Having looked at the squad and been to the friendlies, who do we think will make the 17, most of squad picks itself but hard to judge

for me

1) Murphy
2) George
3) Gleeson
4) Millard
5) Morton

6) jeffries
7) Brough

Tronc
9) Obst
10) Korkidas
11) Ferguson
12) Morrison
13) Demetriou


14) Newton
15) latu
16) Moore
17) Johnson

King and bibb to miss out even though it leaves us light on the interchange, although tronc traditionally playes the 80, johnson looks fit and played well against hunslet, thought bib once again pedestrian, king played ok, am assuming blanch is injured and kear not risking mb without a warm up game

Good enough to take the quinns - I think so ONLY 5 more Sleeps to WAKEY!!!

Will Demetrioiu make the 17 with only one friendly under his belt after a major op? Perhaps he will be given a little more time which would perhaps put Johnson into the second row with Ferguson moving to loose and King promoted to the bench.

King for Latu for me.

Would agree, should be good enough to get the points in the capital.

I'd go for

Murphy (outstanding in friendlies and wouldn't risk Blaymire without a warm up)

George
Gleeson
Millard
Morton (With Blanch injured I think these 4 pick themselves)

Jeffries
Brough

Korki
Newton (on from start to control things with Obst or Latu to make the impact from the bench)
Tronc

Ferguson
Johnson (PJ to get the nod over JD due to recovery from operation)
Morrison


Moore
Latu/Obst
King
Henderson (going for experience on the bench to try and get us off to a good start)

I'd agree, not really sure about trying to fit all 3 hookers in, unless the plan is to juggle players elsewhere.


I've missed the last 2 friendlies, I assume Johnson has played more 2nd row than centre?

He's only played against Hunslet, in second row, went pretty well.

Correct me if i am wrong but wasn't Latu utilised more as an impact second rower/loose forward at the end of last season ? He can cover hooker too but i think he can sometimes be a little bit too unpredictable (for his own team-mates as well as the opposition) and thats why hes best at 13 where he can run his lines and break the oppositions line.

Be surprised if JK would risk starting Johnson, he has a very cautious policy in bringing back players who have been injured (especially given Johnson's injury problems). Could well see Henderson playing with Ferguson at 13.

Didn't go yesterday but I'd hazard a guess at this

Murphy
George
Millard
Gleeson
Morton

Jeffries
Brough

Korkidas
Newton
Tronc
Ferguson
Henderson
Morrison

Moore
Latu
Obst
Johnson

Heard from people JD was poor yesterday and the general consensus on here is PJ went well though JK may well forgive JDs performance due to his leadership qualities. Can't see King getting in just yet as his defence has been a bit suspect in the friendlies though his go forward has been pretty good. Bibb doesn't seem to offer us anything and its a little too early to throw in Trout even though he has impressed in pre season. The bench does look a little bit light weight but if Tronc can last 60 mins or so then we should be ok

Could we really see Brough, Jeffries, Newton, Obst and Latu all make a starting 17? I just can't see it.

We had it last year with Brough Obst Latu Grix and Drew, not saying it worked but it did happen.

Exactly! I'm sure JK is well aware that our best performances came with fewer 'pivotal' players on the pitch. I think DB and BJ will take time to gel. What we need to assist in this process is absolute clarity at dummy half, first and second receiver.

After yesterdays performance I wouldn't play JD. Think he needs a little more game time, he was obviously a bit ring rusty.

we could but i hope we dont! hope kear makes a decision between obst and latu and doesn't try fiiting players in. as much as latu can do a job short term in theback row i dont want it to be something we do unless we have no genuine back row options. i must admit i wouldn't fancy the decison but thats how he earns his corn.

as for the team lot pick themselves but i would be going with a big bench, many above look too lightweight for me. i would expect a lot to be up the middle with the conditions and the fact its the first game. i'd assume we will try play percentages, keep our sets tight and kick well for field position. as such we want some beef on there imo

How does he get game time if he doesn't play?

I would go with

Murphy - (didnt rate this kid on the wing... trial games at full back reports of playing well - would be Blaymire if fit)

George - god I hope he stays fit this year
Millard -
Johnson - Work with Henderson and Gleeson on the left
Gleeson -

Jeffries
Brough

Tronc -
Newton -
Korkidas -
Henderson -
Ferguson -
Morrison -

Moore -
Demetriou -
King -
Latu -

18th - Obst - tough on Sam but I think Latu is the better player.