Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Fri Apr 26, 2019 8:38 pm  

My feeling is we've named 3 halves in case Matty isn't fit. May be wrong. Rich Owen is nailed on for wing if available. If not Tali to wing maybe? Forwards. It's a straight choice between Foster and Wilkinson depending on fitness. Wed agree strong squad?

Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Fri Apr 26, 2019 8:44 pm  

In summary. Either Howden or Ogden for 1 spot. Foster or Wilkinson for other.

Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Fri Apr 26, 2019 9:01 pm  

I'd start Beryl and Howden together.
And if things are going OK bring Boas on for Beryl to see what he's like.
I am not impressed by Howden of late without Beryl, he was crap against Keighley, but we need some continuity.
Beryl and Howden is that.

Goodness knows where Boas plays if Beryl is fully fit.
I'd stick him on the wing.

Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Sat Apr 27, 2019 8:44 am  

It's hard to work out what the final 17 might be as there are a few conundrums among the combinations.

I can't see Watson Boas not being in the team so he either has to start or be on the bench.

Jordan Thompson will be a starter so that fills one of the three second row/loose positions.

It's then two from Wilkinson, Jordan Cox, and Brad Foster.

Who covers at hooker? We can't have Ogden, Howden and Jordie on the bench so at least one would have to miss out. If we have Ogden and Jordie as subs (with two props) we've no second row back up and no cover in the wider backs.

Looks like Buchanan will be at full-back with Richard Owen on the wing, with Matty Chrimes. Yere and Tali will be in the centres.

I'd guess Jordan Howden and Brad Foster will miss out as Brandan Wilkinson and Watson Boas will be selected ahead of them.

Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Sat Apr 27, 2019 10:17 am  

Well if Beryl is fully fit you can't go sticking Boas in his place for risk of upsetting possibly the best scrum half in the division.
He may not be fully fit, but is Boas?
Boas is not a stand off, he is a scrum half, he is not rangy enough.
So what is he here for? ... back up if Beryl is injured or he plays elsewhere, but not standoff.
We only have one standoff and to drop him for a loanee is a bit rich.

Beryl and Howden works.
Harris and Howden not so good.
Beryl and Boas???
I say don't tinker with a proven pairing.

Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Sat Apr 27, 2019 1:56 pm  

Stand-Offish wrote:

Well if Beryl is fully fit you can't go sticking Boas in his place for risk of upsetting possibly the best scrum half in the division.
He may not be fully fit, but is Boas?
Boas is not a stand off, he is a scrum half, he is not rangy enough.
So what is he here for? ... back up if Beryl is injured or he plays elsewhere, but not standoff.
We only have one standoff and to drop him for a loanee is a bit rich.

Beryl and Howden works.
Harris and Howden not so good.
Beryl and Boas???
I say don't tinker with a proven pairing.

I know what you're saying S/O but why would Richard Horne bring in Watson Boas if he wasn't going to play him? I can't imagine we've brought Boas in just as a back up player. Beryl can't be left out (if fit) as he's our key player. I'm just trying to work out what Richard Horne's thinking is on this one.

As a further line of thought, where does this leave Liam Harris with regards to future call ups from Hull? It looks like he's dropped down the pecking order. Perhaps we're going to play Boas in the next two games so Richard Horne can get his thoughts sorted on who is the best half-back pairing for the more difficult challenges coming up in June?

Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Sat Apr 27, 2019 3:10 pm  

I think they got Boas because he became available at a time when Beryl was injured and his future not certain and the Dons were at risk because of it.
So if Beryl is fit .. we don't need Boas.
Like I said I would play him as a sub to see what he can do and since he is here try to fit him in somewhere.
But Beryl and Howden must not be broken up ... just yet.
It would be nice to have a better standoff, but Howden is fine on his day with Beryl.

Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Sat Apr 27, 2019 3:50 pm  

I'd agree. Boas off the bench means no interchange hooker. I'd have him and Jordie Hedges on bench and two props. With the probable starters we can spell the pack well with that. Jordie has made himself invaluable for me with his utility value. Can slot in during game anywhere bar prop.

Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Sat Apr 27, 2019 3:58 pm  

My pick. Buchanan, Owen, Yere, Tali, Chrimes, Howden, Beharrell, Douglas, Kesik, Boyle, Cox, Foster, Thompson. Bench: Boas, Hedges, Scott, Spiers.

Probably totally wrong.

Re: North Wales Crusaders (Home) - Sunday 28 March 2019 15:0 : Sat Apr 27, 2019 4:09 pm  

Rob Nash wrote:

I'd agree. Boas off the bench means no interchange hooker. I'd have him and Jordie Hedges on bench and two props. With the probable starters we can spell the pack well with that. Jordie has made himself invaluable for me with his utility value. Can slot in during game anywhere bar prop.

I think Jordie would fancy himself as a prop too! He seemed to be lacking in self-belief in his early days with us but he's come on in leaps and bounds over the last two years.

He epitomises much of what I love about rugby: great commitment from the players giving 100% at all times.