No Twal, surely Hunt isn’t a starter again? Skelton and Latu back? Looking forward to team announcement.
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It’s time to think outside the box …when Latu returns Mason to a permanent 14 a true utility , would even consider API to 13 TDS 9 ..Hunt punted totally from the club , the Laulili bros must be close surely . Some decisions need to be made now as the Richo meter shows a downward spiral . On Richo is he still at the club can anyone confirm !
I’d honestly run both Latu and Skelton off the bench. Latu coming on at lock and Skelton second row for a couple of weeks.
I would throw Latu straight in at 6 as it sounds like him and Luai have already been spending time working on combinations. Wouldn't surprise me that Latu may have asked him to help him develop his game. I would put Mason on the bench to cover the backs and if he is not needed for HIA's or injuries he comes on to perhaps replace Latu after 60mins to carve up in the last 20. TDS can spend a few weeks in NSW cup. I think Mason has the attributes to also cover 9 in a pinch and it would not surprise me if he has not already started training in that position as he has said he sees himself as a 14. Carrying a specialist 9 on the bench is a luxury this team cannot afford at the moment.I’d honestly run both Latu and Skelton off the bench. Latu coming on at lock and Skelton second row for a couple of weeks.
We desperately need Skelton's yardage game so I'm not moving him out of wing or center.
@lorenzo Mason is the new No 14 utility and will probable spend a lot of games at 6 as I have no confidence in Latu being a weekly prospect . Agree TDS will have to bide his time a solid utility is what’s need at this stage and Mason fits the bill .
He will just be a number on the wests list… what are we up to 1000 yet?The mystery man Charlie Murray who is Charlie Murray ?
@lorenzo Mason is the new No 14 utility and will probable spend a lot of games at 6 as I have no confidence in Latu being a weekly prospect . Agree TDS will have to bide his time a solid utility is what’s need at this stage and Mason fits the bill .
we have the second best 9 in the game in Api, letnhom play 80
I like having mason as the utility
I am not sold at all in latu think very injury prone
Jeral Skelton (hamstring) returns from his lengthy layoff, taking the place of Charlie Staines on the wing.
Sione Fainu is elevated to the starting side at prop, with Kit Laulili'i and Charlie Murray named on the interchange bench. Murray, a 23-year-old lock forward, is set to make his NRL debut after featuring for Wests Magpies in the NSW Cup this season.
Latu Fainu (hamstring) also returns from injury and joins the interchange bench in place of Brent Naden.
Alex Twal's concussion-forced absence means Alex Seyfarth shifts to lock and Tony Sukkar starts at second row.
Team List:
1. Jahream Bula - sponsored by Sensory Gardens Australia
2. Sunia Turuva - sponsored by Ellis Consolidated
3. Adam Doueihi - sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate
4. Starford To'a - sponsored by Z Wealth Group
5. Jeral Skelton - sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents
6. Heath Mason - sponsored by Retro Air
7. Jarome Luai (c) - sponsored by APN Compounding
8. Terrell May - sponsored by Z Realty Group
9. Api Koroisau (c) - sponsored by KwikFlo
10. Sione Fainu - sponsored by Club Menangle
11. Samuela Fainu - sponsored by Mars Forklifts
12. Tony Sukkar - sponsored by Ultra Building Works
13. Alex Seyfarth - sponsored by Endacom
Interchange:
14. Latu Fainu - sponsored by One World Courier
15. Jack Bird - sponsored by Shane’s Waterproofing
16. Kit Laulili'i - sponsored by MJS Electrical Products & Supplies
17. Charlie Murray - sponsored by Workplace Law
Reserves:
18. Luke Laulili'i - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
19. Tallyn Da Silva - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
20. Charlie Staines - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
21. Brent Naden - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
22. Elie El-Zakhem - sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower
Coach: Benji Marshall - sponsored by Pepper Money
No Naden...well that's a relief. Fingers crossed Skelton gets thru 80mins and Latu has a blinder when he comes on. I think its the best team he could name with the cattle he has available....never seen Murray play though.
All Fainu brothers playing family must be proud a good achievement .
Watched the Tommy Cup last Saturday, Kit had a good game and deserves another NRL run. Luke L was an absolute standout at fullback and must be knocking on the door for a return at wing, so I really hope Skelton is properly fit!
So Royce Hunt named for NSW Cup... been dropped.
I thought he struggled as a starter but essentially has been good off the bench.
Although I think Kit deserves his shot.
Royce has been hot and cold off the bench, i think this is a good kick in the backside. Also keen to see Kit have a run.
I see this as a game where we will be competitive, Penrith are a solid yet predictable attacking team that just grind you down. They also tend to show attacking variety only in the red zone, that's where Cleary starts to create. Generally our defense has been ok in the red zone. Also their 9 is not very creative or unpredictable so hopefully we control the ruck a bit better. We need to run at Blaize early and often and it helps that Starford, Sukkar and Tito will be on his side. hopefully the boys all have a dig and don't try and make this all about a shootout between Luai and Cleary and stand around waiting for Luai to do something. We have a chance to win this if we let Luai focus on shutting down Cleary as he knows his game best and Latu/Mason/Bula/AD take over the attack. They will be expecting Luai to want to be the Batman and will focus on him, lets ambush them with the rest of the team as the Batmen!
