Boyd snaps Achilles - Replacement?

[coreyh88]

I'm happy with him taking bombs but I want someone else defending the in goal when we are in our 20. His kick returns are worth his inability to jump for a bomb.

 

[bazza]

I'm absolutely gutted for Boyd. It was the first time in ages he looked happy, and it would of been good to see him return to some devastating form. He was also well prepared to do the hard yards as he was in exceptional physical condition.

In saying that, we just move on. I really would like to see Kahu given the chance. I've said it before and I'll say it again. He is the best fullback I have ever seen coming through the grades. He was something else, but some unlucky injuries have set him back a few years.

I always thought it would be a great tragedy if Kahu didn't get to play fullback in some stage in his career. I was afraid he would be another Hodges, who had the possibility of being the best fullback in the game, but due to some unfortunate turn of events or for whatever reason, it never worked out.

It looked very likely that we may never see Kahu playing in his preferred position in first grade, especially with all the fullback options the Broncos had over the years, however maybe this is his opportunity. All it takes is a small opportunity like this to present itself which can be the making of a star. Hopefully Kahu can show how good he really is.

 

[Anonymous person]

the best option still, like before we even signed boyd, is Milford at fullback.

we all knew that lockyer was going to end up in the halves, doesn't mean we should've thrown him there from day 1. Milford is the same - he should be eased into it, especially when hes carving up from fullback even more than lockyer did in the early days.

Did you? I have no doubt that of Hodges played a whole year there he would have topped the try assist ladder for the year. The attacking highlights from his last few games would've had people asking who is Ben Barba had he done that consistently in 2012. Hodges is a god who needs to relearn some of the defensive nuances of fb.

I did, and while he was good in attack he was, like i said, woeful in everything else. Try assists are great, but when you let in 5+ tries a game once teams figure out that you cant catch, clean up grubbers, or tackle, try assists mean nothing.

Oh and Barbas 2012 is better than anything Hodges could have ever produced. Great player, but Barbas 2012 was untouchable.

 

[ningnangnong]

Gutted for Boyd - finally seemed to have his head right, returning back to his first club and seemed really keen to get going. What a blow. Hopefully this won't be an injury that causes him issues in the future.

For all those blaming Bennett for our shortage of fullbacks, what a laughable opinion to have.

If we had it your way, this probably what would've happened:

1. Boyd doesn't sign for us
2. Ben Barba retained as first choice fullback
3. Josh Hoffman still released because he didn't want to play wing

Then what if Barba cops a serious injury? We'd be in the exact same fucking position.

Some real classics on here, turn it up!

 

[bazza]

the best option still, like before we even signed boyd, is Milford at fullback.

we all knew that lockyer was going to end up in the halves, doesn't mean we should've thrown him there from day 1. Milford is the same - he should be eased into it, especially when hes carving up from fullback even more than lockyer did in the early days.

The thing with that is that Milford will realistically only be playing fullback for half the season or until Boyd returns, before being shifted to five-eighth. It's probably more viable to have him ready and playing five-eighth regularly before Boyd returns, rather than Milford only just learning his trade as a five-eighth midway through the season.

Although it's hard to accept or believe, but Milford see's himself in the halves. Plus he's had huge wraps on him as a youngster in the halves rather than at fullback. He was considered the next Thurston, which demonstrated the level of skill he possessed in the halves at a similar age. He may as well develop those skills at five-eighth since he is a natural halve.

Not every five-eighth has to take a path which sees them play fullback first just because Lockyer did. I'm not against Milford at fullback, and when he first signed I wanted him at fullback, but it just seems a waste to shift him to fullback as a temporary fix. He'd be better off in the long term remaining at five-eighth.

 

[Harry Sack]

the best option still, like before we even signed boyd, is Milford at fullback.

we all knew that lockyer was going to end up in the halves, doesn't mean we should've thrown him there from day 1. Milford is the same - he should be eased into it, especially when hes carving up from fullback even more than lockyer did in the early days.

Who's your 6?

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

Who's your 6?

It really doesnt matter. Bring a young kid in. Milford at fullback > any other combo we have now boyd is out

The replacement wont have to do a great deal. He can ease into it. Between Hunt controlling the play and milford slipping in from fullback, the 6 really only has to be there to get these 2 the ball.

 

[Big Pete]

Hang on.

Of course it matters! Five Eighth is arguably just as important if not more so than the fullback position and presents a far greater opportunity for somebody to be exposed.

I'd also argue our options are better at fullback than five eighth.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

So we're going to waste a season of Milford's valuable introduction to Five-Eighth to give us a slightly larger chance at finishing higher on the table? Doesn't make sense to me.

I'd rather we take this season as it comes and let Milford spend the entire season alongside Hunt in the halves, he'll be much better for it come 2016.

Bennett's only goal has, and always will be, to win the next season. He has never been one to plan ahead, as evident by Newcastle filling their team with old fellas. When Bennett was signed by the broncos, the bennett detractors (myself included obviously) complained that he would just leave us in a bad state again, but the overall opinion was "who cares, he might win us a premiership before he leaves us up shit creek.

But now, boyd is out and we are planning for the future instead of trying to win? Milford at fullback is our best chance to win the title, so why bother planning for 2016? If the plan was to win the title with boyd at fullback, the plan should be no different now, just put milford at fullback.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

Hang on.

Of course it matters! Five Eighth is arguably just as important if not more so than the fullback position and presents a far greater opportunity for somebody to be exposed.

I'd also argue our options are better at fullback than five eighth.

It doesnt matter in the sense that we are (hopefully) going to get some experience into one of our younger players from this, beit kahu, nikorima, taylor etc. My point is that Milford at fullback is so good, that it potentially outweights playing a total rookie in 6, whereas bringing in kahu or something at fullback and leaving milford at 6 doesnt quite sound as strong. Milford is so much better at fullback than 6, that it doesnt matter who plays 6.

 

[Fighting Irish]

Milford will be staying at 5/8th - Bennett will not be shifting him at any price so it is silly to keep saying put Milford at Fullback
As I stated before Copley would be a great alternative while Boyd is recovering as we have enough back up in the centres to fill the gap and to me after watching Kahu towards the end of last season have trouble under the high ball and tackling I do not think he is the answer - the only other option is Maranta - we must keep Hodges in the centres because of his tested combo with Thaiday who will be back in the second row on his right edge
By having Copley at fullback we have great attacking ability - great defence - good ball skills - safe under the high ball and has loads of pace and it will give him space and he has played there before I understand - it also means only one minor positional change

 

[Unbreakable]

Bennett's only goal has, and always will be, to win the next season. He has never been one to plan ahead, as evident by Newcastle filling their team with old fellas. When Bennett was signed by the broncos, the bennett detractors (myself included obviously) complained that he would just leave us in a bad state again, but the overall opinion was "who cares, he might win us a premiership before he leaves us up shit creek.

But now, boyd is out and we are planning for the future instead of trying to win? Milford at fullback is our best chance to win the title, so why bother planning for 2016? If the plan was to win the title with boyd at fullback, the plan should be no different now, just put milford at fullback.

That may have been one of the dumbest things I've ever actually read, no offence.

Bennett might recruit seasoned veterans, but he doesn't leave clubs in awful positions.. he has great systems that he implements with the U20's and isn't afraid to give them a shot at first grade if their form warrants it, he also only signs veterans to short term deals for minimal money.. so I'm not sure where you're getting this "Would leave us in a bad state again".. And I'm pretty sure your generalization of the "Overall opinion" has literally never been said on this forum.

Boyd is out, and we're planning for the future? He's out for half a season, Bennett & Boyd will be here for at least 3 seasons, I'm not sure why leaving Milford at Five-Eighth instead of switching him between positions until Boyd is healthy should be classed as planning for the future.. it's just common sense. Why would Bennett throw all his eggs into the 2015 basket when he's got 3 years to get us back to the top, that's just ignorant.

EDIT: Member was thread banned for this post.

 

[Fighting Irish]

Right now Bennett wants a stable half/ five 8th combo - it makes absolutely no sense in moving milford to fullback for half a season and have no combination built up at all with Hunt and then move him back when Boyd comes back when we are looking at the most important part of the season just after state of origin when we need combinations bedded down and working and we have none - I am telling you Milford will not play fullback - look at other sensible options but please stop talking about Milford at Fullback

 

[Dazza 92]

I wish Darius all the ebst for a speedy recovery.

There is no doubt that this represensts abig blow to our plans for next year, but we have one precious commodity from it...time.

Time to look at options, personally i would go for Copley or Kahu for No1 next season until Boyd returns.

Milford has to stay at five eigth though, he needs all the time he can get to learn how to play outside Hunt, lets not delay that process......

 

[Anonymous person]

Not every five-eighth has to take a path which sees them play fullback first just because Lockyer did. I'm not against Milford at fullback, and when he first signed I wanted him at fullback, but it just seems a waste to shift him to fullback as a temporary fix. He'd be better off in the long term remaining at five-eighth.

But if he kills it at fullback, why move him? He doesn't have​ to play 5/8th. He has never come out saying he wants to be or sees himself as a five-eighth.

 

[Alec]

Milford is far more suited to fullback, this is a great opportunity to play him where he belongs (and keep him there).

Otherwise, go with Jayden Nikorima there. Someone who also has a lot of promise apparently.

I don't really want to see us going with a safe "temporary" option. Should be someone who can make the position his own.

Then Boyd can come back on the wing, where he's actually a terrific player.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

That may have been one of the dumbest things I've ever actually read, no offence.

Bennett might recruit seasoned veterans, but he doesn't leave clubs in awful positions.. he has great systems that he implements with the U20's and isn't afraid to give them a shot at first grade if their form warrants it, he also only signs veterans to short term deals for minimal money.. so I'm not sure where you're getting this "Would leave us in a bad state again".. And I'm pretty sure your generalization of the "Overall opinion" has literally never been said on this forum.

Boyd is out, and we're planning for the future? He's out for half a season, Bennett & Boyd will be here for at least 3 seasons, I'm not sure why leaving Milford at Five-Eighth instead of switching him between positions until Boyd is healthy should be classed as planning for the future.. it's just common sense. Why would Bennett throw all his eggs into the 2015 basket when he's got 3 years to get us back to the top, that's just ignorant.

Lol. The ol "no offence but" then big insult.

I did acidentially leave out the ending quote in my original post. It should have been

but the overall opinion was "who cares, he might win us a premiership" before he leaves us up shit creek.

Not everyone was saying we would end up worse off, but the consensus was if he can win a premiership within the next 3 years, then he has done his job.

How do you not see that newcastle are in a total fucked state right now? They have no hooker, no fullback with experience and they are missing a prop. This is what happens when you fill ur team with players such as mason, buderus, tahu, scott etc. He didnt plan ahead at all for the knights. They are going to have to run with Clydesdale at hooker, who is nowhere near ready to be their main 9. They will have to run with a rookie fullback in matautia (or maybe gidley there) and who knows who is going to fill in for mason / cuthbertson. He left them in a far worse state than when he got there, i didnt think anyone disagreed with that.

No offence, but i think you're a dumb bastard.

EDIT: Member was thread banned for this post.

 

[bazza]

But if he kills it at fullback, why move him? He doesn't have​ to play 5/8th. He has never come out saying he wants to be or sees himself as a five-eighth.

Yes he has...