www.superleague.co.uk/preview/10985

www.superleague.co.uk/preview/10985

Still no Kevin Locke. FFS!

Niall Evalds

Ben Jones-Bishop
Mason Caton-Brown
Josh Griffin
Greg Johnson

Rangi Chase
Michael Dobson

Morley
Lee
Taylor

Paterson
Hansen
Hock

Theo Fages
Lama Tasi
Darrell Griffin/ Adam Walne
Jordan Walne/ Jason Walton

I think the starting 13 picks its self, tough deciding between the replacements though. You can assume Theo is a cert, I would guess Tasi will be back too which leaves 2 props and 2 backrowers fighting for 2 spaces.

I'd leave Morley out of this one, luxury of having the squad we have we can give him that bit of rest he needs to be most effective.

After what I saw on Saturday I'm more than happy seeing Evalds at full back, I'm more concerned when Locke is back where Evalds slots in, too good not to be in the 17 for me.

Why is Theo a cert? I thought we looked more composed when he went off on Saturday? He still has the rabbit in headlights about him and as Locke referred to on GMR last Thursday, he just isnt vocal enough to lead the team around the pitch. I'd like to see what Hood can do in 1st action.

I would imagine that St Helen's would rest a few players for the big game against South Sydney next weekend (i'm hoping anyway)

Saints have named the same 19 man squad as last week, and I doubt anyone is being rested 1 game in!

For me id go with:

Evalds
Bjb
Mcb
Griffin
Johnson
Chase
Dobbo
Taylor
Lee
Tasi
Hansen
Hock
Paterson

J walne
D griffin
A walne
Fages

Walton and a walne to miss out

Rest Mozza one game in? Not for me. Also I am more than happy with Evalds, as has been said plenty on here he is a special talent but he's still no Kevin Locke.



a) because of his pre-season form, b) provided us with some impetus at dummy half during the second half and c) could be a great choice of replacement in the final 20 when Saints big men (Masoe, Walmsley, Amor etc) are tiring.

I agree we looked better in the halves when Dobson came on though and he should start at 7 as I suggested further above.

I thought Morley did ok on Saturday (so don’t jump down my throat, I’m not slagging the prodigal son off, just a mere observation), but he was at fault for two of their try’s. The first one both Morley and Hauraki we’re both caught out by a little tip on from Chris Hill, they didn’t seem to see Ratchford bursting onto the ball and we’re caught flat footed. The second try Morley put in a decent tackle on Asotasi, but was messing around on the floor and couldn’t get to marker quick enough leaving Higham an easy dart over.

I’d go with:

Evalds
Jones-Bishop
Griffin
Caton-Brown
Johnson
Chase
Dobson
Taylor
Lee
A Walne
Hansen
Paterson
Hock

Fages
Tasi
J Walne
Griffin/Morley (undecided)

So your inclusion of Fages is due to fact he played ok against Dewsbury and Hunslet. No disrepect to those teams but all our players should stand out against part time opposition. He had a poor game against Warrington, yet should play against the champions? Maybe his poor performance and kicking on Saturday was down to the fact he isnt't the half people was expecting him to develop into and has found his position as a hooker. I agree with you he is a good option to have running at tiring defences but Hood looked ok in the friendlies and less we forget he was highly thought of over at headingley before he flopped Bailey. I'd like to see hood over Lee if I'm truefull, but we have to remember he is only young like Theo. It's a nice to have these options, who to choose to play on what merits, beats living in the past bringing in some shocking loan signings.

Has Morley big minutes in him against two big tough packs in such a short space of time? I'd guess not, I reckon it's the reason Tasi didn't play on Saturday, the benefit of having the strength in depth we have now is that we can make this type of selection.

2014 > 2015

Mullaney > Evalds
Johnson > Johnson
Gleeson > MCB
Meli > J.Griffin
Williams > BJB
Fages > Chase
Smith > Dobson
Puletua > Taylor
Lee > Lee
Tasi > Tasi
Hansen > Hansen
Hock > Hock
Dixon > Paterson

Morley > Morley
Ashurst > J.Walne
McPherson > D.Griffin/A.Walne
Howarth > Fages

Apart from where positions have remained the same, you must say the 17 facing Saints this time around is much stronger than the one which was spanked 38-0 last season.

I'd go with:

1 - Evalds
2 - Jones-Bishop
3 - J.Griffin
4 - Caton-Brown
5 - Johnson
6 - Chase
7 - Dobson
8 - Tasi
9 - Lee
10 - Taylor
11 - Hansen
12 - Paterson
13 - Hock
-----------------
14 - Fages
15 - D.Griffin
16 - Morley
17 - J.Walne

I love how you use the same argument to both boost, and belittle two different players.

You can't point out a negative saying Theo should be good against lower opposition, then praise Hood for doing the same thing!

I think Lee's graft is keeping him in the 17 atm, and I would think that Harris will give him the job of trying to control Roby around the PTB. When Roby goes off I think Harris will spell Lee and bring on Fages. As we don't have a big name hooker our Coach would be doing the sensible thing against a decent one in Roby, by playing a defensive player when he's on and an attacking player when he's not. Hood is a more natural nine, but doesn't yet have the defense that Lee does, or the speed and hands that Theo has. I'm sure he'll get his chance at some stage but it's up to him to play the other two out of that position to become a regular contender.

I'm starting to have a concern that Locke will be better known as Kevin Crocke. It's not a massive worry with Evalds, but a fully fit Locke could make the difference in close matches. Hopefully this is just an early season blip for him.

Thursday night is the ideal forum for our new found aggression. Saints have a big pack but no matter how tough and professional they are the Souths game will be at the back of their minds. Get in to 'em.