Team - 2012 (Official Thread)

Should Danny Buderus start?

  • Yes

    Votes: 30 88.2%

  • No

    Votes: 4 11.8%
  • Total voters
    34
I'm bored, so this is honestly what i think the team will actually look like next year...

1. Boyd
2. McManus
3. Sa'u
4. Tahu
5. Uate
6. Mullen
7. Gidley
8. Snowden
9. Hilder
10. Fa'aoso
11. Taia
12. Costigan
13. Houston

14. Stig/Roberts
15. Edwards
16. Tuimavave
17. Southern/Naiqama or Cuthbertson over those 2
 
My 2012 Team:

1. Darius Boyd
2. James McManus
3. Junior Sau
4. Timana Tahu
5. Akuila Uate
6. Ryan Stig
7. Jarrod Mullen
8. Kade Snowden
9. Kurt Gidley (c)
10. Richie Fa'aoso
11. Neville Costigan
12. Zeb Taia
13. Chris Houston

14. Matt Hilder
15. Joel Edwards
16. Evarn Tuimavave
17. Antonio Kaufusi

Before the last few weeks, Costigan would have been one of my props, but I really like the ball playing and footwork he shows in the backrow. Fa'aoso has also put his hand up for a starting spot next year, in the last month. He's been outstanding.

Not sure what's going on with Kaufusi next year, but he's actually having a dig and making 100m+ a game. He's earned a spot in my side, for now. If he keeps it up, we should keep him.
 
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knights22 said:
I'm not sure Bennett will use Gidley the same way Stone did earlier this year with Roberts. It doesn't seem like his way
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By the same token he can't play Hilder at hooker for 80 minutes every game.
That leaves either Gidley or Adams/Redman to take up the slack.
 
slotmachine said:
By the same token he can't play Hilder at hooker for 80 minutes every game.
That leaves either Gidley or Adams/Redman to take up the slack.
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I think were still chasing Buderus pretty hard so Id have him starting hooker and can be shuffled with Gidley and Hilder. Dont see Adams or Redman in the side untill 2013 or durring Rep season
 
1. Darius Boyd
2. Wes Naiqama
3. Junior Sau
4. Timana Tahu
5. Akuila Uate
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Kurt Gidley (c)
8. Richie Faaoso
9. Danny Buderus
10. Kade Snowden
11. Neville Costigan
12. Zeb Taia
13. Chris Houston

14. Matt Hilder
15. Joel Edwards
16. Evarn Tuimavave
17. Adam Cuthbertson/ Kaufusi/ Tolar/ Tetevano

I wouldn't mind Wes playing wing if Tahu can get back on track, I love McManus and what he has to offer but he hardly sets the world on fire, I think Wes could easily do his job plus more. Didnt Vuna keep McManus out of the team last year even or was he genuinely injured that entire time? If Tahu doesn't have a strong pre-season then I'd happily keep McManus on the wing and Wes at centre and use T as depth. I agree with Aidos too, the form Faaoso has shown at prop and the form Nev has shown at second row should speak for itself, they should both stay in their rightful positions.

Gidley in the halves seems like it'd be the most realistic option, assuming Buderus is coming back which I find highly likely. Gids plays well at hooker but I dont think our most important, highest paid player and captain should be getting beat around in the middle of the field making 40 tackles every game. He's getting older and his knees are giving him alot of grief, I just don't think it'd be fair to put that much pressure on him. If anyone can turn him into a good, consistent playmaker it's Bennett and thats what I think will happen. As for the bench, Hilder is there to help out Bedsy aswell as tightening up the defence when our other forwards start tiring. I don't think its necessary to have a half or back on the bench when we have several players in that 17 who are already versatile enough to cover positions 1-7 if needed.
 
1. Darius Boyd
2. James McManus
3. Junior Sa'u
4. Wes Naiqama
5. Akuila Uate
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Ryan Stig
8. Kade Snowden
9. Kurt Gidley (C)
10. Neville Costigan
11. Zeb Taia
12. Chris Houston
13. Matt Hilder

14. Joel Edwards
15. Richie Fa'aoso
16. Evarn Tuimavave
17. Timana Tahu
 
It's funny how everyone criticises Sau for not passing, and yet Wes does the same thing, and he's a hero this year.

Both are great centres, but if they can't learn to pass, they're going to be pointless playing at centre.
 
Tahu at his best > Wes at his best imo. Alot will depend on how well Tahu comes backs, if he can get close to the player he was prior to the Union switch then he cannot be left out of the team next year
 
knights22 said:
It's funny how everyone criticises Sau for not passing, and yet Wes does the same thing, and he's a hero this year.

Both are great centres, but if they can't learn to pass, they're going to be pointless playing at centre.
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I've seen Wes set-up Uate a couple of times actually, where as Sau, I haven't.
 
Junior11 said:
Tahu at his best > Wes at his best imo. Alot will depend on how well Tahu comes backs, if he can get close to the player he was prior to the Union switch then he cannot be left out of the team next year
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When was the last time Tahu was at his best? Where as when you look at Wes he's in career best form NOW.
 
(.)(.) said:
When was the last time Tahu was at his best? Where as when you look at Wes he's in career best form NOW.
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You're getting off track a bit. All I said is when Tahu is playing his best I think he is a better player than Wes so if Bennett can get the best out of him I would prefer him to play centre over Wes. If Bennett can't then he should not be in the team at all
 
Junior11 said:
You're getting off track a bit. All I said is when Tahu is playing his best I think he is a better player than Wes so if Bennett can get the best out of him I would prefer him to play centre over Wes. If Bennett can't then he should not be in the team at all
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Obviously if Tahu's at his best he'll be in the team, but I think saying Tahu at his best in comparison to Wes at his best is a little unrealistic seeing as though Tahu hasn't been at his best for several years now and Wes is at his best right now.

He's also coming off of a season ending injury and will only have played 7 games this year. Majority of those games he was off the bench too.
 
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My 25 man squad:

1. Darius Boyd
2. James McManus
3. Junior Sau
4. Wes Naiqama
5. Aku Uate
6. Ryan Stig
7. Jarrod Mullen
8. Kade Snowden
9. Kurt Gidley (c)
10. Evarn Tuimavave
11. Chris Houston
12. Neville Costigan
13. Joel Edwards

14. Richie Fa'aoso
15. Antonio Kaufusi
16. Zeb Taia
17. Matt Hilder

18. Pete Mata'utia
19. Timana Tahu
20. Siutonga Likiliki
21. Tyrone Roberts
22. Ben Rogers
23. Kyle O'Donnell
24. Dan Tolar
25. ???
 
(.)(.) said:
Obviously if Tahu's at his best he'll be in the team, but I think saying Tahu at his best in comparison to Wes at his best is a little unrealistic seeing as though Tahu hasn't been at his best for several years now and Wes is at his best right now.

He's also coming off of a season ending injury and will only have played 7 games this year. Majority of those games he was off the bench too.
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How is it unrealistic? I'm saying if Tahu finds some of the form he's known for I'd rate it higher than the form Wes is in now. It's a big if but I think both Tahu and Bennett deserve the benefit of doubt that'll he'll return strong for us and as I said, if he doesn't then I'd be more than happy for Wes to stay at centre.

That's why I think if T finds form he's a better centre than Wes. If Wes stays in this form he'd make a better winger than McManus but thats just my opinion.
 
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