Given the injury crisis any thoughts on starting line up for kr , from having a team that pretty much picks it self we seem to be struggling or making changes in just about every area.

Pack in particular looks really thin - hopefully ashurst and milky will make it , but we really are struggling in front row

I think we are just missing another prop, then pretty happy with the squad to be fair.

As we are now, I would go:

Walker
TJ
Tupou
Lyne
Rocky

Miller
Brough

Kopczak
J Wood
Tanginoa
Ashurst
Batchelor
Westerman

=======
K Wood
Pitts
Tangata
Gwaze

If Walker is out then Jowitt to Fullback

*edited - just seen updated injury news!

Still time for another addition to the squad before then. CC said on last night’s post match interview, looking to bring another player into squad, as he’s only got 2 props available out of the 7 in the squad.

Max...unless walker is fit
Tommy
Lynne
Atkins
Bill
Miller
Hampshire
Koppy
Josh wood
Kelepi
Pitts
Ashurst...cc did say he should be ok for next week
Westerman

Kirmond
Tangata
Batchelor
K wood


Very light in front row hopefully somone can come in and replace kirmo or batch on bench..think id start with josh wood he looks livley and a better defence than kyle and i do think kyle offers more when he comeson as a sub and as tyring bodies around him

Yeah thats a good shout too tbh, I just think Jowitt impresses whenever he plays, great passing game, good under the bomb, chimes well into the attack etc. Though physically he can get bullied.

Also Atkins has been impressive so far in the friendlies, wouldnt mind him in at right centre and Lyne out to the wing either.

Actually can’t believe how light weight the pack is looking, when we rotate we won’t have one recognised prop on field ...

I don't think I'd go with that option, as much as I like Reece I don't see him giving Johnstone enough quality ball as his centre. I'd rather keep Tupou and Tom together and put Reece and Atkins together with Reece on the wing probably although they could do that the other way round.

I’m wondering if arona will play 10 Friday.

Although he’s not featured in any of the friendlies he’s been by all accounts involved in full contact training for a couple of weeks.

Bit disappointing to go into opening couple of games minus fafita & green. Add to it the loss of king and we look very short upfront if arona doesn’t play. To be missing 3 of your first choice 4 props is unfortunate.

If walker is out we have adequate cover in Hampshire and jowitt.

Unsure if crowther would have made the first 17; but we have plenty of options in back row at minute anyway.

Gwaze from what I have seen is a number of years from been a super league prop. I wouldn’t really want to be seeing him play this season.

Let’s hope kopczak doesn’t pick an injury up in first couple of games.

Only way Gwaze will improve is by playing, I don't think he's that much of a weak link, didnt look out of place when he played last year. I wouldnt be upset if we were using him off the bench - think we might have to at this rate.

I was impressed by him at the Hull KR game tbh, he did not look out of place at all and ran some great lines for a front rower.

I agree.
Last season he wasn't shy of the workload but, he coughed up the ball too often, something which he seems to have rectified.
He's a young lad, especially for a prop and we should get behind him. Looks like he'll be playing at KR and I hope that he has a stormer.

I would like to see Kopczak taking a lead and stat to show some consistent form. Expert from the odd game I think hes been below average. We need players to step up over the next 4 to 6 weeks.

will we even have 17 of our top squad to choose from,

Kopczak was our most consistent forward by far last year for me, although he has not been stand out against the likes of Fifita I think he has been consistently good and done his job for the team.