Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 5:28 am  

On paper, the 2017 squad looks the strongest we've had for some considerable time.
Most positions are covered well with some real strength in depth across the park.
Hooker is possibly a weakness, but that's been discussed to death and we'll have to wait and see how that goes.
Full-back: Max/Grix + BJB further cover
Wings: TJ/BJB + Gibson/MCB/Arundel for cover
Halves: Williams/Miller + Finn for cover
Plenty of forwards, but attrition usually means they'll all get some game-time over the season.

The one that doesn't add up for me is 5 centres. They all look decent options, but I suspect at least 2 of them will get little game-time.
Chester & Kear may well have a plan, but I was just wondering: who would be your first choice centres? and what happens to the others? Dual-reg?

Re: Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 6:03 am  

Up until getting injured I thought Arundel was forming a good centre/wing partnership with Johnstone. Think Chester will go with Lyne and MCB

Re: Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 6:21 am  

les-goose wrote:

Up until getting injured I thought Arundel was forming a good centre/wing partnership with Johnstone. Think Chester will go with Lyne and MCB

So would I for starters.

Re: Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:17 am  

Thought MCB looked like he needed more work before he's the finished article.

Also not sure what More Tupou could have done on Boxing Day. Him a Lyne went well - therefore they are the men to beat for me!

Re: Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:12 am  

TRB wrote:

Also not sure what More Tupou could have done on Boxing Day.

Held onto the ball a bit better during that 10 minute spell just before half time?

Re: Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:20 am  

I with TRB on this one.
Lyne and Toupu look like they will get first shot as starting centres.
I dont know whether Gibson was trying too hard to impress against Dewsbury but he shot out of the line 3 times on Sunday which cost 1 try and could have cost us 3, which was a bit of a worry.
Having said that MCB wont have been brought in to sit on the bench and Arundell was going well last season.
They all have different attributes and maybe Chester will pick and choose depending on the opposition.

With a fully fit squad, Chester has plenty of headaches, apart from the halves and at 9, where our options are limited.

Re: Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:39 am  

I think that all five players can play on the wing if required and would not let us down, so if you add Johnson and BJB to the list that gives you 7 players to cover 4 match day spots which some would argue in a perfect world is a bit on the light side when you consider that you will always have a couple who are not 100 % fit. Also I would suggest that both Arundel and Tupou can fill that difficult 4th sub role as they can play second row , Centre or winger which is a great option for a coach. ( I would like to see Tupou play in the back row as I feel this would be a more natural position for him ) Then of course we have Juda Massive who gives us even more options. I think the numbers are right for wing and Centre cover.

Re: Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:43 am  

I like Caton-Brown but I think he is more a finisher so he would be on the wing for me.

Re: Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:30 am  

But hard to judge MCB when playing in a mostly u19 side had he played on Boxing Day opposite Abblett in a much stronger team he may have had a stormer

[PopTart]

Re: Five into 2 centre berths? : Tue Jan 10, 2017 10:52 am  

Only seen MCB on the wing so can't judge.

I like Arundal in the centre not too flash but always above average and I think he can play on both sides. I like Tupou as a power runner. I like Lyne when he runs, not so much when he doesn't pass, I like Gibson when he is fit.

So I don't mind too much. I think Chester will start with Tupou and Lyne as strong runners and give Miller, Finn and Williams the responsibility of hitting the wingers with the money ball.