not a first grader, now or ever, sorry
Next season must buys:
1. Star wingers x 2: Look at the top teams, Tupou/Morris/Ikavalu; Vunivalu/Ado-Carr; Sivo/Ferguson; Mansour/Naden; Cotric/Rapana. Then look at Taufua/Waddell. We need to spend big on the position that wreaks havoc, and scores way more tries than any other. Can someone do a trip to Fiji?
2. Hooker: If Fainu is back, no problem. But if he's gone we've got to find a replacement with pace. Not easy obviously.
3. Back row: Someone has to replace Thompson, and it's not Waddell or Gosiewski, we need a decent buy. Proctor woudn't be a bad option.
The big point - Des hope you are reading this - there's no point sticking with the old when the season is sliding past - teams like Penrith give rookies like Staines a big shot - and look at the results.
Everyone knows teams have always lived or died by the quality of their spines, and these days killer wingers are almost as important.
These are the decisions Des must face...
Fullback:
Now that Tom and Elliot are both out, please Des do NOT pick Garrick as fullback. Some wingers can play no. 1, others definitely need to stay on the wing. Please give Albert Hopoate or Luke Metcalf a go who are genuine fullbacks. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
Wing:
We all know it, and finally Des you know it too, Taufua's time is done. One big running hit every month just doesn't cut it while letting in a litany of tries down the left wing every single match. Penrith made an absolute fool of our left edge and every other team is aware of it too. Given we've no Ado-Carr's on the roster (see below) Funa must be given Jorge's jersey. Sad but it happens, just like when Brad Arthur had the balls to tell Tim Mannah his time was up.
5/8:
Once again, there are players who's careers are in the process of moving on, or have already moved on. Walker may not yet be in the latter, category, but he's definitely heading that way. Harsh? Well if a 5/8 doesn't have a kicking game, or much of a passing game, and on top of that has lost his speed, what does that leave? The answer is Cust, who must own the no.6 jersey.
Half:
DCE is obviously trying his guts out, and he's a proven match winner, but: 1. Please can we stop the endless slow sideways runs before slow motion handing the ball back inside. It's so predictable; 2. Please way less predictable 5th tackle bombs that do nothing, if DCE/team are too far out to attack a bomb, the kick has to be more dangerous either across field, or a searching grubber; 3. Please get DCE to run the ball more in a straight direction, his ability to break the line is massively underused
Hooker:
Levi tries hard, but he's no Fainu who would have killed it with set re starts. Croker is not a bad 3rd choice 5/8 when needed and tries hard too, but he's simply not a hooker. In lieu of Fainu being released to play again, is there anyone else? Who would have been reserve grade hooker if they'd played this year?
And while we're here...
Bench:
Paseka and Keppie are finally showing their size can make a huge impact, and hopefully Olakau-atu will be the same. They are must haves.
Sipley. Where is he? Why isn't he being considered? Have I missed something? He looked great before injured last year.
Schuster? Any other names?
Next season releases:
1. Taufua - see above - plus we need the cash
2. Walker - ditto Jorge - sometimes you just have to make tough calls
3. Boyle - not a first grader, now or ever, sorry
Next season must buys:
1. Star wingers x 2: Look at the top teams, Tupou/Morris/Ikavalu; Vunivalu/Ado-Carr; Sivo/Ferguson; Mansour/Naden; Cotric/Rapana. Then look at Taufua/Waddell. We need to spend big on the position that wreaks havoc, and scores way more tries than any other. Can someone do a trip to Fiji?
2. Hooker: If Fainu is back, no problem. But if he's gone we've got to find a replacement with pace. Not easy obviously.
3. Back row: Someone has to replace Thompson, and it's not Waddell or Gosiewski, we need a decent buy. Proctor woudn't be a bad option.
The big point - Des hope you are reading this - there's no point sticking with the old when the season is sliding past - teams like Penrith give rookies like Staines a big shot - and look at the results.
