Team 2012!

[Guest]

Round 1 team, 2012;
1. Minichiello
2. Perret
3. SKD
4. Leilua
5. Tagive/Henry
6. Anasta
7. Pearce
8. JWH
9. Friend
10. Kennedy
11. Guerra
12. Aubusson
13. FPN
Bench will be 4 of Tasi, Masoe, Takairangi, Cordner, Mitchell, Mortimer, Symonds - depending on tactics but i'd prefer the first 4 and play Friend for the 80.
Evans and Moga will definitely have their chance to shine later on.

[fletch]

important to remember Kennedy is not back in full contact training after his career threatening stress fracture in his foot, in the early part of the season he won't be playing huge minutes, it wouldn't surprise to see him start off the bench with either Tasi/Masoe starting to give us that much needed go forward.

if Moga shows enough in the trials he will start round 1, the coaching staff think that highly enough of him, if it wasn't for the age restriction he would have debuted late last season when SKD was injured, he is unlikely to play the whole season in the top grade and will be rotated between Newtown/First Grade/Rest depending on his form and the form of the team in general.

also not sure on the Guerra/Maubs combo, Smith loves to have a backrower with an offload/creativity and Guerra/Maubs are more hole runners than creators, this brings Takarangi into the picture and then Cherro if he ever gets fit.

[Guest]

Simple. Guerra and Aubusson IMO were seen as similar style players, and I assume the plan in 2011 was to have a backrow of Anasta, Aubusson and Myles. With Aubusson out, Myles and Carney off the rails and Anasta shifting into the 5/8 position, Guerra was given another opportunity and exceeded expectation. He was outstanding during his brief 2010 stint and great in 2011, thus forcing himself into the starting side and first opportunity.

[Yak]

I think if Moga plays left centre then Smith will see BJ as his offloading second rower. I think it might be between Maubs and guerra for the right side and Taka and Cordner for the bench lock/edge forward role.

[Geohood]

Wouldn't BJ play wing if not centre?

[Yak]

Just saying if Moga is chosen at centre I would hope that Smith would cone to his senses and play BJ where he belongs. He's too slow for a winger despite being quite good in most other facets of wing play. If Tagive or Henry play well in the trials I'd like to see them get a chance at left wing.

[Rooster_6]

I kind of agree, with the exception of the wing spot. I think Mini might end up back on the wing

It wouldn't be a bad idea but I don't see it happening.

Mini just shouldn't be in the team anymore unfortunately, he's a great clubman but he doesn't have the skills to play the modern day fullback role and his running game has deteriorated immensely. 2011 really should have been his last year.

[Guest]

important to remember Kennedy is not back in full contact training after his career threatening stress fracture in his foot, in the early part of the season he won't be playing huge minutes, it wouldn't surprise to see him start off the bench with either Tasi/Masoe starting to give us that much needed go forward.

if Moga shows enough in the trials he will start round 1, the coaching staff think that highly enough of him, if it wasn't for the age restriction he would have debuted late last season when SKD was injured, he is unlikely to play the whole season in the top grade and will be rotated between Newtown/First Grade/Rest depending on his form and the form of the team in general.

also not sure on the Guerra/Maubs combo, Smith loves to have a backrower with an offload/creativity and Guerra/Maubs are more hole runners than creators, this brings Takarangi into the picture and then Cherro if he ever gets fit.

You're pretty close to the mark Fletch.
At this early stage Smith's been training with this top 17 combo:

Mini
Perrett
SKD
BJ/Moga
Moga/BJ
Morts
Pearce
Guerra
Anasta
Maubs
Tasi
Friend
Mose

Ant, Cordner, FPN,?

[The Pelican]

You're pretty close to the mark Fletch.
At this early stage Smith's been training with this top 17 combo:

Mini
Perrett
SKD
BJ/Moga
Moga/BJ
Morts
Pearce
Guerra
Anasta
Maubs
Tasi
Friend
Mose

Ant, Cordner, FPN,?

I can guarantee you that Anasta will be in the #6 jersey next season, Morts is there as cover for the havles/hookers and on Moga i doubt and hope that Smith doesn't start him in round 1 unless there are injuries to our outside backs as i would like to see him play for Newtown first to see how handles the step up from playing against kids where he naturally stands out to playing against the 'big boys'.

[Guest]

I can guarantee you that Anasta will be in the #6 jersey next season, Morts is there as cover for the havles/hookers and on Moga i doubt and hope that Smith doesn't start him in round 1 unless there are injuries to our outside backs as i would like to see him play for Newtown first to see how handles the step up from playing against kids where he naturally stands out to playing against the 'big boys'.

If Moga does really well in the trials then there's no point in starting him in newtown because he would have already been up against 1st grade teams.

[The Pelican]

If Moga does really well in the trials then there's no point in starting him in newtown because he would have already been up against 1st grade teams.

I'm sorry but that's ridiculous. Playing three trials against inferior opposition does not compare to the week in week out grind of 1st grade football. Regardless of what happens i wouldn't be starting him in front of BJ or Tagive anyway, they're more experienced and there both better players at this point in time.

[Guest]

I'm sorry but that's ridiculous. Playing three trials against inferior opposition does not compare to the week in week out grind of 1st grade football. Regardless of what happens i wouldn't be starting him in front of BJ or Tagive anyway, they're more experienced and there both better players at this point in time.

Keep us up to date on player positions, No one else seems to know.. Thank god your here.