Round 1 team prediction

[Tragic Eagle]

I hope the trial matches play a part in the selection considerations.

 

[Eagles4Life]

FB - Turbo
WG - Saab
CE - Koula
CE - Garrick
WG - Hopoate
FE - Brooks
HB - DCE
PR - Paseka
HK - Tevaga
PR - Aloiai
SR - Haumole
SR - Talau
LK - Jake

R - Simpkin
R - Bullemore
R - Brown
R - Taukei'aho

RE - Waddell

After 20-25 minutes Paseka is replaced by Bullemore, Aloiai by Taukei'aho, Tevaga by Simpkin, with Jake also being benched 10 minutes either side of half-time (replaced by Brown). I think we will get more out of both Jake and Brown if we limit their minutes more effectively. Jake still gets 60 and I strongly believe we will get more impact from Brown if he only plays 20 minutes as a lock (not as a prop)
Plus we still have Paseka, Aloiai and Tevaga to bring back after the 10 minute mark of the second half, so our middle rotation offers more versatility than last season.

It's highly unlikely that the team listed above will be the team that runs out against the Cowboys. Burbo will be our left backrower and Tevaga and Talau will probably be on the bench. I also feel that both Hopoate and Talau have to be in the team. I also don't think that Seibold will have three players who can cover hooker in the seventeen, so if Tevaga is on the bench, GCKT will not be. If Talau does take a bench spot, then one of Brown and Bullemore will potentially miss out as well.

FB - Turbo
WG - Saab
CE - Koula
CE - Garrick
WG - Hopoate
FE - Brooks
HB - DCE
PR - Paseka
HK - Simpkin
PR - Aloiai
SR - Haumole
SR - Burbo
LK - Jake

R - Tevaga
R - Talau
R - Bullemore/Brown
R - Taukei'aho

RE - Waddell

 

[Dion Johnson]

I doubt they will have an outside back on the bench so early in the season whilst the big forwards are gaining match fitness.

Seibold said it’s highly likely that two of these three players will be in the 17 giving they are fit, Simpkin, Gordie and Jazz two of these will be in the 17.

The 3/4 line it’s five positions with six players challenging for those five positions, due to still being on restricted training Saab could well be the unfortunate one to miss out, trials should be the decider.

 

[Seagles68]

I hope the published predicted teams are wrong in leaving Bullemore out. He's way ahead of Ben T, GCKT, Jazz and Sio for a bench spot.

I agree. I'm just not sure if he's a starter or a bench player this year. He was very good off the bench last year for sure.