I too remember the times spent in the Hickson Hospitality box with Cas fans and it wasn`t pretty.

It could be similar to the Wakefield game Friday in as much as we are expected to win quite easily on paper.

But like what`s been said they will relish playing us and it could be tight in the first half before our fitness and ability takes over.

Fingers crossed.

My concern with Tet is that he's putting himself up for contract renewal.



Is he doing better with more props? Maybe,but he really let the team down last year and Oledski had to pretty much carry our pack at times.



Unless he plays out of his skin this year we should let him leave and use his big chunk of salary in positions we are struggling in more.

I wouldn`t be at all surprised that if Tetavano plays like he has the last couple of games.

We offer him another 1 year contract on reduced terms.

It`s then up to him if he takes it or not.

I don`t see many NRL clubs clamouring for him next year tbh.

Strong squad to be fair, hopefully Gannon is just precautionary, given the issues that Kalyn Ponga is having it’s the right way the club are going about it. Dependent on Leemings fitness, I think Walters may sit out of this one.



Myler

Fusitua Newman MacDonald Olpherts

Austin Sezer

Holroyd O’Connor Tetevano

McDonnell Martin

Smith



Leeming/Walters

Bentley

Sangare

Lisone



Johnson/Roberts/Donaldson

I'm pretty sure Newman said he'll be starting off the bench again this week. Given respective performances so far this season it would be pretty harsh to drop Walters for Leeming, although that's not to say it won't happen. I'm pretty sure Austin was limping badly in the last few minutes against Wakey and I do wonder whether he might miss out. If so, Leeming might play in the halves.

I would play Walters ahead of Leeming and let Bentley have a stint at 9 when O'Connor comes off.

If Newman starts on the bench the least disruptive move is Martin to start in the centres. I'd personally like to see Roberts get a bit more game time though, as I'd prefer to pick players in their best positions, and he may be needed at some stage in the season anyway.



Johnson not getting picked last week was interesting. Smith has said he rates him, but decided to go without a bench hooker rather than pick him against Wakey. It's hard to see him getting many games this year if that's the case.

If Johnson doesn’t make the bench then I think it tells us that he ie well down the pecking order especially if Bentley does feature at hooker at some point which is likely to give Leeming an extra week. I think it is a solid policy to not rush players back from injury and play them from the bench first.

Smith said last week that Newman will build up gradually and most likely will do more minutes than last week but not the full 80.

That changed when Handley got injured and the thinking is Newman will start.

Let`s hope we are not rushing him back in doing a full 80 too soon.

That's maybe a reason to pick Roberts anyway? I know I'm banging on about him, but I really prefer to see threequarters in the threequarters rather than stuff a forward in there.

I dont see the point if he's not going to play long minutes.Martin if he starts can move to back row when replaced by Newman.

Agreed. I'd like to see:

Myler

Olpherts

McDonald

Martin

Fusitu'a

Austin

Sezer

Tet

O'Connor

Holdroyd

McDonnell

Bentley

Smith



Newman

Walters

Lisone

Sangare.



Think we'll need to dominate down the middle on what will likely be a greasy surface.

3 props on bench?

I think we'll put a score on them tomorrow. From speaking to Cas mates, the team is as bad as they've seen and struggle to put 10 minutes of decent rugby in each week. I hope we smash them

Yep, given that Bentley is well capable of covering hooker and we can also move Martyn into the 2nd row. Just my opinion.

I'd agree but think we'll see Leeming on the bench

Cas will be well up for it tonight. I’ll be happy with any kind of win.

Interesting reports around Leeming

Leeming dropped and not just from tonights squad if rumours ate correct.

Basically he`s spit his dummy out cos he thinks he should be the starting 9 and even though fit to play against Wakefield he was not selected.

Good on the club for sticking to their principles.

Although the club are looking for a replacement does that mean they don`t see Johnson capable of filling the void?

Just what’s on Twitter, been told he can leave immediately if he can find a club

Sorry Chris I read it and posted my reply before your latest one.

Can't think of a non overseas replacement who would be an improvement. Leemings short comings accepted.

Honestly I’d be tempted to run with O’Connor and Johnson for a while before rushing to sign another senior hooker. Bentley can cover there too.

Derrell dropped it, who’d have thought it…