Team's Up

[TheLoneRooster]

As I suspected, Takairangi is being thrust into the books now.

Cherrington, JWH and Symonds go down early in the season, it is good to see Guerra, Conn and Takairangi all getting a run respectively, as it tests out the quality of our depth. Conn and Guerra did well in Round 1, and although Takairangi's performances in the NYC last year were middling, there are big wraps on his ballplaying and linebreaking ability when the mood strikes him.

He is a backrower, can play a bit of centre, big lad with the ability to set up his outside man. Has a serious problem with lack of involvement and low workrate in both attack and defense, however.

With your assessment Mack, I fail to see how on Earth Takairangi has made it into the starting 17. Surely someone more motivated like Baitieri would have been a better choice to cover Tom Symonds?

[pcliaros]

[supermario]

LOL @ guerra's mo in his profile pic !!!

[pcliaros]

lol must agree

[Guest]

We match up pretty well I reckon. Wests will be a test though, it's gonna be tough.

Also, look at the size of Ellis' chin!

[Guest]

thankgod tuiaki isnt playing!!

[Guest]

This has the potential to be a great game, we have similar teams in size and I think we will play a silmilar style, fast and open. The tigers will definitly put a lot more pressure on Carney with their kicking game, and their broken field play will test our defence. I think our mobile pack will handle it. We have to concentrate on ball control, and field position, we have to play it down their end. I think it will be a high scoring game, and close. I think our back three will keep us in good stead, as long as carney can handle the kicks Marshall and Farah are going to put up. My tip is Roosters by 6 to 12, probably 30 to 24.

[Guest]

With your assessment Mack, I fail to see how on Earth Takairangi has made it into the starting 17. Surely someone more motivated like Baitieri would have been a better choice to cover Tom Symonds?

I saw Brad Takairangi play a few weeks ago for the Roosters reserve grade side against the Eels reserves and he was a class above any forward on the field. He has improved dramatically and his ability to offload and create 2nd phase play is probably seen as his main asset. He will do well if given the chance to debut on the weekend.

[TheLoneRooster]

I saw Brad Takairangi play a few weeks ago for the Roosters reserve grade side against the Eels reserves and he was a class above any forward on the field. He has improved dramatically and his ability to offload and create 2nd phase play is probably seen as his main asset. He will do well if given the chance to debut on the weekend.

Excellent, I hope he lives up to his promise footy.

This game has me more nervous than the one against the vermin who I thought were going to be one-dimensional. The tigpies will ask more questions of the Roosters.

[Guest]

Excellent, I hope he lives up to his promise footy.

This game has me more nervous than the one against the vermin who I thought were going to be one-dimensional. The tigpies will ask more questions of the Roosters.

First question: A/S/L ?

[Guest]

LOL @ guerra's mo in his profile pic !!!

Lol that's not a mo, that's bum fluff.

[Guest]

Excellent, I hope he lives up to his promise footy.

This game has me more nervous than the one against the vermin who I thought were going to be one-dimensional. The tigpies will ask more questions of the Roosters.

If we can negate Marshall and Farrah I think we will be well on the way to getting the two points.

[Guest]

I don't think Brian Smith likes to target one or two players, as you could see in the Souths game.

We obviously didn't target Burgess and make him tackle his heart out or keep running at Sandow because he is a little nugget.

We hit the team as a whole exploiting every bit of weakness of the defence and using it to our strength.

I'd imagin though we would focus on our wrestling, turning them on their backs in each tackle to slow down Tigers fast play.

[Guest]

Not target, negate. You do this with tactics like not running out of the line when they throw dummies.

[Guest]

thankgod tuiaki isnt playing!!

Worst decision ever last season, to blood Tuigamala against him.

Sonny would've been turtle necking watching that beast run towards him.