Team 2015?

[bondi paul]

I am not convinced with RTS as a FB even though he has been primed for the role yet I am happy to be proven wrong unlike women who are always right.

[roosterproud]

Roosterproud I think you mean Vincent Leuluai was 18th man four times and is held in high regard by Robbo, cause I don't think Siosiua Taukeiaho has ever been 18th man.

first time was us v drongos.. and then 3 consecutive, until a jets injury

[The Rooster Oracle]

Taukeahio was definitely 18th man in some of the earlier games in the season. He played in the Nines and can cover second row, centre and lock quite well. Plus he's also a reasonable goal kicker. I can't see him being ahead of guys like Mariner, Leuluai and Meehan (although he's really only being seen as a prop these days) for any vacant back row spots. And probably wouldn't be ahead of Milne and Brendan Elliot if a centre was to go down, especially considering SKD will slot back in there if either Jennings or Ferguson are unavailable.

I stand corrected Yak and Roosterproud, I couldn't recall Taukeiaho as being 18th man earlier in the year. As you say Yak, I would think that Robbo now has Leuluai higher in the pecking order than Taukeiaho. That of course can all change before round 1 if Taukeiaho really impresses during the off season and trial games more so than Leuluai.

[Guest]

I am not convinced with RTS as a FB even though he has been primed for the role yet I am happy to be proven wrong unlike women who are always right.

Sheck will need to be super fit, might even drop a few kilo's? A full preseason at 1 will go along way.

[Guest]

I am not convinced with RTS as a FB even though he has been primed for the role yet I am happy to be proven wrong unlike women who are always right.

Me either.

[Johnny.]

I am not convinced with RTS as a FB even though he has been primed for the role yet I am happy to be proven wrong unlike women who are always right.

Many times a player has been touted as the next big thing in a role only for it to blow up in their face. He's good...very good but Mini (even with the metal in his back) was very, very good...great even.

[bondi paul]

Many times a player has been touted as the next big thing in a role only for it to blow up in their face. He's good...very good but Mini (even with the metal in his back) was very, very good...great even.

Just hope our style of play changes with him at fb. robbo's use of at least 3 backs taking the ball up in our 25mtr zone really plays into our opposition hands.i could be dammed here but of current players in our squad SKD's experience and body type is more suited at fb

[Yak]

Just hope our style of play changes with him at fb. robbo's use of at least 3 backs taking the ball up in our 25mtr zone really plays into our opposition hands.i could be dammed here but of current players in our squad SKD's experience and body type is more suited at fb

Your fullback needs a passing game and they need to be able to play with tempo like a half at times. SKD has neither. I really don't see the issue everyone seems to have with the go forward of our outside backs. It was really only the game against Souths where we struggled in that department. Souths hold you up and drag you back on every play. They don't play the traditional hold up and 3rd man legs with slow transition to the ground. So they're adept at the push back which every coach in the league tries to implement for the first few tackles in a defensive set when you're tackling backs generally. No other teams was good enough to get on top of us. What I'd like to see from our backs is more support running. That's the reason they could get so many in the tackles in that last game, we had no support on the first 2-3 plays. Sheck will get us great metres on his returns, so long as his positioning is up to scratch and he doesn't lose metres in that way. Then you've got two of the most consistent metre gainers and dominant runners in the comp in SKD and/or Tupou following up.

I just hope we get our defensive attitude back. If we do no other team can get near us in my opinion.

[Guest]

Your fullback needs a passing game and they need to be able to play with tempo like a half at times. SKD has neither. I really don't see the issue everyone seems to have with the go forward of our outside backs. It was really only the game against Souths where we struggled in that department. Souths hold you up and drag you back on every play. They don't play the traditional hold up and 3rd man legs with slow transition to the ground. So they're adept at the push back which every coach in the league tries to implement for the first few tackles in a defensive set when you're tackling backs generally. No other teams was good enough to get on top of us. What I'd like to see from our backs is more support running. That's the reason they could get so many in the tackles in that last game, we had no support on the first 2-3 plays. Sheck will get us great metres on his returns, so long as his positioning is up to scratch and he doesn't lose metres in that way. Then you've got two of the most consistent metre gainers and dominant runners in the comp in SKD and/or Tupou following up.

I just hope we get our defensive attitude back. If we do no other team can get near us in my opinion.

This sums it up.

[IRoosterManI]

big difference between this season and last was in 2013 we talked about how we take pride in our defense and we backed it up week in week out with amazing defensive performances....in 2014 we talked about how we take pride in our defense and well....thats about it.

[bondi paul]

Yak - I am not the argument type and I understand your points raised however I would still prefer our more robust players taking the ball up within our 25 mtr zone irrespective of the hold them up push them back tactic. Our completion rates were 3rd last in stats and our field position most games were not the best I seem to recall so with a more stronger person taking the ball up chances us in getting better field position than lighter players being rag dolled. At back to my original line I still not convinced on RTS at FB.

[Guest]

I think the main reason for all the faults this year was fatigue. Compare videos from 2013 to 2014, they looked fatigued. They never got to rest up and take things in and recharge. I think Robbo tried resting them up at training but they needed time away ( eg Hargreaves). To get the minor premiership with the bad way they played will give confidence going into next season. Still a class above the rest. Souths knew we were tired, only playing 60 minute games. Gave souths perfect game plan. Just roll the forwards through. It's now time for positivity, last season is now over.

[Guest]

You need to have the wingers and centers taking those hit ups to keep your fowards from gassing to quickly.

[Guest]

Yak - I am not the argument type and I understand your points raised however I would still prefer our more robust players taking the ball up within our 25 mtr zone irrespective of the hold them up push them back tactic. Our completion rates were 3rd last in stats and our field position most games were not the best I seem to recall so with a more stronger person taking the ball up chances us in getting better field position than lighter players being rag dolled. At back to my original line I still not convinced on RTS at FB.

That's understandable given the fact that he's not been a full time #1 in the NRL as yet! Doubt he'll play there if he isn't good enough.

[Guest]

You need to have the wingers and centers taking those hit ups to keep your fowards from gassing to quickly.

That's the plan, Perret and Skids were the best for Easts. Toops height doesn't lend itself to ball returns.