Roosters next year: Great forward pack, shit backline

[Guest]

Thoughts? Looking through squad next year I just can't see the backline carving teams up like it did in 2010...definitely looks like it's gone backwards. With the strength of the forwards I'm assuming we're going to have to shift our whole playing style to something like the Melbourne and bulldogs teams of old.

Assuming smithy is gonna go with something like the below assuming fitness etc...they really need to fast track some damaging backs like moga through the ranks if we're gonna challenge for next year

1. Anthony Minichiello
2. Sam Perrett
3. Joseph Leulia
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Peni Tagive
6. Braith Anasta
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Martin Kennedy
9. Jake Friend
10. Frank-Paul Nuuausala
11. Mitchell Aubusson
12. Jared Warea-Hargreaves
13. Aiden Guerra

14. Anthony Mitchell / Daniel Mortimer
15. Mose Masoe / Lama Tasi
16. Tom Symonds / Brad Takairangi
17. Boyd Cordner / Anthony Cherrington

[Guest]

Two things.

1. If they make Mortimer a hooker then Braith "Death and Poison" Anasta has more control over this team than the coach.

2. The same thing happened in reverse in the mid-90s.

[Guest]

All depends on SKD if he fires the backline is strong and dangerous

Dare I say Anastas form will be crucial and effect how the backs look

[Rooster_6]

Two things.

1. If they make Mortimer a hooker then Braith "Death and Poison" Anasta has more control over this team than the coach.

2. The same thing happened in reverse in the mid-90s.

Based on what?

Mortimer was playing hooker last year...

[Guest]

Thoughts? Looking through squad next year I just can't see the backline carving teams up like it did in 2010...definitely looks like it's gone backwards. With the strength of the forwards I'm assuming we're going to have to shift our whole playing style to something like the Melbourne and bulldogs teams of old.

Assuming smithy is gonna go with something like the below assuming fitness etc...they really need to fast track some damaging backs like moga through the ranks if we're gonna challenge for next year

1. Anthony Minichiello
2. Sam Perrett
3. Joseph Leulia
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Peni Tagive
6. Braith Anasta
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Martin Kennedy
9. Jake Friend
10. Frank-Paul Nuuausala
11. Mitchell Aubusson
12. Jared Warea-Hargreaves
13. Aiden Guerra

14. Anthony Mitchell / Daniel Mortimer
15. Mose Masoe / Lama Tasi
16. Tom Symonds / Brad Takairangi
17. Boyd Cordner / Anthony Cherrington

I can never understand why people think JWH is a 2nd rower when he is a much better prop. Also, Symonds didn't show enough talent to get any game time next year. If Moga does come up though we should have a surprisingly good back line. Perrett, SKD, Moga, Leilua, Pearce are all extremely good. Mini gets the job done safely and Braith is a great captain.

[Guest]

1. Anthony Minichiello
2. Sam Perrett
3. Joseph Leulia
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Peni Tagive
6. Daniel Mortimer
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Martin Kennedy
9. Jake Friend
10. Jared Warea-Hargreaves
11. Mitchell Aubusson
12. Aiden Guerra
13. Braith Anasta

14. FNP
15. Mose Masoe
16. Brad Takairangi
17. Boyd Cordner, Lama Tasi, Anthony Cherrington

Chook.

[Guest]

Spot on chook. Best squad we could muster imo.

[Guest]

1. Mini
2. Pez
3. Bj
4. Skd
5. Henry
6. Anasta
7. Pearce
8. Kennedy
9. Friend
10. Tasi
11. Aubusson
12. Cordner
13. Jwh

14. Mortimor
15. Mose
16. Taka
17. Guerra

[Guest]

1. Minichiello
2. Tagive
3. Leilua
4. SKD
5. Perrett
6. Anasta
7. Pearce
8. Tasi
9. Friend
10. Kennedy
11. Guerra
12. Aubusson
13. Cordner/Bosden

14. Mortimer
15. JWH
16. Masoe
17. FPN

looking at the squad, yes it looks solid but imo we are a couple of players short still. the backline is ok and can do the job without being excellent. a prop and lock wouldnt go astray imo. watmough and merrin both free-agents at the end of next year. they would be my solution. then, wait for anasta to retire (likely end of 2012) and use his money to rejig the backline. That said, i still think we have room under the cap thanks to the carney/myles departures that we are yet to fill.

Ultiamtely, this RTS kid looks the goods so i think between him, wells, pritchard etc we will have a ready-made replacement for mini for the end of the year and if not, nathan massey is off contract. The left centre/wing spot will have sorted itself out by the end of the year imo. with tagive, henry, moga, leilua, j-carney (who i think could be a bit of a revelation in the centres this year); there is enough quality there to put up a strong combination

[Guest]

1. Anthony Minichiello
2. Sam Perrett
3. Joseph Leulia
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Peni Tagive
6. Daniel Mortimer
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Martin Kennedy
9. Jake Friend
10. Jared Warea-Hargreaves
11. Mitchell Aubusson
12. Aiden Guerra
13. Braith Anasta

14. FNP
15. Mose Masoe
16. Brad Takairangi
17. Boyd Cordner, Lama Tasi, Anthony Cherrington

Chook.

Thats the way I see it, nothing wrong with that backline! SKDS and Leiluas tackle bust will give us space.

[Guest]

Thats the way I see it, nothing wrong with that backline! SKDS and Leiluas tackle bust will give us space.

imo leilua is better at making tackle busts from kick returns and I'd like to see him at winger this season. I reckon Moga will do a great job at centre. 2. Perrett 3. Moga 4. SKD 5. Leilua. That is one hell of a backline!

[Guest]

imo leilua is better at making tackle busts from kick returns and I'd like to see him at winger this season. I reckon Moga will do a great job at centre. 2. Perrett 3. Moga 4. SKD 5. Leilua. That is one hell of a backline!

I hope so, I didn't include Moga only on the fact he hasn't played nrl yet! If he is succesful in 2012 in the nrl our backline will be something else!

[Roostarz]

I like the look of Adam Henry. Very versatile young player can play 5/8, fullback and centre. Hopefully he will continue to develop and be in the mix as well.

[Guest]

I like the look of Adam Henry. Very versatile young player can play 5/8, fullback and centre. Hopefully he will continue to develop and be in the mix as well.

Yes Smith could accelerate his game, forgot about Henry. We do look good, plenty of depth in the backs..

[Guest]

1. Minichiello
2. Tagive
3. Leilua
4. SKD
5. Perrett
6. Anasta
7. Pearce
8. Tasi
9. Friend
10. Kennedy
11. Guerra
12. Aubusson
13. Cordner/Bosden

14. Mortimer
15. JWH
16. Masoe
17. FPN

looking at the squad, yes it looks solid but imo we are a couple of players short still. the backline is ok and can do the job without being excellent. a prop and lock wouldnt go astray imo. watmough and merrin both free-agents at the end of next year. they would be my solution. then, wait for anasta to retire (likely end of 2012) and use his money to rejig the backline. That said, i still think we have room under the cap thanks to the carney/myles departures that we are yet to fill.

Ultiamtely, this RTS kid looks the goods so i think between him, wells, pritchard etc we will have a ready-made replacement for mini for the end of the year and if not, nathan massey is off contract. The left centre/wing spot will have sorted itself out by the end of the year imo. with tagive, henry, moga, leilua, j-carney (who i think could be a bit of a revelation in the centres this year); there is enough quality there to put up a strong combination

Roz, maybe a prop cause our frontline is young but I cant see that given the release of Ryles.

I think we are strong at lock. Cordner is the obvious choice but if you want to go "third prop" at lock you have FPN or JWH or thirdly if you want to go with the mobile creative lock you have Anasta.

The thing I like about our pack is the opportunity for a few different looks. The only real forwards gap is we lack a bit of experience.