Craddock in the Sunday Mail all rumoured at this stage:
Oates to second row, Coates to wing
Arthars out, Staggs back
Hopoate to bench
Lodge to start, Flegler to bench
McHunt
If true, gonna be a big learning curve for Oates after playing on the Wing for so long.
Well Oates was an origin winger last year so you'd think they give him every chance to keep that spotHe played a bit of second row late in the game. It was the most interested I think I’ve seen him in years. If he can defend this could really get his head back in the game.
if he goes well though, geez thats a lot of talent to try and squeeze into the second row.
also, if you insist on putting an outside back on the bench, why wasnt Oates the obvious choice from day dot? If he isn’t needed to replace any of the back you can at least get a good short stint in second row out of him. What a luxury that is that was completely unused.
Well Oates was an origin winger last year so you'd think they give him every chance to keep that spot
I do agree though that him being our utility on the bench is probably the best move going forward, but that left winger still needs to be getting more from Boyd in attack.
Having Coates on that wing could have a dual impact, where Coates plays wing in defence (Boyd being the senior voice to keep the defence inline out there), but then plays center in attack (Boyd moving to the wing)... this gives us a more explosive option in the centers and Boyd can revert to his falling over the line as a winger.
that left winger still needs to be getting more from Boyd in attack
I think a lot of us have forgotten he's probably still recovering from that staph infection that put him in hospital over Xmas. Last I heard his leg was still pretty swollen, and might be an ongoing issue. He might not have the speed to be a winger right now. I don't know any of this, of course.Oates to 2nd row? Nah.
The guy isn't a good defender at all.
The truth is, you can rotate the team and put players in different positions but until they fix their mentality and actually fire up and give a shit, nothing will change.
Atleast we don't have to witness him trying to catch a high ball from this position, it gives me PTSD when ever a kicker kicks to this guy.
If this was the case surely the coach makes the call that Coates covers for Oates until the swelling goes down and he's properly fit. Having him play injured is doing no one other than the opposition a favour. Coates, or anyone form Herbie, Niu, Arthurs, Isaako would have to be the better option while he is given time to heal. At present on the wing Oatsey is as much use as ashtray on a motorbike.I think a lot of us have forgotten he's probably still recovering from that staph infection that put him in hospital over Xmas. Last I heard his leg was still pretty swollen, and might be an ongoing issue. He might not have the speed to be a winger right now. I don't know any of this, of course.
His lateral movement, reading of the play and motor will be his biggest challenges making the move.Oates to 2nd row? Nah.
The guy isn't a good defender at all.
The truth is, you can rotate the team and put players in different positions but until they fix their mentality and actually fire up and give a shit, nothing will change.