We know that aside from injury, Sheens will stick with the players he’s picked to start but I personally see little chance that we are going to get much improvement out of this squad given the way our 6,7 and 1 are playing. Assuming Talau and Simpkin are out my 1-17 would be:
1) staines
2) noffa (Ken if he is fit)
3) toa
4) naden
5) tupou
6) douhie
7) wakeham
8) klemmer
9) api
10) joffa
11) papi
12) blore
13) pole
14) brooks
15) Stephano
16) twal
17) kepaoa
stephano is in poor form, he needs a spell on the bench and to earn his place in the starting roster. We played best last year with Hastings at 7 playing the organising halfback, our problem is not yardage but structuring our attacking sets in the red zone - going back to a traditional 7 (who can kick conversions) will settle down our attack and he has played with Api (Fiji). Brooks can play 20min and give some spark, he is a good defender so can play in the middle a give Api a spell. Laurie needs to go back to reserve grade and learn to play 6 or 7, that’s his only path back to first grade- he’s way to small to be an NRL fullback. Allow Bula to play 1 in reserve grade and develop.
I'd be shaking things up a bit.
1. Staines
2. Tupou
3. Naden
4. Kepaoa
5. Laurie
6. Doueihi
7. Wakeham
8. Klemmer
9. Api
10. Stefano
11. Papali'i
12. Blore
13. Matamua
14. Brooks
15. Pole (if fit)
16. Joffa
17. Bateman
I think Sheens will have Laurie on the bench with Simpkin out.
I agree Stef needs to earn his starting spot from the bench.
Really hoping to see something interesting at lock. Bateman, Matamua or even Kepaoa as he has a nice pass on him and is playing with great heart.
A 3rd front rower just doesn't work for our halves, we need some skill there.
1. Staines
2. Tupou
3. Naden
4. Doueihi
5. Laurie
6. Brooks
7. Wakeham
8. Klemmer
9. Api
10. Stefano
11. Papali'i
12. Blore
13. Joffa
14. Twal
15. Pole
16. kepoa
17. Bateman
I dont think Sheens (or whoever is actually pulling strings) will make wholesale changes but I hope and think one that he might make is dropping Nofa. Both games he has made critical errors that really set us back. Continually throws stupid passes that don't need to be thrown, usually to a player in a worse position than him because he has backed himself into a bad corner. at this stage he adds nothing and sets us back and we have a ready replacement in Tupou.
Given that Staines played the last 10 mins or so at FB, I could see that move getting a run come 4pm tomorrow. But would be surprised if there were any other major changes.
Talau and Simpkin out, Blore will be back. Pole sounded a little longer term, but fingers crossed. Bateman will be rd 4 based on what Sheens has been saying.
I would probably keep AJ on the bench as a swing man, and bring Toa in to start.
Ultimately the changes need to come on the training paddock this week, regardless of who makes the 17.
I dont think Sheens (or whoever is actually pulling strings) will make wholesale changes but I hope and think one that he might make is dropping Nofa. Both games he has made critical errors that really set us back. Continually throws stupid passes that don't need to be thrown, usually to a player in a worse position than him because he has backed himself into a bad corner. at this stage he adds nothing and sets us back and we have a ready replacement in Tupou.
That play where he got the ball and then ran backwards had me lol'ing.
I dont think Sheens (or whoever is actually pulling strings) will make wholesale changes but I hope and think one that he might make is dropping Nofa. Both games he has made critical errors that really set us back. Continually throws stupid passes that don't need to be thrown, usually to a player in a worse position than him because he has backed himself into a bad corner. at this stage he adds nothing and sets us back and we have a ready replacement in Tupou.
That play where he got the ball and then ran backwards had me lol'ing.
Me too and he also managed to throw a looping hospital pass to Simpkins in the same move which resulted in Jake getting smashed.
Pure slapstick.
I dont think Sheens (or whoever is actually pulling strings) will make wholesale changes but I hope and think one that he might make is dropping Nofa. Both games he has made critical errors that really set us back. Continually throws stupid passes that don't need to be thrown, usually to a player in a worse position than him because he has backed himself into a bad corner. at this stage he adds nothing and sets us back and we have a ready replacement in Tupou.
That play where he got the ball and then ran backwards had me lol'ing.
Me too and he also managed to throw a looping hospital pass to Simpkins in the same move which resulted in Jake getting smashed.
Pure slapstick.
in a team that looked like they have never played football before, Nofa looked out of his element.
Papali’i out (1 game only). Wests Tigers have accepted the guilty plea for Grade 2 dangerous tackle on Jack Johns.
Papali’i out (1 game only). Wests Tigers have accepted the guilty plea for Grade 2 dangerous tackle on Jack Johns.
I dont remember the tackle?
Me neither.Papali’i out (1 game only). Wests Tigers have accepted the guilty plea for Grade 2 dangerous tackle on Jack Johns.
I dont remember the tackle?
I don’t remember much of what Ice has done to date to be honest. Hasn’t played bad but sorely under-utilised and not setting the world on fire like I originally hoped.
Me neither.Papali’i out (1 game only). Wests Tigers have accepted the guilty plea for Grade 2 dangerous tackle on Jack Johns.
I dont remember the tackle?
I don’t remember much of what Ice has done to date to be honest. Hasn’t played bad but sorely under-utilised and not setting the world on fire like I originally hoped.
He’s been super disappointing
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
1. Doueihi
2. Tupou
3. Naden
4. Toa
5. Staines
6. Brooks
7. Wakeham
8. Klemmer
9. Api
10. Stefano
11. Kepoa
12. Blore
13. Joffa
14. Laurie
15. Pole
16. Twal
17. Bateman
When Api goes off, Laurie to 6, Brooks to 9.
If Ken is fit put him on wing, Staines to FB and Doueihi to Centre. Toa to 18th.
I'm done with Nofa if any team will take him trade him for journeymen/whatever cents in the dollar can be squeezed.
