***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[howardj]

Yeah, I wouldn't read too much into one-off games. Truth be told, if these two teams played each other 10 times, it would finish 5-5 or 6-4. I just think, as per Game 1, when you get on top early, such is the pace and the momentum of the whole thing, it makes it very hard for the other team to wrest back the ascendency. So yeah, a few changes for the Blues, but I wouldn't do anything too drastic. Anyway, at least Lockyer doesn't have to rush back for Sydney, as much as he'd be a terrific addition at 5/8th.

 

[Simon]

Surprise Scott Prince hasn't been mentioned much, tbh I have never seen a team dominate as much as Queensland did while the halfback was so far off their game. I hope the fact we won doesnt gloss over the fact Prince's kicking game was fairly ordinary, he made some poor options in attack and I'm just glad we have Thurston and Inglis.

 

[howardj]

Yeah it was always massively exaggerated how good Scott Prince is. It reminded me how the media went on about Matt Bowen's exclusion last year, and Billy Slater the year before that. Each year the media, then followed by the public, just pick out their heart-break story and then blow it out of all proportion. Prince is very good club player, but hardly the next Immortal as people would have us believe.

 

[Johnners]

Wasn't that bad for mine. Obviously didn't play anything close to his best, but give the bloke a full origin camp, and the reassurance that he's more than just a fallback option, and you'll see a difference. I also think it's no co-incidence that Thurston had a much better game with another creative half in the team.

 

[Johnners]

Yeah it was always massively exaggerated how good Scott Prince is. It reminded me how the media went on about Matt Bowen's exclusion last year, and Billy Slater the year before that. Each year the media, then followed by the public, just pick out their heart-break story and then blow it out of all proportion. Prince is very good club player, but hardly the next Immortal as people would have us believe.

No-one is building him up to be the next immortal (nice exaggeration on your behalf) but you've got issues if you can't see he's clearly one of the best 2 halves in the competition (not including Lockyer, crippled).

 

[Son Of Coco]

NSW were as bad last night as Qld were in game 1, only Qld converted more of their chances last night.

In order to ensure both teams show up for game 3, they should play it at Coffs Harbour - half way between Suncorp and the Olympic Stadium.

My NSW team for game 3:

Minichello (Stewart ok, but very slow to the ball when it's kicked down field - Mini is just better, provided he's fit)
Hayne (straight back in)
Gasnier
Cooper
Quinn
Anasta (at least he can pass the ball every now and again, also a better kicker than the flightless Bird)
Wallace
Gallen
Flopsgibbon
Mason
Cross
Buderus
White
Res: Bird, Mateo (covers 5/8, back row, can kick and actually tries to be creative with the ball), Bailey, Gidley.

Mason can cover front row rotation as well as being in the back row at the start. Bailey is proven (though he may have retired form the rep stuff - if he has, then keep Simpson on the bench). Hayne has to come back in - Turner and Gasnier together on the right side was like watching under 6s.

Inglis v Gasnier was a top clash IMO. Gasnier missed him once or twice, but he put a couple of good moves back on him. Was good to watch.

How far forward was the last pass in the second try, out of interest?

And Archer has to referee one way or the other. You can't blow no penalties in one game, have the sides play the same way in game two, and blow a pisspot full. Plainly the media stuff from Qld got to him post game one. No doubt NSW will bleat for 3 weeks pre-game 3.

Yeah it was interesting that it took QLD almost three weeks to come up with complaints about the ref. They were too good last night though. Why Turner was 'defending' 25 metres behind play on the wing is something he'll only know. Inglis certainly enjoyed it though.

I thought the pass for the second try was forward too, although at the end of the night it didn't matter. NSW never looked like scoring points at any stage.

Now we've got to put up with 3 weeks of poorly-formed sentences and overblown hyperbole about 'QLD spirit'.

 

[howardj]

No-one is building him up to be the next immortal (nice exaggeration on your behalf) but you've got issues if you can't see he's clearly one of the best 2 halves in the competition (not including Lockyer, crippled).

I didn't see anything from him last night or in previous games at that level that justifies the exaggerated claims made in the last few weeks, that's my point. There were plenty of folk saying (and a few in relation to Game 1) that he should even have been selected ahead of JT. As for JT playing better last night, that was down to the forwards.

 

[James90]

I think Thurston played more of a first-receiver role for the most part of last night anyway. Prince wasn't great but he started to pick up by the end of the game and it's hard to get involved when they're using JT as the go-to man. Prince didn't touch the ball in the first few sets.

I'd still like to have Prince's babies and personally don't think you can criticise his Origin potential on one game after he's played so well for the Titans all year now. It's just that the role he was required to play wasn't one where he could display his best skills.

Re: Burgey's team...no way will they have Mateo and Gidley on the bench. I think that's a waste of a space for a quality forward. It's more likely they'll keep Tupou or Laffranchi.

Also, Minichiello is only one game back from injury and didn't look in the same league as Stewart on Sunday. Certainly wouldn't be making that change. Anasta should have been there from game one.

 

[Craig]

IMO I hope Lockyer doesn't tempt fate and tries and comeback too early, take as much time off as required to come back better.

 

[Mister Wright]

Isn't Mateo a Kiwi?

Anyway, think Prince had an excellent 2nd half. Yes, some of his kicks went out early, but the N.S.W. defence was in two minds when he ran the ball, he also made a few half breaks.

Clapo's right, his main role, at least for the first half was to be the kicker and let J.T. do most of the 'playmaking'. You really saw Prince get involved when J.T. went to the bench. Touched the ball heaps and the kick to set up the Falou try was perfect, and pretty much made up for the other kicks that went out earlier on. But, J.T. was definitely a better player with Prince out there.

 

[Mister Wright]

Not to forget, I also thought last night showed how much better a fullback Hunt is than Slater and it was definitely a smart move to start with him instead of Slater. Hunt is born for Origin and was the solid player we needed in the opening stages. Really like the way Meninga used Hunt and Slater together.

Also, I see Hunt's future after fullback at Lock rather than 5/8.

 

[Furbag]

Isn't Mateo a Kiwi?

No. Wish he was

 

[Mister Wright]

No. Wish he was

Has to be a QLDer then

 

[Furbag]

Has to be a QLDer then

Very very good player from what I saw in the weekend

 

[Simon]

He's available for NSW, but if he doesnt get picked for game three he will be able to play at the world cup for Somoa still.

 

[NUFAN]

Mateo would actually be available to play for Tonga.

The game last night was awesome, btw, loved it.

 

[Simon]

Mateo would actually be available to play for Tonga.

The game last night was awesome, btw, loved it.

yeh meant Tonga, was doing three things at once when I typed that before.

 

[Craig]

Ashton Sims is apparently eligible for Fiji as well for this year's World Cup and said he would be interested in helping out if his body is up for it at the end of the season (obviously like fitness, any injuries etc.). He can be considered for Fiji on the basis his mum was born there.

 

[chaminda_00]

Pretty sure about 1/3 of NRL players, maybe more could play for some random side in WC if they wanted to.

 

[BoyBrumby]

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