Perhaps you're right. Personally, I would have liked to have seen Moa in there and feel that he has done enough to warrant a place.

1 - Tansey
2 - Briscoe
3 - Yeaman
4 - Whiting
5 - Turner or Hall (Think Turner may get the nod after all the positive comments from the camp)
6 Horne
7- Long
8 - Dowes
9 - Berrigan
10 - Cusack
11 - Fitzgibbon
12 - Tickle
13 - Radford

14 - Meley
15 - Lauaki
16 - Houghton
17 - Manu

Washbrook and Hall to miss out.


Think Whiting has done enough to be in the team from the two friendlies we have played. He will hopefully have Manu & Lauaki on the bench for impact with Meley also covering.

I think with Calderwood out, Whiting has to play for his defensive abilities.



I don't suppose it is. If Manu, O'Meley and Hame are on form we should still have enough impact. Of the impact players in the squad, Lauaki is the one I would have left out, if any.

As has been said Hall doesn't do too well as a wingman so I'd be tempted to play Turner on the right with Whiting inside him. Gutted for Calderwood though.
Not too disappointed about the Moa thing, I think O'Meley, Manu and Lauaki give us enough impact for this game, there are going to be periods were we are under pressure and I'd be happier with Cusack for this, I think!

I think Whiting and Turner will get one side with Yeaman & Briscoe on the other. There has been so much positive stuff coming out about Turner in the off season.
Hall will be better when the pitches dry up a bit and his attacking game will come to the fore.

The ground will be heavy this week and i presume Agar will be playing a 3rd prop at loose man. It makes sense though and with a good chance of rain as well it will limit any flowing rugby.

I agree with that. Sam is unlucky because he has done well in pre season. His season isn't over because of this squad selection. The selection is fine for the game. It is up to those selected to be at the top of their game and warrant their places.

1 Tansey
2 Turner
3 Whiting
4 Yeaman
5 Briscoe
6 Horne
7 Long
8 Dowes
9 Houghton
10 Radford
11 Manu
12 Tickle
13 Fitzgibbon

14 O'Meley
15 Cusack
16 Lauaki
17 Berrigan

Close , but Turner & Washy will miss out

Good choice of rotating Dowes with Dowes though

Think Tickle needs a good game have not being impressed with him in pre - season

Well done RA !!





Might aswell fasten that rod to your back from the very first game !! Saints pack must be terrified at the thought of having to deal with Radford, Cusack AND Dowes in the same 17 !!

Turner and Washbrook will be the unlucky ones. Hall to start on the wing.

Two props on the bench with Houghton/Berro and either Manu/Lauiki as the others depending on who starts.

Much as I'd have liked to have seen Moa play, I don't think his absence is going to make a difference to how much 'terror' the Saints pack will feel. Also, given the conditions this game could easily end up as a grind - and the pack Agar has picked is better suited to grinding than one with Moa in it.

Let's see how it goes. I'm more interested in how the side plays than who gets picked, and Radford and Dowes have been pretty good in pre-season.