I would be tempted to give Houghton another week to get ready, Johnstone played great on Sunday and really looked the part. It must be great for a hooker to play behind some of those guys. I always think of Isaac Luke at the Rabbitohs when he played with the Burgess brothers at their peak

Just to give an oppos opinion (for any that are interested) and just because there aren’t many Rovers fans that post on RLFans anymore.

Hull go in to this as favourites for sure after a strong 1st round showing.

We will struggle to stop this team making metres and the stats will undoubtedly show this after the game, of that I’ve no doubt. I liked the look of the young hooker who played against Leeds and am hoping Danny H is back there this week as he doesn’t offer the same threat with ball in hand as the young lad did against Leeds.

Near the goal line I still think Hull looked as though they lacked ideas near the line and that unfortunately comes down to Radford who many have acknowledged to need a good attacking coach working alongside him.

Defence has never been a big issue for you as it has us. Looked as good as any against Leeds but then Leeds didn’t offer much imo. Our goal line d was the best I’ve seen in many years against Wakey and it will have to be on Friday as I feel we’ll be defending nearer our line a lot more than you do yours - due to the obvious physicality difference between the two teams.

We will not win this game by trying to barge down the middle, but the aggression certainly won’t be lacking as it sometimes has in the past few years.

Where I feel we can cause damage is in the centres and them feeding off Adam Quinlan who is quite simple an outstanding FB. I reckon whilst our squad is no where near the strongest overall, I would argue that we have our strongest ever SL centre partnership in Linnett/SKD. Those guys can put there wingers away and we do have two that are very competent finishers. We’re also dangerous in the air this year in that department.

The obvious weakness I saw with FC, and as good as he can be with the ball, his positional awareness really lets him down, and that is Ratu. My brother was involved with Army RU team and he said it’s an issue he’s always had going back to playing Army. Unfortunately I don’t think you can coach it out of him as being in the right position often comes down to instinct and you’ve just gotta hope he can gain this skill with time.

I’m sure this will be a great derby and one with decent skill on show.

I believe FC will go well this year but I can’t see past the current Saints team who just look ridiculous. Whilst FC wouldn’t take many of our players, I believe if you had Quinlan, Parcell and SKD, you’d rival Saints for the title.

Anyways, all that being said, here’s to a good game and a rovers win.

Seems a few are a little sore at kellys attitude

So is radford

evidence
link
bloke in the pub

?

Evidence he played for the reserves
Link hes one of our top earners playing in the reserves
Bloke in the pub says hes not injured, so why was he in the reserves lol

Strange another posters has now heard the same days after i posted.............

Like i said its not rocket science

So what your saying is you think a player who is always injured, one who did nothing at Leeds then got binned to Rovers and has then been injured or banned since then a player who has done nothing in the nrl for years and has only played one competetive game for KR would beat all improve us?



















The reason all those players play for you is they couldnt get a gig anywhere else in SL

Idiots like you who don’t have a brain make these forums a complete waste of time for debate, but if you’re interested in one...

SKD was a top tackle busting NRL larker for years, one that could defend unlike your own Fonua who got found out in the NRL for his inability to compete for the high ball in defence.

Parcell was and still is a dream team class hooker and many on here who have a brain respect him as a player same as Quinlan.

So Kelly spat his dummy out because he wasn't given a starting spot...yet he was happy enough to play for the reserves??

He played for the reserves because his coach decided that he didn't need him in the 1st team this week. In recent years, we wouldn't have even noticed, but the reserves comp is there to provide players not picked the opportunity to get valuable game time.

Rumours are self-perpetuating. Here's an example:

Bloke 1 writes on here his 'theory' on this forum about Kelly's absence

Bloke 2 reads this and relays it to bloke 3 at the match saying he's 'heard' the reason for Kelly's absence

Bloke 3 comes on here and says he reckons it is true because someone else had told him the same thing at the match

And repeat ad-finitum...

It's not rocket science :-;

Not seen enough of SKD in SL to give any opinion on him so far but his NRL record is pretty good so an obvious threat. Quinlan although a little on the short side for a FB is a good player and his speed and link up play can be a danger for any opposition team. Parcell whilst not being a world class player is still a player that is good at what he does and has a decent turn of pace and another with ability create openings for himself or a team mate.

As with all derbies form doesn't mean an awful lot and its always difficult to say with confidence who will win. However that said looking at the 2 rosters I would be disappointed if Hull being at home and they way they dispatched Leeds did not get the win but won't be surprised if its a tough and close game.

Looking forward to it under the lights

Think I’m bloke 3, well I very much hope your right Stan, and Albert returns pronto, especially behind this pack we have.

Bottom tier sold out, and a lot gone in West Upper. Could be on for our biggest crowd since the 2007 sellouts.

2 full blocks not been made available though at the north end of the east stand. Seems stupid

I watched the reserves on Saturday, and to be honest, Kelly did nothing to justify a place against Rovers.

Squad announced - no Gareth Ellis or Manu Ma'u

1. Jamie Shaul
2. Bureta Faraimo
3. Carlos Tuimavave
4. Josh Griffin
5. Adam Swift
6. Jake Connor
7. Marc Sneyd
8. Scott Taylor
9. Danny Houghton
10. Chris Satae
11. Josh Jones

13. Ligi Sao
14. Albert Kelly
16. Jordan Johnstone
19. Masi Matongo
20. Brad Fash
21. Jordan Lane
22. Josh Bowden
23. Andre Savelio
24. Mahe Fonua
33. Ratu Naulago

Shaul, Faraimo, Fonua, Tuimavave, Naulago, Connor, Sneyd, Taylor, Johnstone, Bowden, Jones, Griffin, Sao

Subs - Kelly, Houghton, Satae, Savelio

Rovers will get them again if they sell out the North.

If not, best to leave it as segregation given the idiots throwing flares and bottles last time round.

I'd start Savelio, Sao at prop and Bowden on the bench.

No Parcell for them which is a bonus for us

Satae running at Litten!!

M'au had a nasty looking cut near the eye when interviewed after the game, might be the reason for his omission. Lots of options here, could bring fonua in and move Griffin to 2r, or just use lane and masi, maybe start savelio

Sorry, should say I'm not used to options

"Muscle strain" according to the HDM, Ellis has an ankle "complaint".

I'd imagine the Saints game next week will also have been taken into account.

Disappointing to lose Mau for his home debut.Reported as a muscle strain not the cut above the eye.
Looks likely that Griffin will move to second row and allow either Swift or Fonua to come in at centre

To be fair im not too fussed about what you believe, if you want to take it as codswallop good for you. Il continue posting news and you can continue taking umbrage hows that sound



Big plus Parcell not playing, and will be interesting to see how Litten copes with our size and power. Id be tempted to start Sao at loose forward, and have Taylor and Satae start as props to soften Rovers up. Then bring Savelio on later on as we did against Leeds to run amok against tired legs.

Shaul, Fariamo, Fonau, Tuimavave, Ratu, Connor, Sneyd, Tag, Mint, Sao, Jones, Griffin, Savelio Subs Johnstone, Bowden, Satae, Lane. Expect Mint to play 13 for 20 minutes when Johnstone comes on

I can confirm this is the case as I have had people tell me things for "fact" that I have made up and posted on here

Peter Sterling in attendance, I'm looking forward to the great man being paraded.