Teams up - Rnd 8 v's Dragons

[SConcierge]

i know thats the modern way and an integral part of a 13s armoury but i think its sad that the skillful aspect of lock has been losted slightly. in the past, the fact that the lock has no defined position in attack, they were used as an extra ball-playing or attacking threat being able to bob up in the attack anywhere kind of like how the modern fullback plays but more in the front line. A compromise between the two is what i like to see especially when you have edge backrowers who are skillful attacking players.

to this end, greg bird is my favourite modern style lock. he has the toughness, aggression and build to play tight but in the attacking third, he is a real threat with the ball in hand as a runner or second 5/8. although arona is not a second 5/8 type player, he has enough skills with the ball in hand to be constructive in a ball playing role especially when complemented by maubs in partiuclar who is just as good at ball playing as he is at running (he was touted as a potential 5/8 for quite a while dont forget).

cant agree more, same with the rubbish with our backs carting the ball up

[Rooster_6]

Evans and Moga playing NYC tomorrow and then NSW Cup this weekend, has this club lost the plot?

1. Alofa Alofa
2. Adam Henry
3. Justin Carney
14. Tautau Moga
5. Daniel Tupou
6. Mark Kheirallah
7. Daniel Mortimer
8. Isaac Liu
9. Anthony Mitchell
10. Kane Evans
11. Ahmad Ellaz
12. Tom Symonds
13. Jack Littlejohn
15. Nick Ehsman
17. Andrew Pearn
18. Glenn Dumbrell
19. Kurt Kara
25. Isaac Maliota

Littlejohn @ lock... really?

Interesting that Mortimer is at halfback and Kheirallah has moved to 5/8... in preparation for when Pearce is playing origin?

[Guest]

While I'm glad Peni's got another go, I hope he's on Pearce's side so he gets a ball or two.

[Rooster_6]

People who can only look good when the rest of their team is playing like cowards are not good at all.

Friend has not in any way, shape or form proven he should be our starting hooker, let alone our 80 minute hooker. Playing him for 80 mins will be a HUGE mistake

So when Gallen was arguably the best forward in the competition at the Sharks in 2011 & prior despite the rest of the team being utterly useless it was actually all a big misconception?

I know what you're arguing; big fish - small pond, but you've implied it's relevant to every player in that situation and that's the base of your argument as to why Friend looked so good last year despite even I'm sure you'll admit that it obviously doesn't apply to all. In which case why does it apply to Friend and did you not think he was good when he returned in the back half of 2010 after his 'time off'?

[JohnLawrence]

I always feel better when Mose's in the side if he fires look out if he doesn't he's still a handfull cheers

[Guest]

Sportsbet.com.au Team List

1 Anthony Minichiello
2 Peni Tagive
3 Joseph Leilua
4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5 Sam Perrett
6 Braith Anasta ©
7 Mitchell Pearce
8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9 Jake Friend
10 Martin Kennedy
11 Aidan Guerra
12 Mitchell Aubusson
13 Tinirau Arona
14 Brad Takairangi
15 Lama Tasi
16 Mose Masoe
17 Jack Bosden

If that's the side Smith is expecting it to be brutal. Can our pigs go 80 mins with the merge pack? We'll soon see.

Chook.