Agree with this. Really don't see the point of making 3 or 4 positional changes in the backs to accomodate Leuluai at 9, especially if we have to make backrow changes as well because of Hansen and Locky out.

Keep the backs as they are and give Gee his chance and just ask him to keep it simple. If they don't think he' ready I'd give Flanagan a go at back-up 9, just so we don't have to play musical chairs in the backs with the inevitable disruption it will cause.

He should have the mobility and passing to do it as a back-up, again with the plan for him to keep it simple when on.

Try Phelps at hooker?

Spot on, we should only change people from last week who we have to, to keep continuity in the team.

Sam Gee is and out and out hooker, and IMO a very good one. He has decent pace and very good hands, but doesn't seem to have a kicking game.

I would love to see him get a first team game, just to see how he performs under pressure. The reserves don't have a game next weekend.

As I said previously we shouldn't try to shuffle half the team around if we don't really have to.

What would you say to putting Flanagan at 9 Rogues?

That would allow both Mossop and Farrell to have a go in the back row.

Out for the season Smith

just been on Sky sports news

With the club "wishing him all the best" I suspect that all but confirms he won't be back in 2010 and lets be honest, he wont be missed in the slightest.

Bit unlucky that we've lost all our three most experienced (at club) players in the last fortnight for one reason or another. No substitute for it. But we've had a strong reserve team so let's see how we cope.

I just hope Locky and Mike Mc are back for the semi final.

No. We have a former U17'S, U19'S, NSW and Australia Junior international in our squad who can play at stand off.

Thomas Leuluai is a world cup winning hooker.

6 - Phelps
7- Tomkins

Riddell and Leuluai at hooker.

Phelps moving to 6 intrigues me, Aussie fans reckoned it was his best position, could he be a revelation and save us buying a halfback?

Another solid reason why it is worth a shot.

You don't get picked for them sides (at stand off especially) if your average.

The Canterbury fans were sick as pigs that Phelps never got a shot at stand off. (Or should I say 5/8th )

Skipper Sean O’Loughlin picked up a knee injury and is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks. Similarly hooker Michael McIlorum picked up medial ligament damage to his knee and is also out for up to six weeks while Second Row forward Harrison Hansen is the third casualty from the weekend with a suspected broken hand.

The Club can also confirm that Stand–Off Tim Smith has been ruled out for the rest of the season; Smith damaged his shoulder last Sunday in the win at Hull KR and will need surgery and will return to Australia this week.



bad news all round for us


but then again look at the opportunitys for players coming in the positions

As someone said in the Tim Smith thread nothing ventured nothing gained and it’s the perfect chance or opportunity for Noble to play a wild card so to speak.

A consistent performer since he came in at the Saints game at least we know the pressure won’t faze him one bit and from the limited amount of kicks I’ve seen him make he seems to have a half decent boot on him as well.

All Phelps needs to do is play a fast expansive game imo lets get Tommy in at 9 making quick yards at the ruck and let Phelps quickly get the ball out wide to Carmont and Gleeson in plenty of space and time and let these guys do the thinking whilst it’s his first game at 6 in a while.

With Richards at FB and Gleeson back in at centre Pryce can push out to the wing. Although it’s a little mix up it’s the same players as last week slightly realigned. Richards won’t let us down at FB and I’d love to see Pryce outside Carmont with the chances he’s created this season for Richards.

Simples

I think that would be the prefect option against a big but quite slow Catalan pack! With S. Tomkin's speed invloved too.

Back line how about??

1 - Roberts
2 - Goulding
3 - Pryce
4 - Carmont
5 - Richards