noble so far... : Thu Oct 28, 2004 8:47 pm  

forgetting we havent actually played a game yet - how do you feel noble is doing? squad selection mainly i spose.

i was v impressed with the initial squad. left out some players who have been lucky to make it previously (sinfield, deacon) and bussed in a few young, form based lads who were begging for a call up (mcguire, walker, diskin, lockers)

he also didnt do what most of us thought he would and be bulls biased ie deacon at 7, harris at 6 - characters like anderson taking up to much room etc. another plus for brian.

but im somewhat confused by the non-selection of diskin tbh. it wont be too popular on here but diskin is on form the best 9 in the country and has been a consistent performer all year. newton on the other hand has taken a step back form his devastating form of last year and looks lethargic and moody.

this is a crying shame for terry who this time last year was the best in sl and really putting himself about internationally too. maybe he will prove me wrong but im worried that this selection along with the possible gleeson at centre is a hark to reputations rather than form, something waite was thoroughly roasted for. the fact higham isnt in the 17 again is puzzling. imo you can argue terrys case against higham but diskin deserves the shirt.

im looking forward to the tactics on sat. noble as an advocate of the biff must be looking to exploit an ageing webcke and a non-event ryles by getting in to them asap (legally this time tho ). faz, fielden, morley, scully etc must be fancying their chances of dominating the collision.

out wide im not as confident. longs early season form was the best of his career but internationally he is shown up, see jjb last year. centre wise the aussies look solid in defence whilst they have cutting edges on the wing unlike us. esp worried about matt sing and the high ball. he was devatstaing for the cowboys in the nrl this year and whoever plays opposite him will have to be on their game. look for wellens or reardon as fullbacks to get the shout imo.

: Thu Oct 28, 2004 8:50 pm  

I do worry that he is a one trick poney ie work with the forwards but given our awesome pack i feel this could work in our favor. He does seem to have picked a very surprising squad in some areas the only thing i dont agree with is the selection of Harris. Sinfield has had a great season by far his best and i have no idea how he could pick Harris over him. Why do many people seem to have it in for Rads. ou talk about the wing threat from the Aussies and then think that it would be better to have Rads as third choice full back given some of the miracle tackles he has pulled off this year how can he not play?

: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:00 pm  

just remembered Rads is an injury worry if he is not at least 95% fit then Wellens in my opinion should get the nod.

Re: noble so far... : Thu Oct 28, 2004 10:10 pm  

pk wrote:

he also didnt do what most of us thought he would and be bulls biased ie deacon at 7, harris at 6 - characters like anderson taking up to much room etc. another plus for brian.

Most of bradfords decent players aren't eligible for GB

: Thu Oct 28, 2004 10:27 pm  

There's only one name I want to see on that team sheet . Come on little 'un, it's rent time...

: Fri Oct 29, 2004 8:48 am  

I am not seeing how our pack is going to out muscle or dominate the Aussie pack.
Webke is not the power he was yet he is still better then what GB have to offer. Ryles will also prove he is a better prop then the GB front rowers.
Hindmarsh is in my opinion the best 2nd rower in the game and in State of Origin he managed some 40 odd tackles per game. Andrew Ryan was also in storming form for the BUlldogs and with Mason and Civonciva from the bench the Aussie have enough smash and bach up front. Also they have selected Scott Hill on the bench who when in partnership with Kimmorley is awesome.

The Aussie backs will cause all end of problems for us, the centres are solid in defence and Tonga is an awesome player. I have a feelin Rooney and Sing will cause a lot of trouble. That is why NOble is going to play a fullback on Sing's wing.

: Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:15 pm  

I think he will pick Peacock at second row simply because he plays for Bradford, he has been non-existant all year and i would play morley in the second row and Bailey at prop, as forhim playing a full back on Sings wing i dont believe that is true, Radlinski isnt mattch fit and hasnt trained which i think means 1. Wellens 2. Walker 5. Carney, Sing will cause problems for Carney or Walker because he is awesome in the air and Walker or Carney are both weak under a high ball, i think Senior is our key to victory iv we get the ball wide he will cause a lot of problems against Berrigan who isnt the quickest in the world.

GB 21-18 Convicts

COME ON BRITAIN!!!!

: Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:49 pm  

He wants to get a haircut our sean before tomorrow, it's a disgrace. Although Bernard did say that some of his supplements may have some minor side effects.

: Fri Oct 29, 2004 9:05 pm  

Bernards Other Half wrote:

He wants to get a haircut our sean before tomorrow, it's a disgrace. Although Bernard did say that some of his supplements may have some minor side effects.

Glad your getting involved into the discussions Meow Meow

Your Sean's long (no pun) hair could be a secret weapon.
Either the Aussies are going to all fall about laughing or he's going to choke them to death with hair balls in the tackle.

But yes, he looks ridiculous and should get it chopped to a more Keith Senior standard

: Sun Oct 31, 2004 1:25 pm  

last night did seem very much like bradford. Drive, drive kick. The only problem is GB aint Bradford and I don't think it suits the team he's picked. More offloads and little runs seemed more dangerous last night but we didn't seemed to do them so much. I just hope that against the kiwis we can come up with something better as they are a big side and drive drive drive won't work.