Massive test for our forwards tonight

[Rooster_6]

If you had to draw up a pecking order of our front rowers I reckon it'd look something like;

1. JWH
2. Moa
3. Liu
4. Casty
5. Napa
6. Evans
7. Houma
8. Seru

Missing 3 out of our first 4 choices and coming up against arguably the best middle third rotation in the comp. Graham, Tolman, Klemmer, Eastwood, Finucane & Browne/possibly Kasiano.

We'll learn a lot tonight about our 2014 side. Last year we went through a significant period of the season without JWH & Moa. In their absence both LOD & Kennedy stepped up but both had far more experience than Evans & Napa. LOD also stepped into the role of pack leader naturally, who fills those boots?

I think we'll learn a few things;

1) Where the team is mentally at the moment, if they're as desperate as they were last year then the injruies will be no excuse. They proved that on numerous occasions last year when we were depleted by injuries/origin.

2) Who are the other leaders in the pack with JWH missing, FPN's been great over the past few weeks but can he back that up again? Will Moa step it up another gear or possibly Napa who lead the Cook Islands pack so well in the World Cup. Possibly Cordner, Guerra or SBW will put in a workmanlike backrowers performance and really help out the middle third.

3) How much depth we actually have. We'll learn I think just how far Napa & Evans are along in their development. Both will be required to do more work than they have in the last 2 weeks and this is going to be a much tougher test than Parramatta was.

[bondi-boy]

Kennedy should never have been let go.
Now look how light on we are for props up against the monster Dogs' pack.

We got it wrong somehow.

[Guest]

Having predicted our loss last Friday, I think the loss of JWH is massive, to the chances of victory. The dogs are in form, we are off the pace. I said at the start of the season that it wouldn't suprise me, if after round 9 we are 5-4. Not a disaster, but not what was expected. The World Cup has taken its toll.
This will be a close affair. I lean slightly towards the Bulldogs, on the back of their forward pack. Dogs by 8

[Guest]

I just heard that Evans was out and Lui was in...

[ChookMaster]

I just heard that Evans was out and Lui was in...

what source?

[Guest]

I should have read it properly first. It says 'may'.

I thought Lui was injured to be honest..

http://26rounds.com/2014/04/04/sourc...ffle-up-front/

[Billy Gunn]

one win over a team still recovering from a terrible accident and you're all kicking stones

us by 12

[Thirteen]

Kennedy should never have been let go.
Now look how light on we are for props up against the monster Dogs' pack.

We got it wrong somehow.

What rubbish!
Kennedy was useless and will continue to be useless.
He has gone. Time to move on.

[Thirteen]

Having predicted our loss last Friday, I think the loss of JWH is massive, to the chances of victory. The dogs are in form, we are off the pace. I said at the start of the season that it wouldn't suprise me, if after round 9 we are 5-4. Not a disaster, but not what was expected. The World Cup has taken its toll.
This will be a close affair. I lean slightly towards the Bulldogs, on the back of their forward pack. Dogs by 8

How r they in form?
Any side can beat Melbourne without Smith.
And the previous week they lost to Penrith.

Your negativity is disturbing.
We are the premiers!
Our back line shits on theirs.
Our bench is far superior.
Jarred is a loss but NO EXCUSES!
What a great chance for Napa and Evans to show they belong.
I hope Napa puts that ear biting grub out of the game just like last year.
Fire up and SUPPORT your team!
Us by 20.

[roosterproud]

How r they in form?
Any side can beat Melbourne without Smith.
And the previous week they lost to Penrith.

Your negativity is disturbing.
We are the premiers!
Our back line shits on theirs.
Our bench is far superior.
Jarred is a loss but NO EXCUSES!
What a great change for Napa and Evans to show they belong.
I hope Napa puts that ear biting grub out of the game just like last year.
Fire up and SUPPORT your team!
Us by 20.

saved me saying it. cheers 13

[bondi-boy]

What rubbish!
Kennedy was useless and will continue to be useless.
He has gone. Time to move on.

The Broncos don't buy useless players.

[Salvatori Grubber]

Peter Wallace.

[redwhiteblue]

The Broncos don't buy useless players.

Then why have they missed the finals a lot in recent years?

[Guest]

How r they in form?
Any side can beat Melbourne without Smith.
And the previous week they lost to Penrith.

Your negativity is disturbing.
We are the premiers!
Our back line shits on theirs.
Our bench is far superior.
Jarred is a loss but NO EXCUSES!
What a great change for Napa and Evans to show they belong.
I hope Napa puts that ear biting grub out of the game just like last year.
Fire up and SUPPORT your team!
Us by 20.

It's called being a realist. Is tipping Manly last week negative? Or is it a correct selection. I agree, our backs are better, and I think our forward pack is superior, but the Dogs are playing with confidence. They lost in the last minute to Penrith, and flogged the previously unbeaten Storm.
I detest Canterbury, and their fans. Last year was beautiful to smash em 38-0 and then 20-18 with 5 out.
We should be 1-3, after escaping with a win against Brisbane.
I hope you are right, and the Roosters win by 20

[bondi-boy]

Then why have they missed the finals a lot in recent years?

Rebuilding.