There’s no point going on about the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition when your own team has such soft forwards and outside defence that can’t cope with simple stuff thrown at them.
But not buying the dragons turnaround just yet.
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. CNK – Give him an extended run on the right wing, all other options haven’t worked. He will bring enthusiasm and workrate, what about that play when Lolohea tried to go right on attack and there was no one outside to pass to!
3. Fusitua – Bit torn on this, he’s been very quiet, when he should be an absolute weapon. Look at the size of the prick, have him run short balls off of
Johnson, don’t tell me he couldn’t get the arms free and make more things happen. He and Klokstad have a good mix of size and workrate.
4. Ayshford – As a Kata fan boi, this hurts, but he has been absolute mud this year. Still think he has a long career ahead of him, but he’s fcuking up in defence and can’t see anything other than the man in front of him in attack. Give him a few weeks in a winning reserve grade team to sort it out.
5. Lolohea – Look, I like to think I was hating on him before it became popular, when people were screaming about Wright playing ahead of him, it was just choosing between 2 crap players. BUT with Vatuvei injured, he is a reasonable back up winger, because he can finish, he is quick to get in support – if we ever make another line break. Less likely to exposed on the wing. No more fullback time please god. Manu to replace him eventually, if he isn’t taken out the back for dog tucker. Poor beast. Looking like a sad end to a great career.
6. Foran – bugger it, we bought him for a good time, not a long time. Send him out.
7. Johnson
8. Fcuk me. Every single prop would be alright coming off the bench – none of them can lay a platform at the start. Will give
Gavet a go, at least he is physical.
9. Luke - Dud, but until
Roache returns they don’t seem to have any faiths in the other backups, so whatever.
10. See 8,
Gubb.
11. Thompson
12. Hoffman
13. Mannering
14. Maumalo – backline injury cover, specifically Foran injury cover. He takes Loloheas wing and tui goes to wherever is needed. on the off miracle chance we get through a game without someone getting pulled off he can play some run it up the middle.
15. Afoa – good bench forward to have
16. Lillyman – if you don’t confuse him for a starting prop, he’s fine.
17. Vete try him off the bench, been a bit soft.
TL;DR
Dropped
Lisone and Kata for horrendous defensive decsions and Clark cos they don’t trust him so what’s the point. Assume Vatuvei injured. Promote Gavet, Ayshford and Klokstad