Savala set to sign new deal at Sydney Roosters despite arrival of Daly Cherry-Evans

[dice]

yep, Hugo is a good tackler. TBH, Sam has got a lot better too. He still has work to do (I think his rushing out of the line in D creates too many problems), but he's improved and he misses fewer tackles than a lot of high profile halves in the NRL eg...

Mitch Moses
Tom Dearden
Cam Munster
Ezra Mam (who I reckon is about the worst defender in the NRL)
Luke Brooks

Those stats are misleading. Players protecting small halves by sticking closer creates space elsewhere in the defensive line.

[Chookies74]

Ezra Mam (who I reckon is about the worst driver in the NRL)

fixed it

[Avalon Rooster]

Ezra Mam (who I reckon is about the worst driver in the NRL)

fixed it

your post hits harder than Ezra

[JAF]

Hugo looked really sharp at training today, both in the reserves and main team.

Scored a good try dummying past DCE!

[Bates]

Boyd Cordner was the best chaperone and would put his body on the line to protect his five-eighth without hesitation.

At times it was effort on effort to make the tackle.

Heart of a Lion!

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

yep, Hugo is a good tackler. TBH, Sam has got a lot better too. He still has work to do (I think his rushing out of the line in D creates too many problems), but he's improved and he misses fewer tackles than a lot of high profile halves in the NRL eg...

Mitch Moses
Tom Dearden
Cam Munster
Ezra Mam (who I reckon is about the worst defender in the NRL)
Luke Brooks

Absolutely right. He struggled early on and was a real target for other teams, but he's improved big time.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

lol - I get confused distinguishing between Bates and Batemans Bay

I think you also get confused distinguishing between Hugo and Dom Young.

[dice]

Boyd Cordner was the best chaperone and would put his body on the line to protect his five-eighth without hesitation.

At times it was effort on effort to make the tackle.

Heart of a Lion!

Maubs grand final effort to protect a busted Cronk deserves a special mention.

[Mickie Lane]

Maubs grand final effort to protect a busted Cronk deserves a special mention.

Yeah man youre right. Good observation.

[Mickie Lane]

Boyd Cordner was the best chaperone and would put his body on the line to protect his five-eighth without hesitation.

At times it was effort on effort to make the tackle.

Heart of a Lion!

100% Batesy.
The guy was a warrior like Hargraves & even Jake Friend.
He is a pleasure to have in my memory, just such a Rooster man. So gutsy & brave.

[Avalon Rooster]

the Bondi Wall crumbled after Boyd and Jake retired. Has never been the same since. Two of the best defenders we've ever had

[Mickie Lane]

Hugo looked really sharp at training today, both in the reserves and main team.

Scored a good try dummying past DCE!

Just an enquiry Jaf but did you happen to notice what Nat Butcher was doing?
Is he up & running & was he part of the main team?

The reason I ask is because if he's fit I think he'll be in the run on side & the reason I think that is because he's a Robbo favourite & he's experienced, I think Robbo will go with Gus & N Butcher in the backrow.
Nat Butcher is the ultimate Rooster club man, he's not a big name that does the flash stuff but he's exactly the player a club needs. Takes no short cuts, he is a coaches favourite because he's 100% professional, his training is second to none & his personality is of a non big head, he just does everything right never brings attention to himself or the club.
And for some reason I also think that E Butcher is right in the picture as well.
When Victor comes back & everyone is fit I think we'll look like this

Whyte
Robson
Collins
Gus
Nat
Rads

All hardened NRL players.

Bench
Watson
Leniu
E Butcher
Loalu 105kg 183cm age 23 & should be given a crack.

Wong, Foketi, Steep & Loelu will all just have to wait but they will get their chances because we will get injuries.

[Bates]

the Bondi Wall crumbled after Boyd and Jake retired. Has never been the same since. Two of the best defenders we've ever had

Robson should help tighten things up.

His relentless line speed will set the tone.

[David Sutherland]

Wong and Steep will be in the 17 in round 1 - If a 19 player team with 6 on the bench - add Savala and Foketi - Talau would be an option too as a reserve outside back on a 6 player bench.

1. Tedesco
2. Tupou
3. Smith
4. Toia
5. Nawaqanitawase
6. Walker
7. DCE
8. Whyte
9. Robson
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. N. Butcher
13. Watson

Bench

14. Leniu
15. Steep
16. Wong
17. E Butcher
18. Savala
19. Foketi/Talau

[Mickie Lane]

Wong and Steep will be in the 17 in round 1 - If a 19 player team with 6 on the bench - add Savala and Foketi - Talau would be an option too as a reserve outside back on a 6 player bench.

1. Tedesco
2. Tupou
3. Smith
4. Toia
5. Nawaqanitawase
6. Walker
7. DCE
8. Whyte
9. Robson
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. N. Butcher
13. Watson

Bench

14. Leniu
15. Steep
16. Wong
17. E Butcher
18. Savala
19. Foketi/Talau

That top 17 will start for the first game if everyone is fit IMO.
I think Sammy will be named at halfback & Cherry 5/8