Pick Your Team Pick Your Team 2018 Rnd 12 - Warriors vs Rabbitohs

[Tragic]

I think that Kata has been our most consistent centre, has been much, much improved on d and his workload out of yardage has been really impressive. His combo with Ken and the subsequent rise in Ken's performance and consistency means I wouldn't be changing that pairing anytime soon.
We are 8 wins from 11 games with that pairing and 4 from 5 on the road.
Don't fix what ain't broke.

The Hiku vs Beale question has far more merit.
However, even then while his defence has been questionable, that is undoubted, Hiku has added an enormous amount of attacking x-factor to that right edge which has the top tryscorer in the NRL on the end of it.
We are 8 from 11 with Hiku in the team and that can't be understated.

I simply don't see how either gets dropped for a guy who is not demonstrably better overall and has played 1 nrl game this season.

Beale is good, but is he that much better overall to have the centres from a top 3 team dropped for him?

It isn't as cut and dried as many think

I would rate Hiku and Kata's workload out of yardage as similar, hiku makes more yards in traffic though. Kata has been better in the past when he just when staight and hard, these days h goes too sideways for my liking. So i think rating him above Hiku for yardage is a stretch.
Agree on his defence when you look at his strength but shoots out a lot, that might be to stop a break he can see coming but he is not always getting his man, needs to tidy that up.
His combo with Ken? I dont see that, certinly isn't turning into quality ball for Ken or tries for that matter from what I have seen.

 

[Five&Last]

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. David Fusitua
3. Gerard Beale
4. Solomone Kata
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Blake Green
7. Shaun Johnson / Mason Lino
8. Bunty Afoa
9. Issac Luke
10. Agnatius Paasi
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Tohu Harris
13. Adam Blair

14. Jazz Tevaga
15. Ligi Sao
16. Chris Satae
17. Simon Mannering

 

[jonesy101]

If Beale takes Hiku's spot at centre next week could Hiku be a bench utility option? Pros are that he covers every backline position in case of injury and could be lethal coming on in the second half against tiring forwards with some darts from dummy half. Cons are that he doesn't offer that same tacklebot defense that Jazz does up the middle and could he really operate as a lightweight lock? And then there's Lawton who I am hoping can push his case in ISP this week as he looks to have some x factor about him in both attack and defence.

A good dilemma to have. If Luke can keep staying on the paddock for the full 80 its probably going to stay with Jazz.

 

[Billy Teets James]

No love for Hiku?

After that shambles where he tried to run the short side, Instead going in field and getting taken over the sideline. On top of his defensive efforts. Or lack thereof, Most games this year. He needs some ISP game time. Great attacking ability. But atrocious defender. 3rd on the most missed tackles in the NRL.

 

[Tim burgess]

Its nice to have competition in key positions.

For Hiku’s flaws on defence I do like what he brings to the team. Hence, it’s a tough decision for SK.

 

[Billy Teets James]

If Beale takes Hiku's spot at centre next week could Hiku be a bench utility option? Pros are that he covers every backline position in case of injury and could be lethal coming on in the second half against tiring forwards with some darts from dummy half. Cons are that he doesn't offer that same tacklebot defense that Jazz does up the middle and could he really operate as a lightweight lock? And then there's Lawton who I am hoping can push his case in ISP this week as he looks to have some x factor about him in both attack and defence.

A good dilemma to have. If Luke can keep staying on the paddock for the full 80 its probably going to stay with Jazz.

I actually like that idea. Hiku can play Fb/Center/Wing/6. Stop gap hooker if need be. Wouldn't have to tho. Pretty sure Kata has played there before. Ken can cover second row/prop if injuries forced us too.
Not a bad idea.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Fusitua
3. Hiku
4. Kata
5. Ken
6. Green
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Bunty
9. Luke
10. Paasi
11. Blair - lacking on that left edge need some ball playing and creativity
12. Harris
13. Mannering

14. Lawton
15. Papaali
16. Gavet - needs to get better though
17. Sao

Ummmmming and arghing over centre thats really tough as I would want to find Beale a spot at either centre or wing but who do you drop? The hate for Hiku is over board considering his skill and attacking ability he really helps make that right side hum which is important because the left is a little impotent and thats why I'd give Blair a go out there hopefully he can create some second phase play out there for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck sweeping and Kata and Ken. Anyway this definitely isn't the team I expect to be named but this is 'pick your team' after all

 

[wallacenz]

The Warriors have been winning without Beale and the majority of people want to dump one of those other players from the team. Send a message to the players?

Its a 50/50 call between Hiku and Kata being dumped but Beale is a must have after 1 game?

 

[jonesy101]

The Warriors have been winning without Beale and the majority of people want to dump one of those other players from the team. Send a message to the players?

Its a 50/50 call between Hiku and Kata being dumped but Beale is a must have after 1 game?

I think its more about Beale's consistency over his 162 games. He would have been in the starting lineup from round 1 had it not been for the injury.

 

[hoolioh]

Agree dropping Kata would be harsh but that side just doesn't offer anything on attack.
If we want to be a threat in this comp we need to be able to attack on both sides.
Beale will offer more I think. Hikus D is mud but that side has been pretty dangerous

 

[Tim burgess]

Agree, Beale appears to be a good professional who has been consistent throughout his career.

 

[wallacenz]

I think its more about Beale's consistency over his 162 games. He would have been in the starting lineup from round 1 had it not been for the injury.

But hes been in and out of the starting team and used as a utility player himself. I dont consider that consistent.

Hes probably played wing and fullback more than hes played centre in recent years

 

[jonno]

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (123 first grade club games)
2. Fusitua (65)
3. Beale (164)
4. Gelling (119)
5. Hiku (102)
6 Johnson (148)
7. Green (216)
8. Afoa (32)
9. Luke (238)
10. Passi (63)
11. Blair (227)
12. Harris (127)
13. Mannering (287)

14. Kata (69)
15. Gavet (40)
16. Satae (5)
17. Sao (38)

Left edge, Blair (227), Gelling (119), Hiku (102). vs Papali'i (12), Kata (69), Ken (50). 448 fg games vs 131.

Kata to do the super sub job Jazz is currently doing, with the added bonus of covering the back line.

It still leaves us with a prop rotation averaging 35 games each. But that's the best we can to at this stage without bringing Lisone back in.

 

[Wellington Warrior]

It’s going to be Hiku / Beale that will be defending against Inglis. I suspect SK will go with Beale as the better defender.

It’s the forwards that worry me. Stopping the bloody Burgess trio will be a tough ask given our current performances!!

 

[Tragic]

Sao got big minutes for ISP and looked real busy and some quality touches, one of best on the field. Sipley and Satae both looked alright too, Vete wasnt bad but our 4th best isp prop this week i reckon.
Ayshford looked real good out of the rest, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad good too, soosooomea is awesome when he sees a gap just pins his ears back and burns em.

 

[AlexM]

After that shambles where he tried to run the short side, Instead going in field and getting taken over the sideline. On top of his defensive efforts. Or lack thereof, Most games this year. He needs some ISP game time. Great attacking ability. But atrocious defender. 3rd on the most missed tackles in the NRL.

TBH, I'm just glad he got the ball cleanly and to be fair he had momentum carrying him sideways.

 

[wrighty]

Hiku lets in more points than he creates.

 

[Danpatmac]

Hiku lets in more points than he creates.

Can you actually back that up with evidence?

 

[matiunz]

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (123 first grade club games)
2. Fusitua (65)
3. Beale (164)
4. Gelling (119)
5. Hiku (102)
6 Johnson (148)
7. Green (216)
8. Afoa (32)
9. Luke (238)
10. Passi (63)
11. Blair (227)
12. Harris (127)
13. Mannering (287)

14. Kata (69)
15. Gavet (40)
16. Satae (5)
17. Sao (38)

Left edge, Blair (227), Gelling (119), Hiku (102). vs Papali'i (12), Kata (69), Ken (50). 448 fg games vs 131.

Kata to do the super sub job Jazz is currently doing, with the added bonus of covering the back line.

It still leaves us with a prop rotation averaging 35 games each. But that's the best we can to at this stage without bringing Lisone back in.

Why the sudden love for Gelling? I’d put him at a clear 4th choice for center

 

[Tragic]

Can you actually back that up with evidence?

In the Roosters and Storm games that should be easy enough, rest of the games it might be a myth