Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:49 pm  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

Sorry to be picky but Royce has stated on numerous occasions that Laffranchi will be used in the front row. Why people insist on naming teams with him in the backrow is beyond me. Its a bit like people who put Hohaia anywhere but half-back.

er your mate is not around is he/she the Red Girrafe

Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:08 pm  

SomersetSaint wrote:

If wheeler can overcome his injury problems then he will be best no 6 that we have which will further cloud the hohaia gaskell lomax issue. Sadly one of them will sooner or later be forced to leave, either as excess up the clubs needs or to further their own careers.

I honestly can't see Wheeler getting a stab at halfback for the next few years. Apart from the Wigan game he has been picked at Centre and wing.

Lomax seams to be the chosen one of the three, and Lance would be a tough name to shift too.
Wheelers best option will be to try and make the centre spot his own. Then maybe like (he who shall not be named JL) he can move from the centres to 6 when Lance moves on or moves to FB and Saints are looking for a replacement.

It would take a major injury set back or derth in form from Lomax or Lance to shift them.

This leaves Gaskell in a tricky position of playing second fiddle, but also leave the team in the position of no recognised kicker. (Unless Lomax and Lance have been working their butts off in the off season).

Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:21 pm  

For me wheeler is fourth choices half back and a back up centre and if all fit he wouldnt get in the seventeen

Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:22 pm  

St pete wrote:

Have you not watched saints play under Royce?

Royce favours the prop st 13 as do most nrl clubs. Tony p starts at 13 but plays effectively as a 3rd prop. The days of ball playing loose forwards is now a rare breed.

Unless we have injuries or for some other tactical reason, laffranchci/tony p will line up as a loose forward and play as a extra prop.

We've also played Paul clough in that role. It also gives royce his back on the bench as we still have 4 props in the team but three start.

Yeah of course I have seen us play under Royce, and I understand that TP was playing at 13 but effectively as a prop for most of last year.
Perhaps I am being too literal with what Royce has said,but he has consistently said that Laffranchi will be used as a front rower. 13 is not in the front row.
I would personally like to see two props on the bench so we can rotate the 4 of them and keep them fresh. Until TP is back, we have Perry, LMS, Clough and Laffranchi at prop. I cant see 3 out of the 4 starting.

Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:23 pm  

edon10 wrote:

er your mate is not around is he/she the Red Girrafe

I'm not sure of the relevance of the Red Giraffe's whereabouts but I'm sure he'll be lurking about somewhere!

Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:31 pm  

bewareshadows wrote:

I honestly can't see Wheeler getting a stab at halfback for the next few years. Apart from the Wigan game he has been picked at Centre and wing.

Lomax seams to be the chosen one of the three, and Lance would be a tough name to shift too.
Wheelers best option will be to try and make the centre spot his own. Then maybe like (he who shall not be named JL) he can move from the centres to 6 when Lance moves on or moves to FB and Saints are looking for a replacement.

It would take a major injury set back or derth in form from Lomax or Lance to shift them.

This leaves Gaskell in a tricky position of playing second fiddle, but also leave the team in the position of no recognised kicker. (Unless Lomax and Lance have been working their butts off in the off season).

The unmentioned JL was for me, the best no 6 we have had for many a year, and from what I recall, he only played there once, against Warrington, and probably had his best game in the red vee. It wouold be a shame if Wheeler is exiled to the centre when he could be a real star at 6.

Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:35 pm  

SomersetSaint wrote:

The unmentioned JL was for me, the best no 6 we have had for many a year, and from what I recall, he only played there once, against Warrington, and probably had his best game in the red vee. It wouold be a shame if Wheeler is exiled to the centre when he could be a real star at 6.

Strongly disagree with that,for me he was far better at centre and was quiet at standoff against wire.
Agree about Wheeler though,I really hope the kid has some luck this year.

Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:08 am  

1984saints wrote:

For me wheeler is fourth choices half back and a back up centre and if all fit he wouldnt get in the seventeen

Nonsense. Wheeler is one of the very best young talents in the country and will quickly become first choice at either #1, #4 or #6 (most probably #4) if he can keep on a pitch for any kind of extended period. Lomax and Gaskell, for all their inestimable qualities, just simply don't have his natural class or match-winning qualities when he's fit. He could only ever fail to make a Saints starting 17 if he was in the treatment room again instead...

Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:32 am  

Northampton_Saint wrote:

Nonsense. Wheeler is one of the very best young talents in the country and will quickly become first choice at either #1, #4 or #6 (most probably #4) if he can keep on a pitch for any kind of extended period. Lomax and Gaskell, for all their inestimable qualities, just simply don't have his natural class or match-winning qualities when he's fit. He could only ever fail to make a Saints starting 17 if he was in the treatment room again instead...

Only time will tell and we will find out this coming season

Re: Squad announced for Karalius Cup. : Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:50 am  

SomersetSaint wrote:

The unmentioned JL was for me, the best no 6 we have had for many a year, and from what I recall, he only played there once, against Warrington, and probably had his best game in the red vee. It wouold be a shame if Wheeler is exiled to the centre when he could be a real star at 6.

Lyon had his best game at stand off up to that point at Warrington. He hadn't been playing to well at centre as I recall basil banging on about how hood Jamie will be when the grounds dry up.

Not a chance Jamie had his best game for saints at stand off, he's the best centre to wear the red v IMO and a pure natural centre that was above average stand off.