Round 6 - Titans v Broncos - Pre-Match Discussion

[Mister Wright]

Inside our own 20. Have Glenn go to dummy, McCullough to 5/8 and Hoffman can play the wide running 2nd rower job. Or Barba to 5/8, Hodges fullback & Hoffman to centre. Let's not get stuck down in familiar roles and show some flexibility.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Inside our own 20. Have Glenn go to dummy, McCullough to 5/8 and Hoffman can play the wide running 2nd rower job. Or Barba to 5/8, Hodges fullback & Hoffman to centre. Let's not get stuck down in familiar roles and show some flexibility.

That might stop the idiotic go yourself play Macca does everytime we are attacking our line as well. Could stop that shit grubber kick he pulls out as well.

 

[Cult]

Sorry but this thread lost me when someone said Hunt is the form half of the comp lol

He might not be the form half but he is in form. He looks dangerous almost every time he has the ball in his hands, is defending like a champion and is kicking pretty well. In saying that, who would everyone say is the form half currently? Albert Kelly? DCE and Cronk aren't playing great. Neither is Thurston and don't even get me started on Mitchell Pearce. Give him a crap forward pack and he disappears like in every Origin game ever.

 

[broncos4life]

Sorry but this thread lost me when someone said Hunt is the form half of the comp lol

Yeah because it would be far too hard to just ignore that comment and contribute to the discussion, or you know, debate the comment

 

[Alec]

Inside our own 20. Have Glenn go to dummy, McCullough to 5/8 and Hoffman can play the wide running 2nd rower job. Or Barba to 5/8, Hodges fullback & Hoffman to centre. Let's not get stuck down in familiar roles and show some flexibility.

Inside our own 20? Like one tackle every few sets?

If you mean the opposition 20, I disagree with that too. That's where you need quick and accurate service from the dummy half.

 

[Foordy]

Barba is being used as a second playmaker anyway, he has said that we are using him different to the Bulldos who used him solely as a runner. ATM, i think he is trying to find the ballance between 2nd playmaker and ball runner. He played nearly all of his juniors and some early NRL games as a half, and i do think he could make a very good 6 for us. ... so i'd like to see him move to the 6 (and stay there all year) and if he performs this year leave him there in 2015 and play Milford at fullback. if he doesn't send him back to fullback and Milford to the 6

 

[Big Pete]

I don't know what it was about his effort on Semi Redradra that convinced fans that moving Barba into the front line would solve our problems.

When Barba has been asked to create plays he's often produced the wrong option and moving him further in-field and asking more of him in that department won't solve issues.

I understand the need to consider other options outside of Hoffman, but I'm happy to leave Ben where he is and develop his game from that position.

 

[CaptainHook]

Mate, not a bad lineup. I think we give Niko a go, he wasn't too bad in the Auckland nines and to me, he kinda had a spark about him. Fast, can kick, can pass and I believe he is an actual ****ing half!!!!

I agree. Reed needs to make way for Hoffman in a reshuffled backline. Nikorima goes into the halves. We cannot persevere with the same side - that much is clear.

 

[Foordy]

I agree. Reed needs to make way for Hoffman in a reshuffled backline. Nikorima goes into the halves. We cannot persevere with the same side - that much is clear.

so one poor performance and we need reshuffle the side.

Nikorima is NOT READY for NRL, and just because he performed well in the Auckland Nines is no reason to select him in the NRL side.

from what i have seen of Nikorima he is just as likely as Hoffman to die with the ball in his hands (but probably not while attracting 3 defenders like Hoffman)

The under 20s is no way to judge that a player is ready for the rigors of NRL footy, defence is non-existent in the u20s.

 

[CaptainHook]

Nikorima is NOT READY for NRL

A lot of people said that about the players the Tigers blooded last year. They seem to be going alright...

 

[Big Pete]

Comparing Brooks and Nikorima in NYC terms is like comparing Daly Cherry Evans to Chris Sandow.

 

[CaptainHook]

My point is you've gotta start somewhere. Let's give him a go. Yes, he'll make mistakes, yes he'll miss some tackles but players like Hoffman and Reed have been in first grade for years and are still making mistakes and missing tackles. What have we got to lose?

 

[Cult]

Comparing Brooks and Nikorima in NYC terms is like comparing Daly Cherry Evans to Chris Sandow.

Not really. Brooks dominated in NYC and so did Ben Hunt, but DCE ended up being the better one. Sooooo there's every chance Nikorima could be the better player. Honestly who can say they aren't ready for first grade until they're actually in first grade? Nobody.

 

[Foordy]

My point is you've gotta start somewhere. Let's give him a go. Yes, he'll make mistakes, yes he'll miss some tackles but players like Hoffman and Reed have been in first grade for years and are still making mistakes and missing tackles. What have we got to lose?

worst case scenario, if he fails, which there is a chance since he is not ready, you risk what could be a promising NRL career. at the very least set it back years.

the center spot (Reed) is a different story, we have got players that are ready (and center isn't as hard or as risky as the halves). a center pairing of Hodges and Copley with Vidot and Maranta on the wings is a quality 3/4 line

 

[Cult]

I don't know what it was about his effort on Semi Redradra that convinced fans that moving Barba into the front line would solve our problems.

When Barba has been asked to create plays he's often produced the wrong option and moving him further in-field and asking more of him in that department won't solve issues.

I understand the need to consider other options outside of Hoffman, but I'm happy to leave Ben where he is and develop his game from that position.

He will be making less one on one tackles in the front line though. So he will have help.

 

[GotheBroncs]

Its hard for everyone to decide\calculate whether a player is ready for NRL. No one really knows until they are given a fair go. He could crash and burn for all we know or he could be the guy that adds another dynamic to our team and helps us to the finals.

Otherwise, get Hoffman to learn off Alfie as well who can teach kicking and passing and then Hoffman will be a gun. That's all he needs IMO, he is quick, can defend, positioning is ok, is quite slippery for defenders to tackle.

I think Kahu will be the same as Hoffman, so i dont think we should bother with him in the halves as we have already invested in Hoffman there and i think he is improving.

 

[Big Pete]

Not really. Brooks dominated in NYC and so did Ben Hunt, but DCE ended up being the better one. Sooooo there's every chance Nikorima could be the better player. Honestly who can say they aren't ready for first grade until they're actually in first grade? Nobody.

Cult3 I'm surprised in you.

Clearly somebody of your infinite wisdom and knowledge of the game would clearly remember that not only was Daly Cherry-Evans one of the biggest stars in the National Youth Competition in 2009 but he went onto become the best Intrust Super Cup player in 2010 before going onto lead Manly to a premiership in one of the best rookie seasons of all time.

While I don't believe Brooks will reach those heights in his first real season of first grade, I do believe that he has the similar class and talents of DCE and has demonstrated said talents across all three grades.

Meanwhile, Nikorima while skilled is flawed and has a lot of areas of his game which aren't ready to be tested in first grade. 2014 maybe his season, he may get a shot like Brooks did the year before but he is not ready to take over the reigns of five eigth.

That does not mean that Hoffman has immunity as there are other options outside of young Kodi Nikorima such as Duncan Paia'Aua, Zach Strasser and the returning Jordan Kahu but as of right now Kodi isn't one of them.

I don't buy into this logic of 'you never know unless you give it a go'. Speaking in extremes here, but it's pretty clear that Logan Spaander isn't ready to talk on the first grade duties.

As for Barba, clearly defence is not his strong suit and it never has been since his days in the NYC. It has not improved and quite frankly, I don't want it too because his future doesn't reside there. Whatever potential he offers as a playmaker is not being nullified from being at fullback.

 

[Bucking Beads]

It appears Beau Fallon is free to play. Has not even been charged over the lifting tackle yesterday. Surely that is a mistake.