Tweet
I know lots of people are talking about the backline but I think it's pretty obvious since Copley has been released that Joey Manu will be the odd man out, I think Aubo Vs Guerra is the most contentious decision in the make up of the side at the moment.
Both are vying for that right 2nd row position, Aubusson without a doubt outplayed Guerra last year and on merit alone deserves the spot however there has been a long standing theory that Aubusson just doesn't have the output in yardage that's needed to be a modern day second rower where as Guerra when at his best certainly does. One thing you can't afford to do in the modern day game unless you have an 80 minute lock/prop is carry a second rower on the bench so only one will be picked in the 17 as a second rower.
Robinson has been consistent with the make up of his bench over the last 4 years;
14. Utility
15. Prop
16. Prop
17. Lock
So I could see any of the below being realistic scenarios that play out come round 1;
1) Aubusson gets picked at 2nd row, Watson as the utility & Guerra left out of the side
2) Guerra gets picked at 2nd row, Aubusson as the utility & Watson left out of the side
3) Guerra has spent the off-season preparing to play at lock (probably off the bench) again as he did for parts of 2013 and all of 2014, Isaac Liu will push into the front row upon SST's return
Option 1 on face value seems like the most obvious option and will definitely be the most popular on here but Robinson has backed Guerra for a long time now and clearly views him as a leader in the group, given the inexperience in the squad I think if Guerra has shown enough over pre-season Robinson will surprise us by going for one of the latter options.
Both are vying for that right 2nd row position, Aubusson without a doubt outplayed Guerra last year and on merit alone deserves the spot however there has been a long standing theory that Aubusson just doesn't have the output in yardage that's needed to be a modern day second rower where as Guerra when at his best certainly does. One thing you can't afford to do in the modern day game unless you have an 80 minute lock/prop is carry a second rower on the bench so only one will be picked in the 17 as a second rower.
Robinson has been consistent with the make up of his bench over the last 4 years;
14. Utility
15. Prop
16. Prop
17. Lock
So I could see any of the below being realistic scenarios that play out come round 1;
1) Aubusson gets picked at 2nd row, Watson as the utility & Guerra left out of the side
2) Guerra gets picked at 2nd row, Aubusson as the utility & Watson left out of the side
3) Guerra has spent the off-season preparing to play at lock (probably off the bench) again as he did for parts of 2013 and all of 2014, Isaac Liu will push into the front row upon SST's return
Option 1 on face value seems like the most obvious option and will definitely be the most popular on here but Robinson has backed Guerra for a long time now and clearly views him as a leader in the group, given the inexperience in the squad I think if Guerra has shown enough over pre-season Robinson will surprise us by going for one of the latter options.
Comment