General Your 2025 team

[Tookey 2.0]

Unless that is plan A

Surely not.
That backline for the first game looked largely like like what would be Webby's conservative approach for game one imo. With the exception of Kosi in for RTS.

Surely CNK would have been given a go at centre in the trials if that was on the books?

 

[Milking!]

Are we expecting any surprises? I think the team mostly picks itself except for the bench I reckon (with TMM/CHT neither being a shock). I think I am most interested in our second rowers + the one on the bench

Not surprises as such, but more things I’m looking at:
Kosi vs Tuaupiki - I can guess the forums take, but a wing that small is a capital T target out wide.
Centre - if Pomp is fit, slots in - if not, is CNK the man with TMM at the back?
CHT vs TMM - very different but kinda the same. I like CHT’s boot but damn TMM can do some silky ball playing.
Second row - Do we see Laban power his way in to a starting jersey?
Bench - Vaimaunga and Walker are locks for me; has Healey impressed enough to jag a spot? Who’s taking the last spot? Ale, The Bunt? Helasima?
None or all of those things could happen!
Damn, I’m getting jazzed!

 

[Lance155]

That's why I thought the TMM to fb was a bit of a waste of time....imo Webby has the majority of the team selections sorted, and while TMM at the back looked pretty good, I doubt he's going to throw Plan A out the window based on a 40 min stint from TMM at fb.

Maybe if we're struggling and aren't winning games he might mix it up, but I'd be pretty shocked if he ran with TMM as fb in game one.

Time will tell, do we know if the team is named on Tuesday this week like normal, or a bit different with the team leaving for Vegas today?

I mentioned in a previous thread that TMM to fullback is a signal of Taine playing wing long term (with DWZ out). With a lack out outside backs I reckon it's safe to expect TMM as next up after Charnze to avoid moving our wingers. What I don't see is if he still plays 6 to start or not

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I mentioned in a previous thread that TMM to fullback is a signal of Taine playing wing long term (with DWZ out). With a lack out outside backs I reckon it's safe to expect TMM as next up after Charnze to avoid moving our wingers. What I don't see is if he still plays 6 to start or not

Yeah I can see that happening.

Tbh, I get the feeling that Webby doesn't have faith in TMM. Has played 2nd fiddle to SJ the whole time he's been here, so we never really got to see how he goes as the dominant play maker. SJ gets injured, TMM goes to 7 and goes gangbusters, scores a bunch and sets heaps of tries up, while forcing many repeat sets. Only to be dropped when SJ returns, and then overlooked as the starting 7 this year.

He then goes really well at FB for us in a trial, yet likely won't come in to the equation as a fb unless we have significant injuries in the backline.

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

Still think the Ivan 2011 is the platonic ideal of a bench.

2 props (packer & Lillyman), 1 back rower who can also play lock (Elijah Taylor), 1 dummy half (hohaia) and one of them can legitimately play in the backs.

And all of them get 20+ minutes

Which this year is something like bunty*, walker, halasima, healey

*unless Demetric can legitimately play prop. I.e hes an option to start there if required.

Walker does not seem like a bench prop, but his stats say he can put up 90m and 20 tackles in the middle off the bench. He’s also the backs cover.

 

[Noitall]

Still think the Ivan 2011 is the platonic ideal of a bench.

2 props (packer & Lillyman), 1 back rower who can also play lock (Elijah Taylor), 1 dummy half (hohaia) and one of them can legitimately play in the backs.

And all of them get 20+ minutes

Which this year is something like bunty*, walker, halasima, healey

*unless Demetric can legitimately play prop. I.e hes an option to start there if required.

Walker does not seem like a bench prop, but his stats say he can put up 90m and 20 tackles in the middle off the bench. He’s also the backs cover.

We were pretty lucky with Hohaia with the amount of positions he could fill as a utility

 

[Lance155]

Yeah I can see that happening.

Tbh, I get the feeling that Webby doesn't have faith in TMM. Has played 2nd fiddle to SJ the whole time he's been here, so we never really got to see how he goes as the dominant play maker. SJ gets injured, TMM goes to 7 and goes gangbusters, scores a bunch and sets heaps of tries up, while forcing many repeat sets. Only to be dropped when SJ returns, and then overlooked as the starting 7 this year.

He then goes really well at FB for us in a trial, yet likely won't come in to the equation as a fb unless we have significant injuries in the backline.

Go back and watch those games. Was his stats good? Yes. Was some of the try assists pretty shithouse (balls on the ground or pathetic D) also yes. I felt like when SJ was out the whole team felt the need to lift instead of being carried which made him look good. Not saying he was shit but definitely operate during that period. He was horrendous after a few games also.

 

[Inruin]

Go back and watch those games. Was his stats good? Yes. Was some of the try assists pretty shithouse (balls on the ground or pathetic D) also yes. I felt like when SJ was out the whole team felt the need to lift instead of being carried which made him look good. Not saying he was shit but definitely operate during that period. He was horrendous after a few games also.

Mate, stop trolling, you are better than this.

 

[MurrayTD]

For round 1 (Sans DWZ)

1. TMM looked better than CNK to me, easily. His agility to move both ways, create indecision and link is invaluable.
2. RTS. Excited with RTS 1 on 1
3 CNK or Pompey. Personally see CNK with greater upside, passion for the jersey is crucial., deserves to be on the paddock somewhere.
4 Ali. Super excited
5. TT. Was reminiscent of K locke hitting the line at times in my eyes.
6. CHT. His kicking game still looks light, but his determination, link play, intelligence is needed.
7. Metcalfe
8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Barnett
11. Capewell
12. Leki or Vaimauga (no disrespect Laban, just not showing enough for me and these two boys look very capable!)
13. Clarke. Surprisingly good signing to this point

14. Healy. Sharp pass, fast and intelligent
15. Walker
16. Leki or Vaimauga
17. Niukore

If we can trust our defence as we should, then the attacking ability should be sufficient. Time will tell.

 

[Dannevegas]

Just a few thoughts on our fullback dilemma. I know it was one game, but all he’s got was one game Te Maire and thats the best I’ve seen our attack look under webby. I don’t think he’s our long term option but I think he should be the fullback until Taine takes it off him, as I see Taine as our long term fullback unless we sign someone better.
Charnze will do a job at centre, unless Berry plays better

 

[Dannevegas]

Martin
Tuivasa-scheck
Leiataua
Nicoll-Klokstad
Tauapiki
Harris-Tavita
Metcalf
Fisher-Harris
Egan
Barnett
Capewell
Niukore
Clark

Walker
Vaimauga
Ford
Halasima

 

[Mr Drag]

Martin
Tuivasa-scheck
Leiataua
Nicoll-Klokstad
Tauapiki
Harris-Tavita
Metcalf
Fisher-Harris
Egan
Barnett
Capewell
Niukore
Clark

Walker
Vaimauga
Ford
Halasima

Niukore needs to up his game, He's been below par for my liking! Vaimauga has looked so much better!

 

[Dannevegas]

Niukore needs to up his game, He's been below par for my liking! Vaimauga has looked so much better!

I think he’s been better than Capewell, but both have been poor imo. I wonder if Demetric should shift back to the edge as well he looks much more destructive there. I like the idea of Halasima and Demetric hitting lines and picking there moments on the edges.

We still have a few middles to fill the rotation, Fish, Barney, Ale, Ford, Bunty, Clark, Walker, Niukore.