Paea, FPN & Koops... Newtown is thataway ---}

[Guest]

Brunton is a young kid playing his 3rd game of first grade. He is still undersized(not that it stops him) and inexperienced.

He has a good future ahead of him but asking him to start the game is a big ask. There's no need to rush the bloke. Baby steps.

[novice chook]

Problem is Mike that even when Jaubs was fit, Koups was still starting most games at dummy half. Jaubs was coming off the bench.

As for Brunton, I'd take the risk with inexperience and talent and put the kid in to start.

Koups is just not a dummy half. Any option, however limited, has to be better than he. For instance, I'd have Ben Jones in a heart beat.

Whether or not Koups deserves a spot on the bench as a forward/utility is debatable. Personally, he wouldn't be in my top 17 once Symonds return from injury.


NC

[Guest]

Okay, now its a check mate

Look forward to hearing from you next week after another reserve grade performance from your favourite player.

And I can't wait for your full of shite bitter comments... Too predictable

[stsae]

All this over Pooparitsis, faaarrrk me.

Why did the magicrocketman make up 2 accounts??? Did he need someone to agree with???

What a funny thread.

[TheBigFella]

how bout you answer the questions at hand redwhiteandbluester? we were dominated in the ruck, had nothing to do with one stray pass by koops.

2 stray passes please... the only time the ruck was dominated was when we had a front row of FPN, Koops & Paea... All 3 were shocking & worthless.

[Rooster_6]

I don't see what was wrong with either props on Sunday?

I've been saying for a while that Paea needs to step it up if he wants to stay in the team but I certainly think he has been a lot better in recent weeks.

I don't think we have enough go forward when both are on the field at the same time and certainly next season I'd look to buy a good young prop and only play on of FPN or Paea but until then we really don't have anything better to play... who's going to take their place?

[Guest]

Problem is Mike that even when Jaubs was fit, Koups was still starting most games at dummy half. Jaubs was coming off the bench.

As for Brunton, I'd take the risk with inexperience and talent and put the kid in to start.

Koups is just not a dummy half. Any option, however limited, has to be better than he. For instance, I'd have Ben Jones in a heart beat.

Whether or not Koups deserves a spot on the bench as a forward/utility is debatable. Personally, he wouldn't be in my top 17 once Symonds return from injury.


NC

I agree, i'd give Jones a run at hooker, however for some reason Brian doesn't see it the same way. I guess he is the best judge.

I was always vocal about Koups being a through and through backrower, i think he has no place in the dummy half position.

However i hate young blokes being crushed by the weight of expectations when they're blooded too early.

[novice chook]

However i hate young blokes being crushed by the weight of expectations when they're blooded too early.

I reckon the most the majority of roosters supporters expect of Brunton is that he does a better job at dummy half than Koups, and you have to admit, that's not setting the bar very high, and Brunton is more than capable of passing with flying colours.


NC

[Guest]

Sign the pom, Micheal luck, sika manu and bring back Friend, our forward pack solved

[Rooster_6]

We don't need backrowers.

Sign Aiden Tolman, bring back friend and our forward pack is solved.

Cordner will be twice the player that Luck is.

[Guest]

We don't need backrowers.

Sign Aiden Tolman, bring back friend and our forward pack is solved.

Cordner will be twice the player that Luck is.

im 100% with you
8. Tolman
9. Friend
10. Ryles
11. Maubs
12. Cherro
13. Myles

14. Paea/FPN
15. JWH
16. Symonds
17. Jones/Jaubs/Brunton

[redwhiteandbluester]

I don't think we need a hooker on the bench - the back row would benefit from another forward on the bench to give them a breather. It seems wasteful to have two blokes playing 40 mins each in a position where most other teams have one man covering the entire match.

[Guest]

One good attacking backrower wouldn't hurt. Someone like Pritchard, Blair or Bronson Harrison, a linebreaker with a bit of skill.

Symonds is a good hole-hitter off the bench, but Guerra and Conn are only solid without being outstanding, and both struggle to link up with their outside men. Cherrington is a huge talent, and would make a great inside man for SKD and Perrett to run off, but he isn't proven like Pritchard, Blair and Harrison are. All of those players are noted linebreakers with good offloads too.

As far as I am concerned, we are a few players short of a top pack:

8. Ryles
9.
10.
11.
12. Aubusson
13. Myles

14. Jones / Jorbs / Friend
15. Symonds
16. Waerea-Hargreaves
17. Nuuausala

That is a beauty of a bench IMO. The impact utility rake, the hole-hitting backrower, and two contrasting but strong Kiwi international props. The starting pack is the issue. Ryles is good but aging, Paea and Cherrington lacks consistency, Kouparitsas is rubbish, Takairangi and Kennedy are very raw and young, while Brunton, Guerra and Conn are solid but yet to show any brilliance.

[Guest]

One good attacking backrower wouldn't hurt. Someone like Pritchard, Blair or Bronson Harrison, a linebreaker with a bit of skill.

Symonds is a good hole-hitter off the bench, but Guerra and Conn are only solid without being outstanding, and both struggle to link up with their outside men. Cherrington is a huge talent, and would make a great inside man for SKD and Perrett to run off, but he isn't proven like Pritchard, Blair and Harrison are. All of those players are noted linebreakers with good offloads too.

but its also a money issue mack. personally, id like to see us give cordner, cherro and leilua a crack at that prevailing backrow spot first as they have all been brought through the system and are younger players. if that fails then i am all for going into the market for that sort of player but for now, i am of the opinion that we have some of the most talented young backrowers in the country who if given good coaching and continue developing could become great assets to the club.

[Guest]

Post edited Roz.

Leilua, Cordner, Lowe, Samuela are all serious prospects, but they are a fair way off FG.