I want my wingers to be fast, clinical at the line and positionally sound. Three things Talanoa isn't. As for Michaels, his last few games were in the pack.
It's not make or break, I'd be happy either way probably. I just don't think Talanoa is as good as some make out. He's certainly not as good as LR makes out, his one of the best in SL comment was laughable.
Talanoa is as good as radford says I agree. There's stats to back a lot up but mostly I prefare my eyes. From the first games last yr I was walking away from the ground thinking what a good game he'd had. Even when the team had been dire often. Finished everything put his way. Positionally caught out a few times but I think some was team defensive structure n the fact he'd been out the game a long time. Speed wise monaghan isn't particularly fast, but he was top try scorer.
Michaels should play centre, which is his best position and not be moved to the wing just to accomodate Yeaman.
How do you know centre is Michaels best position? I watch the Gold Coast avidly and I've seen nothing to suggest that's true. But he does have a lot of pace, something we were lacking last year, that's my reason for picking him.
Talanoa is as good as radford says I agree. There's stats to back a lot up but mostly I prefare my eyes. From the first games last yr I was walking away from the ground thinking what a good game he'd had. Even when the team had been dire often. Finished everything put his way. Positionally caught out a few times but I think some was team defensive structure n the fact he'd been out the game a long time. Speed wise monaghan isn't particularly fast, but he was top try scorer.
I remember a couple of occasions he made breaks but threw the ball away, one at home particularly stands out. I just don't think a winger should be picked on his ability to make yards. He's a good player and I certainly won't complain if he's given the job (which I'm certain he will be) I just want pace in my back line.
Put Talanoa in the Warrington team and he'd score a bagful, I hope we get to the level were our wingers score walk ins. Plus how many of Monaghans tries are due to his ability in the air?
Can't decide on the bench, and would need Houghton to do 80 minutes.
I think I'd swap Sa and Michaels around but at the moment that looks like our team. Plenty of time for things to change though. Rankin can move past Pryce in the pecking order and Cunningham could earn himself a spot on the bench.
I remember a couple of occasions he made breaks but threw the ball away, one at home particularly stands out. I just don't think a winger should be picked on his ability to make yards. He's a good player and I certainly won't complain if he's given the job (which I'm certain he will be) I just want pace in my back line.
Put Talanoa in the Warrington team and he'd score a bagful, I hope we get to the level were our wingers score walk ins. Plus how many of Monaghans tries are due to his ability in the air?
I agree, we lack pace but it's hardly surprising that radford is more inclined towards bigger, stronger players than smaller, quicker ones. If we end up with a 3/4 line of lineham, yeaman, sa and talanoa it will be painfully slow. I think talanoa showed many times last season he isn't a natural winger
whitings getting a bit like an old book you discover in the attic hidden away, forgotten, and uncared about. he could well go out on loan at some point