Sydney Roosters vs Atherton
1. Todd Carney
2. Luke Towers
3. Sonny Tuigamala
4. Tu’u Maori
5. Cheyse Blair
6. Braith Anasta (c)
7. Jacob Miller
8. Lopini Paea
9. Nick Kouparitsis
10. Isaac Maliota
11. Mitch Aubusson
12. Tom Symonds
13. Jason Baiteri
14. Keith Peters
15. JP Du Plessis
16. Ryan Williamson
17. Jack Littlejohn
18. Boyd Strickland
19. Brad Takairangi
20. Jerome Leolahi
21. John Leiataua
22. Olireti Samuelu
I was told this is the team to travel to Atherton next week at this stage, although there might be some late changes.
Just to note a few things:
* It's good to see Tu'u Maori get a run. He is a very good player and deserves to get a shot at least in the trials. He was very good in the games I saw him play at Newtown last season.
* Interested to see how JP Du Plessis performs. He is South Africa's best junior rugby prospect so it might take him a bit of time to adjust to our game but he'll have some natural skills to be able to perform admirably in his first game of rugby league.
* Good to see Ryan Williamson's name in there. I hope he hasn't lost any motivation and hunger to play again. Glad to have him back again.
* I'm interested to see how Samuelu, Leolahi, Strickland and Littlejohn perform, seeing as they are in the NYC squad. They will be better for the run in the first grade trial alongside players such as Anasta, Carney etc. Cheyse Blair is one player I think will have a big game. Brian Smith has mentioned he is quite impressed with him. Also suprised not to see Hughie Stanley not getting a run. Nothing was mentioned about him being injured so I assume he was available for this clash. He is rated quite highly by Brian Smith apparently.
* Jason Ryles, Phil Graham, Jared Wearea-Hargreaves, Fine Moeakiola and Matthew Hands weren't selected due to injury. I was looking forward to seeing how Ryles, Wearea-Hargreaves and Graham fit into our structure and to see how they perform overall in a new team. I was also interested to see how Moeakiola and Hands perform as well as they are both impressive young players.
* I was told Mitchell Pearce is not included in this side so he might be turning out for a run in the other side against the Warriors in New Zealand. Tinirau Arona was originally listed but is now travelling to New Zealand.
* Asipeli Fine and Dane Atkinson were listed as well but are going to turn out for the SG Ball side that next weekend instead. Would have loved to see these two talented youngsters gain some experience in the top grade.
1. Todd Carney
2. Luke Towers
3. Sonny Tuigamala
4. Tu’u Maori
5. Cheyse Blair
6. Braith Anasta (c)
7. Jacob Miller
8. Lopini Paea
9. Nick Kouparitsis
10. Isaac Maliota
11. Mitch Aubusson
12. Tom Symonds
13. Jason Baiteri
14. Keith Peters
15. JP Du Plessis
16. Ryan Williamson
17. Jack Littlejohn
18. Boyd Strickland
19. Brad Takairangi
20. Jerome Leolahi
21. John Leiataua
22. Olireti Samuelu
I was told this is the team to travel to Atherton next week at this stage, although there might be some late changes.
Just to note a few things:
* It's good to see Tu'u Maori get a run. He is a very good player and deserves to get a shot at least in the trials. He was very good in the games I saw him play at Newtown last season.
* Interested to see how JP Du Plessis performs. He is South Africa's best junior rugby prospect so it might take him a bit of time to adjust to our game but he'll have some natural skills to be able to perform admirably in his first game of rugby league.
* Good to see Ryan Williamson's name in there. I hope he hasn't lost any motivation and hunger to play again. Glad to have him back again.
* I'm interested to see how Samuelu, Leolahi, Strickland and Littlejohn perform, seeing as they are in the NYC squad. They will be better for the run in the first grade trial alongside players such as Anasta, Carney etc. Cheyse Blair is one player I think will have a big game. Brian Smith has mentioned he is quite impressed with him. Also suprised not to see Hughie Stanley not getting a run. Nothing was mentioned about him being injured so I assume he was available for this clash. He is rated quite highly by Brian Smith apparently.
* Jason Ryles, Phil Graham, Jared Wearea-Hargreaves, Fine Moeakiola and Matthew Hands weren't selected due to injury. I was looking forward to seeing how Ryles, Wearea-Hargreaves and Graham fit into our structure and to see how they perform overall in a new team. I was also interested to see how Moeakiola and Hands perform as well as they are both impressive young players.
* I was told Mitchell Pearce is not included in this side so he might be turning out for a run in the other side against the Warriors in New Zealand. Tinirau Arona was originally listed but is now travelling to New Zealand.
* Asipeli Fine and Dane Atkinson were listed as well but are going to turn out for the SG Ball side that next weekend instead. Would have loved to see these two talented youngsters gain some experience in the top grade.
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