Re: Pre-season chat : Sun Feb 05, 2023 6:04 pm  

My main takeaways

Was interesting that Havard and Cooper started. Wonder have they overtaken Singleton?

For the vast majority of last year, Smith played on the right and Cust the left. They were the opposite today. Both naturally left sided. They played well today.

Two centres looked good. King had 5 quality offloads in the first half, but he defence worries me.

Attacking brand of rugby seems to still be with us, first try was a beauty.

KPP looked superb.

Re: Pre-season chat : Sun Feb 05, 2023 6:22 pm  

Good hit out and it was nice to see two centres. I expected Warddle to be decent but had little questions over King but I thought he was very good also and seems really happy. Bevan and Jai only need a sniff to turn nothing into something that edge of the seat rugby is a pleasure to watch. Marshy is relentless pound for pound as good as any. Miski must be best back up reserve winger finishing well both times. Smith looks like Tommy has been teaching him how to drop that shoulder and twitch it into ribs the rest of his play looks comfortable and Cust was also very good today, both leading the chase well off down field kicks. I though Cust especially when Forber came on with his sharp passing and scoots from acting half, seemed to benefit, it seemed to give our ball players more time I can't see how Forber won't force his was into the team sooner rather than later, very exciting player. For me everyone else was solid Mago's mistakes was down to a lifted leg and a strip both pens on a different day the whack to his lower back ended his time pretty quickly so hard to judge. Smithies Havard Cooper Ellis looked solid same with back row.
We got stretched when they moved the ball, but not many better teams ball in hand and they only got the one score. Bit of work needed on way we slide but should come with time. Best thing is the young lads all look able to make the step up I wouldn't have an issue with them being used on occasions.
Good game for Sam's testimonial well deserved.

Re: Pre-season chat : Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:11 am  

I don't like to read too much into friendlies, but both King and Wardle looked good yesterday.

Re: Pre-season chat : Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:24 am  

Egg Chasing wrote:

I don't like to read too much into friendlies, but both King and Wardle looked good yesterday.

It should be a breath of fresh air to have 2 out and out centres in there this season. I suspect the 2 of them will make us realise just how much we’ve been ‘making do’ these past few seasons with guys like Bibby (who I like as a utility), Isa and KPP going in there on a regular basis.

Re: Pre-season chat : Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:38 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

It should be a breath of fresh air to have 2 out and out centres in there this season. I suspect the 2 of them will make us realise just how much we’ve been ‘making do’ these past few seasons with guys like Bibby (who I like as a utility), Isa and KPP going in there on a regular basis.

Not to mention Faz. It's not only that we lost out from not having genuine centres in there but also that we had those covering not in their best positions too. A doubly whammy, if you will. Faz is one of (if not the) best 2nd rowers in the competition and, even though he never let anyone down at centre, losing him from the 2nd row, in effect, reduces his own quality. Same might be said for KPP for that matter.

King and Wardle both looked a major step up from what we had last year and you'd only expect that to become better as partnerships and combinations bed in. That Eckersley looks the part too should mean that we can cover injuries better before needing to look to the second row. We now have 4 players, once Thornley is back, able to slot into the centres.

Re: Pre-season chat : Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:44 am  

Centres playing at centre, nah, it’ll never catch on

Re: Pre-season chat : Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:57 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

Not to mention Faz. It's not only that we lost out from not having genuine centres in there but also that we had those covering not in their best positions too. A doubly whammy, if you will. Faz is one of (if not the) best 2nd rowers in the competition and, even though he never let anyone down at centre, losing him from the 2nd row, in effect, reduces his own quality. Same might be said for KPP for that matter.

King and Wardle both looked a major step up from what we had last year and you'd only expect that to become better as partnerships and combinations bed in. That Eckersley looks the part too should mean that we can cover injuries better before needing to look to the second row. We now have 4 players, once Thornley is back, able to slot into the centres.

Eckersley looks a real talent and seems comfortable across the backline. He reminds me a little bit of Wardle in how he moves, with good footwork challenging defenders.

It’s funny how the game goes, in that for a few years we’ve struggled in the centre position but we’ve had so many options in the second row and that could flip round in this next year or two. We’ll definitely have to go overseas for a second rower or two in 2024. I look at the squad lists around Superleague and realistic options are almost non existent.

Re: Pre-season chat : Mon Feb 06, 2023 1:44 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Eckersley looks a real talent and seems comfortable across the backline. He reminds me a little bit of Wardle in how he moves, with good footwork challenging defenders.

It’s funny how the game goes, in that for a few years we’ve struggled in the centre position but we’ve had so many options in the second row and that could flip round in this next year or two. We’ll definitely have to go overseas for a second rower or two in 2024. I look at the squad lists around Superleague and realistic options are almost non existent.

A few of those young lads look like they could be the real deal. Eckersley, Forber and Hill all look like they're ready at this level. Hill is probably already challenging for the match day 17 and a couple of the more established props will have to up their game to retain their place. Forber was the best of our hookers yesterday too.

I agree regards the 2nd row although you would hope that Nsemba with a couple more years on him would be in the mix and I've also liked the look of Beardsworth when I've seen him play. Plenty of the Mick Cassidy workhorse about him and I say that in a very positive sense.

Re: Pre-season chat : Mon Feb 06, 2023 2:38 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

A few of those young lads look like they could be the real deal. Eckersley, Forber and Hill all look like they're ready at this level. Hill is probably already challenging for the match day 17 and a couple of the more established props will have to up their game to retain their place. Forber was the best of our hookers yesterday too.

I agree regards the 2nd row although you would hope that Nsemba with a couple more years on him would be in the mix and I've also liked the look of Beardsworth when I've seen him play. Plenty of the Mick Cassidy workhorse about him and I say that in a very positive sense.

I watched Beardsworth in the flesh at Whitehaven and on the coverage at Barrow and I like his workrate with and without the ball. My only worry would be that he killed a few attacks as he seemed to struggle to get his head up and pass the ball but that was only a couple of games and it’s very early days.

As for the other youngsters, we seem to have let a few go and really cherry picked what we think are our best across the park. The 6 who have first team numbers are a winger, centre, halfback, prop, hooker and a back rower. Hopefully they’re the right ones and I’m confident they are. All could see opportunities this season because of how we’ve set the squad up.

Re: Pre-season chat : Tue Feb 07, 2023 9:24 am  

I reckon everyone on here will pick the same 1-7 and 11 12 13 for HKR, only question is who starts at prop and how many are on the bench ?
I'd go for 3 plus a utility but I could understand 4 weather dependant.