That is a good point - he just needs to be mentally agile like his father - that will more than make up for a quick leg speed

I really do hope we don`t tinker too much with the team Friday.
Just play Sinfield preferably at 7 leave Myler at FB, Handley on the wing and Martin at SR.
One change instead of several.
Myler isn`t any good in the halves, Handley isn`t really a FB and Martin is far better in the pack.
Why all the tinkering?

Uncle Tony looks to have breathed some life into fc. Why do they deliberate so much on simple video decisions.

Smith sees Handley as the longterm answer at Fb and Bentley is still preferred as backup 9 personally I don't understand his thinking but he's an Rl coach and I'm not so I'll go figure

I want to see that level of energy from Smith Juniors side tomorrow with a kicking game to match.

He doesn’t see Bentley as a back up 9, he seems him as someone who can fill in at 9 for 10/15mins while O’Connor rests, there’s a difference.

Wonder if the fact that Jack can kick goals come into play too, given Martin’s inconsistency with the boot recently it could be wise to have a second option.

Except maybe one kick Clifford was excellent with the boot tonight. Thought it was a good game and also another timely reminder of why Dwyer wasn’t kept.

Agreed. NRL coaches often only use one 9. If O’Connor got injured I doubt we’d see Bentley starting there.

I doubt Sinfield will be playing from what Smith said in his presser.

Agree. Clearly Myler into half, Tindall on the wing. Walters won’t get in either.

The big problem with that strategy is that if O,Connor gets injured, Johnson hasn't been playing so is nowhere near up to match fitness and sharpness.
For me, he should be on the bench and getting 20-30 mins every week.

You could end up saying that about every position and player tho, its not possible when you have limited players on the bench and limited rotations, its also determined by the game plan.

Sometimes it makes sense to have 4 forwards on the bench. Johnson will get games and opportunities.

Having 4 forwards is Ok as long as one is an interchange hooker - otherwise your options to change the game are really limited. If you have 2 props and two second rowers your really saying we want to contain you and what you see in the first 20 is what you will see for the next 60

It's not happening though is it if you take a like for like example with Warrington Walker has been given time in 1st team and he made England squad.

From what I've seen of Johnson he doesn't really seem like a game changer tho, does the important hooking stuff well, probably needs to get better in defence, but isnt that running speedy hooker that changes games.

If you want two hookers with contrasting styles you want a young Roby or Daz Clarke.

If you're up against a big team, it makes sense to have 3 middles and a second row on the bench. Keep your pack fresh.

Walker has been around the first team a lot longer than Johnson tho, and was in and out of the team like Johnson before finally getting his chance.

That's backup isn't it? He's not a 9 and never will be Johnson is but isn't getting a fair chance atm that's my point. Think Bentley will be away end of season so might get a chance then.

No hes filling in, Bentley isnt a hooker, he comes on at second row, sometimes 13 this season and has filled in at hooker is O'Connor hasnt been able to do the full 80, Smith has said he sees O'Connor as an 80min hooker.

A fair chance? He's been playing hasn't he? Hes still young, hes getting minutes.

Or Brad Dwyer if you can’t get the other two

Walker debuted at Widnes at 17. He played every week there nearly. He’s had maybe 5 years around first team rugby and only really solidified his wire place last year, mostly because Clark was injured.

You take Johnson’s hiatus into account it’s just not a fair comparison.

Hope it’s dry during the game , if so should be a good one.

I think he’ll play young Sinfield tonight, maybe off the bench.

Think smiths made some decent calls with selection. Hope Bentley pulls his finger out and justifies his start.

Yep, good team for the future, definitely the direction we should be heading in.

Yeh pretty happy with that. And agree Bentley needs the performance otherwise it’d be easy to put Martin back there and play Tindall.

Yeh agree - really happy with that line up.
We might well get beat, but giving Sinfield, Johnson and Walters game time will be beneficial.
Is Tetevano dropped / rested?