Dave I will bow to your greater knowledge on Chase but I had him down as one of the best defensive halfbacks in the game. Everyone knows his attacking play is brilliant but I always thought his strong defensive qualities were often overlooked.

haha, so he's not injured atleast

if that's your opiion mate fair enough



from watching him every week, he does tackle well above his weight, you're right... But structurally, he's a bugger for shooting up out the line, and we all know he can be a bit hot-headed when things aren't running well for him.

he's a class act and I think he would edge Smith in defence but, I'd certainly keep him busy in the line and get into him at every opportunity.

It'll be interesting to see how he (andCas) go next year without the Tigers being "the one-man rangi band"



hopefully both will do better

The difference is Chase will give it a go and sometimes gets it wrong with head high or shooting out of line. Good tactics can play on that.

Smith will probably stand to the side and let you go but if the team know that they cover him so it's argueable which is worse.

I mainly ony see wakefield on highlights, and I could cry when I watch Smith back out of a tackle... I guess I don't see the other 9/10 plays where this isn't costly.

I get what you're saying. To me then, the approach would be to run at Chase to try gain field position, then target SMith in the attacking 20.

....easy game this rugby league

Dont think we should be overloading our players with to many tactics Dave. From watching the pre season games they first have to understand that you are allowed to catch the ball on the full from the kick off, thats its a good idea to try and retain poscession of the ball when in your own half, that if you tackle round the legs its difficult for your opponent to move forward. I really beleive that collectively our players simply do not understand that the game is all about field position and possession. Keep it simple.

come on mate, surely they can't be that bad... I think they will struggle like hell personally - 12-17 points would be my guess - but I don't think they're inept...

Dependant on our imports turning up in good shape I'd go with..

Mathers
Fox
Collis
L. Smith if here if not Keinhorst
Briscoe
Sykes
Godinet
Tautai
Mcshane
Raleigh
Kirmond
Lauitiiti
Washbrook

Subs.
Anderson
D.Smith
Ryan or Walshaw
Wildie

has (will) everygone got (get) there clearance ? hope to see you all in good numbers on the 16th , don`t forget the parachute regiments red devils will be dropping in pre match , hopefully they will be the only devils you`ll enjoy watching that day , enjoy the season , good luck

I went back to the clinic yesterday and although there is still a bit of a rash, the doc gave me the all clear to come over next week, so assuming it doesn't flare up again, I should be there.
So nice of you to ask though...

no probs i`ll be waiting at birch services with hm customs bring your doctors note for clarification or your not getting your visa stamped :0)

Big week for Rich. Picking a team from a not ideal pre season. Game called off and imports arriving the week before the first game. He will no doubt be looking at a few things with the imports. A What shape they are in. B Can they adapt to the patterns of play/moves in offence in this first week. C Is it worth sticking them into a fierce first game if not fully fit for injuries etc.

For me we certainly need another pivot playing so hopefully Godinet is ready. Think this is the most important. We need big strong props so secondly I'd like Anderson to play but we do have cover. Matt Ryan is the position we least need to rush, that is if he does play second row. Although I'm looking forward to seeing Matt rip it up we do have Kirmond, Ali, Annakin, Tauti who can fill that position.

I'm sure Rich will be watching whose putting it in, in training as well as matches. Something we don't see. As its a big opening game with the spotlight certainly on Koukash merry men, does Rich go for experience who have handled big games or give others who haven't played first team as much like some of the youngsters.

I couldn't pick a team because I have only watched Fev game as I was away for Hunslet. However from last season and Fev I would like Annakin to force a regular spot. Would also like to see Wildie back himself from dummy half a lot more, making yards like Roby/burrow etc when the markers aren't in position. He's nippy and quite strong for his size. A great kid.

Whatever team we put out, good luck boys....

Sadly Mick, you won't be seeing Annakin do that for a few games at least as he is out injured.

My Team
Mathers
Fox
Collis
Keinhorst
Briscoe (Salford have built a big back line so we can't carry too many weak D players)
Sykes
Godinet (let him just play, he won't know the system so just give him some freedom)
Moore
McShane
Tautai (Raleigh doesn't look over his op yet, give him another week before starting him)
Kirmond
Ryan
Washbrook (would have gone for Anakin)

Wildie
Lauitiiti
D Smith
Raleigh

Salford Fans forum predicting that we will be thumped by about 20 points this weekend! viewtopic.php?f=20&t=564254&tsmp=1392064021&start=10

Salford Fans forum predicting that we will be thumped by about 20 points this weekend! viewtopic.php?f=20&t=564254&tsmp=1392064021&start=10

Richie Mathers on Rugby AM has said that Reece Lyne is going to massive for us this season he has put on a good 7-10kg of muscle apparently.

He has put some real size on from what I saw at fev, hopefully he will show his worth this season - he's definitely got a natural ability

Just needs to back himself.

Doesn't matter how much muscle he puts on - he's a natural athlete, but has a nasty habit of either being caught in two minds, or tackling himself; he needs to run at a few and learn what it feels like to go straight through somebody.

Quote ="asmadasa"Salford Fans forum predicting that we will be thumped by about 20 points this weekend! viewtopic.php?f=20&t=564254&tsmp=1392064021&start=10'" Would absolutely love us to turn up and ruin their party, looking forward to this one, first chance to get to the new stadium as well.

Quote ="asmadasa"Salford Fans forum predicting that we will be thumped by about 20 points this weekend! viewtopic.php?f=20&t=564254&tsmp=1392064021&start=10'" Would absolutely love us to turn up and ruin their party, looking forward to this one, first chance to get to the new stadium as well.

The team I would play against Salford.. picked to beat Salford... (ps I am glad I actually dont have to pick the team..)

Mathers
Lynne
Collis
Briscoe
Tautai
Sykes
Godinet
Anderson
McShane
Raliegh
Ryan
Walshaw
Kirmond

Smith
Lauititi
Keinhorst
Washbrook

It's a different view of the team but Tautai is wasted on the wing and should be in the pack, think Anderson and Ryan starting after 5 days with the team is very risky and we need two interchange props on the bench so I'd have Moore, Anderson, Wildie (to interchange with Mcshane who is not an 80 minute hooker unlike his predecessor) and Walshaw on the bench.

Seeing as yopu asked I shall tell you my rationale:

Lynne and Tautai on the wings for size

Salford are big across the park so we need to match them for the first 30 with size and agression... hence Ryan and Walshaw in the second row together.

A week in the counrty is plenty we used to import aussies into the game by the dozen in the 80s and they would play within 24 hours of arriving.

Keinhorst on the bench to come into the 3/4 line and Tautai to move to prop on or around the 30 minute mark, lauititi to rotate with Ryan and Walshaw... Washbrook to interchange hooker

Second half props to rotate with Anderson, Smith, Tautai and Raliegh.

Our three quarters will be Fox, Collis, Lyne and Briscoe.
Tautai wont be playing anywhere near the wing, he's played prop in most of the pre season games and although the guy is quick for a forward, the Salford backs would love to play opposite him with ball in hand.(maybe not with him coming the other way though)

Fox , Collis, Lyne and Brisco , crickey you can just imagine the fear that line up is going to strike in the Salford team. Nobel and his team are going to have sleepless nights trying to work out how to defend the treats those four will present.