Should Wayne Bennett move James Roberts to left centre?

[Super Freak]

BRISBANE’S greatest centre Steve Renouf has told Wayne Bennett to hand James Roberts the No. 3 jumper he made famous to ignite “The Jet”.

Bennett revealed he would consider moving Roberts from right to left centre as the embattled Broncos fight to save their season against the Dragons at WIN Stadium.

Roberts was pre-season hailed as the X-factor that could take the Broncos to a title after Bennett controversially axed Dale Copley to recruit the Titans flyer as Justin Hodges’ successor.

But after five months in Hodges’ hot seat, Roberts has struggled to consistently deliver the game-breaking magic that saw him crowned Dally M Centre of the Year last season.

Roberts was comprehensively outpointed by Copley in last week’s 32-16 loss to the Roosters and Renouf says it is time for Bennett to take a major tactical gamble.

“James Roberts needs to go to left centre, he’s wasted on the right side,” said Renouf, who scored 142 tries in 183 games as Brisbane’s lethal left-centre whiz.

“I’ve actually said it to Wayne.

“I’m not sure that’s part of Wayne’s plan at the moment, because James might prefer playing right side, but he would be a more dangerous player on the other side ...

“If you look at how teams play, most teams attack down the left because most players in the game are right-handers who pass right to left.

“The Broncos aren’t using James enough, so it’s time to scrap whatever game plan they currently have for James.

“He’s been around long enough at the Broncos now to warrant more ball.

“If Wayne doesn’t want to move him to the left, then they should put more plays down James’ right side.

“The fans want to see the Broncos unleash him.”

With the Broncos battling a backline injury crisis that has claimed Jordan Kahu (pec muscle) and Jack Reed (shoulder), Bennett is unlikely to move Roberts at such a delicate stage of the season.

But the super coach said Roberts’ long-term future could be in the Broncos’ left-centre slot made famous by Renouf.

Bennett defended Roberts’ form, saying Brisbane’s past recruits, such as Scott Prince, Ben Te’o, and Peter Wallace, took time to adjust at Queensland’s flagship club.

“In the off-season, I might look at it (moving Roberts) but in the last six weeks, James has delivered his best form,” Bennett said.

“His involvements have been much better in the last month or so.

“He fends with the left arm so I don’t know if moving him would help. Right now, he’s staying where he is ...

“Over the years, I’ve seen it where our new recruits take a while to settle in and I can guarantee that’s the case with James.”

No Cookies | The Courier Mail

 

[austin71]

Been saying this for months like every other Broncos fan lol

 

[Foordy]

well said Pearl ... I couldn't agree more

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Well he would certainly get a lot more ball, and maybe he can help Milf reignite as well

 

[Wolfie]

I'm beginning to think the wing is where he should play tbh, but players these days seem to look down on being a winger. I think he could be devastating if he is given a bit of freedom to roam from the wing.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Just go right more often FFS. He's fast try a chip kick for him. Get him.involved

 

[Super Freak]

Just go right more often FFS. He's fast try a chip kick for him. Get him.involved

I don't see why they don't kick from the scrum more often with his speed.

There were a few times this year where they could have put a kick up the field and Roberts could have burned them.

One of those moments was in the Tigers game. All they had on that side was the winger.

 

[Dexter]

Says something about the coaching if we can't set up more for right side plays instead of left. FFS they train enough, we've had a backrower playing left centre and we can't play to our right. What is so hard about it.

 

[Super Freak]

So if Roberts gets moved to the left, what do we do if teams find a way to contain that?

We will have all of our best attacking weapons on the one side of the field.

 

[unnerv1ng]

You would just run Gillo, Hunt and Boyd and Boyd down the right... Plenty of potency with Kahu/Opacic/signing please.

 

[Alec]

So if Roberts gets moved to the left, what do we do if teams find a way to contain that?

We will have all of our best attacking weapons on the one side of the field.

If they can contain our best attacking side of the field, then we don't deserve to win those games.

 

[Allo]

I remember we tried a scrum kick as a last resort for points in the Storm game. Made a whole heap of sense to do it against the fastest wing combination in the game in Koroibete and Vunivalu :hmmmm:

 

[Waynesaurus]

Roberts and Milf defending on the same side would be a problem IMO. We need a strong defensive centre outside Milf.

 

[mitch222]

I don't give a **** where the players line up as long as they start having a go

 

[BroncsFan]

I don't think it is as easy as people are making out to move from right to left. Roberts carries in his right arm allowing a left hand fend and right arm flick offload.

You move him to the right and all of a sudden he can't fend and the inside centre can wrap the ball up. It could also affect his defence depending on which shoulder he uses and his step i.e. off the left or right foot.

May be able to fix it in an off season but can't see it happening in a couple weeks

 

[Sirlee oldman]

I bet if the club decided to pay players that can only pass one way half their wage they would all become Harlem bloody Globetrotters in a hurry. I'm sick of excuses.

 

[Tunza's Chin]

I bet if the club decided to pay players that can only pass one way half their wage they would all become Harlem bloody Globetrotters in a hurry. I'm sick of excuses.

Agreed... Learning to pass both ways is something anyone can achieve to a proficient level I would think... It is just a matter of practice.

 

[Number6]

We all have naturally preferred sides but agree with Sirlee. If you are getting paid hundreds of thousands a year surely you can learn to pass or even fend both ways. If someone pays me a few hundred grand to start writing left handed at work I'm going quickly learn to adapt. They have this thing called training. In fact it can be done more than a few hours a day if one is motivated.

Unless Roberts, Milf and Hunt think they are as good as Zoolander.