Totally agree, except I would say that Fonua is faster than Michaels, a couple of times Fonua went the full length, I don't think Michaels is quick enough to do that.

Not sure tbh. I would definitely fancy Michaels in a foot race. We've never really seen him with a chance to go 80 metres, but he always looks quick chasing back when teams have broken against us. The only real long range try I remember Fonua scoring last year was the intercept against Catalans, and even Richard Whiting would have fancied that one given the head start and the players chasing.

Think Michaels is quick over 20 yards but that's all IMO. You only have to look at curries try at Wembley he left him behind. Saying that he never let's us down tackles well and runs the ball out well

Like the try he scored at Wakefield a few years ago.

Currie also left Jamie Shaul for dead.That said Currie is exceptionly fast for his size

Poor ball retention though. Shame that.

Fonua on the wing with micheals inside, offers us the solid tackling and security of SM and the wing play we saw of MF in the NRL.
micheals puts his body on the line like no other backline player does, he NEVER shirks and tackles well above his weight as well as being good in the air and running the ball out.
He can also pass better than most of the backline (Watch his Brisbane/Gold coast highights on YT) he can also interchange on any side of the field at wing or centre without any noticeable difference to his level of play.

Yup, he's not the quickest (I think he lost a little pace since his NRL days), he's not the most explosive but I'd have him in the first 13 all day long

Naughty girl!!

Fonua ain't slow. That try you mention. If you watch it escare chases so Fonua puts the gas on and leaves him in a 20 metre spell. Then wind's down. Only a few years ago in the nrl he dusted Barba

I dont wanna be harsh on michaels cos I like him... but. He's a 110%er. We all love a player like that. But that's for steady or struggling teams. Teams that want to win comps need X factor players and x factor plays. Kelly carlos and Mahe have that. Michaels would never have set the play away for that try yesterday. He'd of done what was asked and we'd of playet the ball on our 10. Instead because of mahes instinct and carlos's footwork hands and awareness kelly gets to put the ball down at the other end.
Michaels is steady as a rock. But can't just shoehorn him in the centre because of it when weve centre options already. The seasons long, and it's a squad game these days. So he'll play his part and play it well without doubt
Hull by all acounts been training a kelly carlos mahe combo. Based on yesterdays brief but electric and exciting peak I can't see anything other than that combo come wakey

I think you're being more than harsh saying he's only good for a starting place in a "steady" or "struggling" team.
Yeaman didn't have the X-factor for years and was 'steady' amongst many other centres/wingers we've had but retained his place because he was steady and didn't make too many mistakes.
The last exciting centre we had (before MF) with the X factor was Crooks junior, just in a completely different way.
Out of the two on last seasons performances SM was way ahead of CT.

We won't find out if Michaels would do just as well if he doesn't get the same amount of opportunity in pre season.
I'm happy to go with Carlos if that's who we're going with and it's going well. Just don't want to lose an experienced centre that can offer us a lot.
it's all well and good having X factor in attack if in defence you're a bag of and MF quite frankly is an awful defender at times and moving him to the wing was the best move all round. Was surprised RAdford didn't switch him and SM last season tbh

We'll just have to see what happens, can only hope for more tries and if Kelly does manage to fire like we know he can we could be in for a shed load.
I'm certainly not worried about those saying we lack a prop, couple of big lads in there and some mobility/endurance to balance things.
Oh and no I@@@@@@s!

Jury is still out on Carlos playing centre, but there is no way Michaels should play centre, he doesn't have the right skill set to play there, I'd have Carlos, Logan and Connor before him. Think he has only played a couple of games there and didn't really stand out.

He should be 3rd choice winger.

Centres. Fonua, Griffin, Connor,Logan. Tuimavave is way down the pecking order.

Yours or Radford's?

Connor is considered more a 6 or 1 cover.logan still injured. Griffin is left. That leaves fonua n carlos. Played carlos centre other day and trained most the portugal week. I'll be suprised if carlos isn't centre v wakey now

Great thread full of smart comment and reasoned argument. Can't disagree with most of what's been said.
Bottom line is " We'll be fine, "
All goes to show we've loads of
options. The season is long and they'll all play their part.
I'm expecting Watts to shine this year and push hard for Rep.honours.
Jansin Turgut will breakthrough, looks a talent.
We will be knocking on the door in all comps.
It's a marathon not a sprint the last 13 selected in October will be quite different from the Wakey 13.
Whoever they are, their ours.

Nailed on barring injury Tuimavave at right centre

Totally agree..

Why move a 'Dream Team' centre to the wing, to accommodate a utility back?.

What made him a dream team centre though?
It wasn't finesse or decisive defence or sublime handling

For me it was his physical attributes more than anything. He's an utter tank,with decent feet,reasonable speed,his strength paves the way for his offload game
He used these attributes V opposition centres and 2nd rows
From the wing with kelly and carlos inside-2 ball players- he will still be able to use all his strengths but often 1 on 1 v opposition wingers. What it aso does is take 15 to 20 tackles workload out of him in D meaning his fresher for attack. Aso a weapon in the air. Another area of his game utilised easier from the wing

In terms of Carlos in the centre. He looked top class in the centre before being moved. Reminds me massively of joel Moon
His a better kicking game, passing game and defensive read than Fonoua imo. But is no slouch in his offload ability as well(great for a winger) Very instinctive player with great feet. Those feet are gonna make space for Fonua many times and Fonua is gonna relish the space. No brainer for me. Especially with what they showed in that short spell on Sunday. Even more so when I factor in kelly inside them.

Josh Bowden not included in the squad for the Salford game - has he picked up an injury??

looks like it

...ankle problem.

Hopefully not bad

Good post. I am really looking forward to seeing how our new look back line will perform with Kelly + Sneyd with another year under his belt