1. Api Pewhairangi
Team needs a bit of hunger and commitment, maybe someone hanging on to an NRL lifeline will provide it, has looked tidy from what I’ve seen in nsw cup, also goal kicking option, just trying some other options until the pommy jesus hath risen.
2. Tuimoala Lolohea
Wasn’t too bad, in that he didn’t make any clangers in defence for a fullback, which is the most important thing, but doesn’t look comfortable in attack, and not exactly frothing at the bung to be out there either, can play wing though, is fast, can catch a bomb, might anticipate some of
Johnson adventurous passing too.
3. Matthew Allwood
He looked alright against the broncs, more likely to do something in attack than Peyroux, place holder for konrad sorting himself out.
4. Ngani Laumape
Not noted for his distribution but can’t be worse than kata’s, had a decent partnership with vatuvei last year
5. Manu Vatuvei
Good bounce back game from errors previous week, his ability to shake off poor games and go hard next week is something the rest of them need to learn from.
6.
Chad Townsend Playing solid, chance for a try saving tackle or 2, but guess that’s expecting a lot
7.
Shaun Johnson One step forward, one step back, running game was better this week, kicking game was worse.
8. Jacob Lillyman
9. Thomas Lulueai
Might be in the minority, but think both hookers are playing pretty well, TL has been a pleasant surprise, not overplaying, making strong tackles, making the most of fast ptb, probably need to take him off after 30 and back on for the last 15 if they are going to make the most of having both.
10. Ben Matulino
Boss, one of the few big successes for the recruitment department, bringing him back, outplayed Bromwich who is a great player.
11. Bodene Thompson, if Ben Henry was fit, I’d drop him, if only for a week or two, see if benry could do better than a 5 or 6 out of 10 every week. But he’s not so stuck with Mr Average. Has a higher workrate than bukuya, gives away less penalties than lowrie. Yay.
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Simon Mannering
14. Nathan Friend
15. Sam Rapira
See what the legs have left in the tank, could thrive off the back of an improved starting pack. Or get hurt again.
16. Sebastine Ikahihifo
Ehh, could be anyone of about 5 players, I do like seb as a player in general, was also guilty of a retarded offload on the weekend.
17. Konrad Hurrell
Only really playing a 2 forward bench anyway, bring him on at the end of the first half, drag him if he tries to offload with more than one in the tackle. Was one of Elliot’s better ploys this one, put him in the back row, in the middle, injury cover for the backs, and just run and play the ball quickly.
After all that only dropping wright, kata and
lisone, the last 2 may not particularly deserve it, but they will come again later in the year.
