***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[howardj]

That is a weird one.

My local paper today was calling for the inclusions of Laffranchi (obviously he got in), Mark Minichello, Scott Prince, Brad Meyers and Ashley Harrison. .

No C.Walker off the bench?

 

[Simon]

That is a weird one.

My local paper today was calling for the inclusions of Laffranchi (obviously he got in), Mark Minichello, Scott Prince, Brad Meyers and Ashley Harrison. Naturally anybody who plays for the Titans is the son of God.

Laffranchi - Fair selection
Minichiello - Was rewarded for his great form with City selection, to suggest he is Origin standard is ****ing stupid
Prince - Looks set to be overlooked which is a joke, please be prince and jt in the halves
Meyers - Could think of worse players, looks a different player these days, would be a bolter but he did the job in 2000.
Harrison - Oh god please no

 

[Simon]

No C.Walker off the bench?

Laurie Spina in selection shock

 

[Craig]

No C.Walker off the bench?

Brenton Bowen FTW.

 

[howardj]

Qld Team just announced

XXXX Maroons Queensland Team v NSW Blues


1. Billy Slater - Storm
2. Brent Tate - Warriors
3. Greg Inglis - Storm
4. Justin Hodges - Broncos
5. Israel Folau - Storm
6. Karmichael Hunt - Broncos
7. Johnathan Thurston - Cowboys

8. Carl Webb - Cowboys
9. Cameron Smith (c) - Storm
10. Petero Civoniceva - Panthers
11. Michael Crocker - Storm
12. Sam Thaiday - Broncos
13. Dallas Johnson - Storm

14. Peter J Marsh - Broncos
15. Ben Hannant - Broncos
16. Nate Myles - Roosters
17. Jacob Lillyman - Cowboys

 

[Simon]

Pretty happy, Hunt had to be there, just think him at fullback and Prince at five eighth would have been better. I still think we should win 3-0 though.

 

[Simon]

oh and also a bit disapointed not to see Laurie Spina picked.

 

[99*]

Hmmmm....

I guess I can be happy with that team, agree with Simon about Prince not being in but I guess there's too many to pick from and not enough places.

 

[Craig]

Tomorrow's Gold Coast Bulletin ranting about the non selection of Prince will be a classic.

 

[Mister Wright]

Tomorrow's Gold Coast Bulletin ranting about the non selection of Prince will be a classic.

And justified. It's a complete joke. Prince has played 5-8 before. Can't see what Marsh will bring to the side off the bench, he's no Shaun Berrigan, and Smith should play 80 minutes. Hunt is the best fullback in the game, so won't be surprised to see him switched there sometime during the game, probably with Smith coming into the halves.

Definitely don't like Prince not being there, but Meninga will do well with whatever squad he has. Great coach.

 

[James90]

And justified. It's a complete joke. Prince has played 5-8 before. Can't see what Marsh will bring to the side off the bench, he's no Shaun Berrigan, and Smith should play 80 minutes. Hunt is the best fullback in the game, so won't be surprised to see him switched there sometime during the game, probably with Smith coming into the halves.

Definitely don't like Prince not being there, but Meninga will do well with whatever squad he has. Great coach.

If the want to move Hunt back to fullback they'd put Slater on the wing, Tate/Folau into the centres and Greg Inglis at five-eighth. That's what I'd do anyway.

As both a Roosters and Queensland fan I'm stoked to see that Anasta wasn't picked.

 

[Burgey]

Still maintain NSW are closer to Qld in the backs than in the forwards, and the selection of a fullback (Hunt) at 5/8 cancels out our lock (Bird) playing there.

On a slightly different point - Israel Folau. Can I ask what the hype's about? He's a massive kid, fast, hits gaps and can jump, but you'd think from the various commentators that he's Reg Gasnier, Dave Brown and Dally Messenger in one. I think he's an outstanding winger, but don't think he's a centre at all - has anyone seen him put someone through a gap?
Not saying he's not a great kid - he is, but he's not League's messiah. Gasnier and Hodges comfortably better as a centre than him imo. Qld have really done the right thing putting him there rather than in the centres.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Hunt at 5/8 might give us a slim chance.

In breaking news, NSW selectors have decided Preston Campbell must be in the team and have selected him in the front row.

 

[Johnners]

Deadset, hope we don't score a try with Hunt having an absolute shocker at 5/8. Worst selection decision ever.

 

[chaminda_00]

Also Hornby wasn't he considered not good enough for City vs Country?
No props on the bench for NSW as well, and here I was worried about the lack of props Qld have.

Hornby actually played City and Country off the bench and had a pretty good game. Would have picked Anasta off the bench, but tbh I don't think Marsh better then Hornby. So it not going to make much difference. Fitzgibbon has to start and play 80 minutes, or that just a stupid selection. If he playing off the bench they should have picked O'Meley as they need another front rower there. Not too fussed with any of selections though. A lot of pressure on White and Cross, as they only have Mason to really back them up front.

Pretty happy to see only Stewart in NSW side from Manly. Going to be a gun month or so for us.

 

[Mister Wright]

Deadset, hope we don't score a try with Hunt having an absolute shocker at 5/8. Worst selection decision ever.

Shocking attitude. Can't be any worse than when Flannery was named at 5/8.

 

[Mister Wright]

If the want to move Hunt back to fullback they'd put Slater on the wing, Tate/Folau into the centres and Greg Inglis at five-eighth. That's what I'd do anyway.

As both a Roosters and Queensland fan I'm stoked to see that Anasta wasn't picked.

Was really just thinking aloud as to where Marsh is going to fit into the side. Not too happy with the balance of the side myself.

 

[Johnners]

Shocking attitude. Can't be any worse than when Flannery was named at 5/8.

Nah, not a shocking attitude, a shocking selection (I really don't hope we lose, but I won't be all that disappointed if we do). The guy is basically the best player in the NRL, and they don't ****ing pick him. Instead they pick a player out of position, and have a player on the wing who offers nothing that Hunt/Slater couldn't offer (Actually, he offers less), whilst we have the best Halfback in the NRL sitting on the sidelines. Not only that, there's a player on the bench who has hardly played any NRL at all this season. As I said earlier, it's an abomination.

 

[Simon]

Talk about an over reaction, we all know Prince was unlucky but Hunt is hardly ****, he pretty much plays as a 2nd 5/8 for Brisbane every week and when Lockyer retires he will end up there full-time. It's not like hes completely rubbish, ignoring how good Prince is.

 

[howardj]

Talk about an over reaction, we all know Prince was unlucky but Hunt is hardly ****, he pretty much plays as a 2nd 5/8 for Brisbane every week and when Lockyer retires he will end up there full-time. It's not like hes completely rubbish, ignoring how good Prince is.

Exactly. Hunt has handled the ball as second receiver many, many times during games for the Broncos down the years. People put far too much store on the number on your jersey. Plus, he's a swell defender - something that Prince isn't so good at. Further, Hunt is a champion, and champions adapt. In any case, with Lockyer out of the team, Hunt would have had an increased involvement in attack in this match even if he was selected at fullback. I'd rather him as our fullback, but he's hardly a poor option as 5/8th.