Luke Towers

[Guest]

What are the chances of Smith playing Luke Towers at No.1 next week?

He has been playing well for the Jets, and is a similar style of player as Todd Carney meaning very little change to the structure and roles the rest of the team play.

It would be a brave move considering Soward's tactical kicking game, but Smith is big on certain types of players in certain positions.

I wouldn't rule it out as an option if Carney is out for a few weeks. Mini is not the Mini of old. Then again, maybe Towers on the wing if Mini goes to the back.

[Guest]

Hey Guys Panda Here!

Highly unlikely

Go the chooks !

[Guest]

If Carney is out (I hope not, anyone got any news?) Mini has to be the fullback.
Graham to the win, Luleia or Williamson to centre

[Guest]

Mini or Perro will both do fine if played at FB, I can see no reason to use anyone else. SKD or Graham can move to wing, and maybe Maubs or Symonds in the centres.

[Kingbilly]

I would hesitate to put Mini at fullback, the legend he was, he certainly is not a great fullback now.
I have seen a couple of things that worry me regarding Mini.

[Guest]

Put Perrett at fullback...he has played there for NZ.

No Maubs to the centres. He is playing great in the second row. How good is his defence

[Chook Norris]

I would hesitate to put Mini at fullback, the legend he was, he certainly is not a great fullback now.
I have seen a couple of things that worry me regarding Mini.

Agreed, seems slow and ponderous at times. Hands like feet and has clearly lost his zip. What worries me about the Dragons is their kick chase, imo Perret would do a better job escaping the in-goals.

[Guest]

I would hesitate to put Mini at fullback, the legend he was, he certainly is not a great fullback now.
I have seen a couple of things that worry me regarding Mini.

No hesitation from me. Mini to full back if Carney is out, then a backline of:

1. Minichiello
2. Kenny Dowall
3. Graham
4. Linnet
5. Perret
6. Anasta
7. Pearce

[Juggler]

I would hesitate to put Mini at fullback, the legend he was, he certainly is not a great fullback now.
I have seen a couple of things that worry me regarding Mini.

When he first played fullback he was ordinary - terribly out of position and absolutely no urgency to either get into position or to cover kicks (esp. grubbers).

The positional play is there but the urgency is not.

WE SHOULD HAVE WON 36 - 0. Terrible & lazy option to try & kick that ball. At his peak, he would have caught it & run to the 10m line at least.

[redwhiteandbluester]

I think Mini ought to be given the chance at fullback but he was a bit nervy tonight (albeit with no preparation).

In the buildup to Canberra's try, Minichiello was in a position to stick his head over the ball and wrap it up. Instead, he decided to toe poke it straight into the hands of an opponent, who scored. He looked like a player afraid of contact and uncertain of how to mop up an attacking kick.

If Carney is unavailable, though, Minichiello is the next best fullback and should certainly be given the chance.

[Guest]

Symonds is due back next week.

Logical solution = Minichiello or Perrett to fullback, Graham or SKD to wing, Symonds or Morbs to centre.

Its an unlikely convenience that our two backrowers (Morbs/Symonds) can play centre, our two centres (SKD/Graham( can play wing, and our two wingers (Perrett/Minichiello) are very established fullbacks. Our fullback (Carney) can play at five-eighth, our five-eighth (Anasta) can play at lock, and our lock (Myles) can play at prop. Jones, Kouparitsas, Jorbs, Guerra and Takairangi are all pretty flexible too.

Great utility value all round. The only real specialists are our props (Paea, Nuuausala, JWH, Ryles) and Pearce.

[Guest]

Credit where due...Your coach is introducing a new youngster evey week.

He must me testing the waters for the end of the season.

Smart move.

[Guest]

can we please agree that carney is the best option at fullback and let that rest for a while?

[Guest]

as for mini or towers, i thought mini was hesitant tonight and thats one thing you can not afford to be in this day and age but at the same time he is better than 95% of fullbacks ever
so please if carnage is there please support him and marvel in his brilliance and if not cheer the count

towers in 2 years if hes still good enough

[redwhiteandbluester]

can we please agree that carney is the best option at fullback and let that rest for a while?

Perhaps Carney is the best fullback, but I still think the best balance for the team would be Minichiello at 1, Carney at 6, Anasta at 13.

Carney is still uncertain defending kicks when really scrutinised by a good opposition.