Pack for 2011

[Cockadoodledoo]

Given Paea started ahead of Masoe in the final, I can't help but think Masoe is on the outer.

played injured at the end of the year.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Paea really went backwards in the last 12 months. I was expecting big things this season but he just seemed tired and ineffective.

try last 3 years.. He had an awesome year in 2007.. then signed a 3 year deal and nothing.

[Guest]

try last 3 years.. He had an awesome year in 2007.. then signed a 3 year deal and nothing.

I was trying to maintain his dignity being an ex-Rooster. But now that you've said it, yes, he has in fact been bad for quite a while.

[Johnny Tobin]

All of those young back rowers coming through means that I will not be surprised at all if our captain is not there in 2012.

[Guest]

All of those young back rowers coming through means that I will not be surprised at all if our captain is not there in 2012.

Exactly JT and we may well see someone else leave that we would rather stayed. We have too many backrowers.

[Guest]

I was trying to maintain his dignity being an ex-Rooster. But now that you've said it, yes, he has in fact been bad for quite a while.

Before 2007 (total):

14 games, 0 linebreaks, 0 offloads, 9 tackle breaks, average 5 runs for 39 metres, 21 minutes

2007:

22 games, 4 linebreaks, 19 offloads, 44 tackle breaks, average 10 runs for 89 metres, 40 minutes

2008:

26 games, 3 linebreaks, 6 offloads, 60 tackle breaks, average 10 runs for 91 metres, 42 minutes

2009:

21 games, 2 linebreaks, 5 offloads, 39 tackle breaks, average 10 runs for 80 metres, 38 minutes

2010:

12 games, 2 linebreaks, 4 offloads, 13 tackle breaks, average 7 runs for 69 metres, 35 minutes

In summary:

Before 2007, he was nothing more than an average fill-in prop, never really given an extended run in the side either. In 2007, he flourished with some strong runs, and when given more minutes by Fittler at the backend of the season he really stepped up his game. In 2008, he was one of the reasons we made the top 8, with the combination of himself, O'Meley and Shillington giving us quite a strong pack. In 2009, he wasn't awful, and was far better than a lot of the other players this year, but his impact at the line seemed to be far weaker, and he didn't send defenders flying off him like he used to. This year, he never really kicked into gear, and Masoe and Kennedy proved to be far better prospects than him.

In my opinion, he was a good player, not the most talented, but the speed that he ran the ball back was hallmark to his effort and commitment to the team. He didn't chuck a hissy fit when he was dropped, he didn't have a sook when his brothers left the club, he didn't spit the dummy when the team was struggling. Through the transition period our club has been through since the retirement of Fittler, guys like Paea should be appreciated for their efforts.

[Guest]

Before 2007 (total):

14 games, 0 linebreaks, 0 offloads, 9 tackle breaks, average 5 runs for 39 metres, 21 minutes

2007:

22 games, 4 linebreaks, 19 offloads, 44 tackle breaks, average 10 runs for 89 metres, 40 minutes

2008:

26 games, 3 linebreaks, 6 offloads, 60 tackle breaks, average 10 runs for 91 metres, 42 minutes

2009:

21 games, 2 linebreaks, 5 offloads, 39 tackle breaks, average 10 runs for 80 metres, 38 minutes

2010:

12 games, 2 linebreaks, 4 offloads, 13 tackle breaks, average 7 runs for 69 metres, 35 minutes

In summary:

Before 2007, he was nothing more than an average fill-in prop, never really given an extended run in the side either. In 2007, he flourished with some strong runs, and when given more minutes by Fittler at the backend of the season he really stepped up his game. In 2008, he was one of the reasons we made the top 8, with the combination of himself, O'Meley and Shillington giving us quite a strong pack. In 2009, he wasn't awful, and was far better than a lot of the other players this year, but his impact at the line seemed to be far weaker, and he didn't send defenders flying off him like he used to. This year, he never really kicked into gear, and Masoe and Kennedy proved to be far better prospects than him.

In my opinion, he was a good player, not the most talented, but the speed that he ran the ball back was hallmark to his effort and commitment to the team. He didn't chuck a hissy fit when he was dropped, he didn't have a sook when his brothers left the club, he didn't spit the dummy when the team was struggling. Through the transition period our club has been through since the retirement of Fittler, guys like Paea should be appreciated for their efforts.

Good post and good analysis.

[Guest]

Before 2007, he was nothing more than an average fill-in prop, never really given an extended run in the side either. In 2007, he flourished with some strong runs, and when given more minutes by Fittler at the backend of the season he really stepped up his game. In 2008, he was one of the reasons we made the top 8, with the combination of himself, O'Meley and Shillington giving us quite a strong pack. In 2009, he wasn't awful, and was far better than a lot of the other players this year, but his impact at the line seemed to be far weaker, and he didn't send defenders flying off him like he used to. This year, he never really kicked into gear, and Masoe and Kennedy proved to be far better prospects than him.

In my opinion, he was a good player, not the most talented, but the speed that he ran the ball back was hallmark to his effort and commitment to the team. He didn't chuck a hissy fit when he was dropped, he didn't have a sook when his brothers left the club, he didn't spit the dummy when the team was struggling. Through the transition period our club has been through since the retirement of Fittler, guys like Paea should be appreciated for their efforts.

That's what I'm getting at. Last season he was quiet - as was the rest of the squad virtually. But the seasons before that he was very good. I thought this season he would atone for last seasons performances and get back to his best. But he never quite got there. There is no doubt he tried but he just never got back to what I expected.

[Vasco]

All of those young back rowers coming through means that I will not be surprised at all if our captain is not there in 2012.

I would say that it is odds on that our captain is not there in 2012.

[Guest]

I would say that it is odds on that our captain is not there in 2012.

might not even be there in 2011

[Guest]

All of those young back rowers coming through means that I will not be surprised at all if our captain is not there in 2012.

Been thinking the same as you for some time now. With Friend Aubuson and Anasta spending most of the time on field, we lose size and agression to most teams for the duration of the game. Ryles is going well but he seems to be without much help in the front row. we need a a couple of tough experienced props and we need them now.

[Guest]

Been thinking the same as you for some time now. With Friend Aubuson and Anasta spending most of the time on field, we lose size and agression to most teams for the duration of the game. Ryles is going well but he seems to be without much help in the front row. we need a a couple of tough experienced props and we need them now.

I think we could do with a Yak for next season, and then make a big play for James Graham should Anasta leave. One thing I think we missed this season is another forward leader. Not in the same class as Ryles but a player of Yak's standard. Just a really consistent player who does his job with undoubted leadership skills. When both Ryles and Myles were off our forwards lost their way a little bit in the occasional set of six or 5 minute period.

[BUDDY]

I think we could do with a Yak for next season, and then make a big play for James Graham should Anasta leave. One thing I think we missed this season is another forward leader. Not in the same class as Ryles but a player of Yak's standard. Just a really consistent player who does his job with undoubted leadership skills. When both Ryles and Myles were off our forwards lost their way a little bit in the occasional set of six or 5 minute period.

Interesting tweet from Garry Schofield abuot the pommy forwarsd in the 4 nations:

Have no issue with the forwards other than James graham had an awful grand final and appears to have lost his way recently. Needs a big 4N

[Guest]

Interesting tweet from Garry Schofield abuot the pommy forwarsd in the 4 nations:

Have no issue with the forwards other than James graham had an awful grand final and appears to have lost his way recently. Needs a big 4N

Hmmm.... I'm sure he can come back. He WAS quiet in the grand final but I missed his last couple of games. Still, at his best he is a gun.

[Guest]

i see nuuasala as a player that we could use like/turn into sam thiday. both started their careers as overweight impact props who when moved to the backrow blossomed with their powerful, inspired running, footwork and ball skills. the idea of an FPN, Maubs and Anasta starting backrow is starting to appeal more and more to me particularly for the mix of skills sets - maubs - tackling machine, highly mobile, can play the tidying role around the middle of the ruck or as the hole runner on the edge; FPN - aggressive inspired runs, offloads, footwork, size and mobilit; Anasta - ball player and leadership. provided we carry a bench heavy with players that will give us good go forward, this could work:
8. Myles
9. Friend
10. Kennedy
11. Anasta
12. Maubs
13. FPN

14. Watts
15. JWH
16. Conn/Tasi/masoe/cherrington/symonds/leilua
17. Ryles

When FPN gets a rest, maubs can move to the middle of the ruck - with myles and FPN off the field at the same time as well as maybe friend, we will be lacking the rock in the centre of the ruck. this will allow the likes of tasi to play as a steamroller down the right edge. Kennedy should start - its with a view of the future and also i think he is capable. i just think our bench in particular looks so much more stable with someone of the calibre of ryles playing from there. I know its silly to have such a pronounced list of players competing with each other but i think depending on a) the sort of opposition we are playing b) rotation/injuries c) form; that should serve us well. The rest all certainly pick themselves imo