***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[sideshowtim]

Just looking a Gould's side it is not too hard to see how many of his favorite/Roosters players he choice due to baised. Not that other coaches don't do to same, just look at some of Stuart rep selections over the years and Bennett for that matter. With that in mind it will be interesting to see how many of Bellamy's favorites get selected.

Guys like Quintin, Turner, Hoffman (but he should be there in the first place), White, Cross and Orford might have inside running on a couple positions. Will be interesting to see how many of these guys he gets into the side, considering the NSW selectors usually don't give the coaches too much say until they start winning matches or the series is on the line.

What? As if Anasta, Mason and Tupou don't deserve a spot in the NSW team. Anasta has been the best NSW five-eighth all year, comfortably (given that Bird has spent most of the season at lock) and Mason has been consistently good all season. Tupou is always a great option of the bench too. All of them would deserve their spots. The only controversial Roosters selection there would be Roberts, but even then I'm not sure how crazy that is given that there have been very few standout NSW wingers this season and that Roberts has been one of them...I think Quinn should and will get it though.

 

[Craig]

When Melbourne lose half their backline to Origin committments, I'm going to be interested in how new signing Brett Anderson goes, if any club will find a rough diamond from no where it will be Melbourne.

 

[James90]

Just looking a Gould's side it is not too hard to see how many of his favorite/Roosters players he choice due to baised.

Wtf. Roberts the only one there who is even doubtful. That's not too outlandish either.

 

[chaminda_00]

What? As if Anasta, Mason and Tupou don't deserve a spot in the NSW team. Anasta has been the best NSW five-eighth all year, comfortably (given that Bird has spent most of the season at lock) and Mason has been consistently good all season. Tupou is always a great option of the bench too. All of them would deserve their spots. The only controversial Roosters selection there would be Roberts, but even then I'm not sure how crazy that is given that there have been very few standout NSW wingers this season and that Roberts has been one of them...I think Quinn should and will get it though.

Was more referring more to the selection of Ryles, Kite, Finch and well Roberts tbh. Have no problem with Anasta, Mason and Tupou. But when you add the other you see a common trend in his selections.

 

[Mister Wright]

Hunt pretty much settled the decision for fullback today. He was outstanding, as good as Slater is, Hunt is head and shoulders above all other fullbacks. Slater will get a bench spot, and that should be his position.

Really hope, as has been mentioned in today's paper that Hunt isn't selected at 5/8. He is so good at the back.

Dire performance from the Broncos.

 

[Mister Wright]

Have 3/5 so far this week. But didn't change my tip to the Sharks on here, so only 2/5 for the Cricketweb comp.

 

[howardj]

I dare them to pick that team.

I think Gould's team is actually quite good - certainly it does not warrant a .

Brett Finch, because of his sooky la la displays early in his career, is an easy target for critics. But I think he's a very assertive half back, who has the experience to guide NSW around. He has played good football this year and has done the job in Origin before.

 

[sideshowtim]

Hunt pretty much settled the decision for fullback today. He was outstanding, as good as Slater is, Hunt is head and shoulders above all other fullbacks. Slater will get a bench spot, and that should be his position.

Really hope, as has been mentioned in today's paper that Hunt isn't selected at 5/8. He is so good at the back.

Dire performance from the Broncos.

Yes, Hunt has Origin fullback written all over him. Solid as a rock in defence and makes loads of meters. Slater will be good off the bench as a utility back for Queensland, but he's too mistake prone to make a starting fullback for mine.

Stewart better get the NSW fullback or else...

 

[Mister Wright]

Yes, Hunt has Origin fullback written all over him. Solid as a rock in defence and makes loads of meters. Slater will be good off the bench as a utility back for Queensland, but he's too mistake prone to make a starting fullback for mine.

Stewart better get the NSW fullback or else...

Stewart's a freak, and rarely goes without a try, but he wasn't travelling well at the end of the game today. Gidley would have to be the next choice if Stewart is ruled out.

 

[chaminda_00]

Still think your better off picking Gildey at fullback and Stewart on the wing. If used right and they rotate during the match, Stewart still going to be as good an attacking option out wide as he would be at the back. In defensive they are both about the same, with Gildey probably a little bit better.

 

[howardj]

Bennett Backs Prince

 

[Mister Wright]

I've seen it happen before with the QLD selectors in continually leaving out the best candidate in a position (fullback - Shifcofske) really hope they don't do it with Prince.

 

[Simon]

If state of origin was played at brookvale you'd have to go with Stewart, but it's not so I think NSW would be better off with Gidley.

 

[Simon]

I think Gould's team is actually quite good - certainly it does not warrant a .

Brett Finch, because of his sooky la la displays early in his career, is an easy target for critics. But I think he's a very assertive half back, who has the experience to guide NSW around. He has played good football this year and has done the job in Origin before.

the was more directed at Amos Roberts, Jason Ryles, Brent Kite and Brett White.

Roberts - Only thing he had going for him was his try scoring, this year he has one.
Ryles - Rubbish these days, really really dire
Kite - He'll get picked but he's never ever done anything of note at rep level despite plenty of chances, the likes of Ben Cross will give NSW more.
White - Has been suspended for a while and even at his very best is a fringe origin player, before he got suspended he wasn't at his best so he's nowhere near origin.

 

[howardj]

I don't know about Slats for the bench. For mine, I would rather someone like Stagg for the final bench spot (the other three bench spots should all be taken by forwards). Stagg offers the versatility that Slats does not. So yeah, as tough as it is on Slater, he would miss my 17. I don't think the bench is a place for consolation prizes or for guys who can only play in the 3/4 line or at fullback. Having said all this, Slater is obviously one hell of a player and would be desperately unlucky to miss the squad altogether. However, with injuries and suspensions, he'll likely get a run at some stage during the series.

 

[Simon]

If Slater isn't fullback then he is almost certainly on the wing imo.

 

[Burgey]

Let's put it this way - if Slater's not there in some capacity, NSW will be happy.

 

[howardj]

Similar things were said about Bowen last year. Personally, I'd take Hunt, Inglis and Folau as my back three any day of the week.

 

[Simon]

would prefer Inglis in the centres and Slater on the wing rather than Tate on the wing and no Slater.

 

[Burgey]

Looks like Bird for 5/8 for NSW, thus ensuring the ball never gets to Gasnier & Cooper, Hayne and whoever's on the other wing.

If the NSW back line is Stewart, Hayne, Gasnier, Cooper, ? with halves either Anasta and Finch/ Carney/ Orford/ Pearce, I think they'd probably compete with Qld in that area. Stewart offers plenty in attack, Hayne's defence is good, as is Cooper's - Gasnier is creative, and they need, imo, Anasta's long kicking game, with maybe Bird at lock.

Qld's back line looks very good, though they will miss Lockyer. Presumably they'll pick Prince at 7 and Thurston at 6, which may give NSW a chance running big forwards at the edges.

Having said that, I think Qld's edge is as much in the forwards as anywhere else. Smith, Thaiday, Hannant, Crocker, Petro all seem in good nick and I think they'll more than match the over-rated NSW pack, likely to be Gallen (penalties-r-us); Cryin Ryan Hoffman (definition of non-descript back rower imo); Laffranchi (hopefully gets picked - in form player of the moment); Mason (a front rower who won't run in the middle - needs to be in back row imo); Buderus (class) and Kite (Ryles in disguise - nothing).

My concern with the NSW pack is, who's going to make the 30-40 tackles around the ruck? That pack seems more a running pack than one capable of really meaningful defence in high numbers. I hope I'm wrong.

I think Qld will win it in the forwards, and the backs will cancel themselves out. Qld to have the edge in the halves, obviously.