Round 8 - Broncos vs. Rabbitohs - Pre-Game discussion

[Harry Sack]

Long time viewer first time poster here...

With respect, why does everyone assume Kahu should get a starting spot over one of the young up-coming halves...?

Like any sane person, I think it is ludicrous to play a strong ball runner who was deposed of his FB role for a lack of playmaking ability, in the halves! But wasn't Kahu always groomed as an outside back? Why assume he would be instantly better than Hoff?

Plus he is injury prone and inexperienced at NRL level... Am I missing something here?

At the start of the season I wanted an unproven half like Kodi, Taylor, Strasser etc... But if Hoffman is our most stable or best defensive option perhaps it is too late to mess with that (sadly).

Final thing for now - I would hate for Copely or Vidot to be forced out by anyone, including Hoffman - it is proving so refreshing to have two big, athletic wingers again - acting like extra forwards out of our own half.

Because unless people in the pre-season were talking shit (highly possible) Kahu was the front runner for the 6 and as such, had done most of his training there.

 

[CaptainHook]

I'm a big fan of Kahu. I hope he's back in the Broncos soon. Does anyone remember his debut against the Storm early last year? He made a telling play when he hammered Billy Slater back into his in goal to earn us a repeat set. Imagine that, a rookie taking it to the Australian fullback. He had a pretty good game against Souths as well. Made a good bust but couldn't finish. I wouldn't worry about J Kahu. He's got what it takes.

 

[rnabokov]

This, from NRL.com is what I like and hope keeps developing. Our right hand side can be the equal best in the game, if not the best.

"While Josh Hoffman showed some nice touches on the left edge against Newcastle, it is when the Broncos shift to their right that they look most dangerous.

Barba is playing effectively as a second five-eighth and his pure pace puts the opposition defence in doubt and creates opportunities for his outside men. He is developing a lethal combination where he brings Matt Gillett back under and has a burgeoning partnership with good mate Justin Hodges."


https://www.nrl.com/broncos-v-rabbitohs-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/77842/default.aspx



Defence in the middle is also they key, not so much to dominate the Souths pack, but to control it, make the ball move and keep turning them around to tire them out. Hunt's kicking game will be crucial.

As for Kahu returning, I am totally uncertain he will make the side. Hook seems totally committed to Hoffman at 5/8 and Reed is for mine, rightly or wrongly, a fixture in the side. His form seems to be lifting as well, and he helps down that left side when he contests the bombs.

I honestly can't see Kahu back in the team, except maybe during the Origin period, where I hope he plays the house down as a play maker and shows we can do better than with what we have.

Seriously, Hunt's kicking game is for mine the absolute key to this game with Inglis at the back, as is Reynold's and Sutton's for Souths where they will bomb Barba mercilessly, and kick to our wings constantly.

 

[noisetheory]

pete badel ‏@badds76 1m
Josh hoffman in major doubt tomrow after leaving training with heel injury. Ben barba likely five eighth. Blow for kiwis test side

i dunno if badel is just speculating re barba moving to 6 but why the hell would you do that? who would play fb? barbas just had a great confidence building game at the back, surely you dont move him into 6 when you dont have another FB to take his spot.

let the speculation begin..

 

[Unbreakable]

hmmm...

I doubt Kahu will come in at Fullback (Or Five-Eighth), considering he's got literally no game fitness.. we might bring in Maranta or Mills though.

 

[Unbreakable]

pete badel ‏@badds76 1m
@badds76 hodgo possible fullback copley centre maranta wing

 

[noisetheory]

maybe they are just deflecting media from a rookie? i dunno. i really dont trust hodges mobility or speed at fullback.

barba has 11 try saves according to the stats already this year. thats a big thing to consider if you ask me.

 

[Super Freak]

No! Hodgo should only play at fullback in the opposition 20! Not the whole fucking game!

Looks like I'll spend all night cringing every time he brings the ball back..

 

[noisetheory]

i could handle them switching in attack/defense. but then why not just play hodges at 6 for the entire game. we know hodgo can throw a pass and barba is better coming around the back than playing at traditional "6". if barba is defending in the front line he's going to have burgess's running at him all day.

 

[Super Freak]

i could handle them switching in attack/defense. but then why not just play hodges at 6 for the entire game. we know hodgo can throw a pass and barba is better coming around the back than playing at traditional "6". if barba is defending in the front line he's going to have burgess's running at him all day.

Do you think Hodges will be able handle defending in the front line, though? He still isn't at 100%

 

[Alec]

Barba is like the 2nd 5/8th? Who is this supposed first 5/8th then?

 

[broncos4life]

pete badel ‏@badds76 1m
@badds76 hodgo possible fullback copley centre maranta wing

Awesome, so 3 weeks until hodgo is back on the injury list?

 

[Foordy]

pete badel ‏@badds76 1m
@badds76 hodgo possible fullback copley centre maranta wing

Ideal scenario:

Hoffman out injured
Barba moves to 5/8 and has a blinder
Hodges Moves to full back and has a blinder, and makes it through the game without injury.

Hoffman returns on the wing. Barba stays at 5/8 for the year.

 

[broncos4life]

I'm more than ok with barba at 6 but **** this thought of hodgo the whole game at fullback. Move barba to 6 and put maranta or nikorima or someone else at fullback. Then hopefuly barba does a great job at 6 and when hoffman comes back he can jump on the wing... or the first bus to belmore, his choice

 

[Super Freak]

Hopefully Griffin just takes a fucking chance and brings up one of the younger guys like Duncan or Strasser. Those 2 have experience playing against men and will have a far better side to work with than what they currently have.

 

[jarro65]

No way known Hook will blood a youngster at 5/8 against the Bunnies.

Logic says Barba to 5/8 and Maranta to fullback .... but we'll see what happens.

 

[noisetheory]

i think barba offers most to the team as fullback.

 

[jarro65]

I agree, but i can't see him leaving him at fullback and throwing a newbie into the 5/8 role.

It's too big an ask against a side like Souths.