World Club Series Team

[Unbreakable]

1. Boyd
2. Oates
3. Opacic
4. Roberts
5. Kahu
6. Milford
7. Nikorima
8. Thaiday
9. McCullough
10. Blair
11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Parker

14. McGuire
15. Wallace
16. Ese'ese
17. Ofahengaue

That's what I wanna see for this trial.

 

[Foordy]

1. Boyd
2. Oates
3. Opacic
4. Roberts
5. Kahu
6. Milford
7. Nikorima
8. Thaiday
9. McCullough
10. Blair
11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Parker

14. McGuire
15. Wallace
16. Ese'ese
17. Ofahengaue

That's what I wanna see for this trial.

I agree ... except i wouldn't mind Eden on the bench. give him a good hitout against quality opposition instead of reserve graders. that way we can get a better look at our wing contenders

 

[LittleDavey]

Oates has been suffering from back spasms but he is expected to play.

Geez if that's the problem no wonder he's not playing. I was laid up with them for 2 weeks from Boxing Day, sooo painful. I could barely move some days and the niggling pain has only just gone away in the last week or so. Hopefully the physio staff can get him sorted, wouldn't wish that on anyone lol.

 

[Big Pete]

Good to see some confirmation on a bunch of pre-season murmers. Ese'ese has proven the pre-season bolter and provided he keeps his nose clean will feature in 2016 at some point.

Eden clearly impressed Wayne at Bundaberg and is willing to consider him for the wing spot. At this stage, Opacic is ahead of Eden and will likely be selected to partner Roberts on the right fringe.

Waddell's selection confirms that Nikorima is the back-up option ahead of Nicholls, Murphy and Scarlett. At least as things currently stand and it wouldn't be surprising to see Wayne change his position as the season wears on and he recognises the need for a game manager. Waddell is clearly the #2 hooking option and if McCullough was to suffer an injury, Waddell would likely assume the starting position (with Nikorima injected as the back-up option).

There seems to be an abundance of front row forwards, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Thaiday play off the bench to cover the backrow.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Good squad, I'm backing Opacic for the left centre spot, that way we can keep Kahu on the right wing for the first month of the season, let him develop a combination with Roberts, rather than shifting him from Centre to Wing all season again.

Kahu will be in the centres.

 

[Porthoz]

Who is going to kick in that squad?

 

[Mitch06]

Kahu will be in the centres.

I agree, it balances out both edges a bit more. The only reason he wouldn't be in the centres is if Eden and Opacic are shit under the high ball.

 

[Sirlee oldman]

Hopefully he's just cover...I'd rather play four forwards. Can't we play with an extended bench in this game anyway?? I'd say we are sending an extra back to cover Oates.

I'm not sure about the extended bench and I would like to see all the big boys on the bench too particularly on the heavy track they are likely to get but I think Wayne will want a utility.

 

[Mitch06]

I'm not sure about the extended bench and I would like to see all the big boys on the bench too particularly on the heavy track they are likely to get but I think Wayne will want a utility.

Hmm, from memory Wigan had one last year but Wayne didn't want to use it so we ended up running with four to their six. I want a utility too but Waddell doesn't really bring anything to the table, he can only play hooker and is not an impact player of any sort. Kind of a waste of a spot unless 6 7 or 9 get injured. I know it's just a 'trial' but still :P

 

[Wolfie]

I think Opacic will be right wing, that's how he will get introduced into the team but I do think he would be a good replacement for Reed. He is pretty good defensively and we wouldn't have to shift Kahu.

 

[1910]

Geez if that's the problem no wonder he's not playing. I was laid up with them for 2 weeks from Boxing Day, sooo painful. I could barely move some days and the niggling pain has only just gone away in the last week or so. Hopefully the physio staff can get him sorted, wouldn't wish that on anyone lol.

He's had a run since Thursday; they started on the plane to Auckland.

 

[Rhino1001]

Could see opacic off the bench as it is back cover and isn't he also a second rower in the making

 

[Danoz Direct]

Who is going to kick in that squad?

Milford and Macca I guess, with a little bit from Nikorima.

 

[Socnorb]

Milford and Macca I guess, with a little bit from Nikorima.

Or Parker.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Or Parker.

General kicking?

 

[Unbreakable]

I agree ... except i wouldn't mind Eden on the bench. give him a good hitout against quality opposition instead of reserve graders. that way we can get a better look at our wing contenders

If we want to get a true look at both of them then we'll rest Oates, play Kahu left centre and have Opacic & Eden on either wing, playing 80 minutes.

 

[charbel]

I hope to be proven wrong, but I hold grave concerns over this halves pairing. Particularly if this is any indication of our plans to cover a Ben hunt in the season proper.

I see both kodi and milf as dynamic, running halves. I think both will struggle enormously to guide our team through sets, and control the match with tactical kicking if it gets into a grind. I expect many a poor 5th tackle option.

I know little to none about sam Scarlett and Todd Murphy, but I'd have thought Nicholls a clever choice here with kodi remaining bench utility. He seems an experienced , level headed genuine team directing half. Perfect to complement Anthony. I assumed this was our reason for bringing him back.

I'm not surprised by the halves and bench utility choice, but disappointed.

 

[Sirlee oldman]

I hope to be proven wrong, but I hold grave concerns over this halves pairing. Particularly if this is any indication of our plans to cover a Ben hunt in the season proper.

I see both kodi and milf as dynamic, running halves. I think both will struggle enormously to guide our team through sets, and control the match with tactical kicking if it gets into a grind. I expect many a poor 5th tackle option.

I know little to none about sam Scarlett and Todd Murphy, but I'd have thought Nicholls a clever choice here with kodi remaining bench utility. He seems an experienced , level headed genuine team directing half. Perfect to complement Anthony. I assumed this was our reason for bringing him back.

I'm not surprised by the halves and bench utility choice, but disappointed.

Fair point really now that you mention it.