Re: Starting line up : Fri Jan 22, 2021 7:20 am  

Kettykat wrote:

For me josh wood to start at 9 as he’s up there with the best at tackling followed by Kyle when defences start to tire .
We had so much success when Randall was up first followed by Kyle it was a winning formula for me.Obviously things will change when injuries take there toll but for me these two should get the hooking roles .Jordy and Hampshire can slip seamlessly into other roles in the team with no loss of performance to the team ,but for me josh is an out n out hooker,so doesn’t offer that utility value that the other two bring to the team ,but for my mind does an excellent job in his role ,and look forwards to him continuing to put those big hit in .

I think of all the signings we made last year Wood was the best by a mile. Yes presently surprised by Westerman but there is so much baggage there you always wonder. By that I also mean age and injuries not just his love of a pint. Wood was signed as a true 9 and that’s exactly what he is.

Doesn’t look top of the class in any one respect but does all his rolls well. If I were to pock a strongpoint the lad can tackle. Apparently not that important to some but it will always be the number one requisite for any player in my book.

Injuries permitting I see an even bigger season for him this year.

Re: Starting line up : Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:44 pm  

vastman wrote:

I think of all the signings we made last year Wood was the best by a mile. Yes presently surprised by Westerman but there is so much baggage there you always wonder. By that I also mean age and injuries not just his love of a pint. Wood was signed as a true 9 and that’s exactly what he is.

Doesn’t look top of the class in any one respect but does all his rolls well. If I were to pock a strongpoint the lad can tackle. Apparently not that important to some but it will always be the number one requisite for any player in my book.

Injuries permitting I see an even bigger season for him this year.

Speaking of such, what happened with his neck last year, has he fully recovered?

Re: Starting line up : Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:02 pm  

inside man wrote:

Speaking of such, what happened with his neck last year, has he fully recovered?

All I know is that CC said all players are currently fit, so I'd have to assume yes.

Re: Starting line up : Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:48 pm  

I’m not convinced about Wood but I do hear we nay have improved our middles......

Re: Starting line up : Fri Jan 22, 2021 6:12 pm  

Regarding the 9 options I don’t think there’s cause for concern just yet but for me K.Wood has been a shadow of his former self for a long time now. My main issue with him last year is that he was incredibly indecisive when we were camped on the oppositions line on numerous ocassions. I think there’s still a good player in there I just think we need to see more from him in 2021 but he’s not the only one. An organising half might help take the pressure off Woody.

Josh Wood did a decent job for me last year. The lad can tackle like an animal and that’s great but didn’t Chester say it was a possibility the lad might not recover for this season and it could be a serious neck injury? It appears it wasn’t as feared which is good but I want to see more from him too other than his crunching tackles.

Re: Starting line up : Fri Jan 22, 2021 6:24 pm  

No disputing that Josh Wood is fantastic in defence, but we need more from a hooker than just big hits. For me he needs to improve his distribution from dummy half, and learn to get us on the front foot more as Kyle does when he's on. I do like his enthusiasm and he always gives 100%.

Re: Starting line up : Fri Jan 22, 2021 6:29 pm  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

No disputing that Josh Wood is fantastic in defence, but we need more from a hooker than just big hits. For me he needs to improve his distribution from dummy half, and learn to get us on the front foot more as Kyle does when he's on. I do like his enthusiasm and he always gives 100%.

That’s unfair imo, you can’t distribute when there are no runners. Far to many times both he and Kyle were simply left holding the baby as players just stood motionless.

Trojan said similar about Kyle and again of course you look indecisive when nobody is supporting you, ditto Hampshire.

It’s all to easy to forget how dire we were for quite a sustained period and thus no player was going to look good even if they were actually trying.

Re: Starting line up : Fri Jan 22, 2021 7:53 pm  

vastman wrote:

That’s unfair imo, you can’t distribute when there are no runners. Far to many times both he and Kyle were simply left holding the baby as players just stood motionless.

Trojan said similar about Kyle and again of course you look indecisive when nobody is supporting you, ditto Hampshire.

It’s all to easy to forget how dire we were for quite a sustained period and thus no player was going to look good even if they were actually trying.

That’s a fair comment about lack of runners and options. I’m hoping that won’t be an issue this season. There’s certainly enough experience in the back room for these things to be ironed out and expectations set.

Kyle has been great for us and can turn the screw with his smart darts from dummy half. We’ve all seen him do it. Last year for the most part we can write off but relegation back on the table there’s no time for complacency this season.

I’m looking forward to seeing the team rock out this season and I’m 100% behind them.

Re: Starting line up : Sat Jan 23, 2021 2:07 am  

Jose wrote:

I’m not convinced about Wood but I do hear we nay have improved our middles......

Come on please tell

Re: Starting line up : Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:32 am  

FB Jowitt. Great last season when he got his chance
W Senior Just gets the nod over Kay for me
C Lyne. Has a few bad games but overall our best centre.
C Arundel Dogged by injury but if fit I would play
W Johnstone
SO Miller
SH Lino
P Fifita Generally plays 55-60 mins a game so bench not really an option if he is fully fit.
H K Wood Not been at his best last season but still our number 9
P Arona
SR Tanginoa Just awesome
SR Ashurst We need to get that left side back to form.
LF Westerman

Wood
Green
Tangata
Pitts

and that still leaves out the likes of Hampshire, Kay, Tupou, Bachelor, Crowther