Will Pearce Play?

[Johnny Tobin]

I predicted SKD will play against Souths well before it was announced because it was a low risk move to let SKD get settled back into the team in a low risk game. For the same reason, I consider Pearce playing against Melbourne to be the low risk move. Bringing Pearce back in a sudden death game is potentially a disaster with the team needing to get used to him back in the halves, and of course Pearce re-injury in sudden death game could be a disaster.

I will also say that Hastings role this year was to keep Friend fresh, and that Hastings will be dropped in favour of an extra forward at some stage with Maubs being the utility. All the more reason to make sure Pearce is proven to be 100% fit with real game time.


Having said all that, it could just be mind games from Robbo. If still at high risk of re-injury he won't play.

I am not so sure that Hastings will be dropped for the extra forward on the bench. Robbo doesn't seem to go that way.

[Darkone]

McWreck out
Pearce in
Hastings to bench

[Cockadoodledoo]

I predicted SKD will play against Souths well before it was announced because it was a low risk move to let SKD get settled back into the team in a low risk game. For the same reason, I consider Pearce playing against Melbourne to be the low risk move. Bringing Pearce back in a sudden death game is potentially a disaster with the team needing to get used to him back in the halves, and of course Pearce re-injury in sudden death game could be a disaster.

I will also say that Hastings role this year was to keep Friend fresh, and that Hastings will be dropped in favour of an extra forward at some stage with Maubs being the utility. All the more reason to make sure Pearce is proven to be 100% fit with real game time.


Having said all that, it could just be mind games from Robbo. If still at high risk of re-injury he won't play.

If Pearce plays, Hastings will definitely be on the bench. There is no way on earth Robbo wouldn't want the insurance for Pearce in case he re-injures his hamstring, let alone the reason Hastings is there in the first place, keep Friend fresh.

[Horry]

THE Roosters are talking tough on Mitchell Pearce’s chances of playing Friday’s finals match, but in reality the star halfback is next to no chance of taking the field.

Tricolours coach Trent Robinson revealed on Thursday the hamstring injury was healing faster than expected and he was “hoping” the NSW Origin player would be fit.
However, The Daily Telegraph understands Pearce will sit out the match and aim for either week two or week three of the finals, depending on whether the Roosters earn a week off with victory against the Storm at Allianz Stadium.
“I am hoping he might (play on Friday). I haven’t stood here and said he is going to play, I am hoping that he might,” Robinson said.
“He progressed pretty quickly at the start of the week. It is something we don’t want to risk but we will see …
“He is pretty good, we will see how he runs today, he is a small chance.”

Jackson Hastings will play haflback in place of Mitchell Pearce. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Source: News Corp Australia

ROOSTERS V STORM
7.55pm Friday at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: Set to be unchanged, with Mitchell Pearce (hamstring) next to no chance of being a late inclusion. Jackson Hastings will start at halfback, with Matt McIllrick to drop off the extended bench.
Storm: Dale Finucane (arm dislocation) has travelled with the team and is set to be a late inclusion. Expect him to come onto the bench in place of Christian Welch. Cameron Smith (illness) missed the first two sessions of the week, but is a certain starter, even if under the weather. “He’s genuinely crook and he’s lost a fair bit of weight so hopefully in the next few days he’ll come up a bit better than he is,” coach Craig Bellamy said. “If he’s feeling 50 per cent we’ll probably play him.” Expect Jordan McLean to start at prop, with Tim Glasby dropping back to the bench.

[Darkone]

still a lame duck today

Horrie.JPG

[dice]

I am not so sure that Hastings will be dropped for the extra forward on the bench. Robbo doesn't seem to go that way.

Last year we went with a big bench option and Maubs as the utility. Hastings played week 1 due to Friend being unavailable.

[Johnny Tobin]

There's a picture of him passing at the Captain's Run:

http://www.roosters.com.au/content/d...1280.1280.jpeg

I tried to upload it but only managed a thumbnail size.

Of course, that doesn't mean he will play.

[dice]

If Pearce plays, Hastings will definitely be on the bench. There is no way on earth Robbo wouldn't want the insurance for Pearce in case he re-injures his hamstring, let alone the reason Hastings is there in the first place, keep Friend fresh.

That is one of the reasons for playing Pearce early. Prove he is 100% fit so Robbo has the option of a big bench.

Big bench all the more important with JWH injury. That is where our main risk lies.

My opinion anyway.

[Johnny Tobin]

Last year we went with a big bench option and Maubs as the utility. Hastings played week 1 due to Friend being unavailable.

This year seems to be different.

[JAF]

All our forwards are fit enough to play big minutes so I don't think it is necessary to carry 3 big boppers on the bench (plus Maubs).
I think Robbo will stick to his formula of Maubs/Hastings/Lui/Evans when Pearce returns.

[Johnny.]

still a lame duck today

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n619395[/ATTACH]

HoJu FTW

[dice]

We have always played a backup half/hooker during regular season. I wouldn't read too much into that.

Anyways, we will soon find out. My money is if Pearce plays this week and pulls up ok that this will be Hastings last game. It will be the same bench as last week: Maubs/Liu/Evans/Matagi.

[Johnny.]

A picture paints a thousand words.

[Chook]

Won't play. Why risk him when if we win he gets another week in rehab.

Chook.

[Thirteen]

Chook what's to say it's a risk. He may be 100% fit. He is our captain. If the doc says he is fit he should play. We need to trust the men in charge of making these decisions.

Thirteen.