I suspect Jimmy has planned to get Lauaki fit for the 8s which I now think he is.

The bench will be difficult to predict. It looks like Lauaki, Crossley and Fergusson plus a back. I expect the centres to be Purtell and Blythe which leaves a handful of lads vying for the bench. I will go with Mendieka if Shaw is at FB.

If Mullaney and Seijka both play we definitely need a back who can cover at FB.

I'd line up like this from now on, once everyone is available (new signings not included, obviously)



Shaw (Can't drop him after yesterday

Caro (likewise)

Henry (as above)

Blythe

Williams

Gaskell

Mullaney

Sidlow

AoB

Clough

Olbison

Pitts

Addy



Crossley

Lauaki

Ferguson

Walshaw



We don't need a back on the bench. Addy is there for cover in the halves/hooker and Walshaw can play centre if need be. Did anyone see Walshaw going for it during the Leigh interception try yesterday? He nearly caught him from the other side of the pitch, the bloke can shift

What I would go with, although Jimmy seems to like having a back on the bench. Thought Walker player well yesterday, but I just can't see who he would replace.



Agreed about Walshaw, was a great effort. Also his charge down saved us.

This is what I'd go with too. I wouldn't move Shaw from full back as he was immense yesterday. Gaskell and Mullaney is a very dangerous half back combination.

Lauaki offers more than Fleming IMO. Lauaki attracts more defenders and is a bigger threat. I don't really mind if he does small minutes as Clough and Sidlow can do big minutes and perform to a high standard. They were both excellent yesterday.

Lauaka looked sharp and fit yesterday, maybe the timing of his runs were still a bit out when he received the ball, which lowered the Maximum Hit potential.



Looks like he is coming good at the right time. Definitely in for me ....

Sorry for the confusion as I wasn't supporting the claim just stating some facts

The only 'MUST' change is Purts for Henry. Adam did play well on Sunday but Purtell is both a classy centre with ball in hand and decent defender and, in particular, he knows how to get his winger away. Despite his good game at the weekend Adam is too unreliable, for me.

I agree about Siejka. I also think we had huge expectations that Lauaki would act as a wrecking ball in the pack . He's been a major disappointment mainly due to his poor physical condition. If those two players had performed to expectations we would have been a different proposition.

Hmm, really? I'm just not seeing any of that in Purtell at all. He isn't a classy centre, I don't think his ability to put his winger away is as good as Henry, he's not a good defender out wide (quite the opposite), he has absolutely no agility whatsoever and he has zero pace.

The only attacking threat he poses is his height, and we never put high kicks up in his direction so it's wasted.



Bottom line is there's no substitute for pace and Purtell has none. On the basis of our recent and rumoured signings, Jimmy thinks we're lacking pace in the backs and I agree.



I'd wager that Purtell is one of our highest earners. I think we could better spend his salary elsewhere in the squad and free up a quota spot in the process.

I was comparing the Purtell and Henry at the Bulls Nothus, not sure which two you're comparing....