Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:13 am  

I think he will play at least 35-40 minutes a game and will have a high work rate. in my opinion we have 3 senior props going in to the new season, Taylor, flower and pettybourne we need a 4th.

Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:38 am  

I watched the NRL Grand Final the other day, George Rose (18.5 stone impact prop) had a pretty good game and has been signed by Melbourne. With substitutions reduced from 12 to 10, impact props were bound to become less common, but I still think can they have a place in the game. Flower is easily capable of doing 50mins (either as 25,25 or 20,20,10) so 2x15min stints from Pettybourne would suffice as long as he's effective in that time and is mobile enough to do his defensive duties

Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:03 am  

dubairl wrote:

I think he will play at least 35-40 minutes a game and will have a high work rate. in my opinion we have 3 senior props going in to the new season, Taylor, flower and pettybourne we need a 4th.

I expect Crosby and Dudson to make a real impact this year.

Crosby with another off season behind him could be in my opinion our "bolter" for the season and push for England Knights if he stays fit. He is naturally a very big aggressive lad who is only going to improve over the next 5 years. I have see few "junior" Props run with the power and be as damaging as he has shown to be so far.

Dudson struggled at times last year but he is relatively new to the game and again will have benefited from the off season.

Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:05 am  

dubairl wrote:

I think he will play at least 35-40 minutes a game and will have a high work rate. in my opinion we have 3 senior props going in to the new season, Taylor, flower and pettybourne we need a 4th.

We have - he's called Dom Crosby. Scott Taylor and Dom Crosby are two of three outstanding young props in Super League (Walmsley is the other). Good menough to be selected for the England Knights alongside Taylor. What makes Taylor a "senior" and Dom not?

Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:14 am  

I like Crosby don't get me wrong i actually like Dudson more even tho he had a poor season last season. But Crosby in my opinion is 3-4 years away from being that senior prop the one who you can rely on to make 7+ meters every time he takes the ball in or carry 3 players with him in a drive. he hasn't fully filled out yet which is only reasonable considering he is only 22.

Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:43 am  

dubairl wrote:

I like Crosby don't get me wrong i actually like Dudson more even tho he had a poor season last season. But Crosby in my opinion is 3-4 years away from being that senior prop the one who you can rely on to make 7+ meters every time he takes the ball in or carry 3 players with him in a drive. he hasn't fully filled out yet which is only reasonable considering he is only 22.

Sorry but I disagree. He is a really big unit as they say, and in addition to his obvious attributes he is also incredibly alert. He really concentrates around the ruck area and often comes up with an interception or drops on a loose ball, when others are not paying attention. As for not being reliable - His performances in the playoffs and GF suggest otherwise.

I'm more than happy with Flower/Crosby/Taylor/Pettybourne with Dudson definately needing to improve to make the 17.

Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:30 pm  

Crosby and Taylor both played for England Knights v Samoa in October, both having good games.

It's interesting to see Wanes comments regarding Pettybourne and how he intends to use him. We do know that if required he can play 50/60 minutes as he did in the World Cup.

Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:32 pm  

I just don't think crosby has that physical presence you would expect from senior props just yet. Kind of like harrison hansen 5-6 years ago, could tell he was made to play rugby and was a good player but was just slightly light in contact some times and he filled out tremendously in the last 4-5 years.

Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:56 pm  

Agree with what most have said, Crosby would start for me along with Flower going off last season's form. He showed glimpses of real class last season, particularly in the big games!

Re: Power Packs. : Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:56 pm  

dubairl wrote:

I just don't think crosby has that physical presence you would expect from senior props just yet. Kind of like harrison hansen 5-6 years ago, could tell he was made to play rugby and was a good player but was just slightly light in contact some times and he filled out tremendously in the last 4-5 years.

I understand entirely what your getting at and its only opinions but i personally think last off season he added some significant weight to his frame and it made a huge difference to his physicality. I would like to think he has done the same this off season and hoping he can step up to a front line prop. IMO he has more potential than Mossop as he's got more aggression and is more nimble on his feet around the ruck, plus his tackling technique is better.