General Pick Your Team For Round 9 Vs Bulldogs

[Hitman82]

Tried our best to lose again, but managed to bumble our way to victory over the Titans. We're up against the Bulldogs in Wellington next week. They had a crap start to the season but have now picked up two big consecutive wins over the Sharks and Tigers - perhaps weaker teams but hitting some form regardless.

Here's the team which won for the Doggies on Friday:

1. Ben Barba
2. Mitch Brown
3. Josh Morris
4. Tim Lafai
5. Sam Perrett
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Michael Ennis
10. Martin Taupau
11. Tony Williams
12. Frank Pritchard
13. Greg Eastwood

Bench: 14. Dene Halatau 15. Josh Jackson 16. James Graham 17. Dale Finucane

Main concerns for me are their MASSIVE second row and the pace + nous of Morris and Barba.

Our Injury List:

(last update 05-05-13)​

​

Sione Lousi - Prop/Second Row - Knee (out for season)​

Steve Rapira - Second Row/Prop - Knee (Out for season)​

Dane Nielsen - Centre - Ribs (Unknown)​

Kevin Locke - Fullback - Minor Back - (Round 10/11)​

Sam Rapira - Prop - Hand - (Unknown)​

Sio Siua Taukeiaho - Utility - Leg (Round 12/14)​

Dominique Peyroux - Centre - Jaw (Round 11/12)​

Sam Lousi - Prop - Foot (Round 10)​

Alehana Mara - Hooker - Ankle (Round 7/8)​

Jerome Ropati - Centre - Hamstring Strain (Unknown)​

I would pick:

1 Fish (Ropo out, no other realistic options - Fish better find his positional nous nice and fast)
2 Bill Tupou
3 Ben Henry (smart selection by M.E. and should play again)
4 Dane Nielsen / Ngani Laumape
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Thomas Leuluai
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Russell Packer
9 Nathan Friend
10 Ben Matulino
11 Simon Mannering
12 Feleti Mateo
13 Todd Lowrie

14 Pita Godinet
15 Jacob Lillyman
16 Suaia Matagi / Charlie Gubb (whichever is going best for the Vulcans)
17 Sebastine Ikahihifo (more size into the second row)

Go for it...

 

[wallacenz]

thought ropati played well, they should sign him for a couple more years

 

[Hitman82]

thought ropati played well, they should sign him for a couple more years

That's probably more relevant to the post-match thread .
Do you have any opinion on who should be picked for the next game?

 

[wallacenz]

That's probably more relevant to the post-match thread .
Do you have any opinion on who should be picked for the next game?

1 Fish
2 Laumape
3 Ben Henry
4 Dane Nielsen (is he back?)
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Thomas Leuluai
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Russell Packer
9 Nathan Friend
10 Ben Matulino
11 Simon Mannering
12 Feleti Mateo
13 Todd Lowrie

14 Pita Godinet
15 Jacob Lillyman
16 Suaia Matagi / Charlie Gubb (liked gubb in u20s, dont remember matagi)
17 Taylor/ikihahifo (dont really care. imo taylors safer whereas ikihahifo is a stronger runner. kind of missing lewis brown here)

 

[Hitman82]

4 Dane Nielsen (is he back?)

Not sure bro, I have been trying to track down some kind of "estimated arrival" date for his return... no luck thusfar. It was a rib cartilage injury yeah? Those can be pretty painful so maybe it's being assessed on a weekly basis until he's comfortable in contact again.

Oh and Matagi wasn't from the 20s (from your post I'm unsure whether you knew this or not) - he's come through the Vulcans system and played for the NZ Residents. Pretty much the best amateur prop in the country - signed onto the fulltime squad this season. Probably the Vulcan I am most excited about seeing debut, alongside Harry Siejka of course.

 

[BA-AD Luck]

1. Fisi'iahi
2. Laumape
3. Henry
4. Hurrell
5. Vatuvei
6. Leuluai
7. Johnson
8. Matulino
9. Friend
10. Packer
11. Mateo
12. Taylor
13. Mannering (c)

14. Gubb
15. Lillyman
16. Ikahihifo
17. Godinet

Disappointed in Lowrie. Not worth 80 minutes at the moment and against the Bulldogs Ikahihifo will add some attacking power. Needs to be used wisely.

As long as Ropati is out, I'll be happy. Happier if Tupou is not on the wing, much happier if Tupou is in the Vulcans.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

My team

1. Fish
2. Laumape
3. Nielsen
4. Hurrell
5. Vatuvai
6. TL
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Mutts
9. Friend
10. Packer
11. Mateo
12. Henry
13. Mannering

14. Godinet
15. Lillyman
16. Suaia Matagi / Charlie Gubb
17. Ikahihifo/Lowrie

 

[wallacenz]

Not sure bro, I have been trying to track down some kind of "estimated arrival" date for his return... no luck thusfar. It was a rib cartilage injury yeah? Those can be pretty painful so maybe it's being assessed on a weekly basis until he's comfortable in contact again.

Oh and Matagi wasn't from the 20s (from your post I'm unsure whether you knew this or not) - he's come through the Vulcans system and played for the NZ Residents. Pretty much the best amateur prop in the country - signed onto the fulltime squad this season. Probably the Vulcan I am most excited about seeing debut, alongside Harry Siejka of course.

last week i thought the date was posted as week 8/9 on the injury list thread but somewhere else today it said unknown.

thats why i havent seen matagi, thanks. im surprised more hardened veterens who improve with age and experience dont come into nrl. its a game for the young guys these days, either get in early or not at all it seems

 

[Danpatmac]

1 Jerome Ropati (he played great here last season even while carrying injuries, made a fuck-ton of metres on kick returns and organised the defense well. Basically, I do not rate the Fish as a first grade fullback and we have no other realistic options IMO)
2 Bill Tupou / Fish (not fussed either way)
3 Ben Henry (smart selection by M.E. and should play again)
4 Dane Nielsen / Ngani Laumape
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Thomas Leuluai
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Russell Packer
9 Nathan Friend
10 Ben Matulino
11 Simon Mannering
12 Feleti Mateo
13 Todd Lowrie

14 Pita Godinet
15 Jacob Lillyman
16 Suaia Matagi / Charlie Gubb (whichever is going best for the Vulcans)
17 Sebastine Ikahihifo (more size into the second row)

Go for it...

1. Fish - in my opinion he shits all over Ropati
2. Laumape
3. Nielson - if fit, Hurrell if not.
4. Henry
5. Vatuvei
6. Leuluai
7. Johnson
8. Lillyman
9. Friend
10. Packer
11. Mateo
12. Mannering
13. Lowrie

14. Godinet
15. Matulino
16. Taylor
17. Rapira if fit, Gubb if not.

 

[BA-AD Luck]

These coach-couch selections excite me! These are teams that would get me pumped up the whole week to watch.

 

[Hitman82]

1. Fish - in my opinion he shits all over Ropati
2. Laumape
3. Nielson - if fit, Hurrell if not.
4. Henry
5. Vatuvei
6. Leuluai
7. Johnson
8. Lillyman
9. Friend
10. Packer
11. Mateo
12. Mannering
13. Lowrie

14. Godinet
15. Matulino
16. Taylor
17. Rapira if fit, Gubb if not.

Yeah man, I really hope Nielsen is available for this game. I'm in two minds regarding Hurrell. I really rate the guy and think he's a future club and international star. He can do some incredible things on attack but some brainless things too...

Today's team seemed a lot more settled for most of the match - I didn't feel we were chasing our own tails as much as we do when our backline is populated by loads of rookies, but our experienced players (talking Jro and Manu here) have their own flaws, particularly in their beaten up bodies.

I think I'd persist with Henry in the centres for quite some time - he was defensively very strong and still made some decent attacking plays, while obviously lacking the out-and-out brutality of Hurrell. For the time being, I would prefer we only ever have ONE of Hurrell and Laumape in the backline.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

Yeah man, I really hope Nielsen is available for this game. I'm in two minds regarding Hurrell. I really rate the guy and think he's a future club and international star. He can do some incredible things on attack but some brainless things too...

Today's team seemed a lot more settled for most of the match - I didn't feel we were chasing our own tails as much as we do when our backline is populated by loads of rookies, but our experienced players (talking Jro and Manu here) have their own flaws, particularly in their beaten up bodies.

I think I'd persist with Henry in the centres for quite some time - he was defensively very strong and still made some decent attacking plays, while obviously lacking the out-and-out brutality of Hurrell. For the time being, I would prefer we only ever have ONE of Hurrell and Laumape in the backline.

Nah they both constantly get over 100 metres each per game, they are our most threatening outside backs (along with Fish imo) and they need to play. Henry played well but I think can still offer this side more in the second row.

When our team is at full strength I would love to see a right hand side with Henry, Hurrell and Fish, I think that could be a combination that would cause serious headaches for other teams.

We didn't miss Hurrells errors today that's for sure but I feel a lot better about our chance of scoring when we are attacking in the opponents 20 when he is in the team. He is easily our most damaging ball runner.

 

[fanrrior]

- Ropati at fullback
- Laumape at centre
- Gubb/Matagi for Rapira, if injured

I don't see the need for changing much in this squad after a win. As much as I'd rather have Fish at fullback and no Ropati at all, I get the feeling he'll be in the team until he gets injured. With that in mind I'd rather have him at fullback so he isn't a liability as a centre.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

- Ropati at fullback
- Laumape at centre
- Gubb/Matagi for Rapira, if injured

I don't see the need for changing much in this squad after a win. As much as I'd rather have Fish at fullback and no Ropati at all, I get the feeling he'll be in the team until he gets injured. With that in mind I'd rather have him at fullback so he isn't a liability as a centre.

He gets exposed at fullback, people forget last season he was caught out of position numerous times and he doesn't have to speed to counteract when he is caught out positionally.

People tend to think he was a great fullback because he ran the ball back hard on kick returns.

 

[jsmooove]

was at the vulcans game yesterday. i wouldnt be putting hurrell back in. even though he scored a try was fairly unimpressed with him. Id keep benry there and would bring in laumape next the to the beast

gubb had a few good runs, If rapira is out i may gave him a shot

Oh and Ikahihifo over taylor for mine. we are gonna need some mungrel to beat their fwd pack

 

[¿N. ig-mah¿]

1 Fish (but Locke will snatch it back on return - don't want to have to rehash the whole Locke v Fish debate)
2 Laumape (but will be Tupou)
3 Benry (will go to Manu's side)
4 Hurrel (will partner Ngani but will probably end up being Laumape with Tupou still on the wing)
5 Manu
6 Leuluai
7 Johnson
8 Lillyman
9 Friend
10 Packer
11 Mateo (keep it up)
12 Mannering
13 Lowrie (I like the suggestion of Taylor at 13 with Seb on the bench but am a realist)

14 Mutts
15 Gubb (Haven't seen much of Matagi, but like the little I have seen of Gubb)
16 Taylor (would prefer Seb, as stated above)
17 Godinet (don't do that shit again, Pita!!!)

I get the idea that Ropo is thinking long and hard about pulling out. I also think there is a chance of Carlos at the back, as hinted by ME in the press conference.

 

[Magic Stick]

Fish
Laumape
Tuimavave
Neilson
Vatuvei
Johnson
Seijka
Lillyman
Leuluai
Matulino
Henry
Mannering
Lowrie

Packer
Gubb
Mateo
Friend

 

[Sup42]

Laumape in for Ropati

Losing Locke is as bad as it gets in this team , look at some of those 2012 games, the back three without Locke are headless chooks.
Sam Tompkins would be handy right about now, the Flying fish it has to be ( GO FISH GO ) I hope he rips shit up and consigns Locke to the Wing ( In a good way , i don't believe it )

The rest unchanged.

 

[eX | Machina]

1 Tuimavave
2 Fisiiahi
3 Henry
4 Nielsen
5 Laumape
6 Leuluai
7 Johnson
8 Packer
9 Friend
10 Matulino
11 Mannering
12 Mateo
13 Lowrie

14 Godinet
15 Lillyman
16 Vatuvei
17 Iikihahifo

 

[Xt1ncT]

Fish
Tupou - he's been playing well IMO
Laumape
Benry - Neilson if fit
Beast
TL
Shaun Johnson
Package
Friend
Lillyman
Mannering
Mateo
Lowrie

Matulino
Godinet - dropped if he makes such a silly error again
Ikihihifo
Taylor