2019 Broncos Line-up

Tom said:

What investigation? If it was such a big fucking deal we would have heard about it last year.

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It's in the article about him. I don't know exactly what's gone on. But it was 2 incidents.

I really don’t understand what this club is about anymore.
They made a bold decision to go in a new direction with the coaching but didn’t want to look like bad guys by sacking Bennett so we had an enormously damaging saga while they tried to get him to quit.
We get over that and everyone (including our enemies down south) realise we have a cracking roster with depth so what do we do? We sacrifice that depth by helping out our biggest rival in a time of need and letting them have Kahu. Of course it’s great for Kahu and we can all feel warm inside about that until Boyd starts hopping around on his hamstring again. Kahu might have started in ISC but the reality is he would have been very handy with any injuries and State of Origin and probably have played plenty of 1st Grade. But hey, we’re really nice guys.
Now we are suspending one of our hottest young talents because he wouldn’t dob in his family. Seriously! This in the same week that the Dragons refuse to stand down a player accused of rape. Even if there was footage of DeBelin committing the crime I guarantee he would have pleaded not guilty so he could play and the Dragons would have supported him to increase their chances of winning.
I could understand a fine but suspending Haas is ridiculous. We must really like losing.

Sirlee oldman said:

I really don’t understand what this club is about anymore.
They made a bold decision to go in a new direction with the coaching but didn’t want to look like bad guys by sacking Bennett so we had an enormously damaging saga while they tried to get him to quit.
We get over that and everyone (including our enemies down south) realise we have a cracking roster with depth so what do we do? We sacrifice that depth by helping out our biggest rival in a time of need and letting them have Kahu. Of course it’s great for Kahu and we can all feel warm inside about that until Boyd starts hopping around on his hamstring again. Kahu might have started in ISC but the reality is he would have been very handy with any injuries and State of Origin and probably have played plenty of 1st Grade. But hey, we’re really nice guys.
Now we are suspending one of our hottest young talents because he wouldn’t dob in his family. Seriously! This in the same week that the Dragons refuse to stand down a player accused of rape. Even if there was footage of DeBelin committing the crime I guarantee he would have pleaded not guilty so he could play and the Dragons would have supported him to increase their chances of winning.
I could understand a fine but suspending Haas is ridiculous. We must really like losing.

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1. The Bennett thing is old news, isn’t it time to move on?

2. Have faith the club has a plan in place to cover Kahu, as I simply refuse to believe they would let him go just ‘to be nice guys’. Indeed, I’m almost certain they do have a plan. But if not, well, one of the young guys gets their chance. Much like Isaako in 2018 who, coincidentally, is the reason there is no longer room for Kahu.

But most importantly, 3.
Personally, I’d rather support a losing Broncos club than a winning Storm (systematic cheats) or Sharks (PED cheats).

The Broncos are doing what the NRL wait until it’s too late to do and what other clubs often simply refuse to do; they are drawing a line in the sand and telling every player at the club that they expect nothing short of exemplary behaviour and full cooperation - call it ‘everyone rowing in the same direction’.

They are using a negative situation, albeit what appears to be a small one, to reinforce the club standards and, as a result, I’m willing to bet every player at the club, but in particular the young up-and-comers that might be starting to get high opinions of themselves, take notice.

Short term Payne (see what I did there), for long term gain.

Have faith and get behind the club. 2019 is going to be a good year!

Far be it for me to act like the Broncos legal counsel, but if I were, every single Bronco would be made to watch this, learn it and then happily take part in the NRL’s little ‘interviews’...

JAHHW said:

1. The Bennett thing is old news, isn’t it time to move on?

2. Have faith the club has a plan in place to cover Kahu, as I simply refuse to believe they would let him go just ‘to be nice guys’. Indeed, I’m almost certain they do have a plan. But if not, well, one of the young guys gets their chance. Much like Isaako in 2018 who, coincidentally, is the reason there is no longer room for Kahu.

But most importantly, 3.
Personally, I’d rather support a losing Broncos club than a winning Storm (systematic cheats) or Sharks (PED cheats).

The Broncos are doing what the NRL wait until it’s too late to do and what other clubs often simply refuse to do; they are drawing a line in the sand and telling every player at the club that they expect nothing short of exemplary behaviour and full cooperation - call it ‘everyone rowing in the same direction’.

They are using a negative situation, albeit what appears to be a small one, to reinforce the club standards and, as a result, I’m willing to bet every player at the club, but in particular the young up-and-comers that might be starting to get high opinions of themselves, take notice.

Short term Payne (see what I did there), for long term gain.

Have faith and get behind the club. 2019 is going to be a good year!

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1. I have moved on but brought it up on this occasion to establish a pattern of being obsessed with appearances. They didn’t want to look bad by sacking him and ended up looking worse.
2. There was room for Kahu so why give the opportunity to someone with less experience? The only reason seems to be it’s in his interest rather than the club. Injuries are inevitable.
3. Of course I support the club but this lesson could have been delivered to Haas with a fine and counseling. They didn’t need to hurt the team and the supporters. It’s overkill.

I dunno. If he's family are bringing him into disrepute, maybe it's time to go his own way for awhile.

Would be good to see him get a go. Hard to see where he ever fits into the squad though

Unbreakable said:

So yeah, he's suspended for not ratting.

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We are missing McGuire’s leadership already.

Sirlee oldman said:

1. I have moved on but brought it up on this occasion to establish a pattern of being obsessed with appearances. They didn’t want to look bad by sacking him and ended up looking worse.
2. There was room for Kahu so why give the opportunity to someone with less experience? The only reason seems to be it’s in his interest rather than the club. Injuries are inevitable.
3. Of course I support the club but this lesson could have been delivered to Haas with a fine and counseling. They didn’t need to hurt the team and the supporters. It’s overkill.

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1. I’m not going to get into an argument regarding the Bennett thing. As far as I’m concerned, he was as much to blame for the whole mess. Nonetheless, to support your discourse (in this instance at least) you’re only holding the Broncos to account. That’s only telling half the story.

2. I think you may have missed the point. The Broncos most likely have someone else lined up to play that role. Are they as experienced? Maybe, maybe not. But no one gets experience without being given the opportunity. But that aside, if we kept every 28yo injury prone player who’s only managed to play 90 odd games across numerous seasons (in no way is that a dig at Kahu, indeed he’s given his all for this club, but that doesn’t make it any less true) just because we might get injuries, we wouldn’t have anywhere near the roster that we have today. It seems you might consider letting Kahu go to be a huge risk should we get injuries, but I see it as a gamble worth taking so that we can look to the future. Maybe I will be wrong, but either way, I certainly don’t see it as the Broncos trying to uphold a ‘good guy’ image.

3. Surely you don’t think the Broncos are doing this to punish the club and it’s supporters? I expect that’s just hyperbole? You must see they are making a point based on principle. One that, I expect at least, is aimed at ensuring shenanigans, of any magnitude, will not be tolerated. By anyone. Again, this is them showing they are looking long term, not the shortsighted view just about every other club in the NRL has. Indeed, those values are at the foundation of this club and are some of the reasons we are the strongest club, the club with the most (if not the most, near enough to it) enviable roster, the most powerful club and the most supported club in rugby league. It’s because we have these morals and ethics that we have ensured sustained success (no one has been more successful (win %) than us since we entered the competition), rather than flash-in-the-pan success.

The Broncos have always said that no one player, coach, support staff or administrator is bigger than the club or the game. Suspending Haas is simply reinforcing this notion.

In regards to the top 30, I'd say 29 of the spots are pretty locked in right now.

Middle forwards - McCullugh, Turpin, Pangai Jr, Ofahengaue, Lodge, Haas, Flegler, Carrigan, Tagatese, Fensom, Mago

Edge forwards - Gillett, Glenn, Su'A, Fifita, Savelio

Halves - Milford, Nikorima, O'Sullivan, Dearden, Dargan

Backs - Boyd, Oates, Isaako, Staggs, Roberts, Bird, Shibasaki, Kennar

That's 29/30 with the presumption that Fai is dropping out due to ill-discipline. 30th spot should go to a back or an edge forward based on depth. So, possibly Farnworth, Niu, Coates, Vudogo, Hopoate would be the likely candidates vying for the last spot.

Carrigan in for Haas for the first 4 rounds at least.

Foordy said:

The NRL didn't take action ... We did.

Although they may have taken action, if we didn't

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Yeah I see your point. I'm not sure how to feel about a system like that. It opens the door to throwing the book at a "no-name" under twenty player but gives the club opportunity to protect a club favourite, whilst the NRL hands out lenient "slaps on the wrist" in the guise of impartiality.
Still, I guess that doesn't really apply in this case, with Haas having a "name" already.
I hope if this happens two years down the track, or if a Milford or Gillet did the same, the same suspension would be handed out.

Not sure why people are arguing about whether Kahu being moved on was right or not.

The fact is that ever since Isaako proved himself as a better player, Kahu has been on the outside of our best 17.

It's been increasingly more obvious that he would be moved on, we have signed a number of centre/wings and also have juniors with higher potential than Kahu in those positions.

Kahu is a great buy for any club, but we just don't need him at this point.

Richie Kennar is 23 years old and came through the Storm system, he's professional enough to handle NRL on the wing for us. He played six games for the Rabbitohs last year, scoring five tries.

I'm keen to see how Izaia Perese develops too. He's underrated by all NRL fans. The Wallabies really wanted to keep him in Union.

Unbreakable said:

In regards to the top 30, I'd say 29 of the spots are pretty locked in right now.

Middle forwards - McCullugh, Turpin, Pangai Jr, Ofahengaue, Lodge, Haas, Flegler, Carrigan, Tagatese, Fensom, Mago

Edge forwards - Gillett, Glenn, Su'A, Fifita, Savelio

Halves - Milford, Nikorima, O'Sullivan, Dearden, Dargan

Backs - Boyd, Oates, Isaako, Staggs, Roberts, Bird, Shibasaki, Kennar

That's 29/30 with the presumption that Fai is dropping out due to ill-discipline. 30th spot should go to a back or an edge forward based on depth. So, possibly Farnworth, Niu, Coates, Vudogo, Hopoate would be the likely candidates vying for the last spot.

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From the trial highlights, I noticed how crisp Turpin's service was from dummy half was. Impressed with his ability to get the ball in the right players hands at the right time. I can't recall how well Macca performs in that area, can't say it's a stand out part of his game..

If Nikorima has not performed after say round 8-10 who do we think gets first shot?
Dearden
O’Sullivan
T Boyd
Dargan
Paix

bronx89 said:

If Nikorima has not performed after say round 8-10 who do we think gets first shot?
Dearden
O’Sullivan
T Boyd
Dargan
Paix

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Whoever is performing the best in the ISC

Foordy said:

Whoever is performing the best in the ISC

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Thanks for clearing that up

bronx89 said:

If Nikorima has not performed after say round 8-10 who do we think gets first shot?
Dearden
O’Sullivan
T Boyd
Dargan
Paix

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I'd say O'Sullivan looks like he's next in line but I don't think he neccessarily should be.

Personally I'd like to see Boyd get a shot. Deardon in the next couple of years. I think those two together as a halves combo would be incredible.