If what I heard is correct bench is:

Taylor, Lovodua, Dwyer, Lane.

Scott is in SR.

Leaves us light up front

If Sao is out, Brown has to be in surely?

Have Brown in my 17 on the bench with Fash being out so you'd think Brown would already be in the 17.

Have you forgotten about Satae?

Nope, had Taylor and Sao down to start with Satae and Brown on the bench, so if Sao is possibly out as mentioned by mwindass I'd move Brown to a starting spot and bring Gardiner in to the 17. So the bench would be Satae, Gardiner, Lane, Dwyer

heavy rain forecast this evening.

Sao is definitely out.
Litten
McIntosh
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Swift
Trueman
Clifford
Tag
Houghton
Brown
Dre
Scott
Cator
Subs
Satae
Gardiner
Dwyer
Lane

Shame Staveley is injured, I think he could have featured, but be good to see Jack Brown in the pack again and I'd be tempted to leave Scott in the centre role and play Sutty as the other backrower, I think Cam deserves a decent run in that position but wherever he plays he'll do well, his interview in the HDM is actually a good read. Comes across as humble and willing to learn, seems that Smith is a coach that does develop players to their full potential. God knows what he would have achieved with the 2015-17 squad, probably a Grand Final.

I also wonder what Smith would have done with the 16/17 squad.
Would have won the comp I think.

Think the fact that Ese'ese spoke about Smith being a big factor in him signing for us and Ali Lauitiiti speaks highly of him as a coach says volumes. Think its fair to say had TS had the 2016/17 sides they'd have more than likely achieved more and built on the success.

Agree re Staveley as just when the chance is there he unfortunately picks up an injury an a niggly one too. Think Cam Scott is having a very good season and continues to improve, and its a tough decision to leave him out the 17 on his form this season. He certainly found some pace again and when stepping up to SR he's done a good job and being honest I don't think there's much to chose between him or Sutcliffe in the SR.

Yep that's how I see it, Brown promoted to the starting 13 in place of Sao, with Gardiner on the bench.

Big blow Sao missing especially with Fash out as well.

Don’t understand with already being a front rower down with Evans gone, being without Fash due to his ban and now bring without Sao why Gardiner is only 18th man. Seems to be a very lightweight bench with both Lane & Lovodua on it

1 prop on the bench is not ideal at all. Surely Lane can't be doing a spell at prop?

Sounds like a very poor start again and lost Houghton after just over a minute.