PRE-GAME NRL Round 1 - Cowboys vs Broncos

[Gaz]

Probably because we don't have a team like that anymore !

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Personally, I hope Seibold has been doing a bit of homework on what we did to the Cows at the beginning of last year. We need to set TPJ loose on Taumalolo if we're going to blunt the Cows momentum at their new home. Get into him hard and fast and put him on his back, numbers in the tackle following a solid hit until he's gassed. Without him pulling the weight they need him to pull, our pack should quite easily get over the top of theirs.

One thing I don't feel like we do often enough is build pressure off of repeat sets. In the modern game, a fresh set is almost worth as much as a try or 2 points between the sticks. As well as bashing them in defence, we need to keep them tackling, not only to wear down their middle but also to give our spine time to gel together. We should be good for at least 1 try down Oates wing as usual in the first 20 mins or so which we can build upon. The only times I would be kicking for goal in this game is to go to 8 point leads, but I dearly hope the boys have been working hard on line speed and discipline at training. We should not expect any favors from the refs with the Cows christening their new ground, so it's all on us to give them as little reason as possible.

Of course, we'll also need a huge debut from Brodie Croft. This is his chance to solidify himself as a strong offensive option early so Milf can just do his thing (if he can). I would be quite happy if he could just keep putting in the deft kick into the in goal to turn their blokes around and to earn repeat sets. There's more to getting those sets than just kicking it though, he has to be chasing and screaming at his men to follow him up. He needs to make communication a habit along with Bird to keep the line sorted.

 

[McHunt]

Badel bloods Jamil Hopoate in the Sunday Mail:

Predicts Hopoate will replace Alex Glenn - from the bench - against the Cowboys.

Redcliffe Coach Adam Mogg says:

"I will shed a tear if Jamil makes his NRL debut. I have a soft spot for ‘Hoppa’, he is well respected at our footy club, the players love him. He is a real ball of energy and a character. He competes really well. In offence, he can play like a five-eighth, he is a great ball-playing lock forward. While he has skill, he is a real competitor, he won’t be fazed by the pressure and he won’t let the Broncos down.”

Hopoate on his time inside:

“Jail is no place for anyone. Dad just told me to focus, knuckle down and scrap all the partying and all the bullshit. It was scary in jail. No-one wants to ever go through that, I don’t wish it upon anyone. But it’s made me the man I am today … now I want to be a better person and role model for my daughter.”

Seibold:

“He is ready to play first grade. It’s been a while coming, there’s been some challenges (with his stint in jail) but he’s been a standout in pre-season.”

McHunt

 

[Wolfie]

I think Hoppa at lock will be fine as backup, not convinced on the edges with him though.

 

[M.B.88]

Prepare for us to be rolled in this one guys..

 

[mitch222]

I can handle getting beat but I wont handle getting beat because of lack of effort. They need to remember the last time they played a NRL match they got an absolute hiding. There just needs to be a bounce back factor here.

 

[Accept]

Prepare for us to be rolled in this one guys..

Possibly but it'll be reasonably close. The Cowboys aren't much chop either. Missing Lodge and Ofa will make it tough though.

 

[simplythebest]

Dobbo on Triple M this morning saying 100% Glenn won’t play and Cardigan will be captain. Also said the bench is almost certain to be Isaako, McCullough, Kennedy and Hopoate.

 

[Unbreakable]

Dobbo on Triple M this morning saying 100% Glenn won’t play and Cardigan will be captain. Also said the bench is almost certain to be Isaako, McCullough, Kennedy and Hopoate.

Yeah Glenn confirmed a few days ago he won't be playing, and Seibold confirmed a couple of days ago that Hopoate would come in for him.

Such breaking news from Dobbo.

 

[HarryAllan7]

Dobbo on Triple M this morning saying 100% Glenn won’t play and Cardigan will be captain. Also said the bench is almost certain to be Isaako, McCullough, Kennedy and Hopoate.

With this bench we deserve to be beaten comprehensively. Without a doubt the worst bench I've ever seen. Either we pick McCullough OR Isaako OR someone who can fit both the outside back cover and spell hooker roles (perhaps Paix even if he is a bit green?). Carrying both is laughable.

 

[broncos4life]

Dobbo on Triple M this morning saying 100% Glenn won’t play and Cardigan will be captain. Also said the bench is almost certain to be Isaako, McCullough, Kennedy and Hopoate.

Wow Dobbo has really gone out on a limb there.

 

[BroncsFan]

With this bench we deserve to be beaten comprehensively. Without a doubt the worst bench I've ever seen. Either we pick McCullough OR Isaako OR someone who can fit both the outside back cover and spell hooker roles (perhaps Paix even if he is a bit green?). Carrying both is laughable.

I don't see how Paix can cover the outside backs.

You could replace Isaako with a second rower, but with Offa, Lodge and Glenn unavailable we literally have no one else available, excluding the development players (Riki, Bullemore, etc.).

Palasia is the only other forward not named and he is injured for the year.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

How can that be the bench. Looks shit. Preparing to watch the team get hammered this Friday night.

 

[Shane Tronc]

Don’t think we have any other choice for the bench. We literally have no other forwards to select without an exemption. The bench gets slightly less shit if say Isaako comes on and Oates moves to second row, then Pangai joins middle rotation.

 

[HarryAllan7]

I don't see how Paix can cover the outside backs.

You could replace Isaako with a second rower, but with Offa, Lodge and Glenn unavailable we literally have no one else available, excluding the development players (Riki, Bullemore, etc.).

Palasia is the only other forward not named and he is injured for the year.

I admittedly don't know enough about Paix to know how he'd go in outside backs in a pinch.. but guessing a quick and strong young hooker / half like him would have reasonable success if he had to handle even fullback at least, which could allow a re-shuffle:

Fullback Injury: Paix plays #1
Winger Injury: Paix plays #1, Bird Goes to Centre, Darius to Wing
Centre Injury: Paix plays #1, Bird Goes to Centre
Half Injury: Paix plays 6/7

Then if no outside backs injured he can spell Turps at 9. Allows another forward on the bench (if we have one), which is especially important in early season games where match fitness is lacking and our pack is so instrumental in our team's success.

... And if we have 2 starting forwards unavailable and can't even make a full bench then it says alot about our squad structure.

 

[Waynesaurus]

It is certainly concerning that at Round 1 the depth in our forwards is already exposed.

 

[NSW stables]

Letting mago go is looking like a big stuff up now. It is a shame as i thought he had potential

 

[broncos4life]

Letting mago go is looking like a big stuff up now. It is a shame as i thought he had potential

You realise Mago is injured and out for roughly 12 weeks right? Even if he was here he wouldn’t have helped our situation.