aj1908 924 Report post Posted December 23, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, Rhinoferg said: You can have the best 6,7,9 and 1 in the league but if your forwards can't defend or make yardage then you will struggle. the best spine can make a huge difference though. if its a top team, most of their forward packs will usually cancel each other out, or any small advantage can be wiped out by a better spine. the best example of this is the melbourne storm over the past ten years. or even the roosters now Edited December 23, 2019 by aj1908 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rhinoferg 80 Report post Posted December 23, 2019 7 minutes ago, aj1908 said: the best spine can make a huge difference though. if its a top team, most of their forward packs will usually cancel each other out, or any small advantage can be wiped out by a better spine. Beg to differ about forwards, we have had a rubbish pack for a while now with Brett 'liability' Ferres the main culprit, Stevie Ward is usually injured JJB and Ablett not the players they were and others not cracking any pots, no pack leader, just proves my point. Rhys Martin looks useful as a kicker and hopefully this fella coming in from Cronulla will do a job Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotchy1 4,871 Report post Posted December 24, 2019 18 hours ago, Chris22 said: Had a go at putting together the possible 'spines', a few question marks in here where there may be other options Saints: Coote, Lomax, Fages, Roby, Knowles Wigan: Hardaker, French (?), Hastings, Powell, O' Loughlin Salford: Evalds, Brown, Lolohea, Lussick, McCarthy Warrington: Ratchford, Widdop, Austin, Clarke, Murdoch-Masila (?) Castleford: Mata'utai (?), Trueman, Richardson, McShane, Milner Hull FC: Shaul, Connor, Snyed, Houghton, Sao Catalans: Tomkins, Maloney, Drinkwater, McIlorum, Garcia Leeds: Walker, Lui, Gale, Dwyer, Ward Huddersfield: Golding, Gaskell, Sezer, O' Brien, Lawrence Wakefield: Walker, Miller, Brough, Wood, Westerman Hull KR: Quinlan, Abdull, Brierley (?), Parcell, Hadley Toronto: O' Brien, Mellor, McCrone, Ackers, Wilkin Saints and Warrington seem the strongest to me. Wigan is an interesting one, especially if they run with French at 6, he has explosive pace and would add dynamism, probably a better option that Leuluai for me. Castleford's half backs have great potential but lack experience. If they can keep Trueman and Richardson together for a few years, they might be able to climb the table again. At the bottom, Hull KR and Toronto look to be the weakest. Hull KR have options with Joe Keyes and Jamie Ellis, but none that will set the league alight. Toronto's isn't the best either, especially at hooker and loose forward. Huddersfield will probably depend on how Sezer goes! Leeming is more likely to be the lead hooker for leeds. Looking at that its interesting to see and id wonder 'the spine' even exists. None of those sides look to be completely settled with good specialists in those positions. Lot of question marks, a lot of utilities. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oxford 3,715 Report post Posted December 24, 2019 (edited) On 23/12/2019 at 21:00, Chris22 said: Saints: Coote, Lomax, Fages, Roby, Knowles Wigan: Hardaker, French (?), Hastings, Powell, O' Loughlin Salford: Evalds, Brown, Lolohea, Lussick, McCarthy Warrington: Ratchford, Widdop, Austin, Clarke, Murdoch-Masila (?) Castleford: Mata'utai (?), Trueman, Richardson, McShane, Milner Hull FC: Shaul, Connor, Snyed, Houghton, Sao Catalans: Tomkins, Maloney, Drinkwater, McIlorum, Garcia Leeds: Walker, Lui, Gale, Dwyer, Ward Huddersfield: Golding, Gaskell, Sezer, O' Brien, Lawrence Wakefield: Walker, Miller, Brough, Wood, Westerman Hull KR: Quinlan, Abdull, Brierley (?), Parcell, Hadley Toronto: O' Brien, Mellor, McCrone, Ackers, Wilkin This does give an indication of an interesting season, if you're not excited by that what's the matter? Edited December 25, 2019 by Oxford Quote "It is, by a million miles, a better sport than union. League is 80 minutes of physicality, speed, good handling, good kicking. It’s continuous." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flat Rock Kid 11 Report post Posted December 24, 2019 Widdop was the best players the tournament at the last WC - poor for England your off your rocker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Man of Kent 5,367 Report post Posted December 25, 2019 Warrington have the best spine on paper but it has to remembered that Steve Price is a keen disciple of the NRL School of Uninspiring Rugby League at University of Wolloomooloo. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JM2010 306 Report post Posted December 25, 2019 I agree Warrington look the strongest but I also like the look of Catalan's spine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gates1 1,395 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 On 23/12/2019 at 21:00, Chris22 said: Castleford: Mata'utai (?), Trueman, Richardson, McShane, Milner Rankin will be full back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dunbar 6,868 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 I think the days of including the 13 in the spine have pretty much gone now with the lock/loose forward considered more as one of the middle forwards now... albeit with some teams playing a smaller, more mobile 13. The 1, 6, 7 & 9 is the spine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JM2010 306 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 (edited) 48 minutes ago, Dunbar said: I think the days of including the 13 in the spine have pretty much gone now with the lock/loose forward considered more as one of the middle forwards now... albeit with some teams playing a smaller, more mobile 13. The 1, 6, 7 & 9 is the spine. I agree. A 13 used to be a bit like a 6 but bigger. Fullback has replaced the 13 as a ball player, linking the middle to the outside backs Edited December 26, 2019 by JM2010 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bedfordshire Bronco 1,108 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 On 23/12/2019 at 11:47, Oxford said: Starting spine? Walker, Lui, Dwyer and Gale does look impressive. I was going to reply virtually the same Stick Leeming in ahead of Dwyer for me- assuming he's not still injured come first game Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bedfordshire Bronco 1,108 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 34 minutes ago, JM2010 said: I agree. A 13 used to be a bit like a 6 but bigger. Fullback has replaced the 13 as a ball player, linking the middle to the outside backs Half the games I see there seems to be a lot of interchange between most positions Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oxford 3,715 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said: I was going to reply virtually the same Stick Leeming in ahead of Dwyer for me- assuming he's not still injured come first game I'd forgotten about the signing of Leeming who I've always had a lot of time for when I posted. I also saw the LoveRL six candidates for MoS this year and spine dominates. I think the ones with the better kicking game may just have the edge, though. Quote "It is, by a million miles, a better sport than union. League is 80 minutes of physicality, speed, good handling, good kicking. It’s continuous." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bedfordshire Bronco 1,108 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, Oxford said: I'd forgotten about the signing of Leeming who I've always had a lot of time for when I posted. I also saw the LoveRL six candidates for MoS this year and spine dominates. I think the ones with the better kicking game may just have the edge, though. Forwards win games not those showboating pretty boys in the back Bedfordshire Bronco - No. 10 (or these days 4 in kick and clap!) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oxford 3,715 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 37 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said: or these days 4 in kick and clap! Quote "It is, by a million miles, a better sport than union. League is 80 minutes of physicality, speed, good handling, good kicking. It’s continuous." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bedfordshire Bronco 1,108 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 29 minutes ago, Oxford said: Its a nice slow sport for old slow people like me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oxford 3,715 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 26 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said: Its a nice slow sport for old slow people like me And still too quick ( yes!) for even older and slower people like me. Played it, watched it and still can't fathom its attraction! The OP was to discuss the Spines of each team and I think we may have drifted a little. Do agree about Leeming as starting 9 though. I was also wondering if Salford's might be going under the radar a bit as the focus shifts inevitably on to the usual suspects for trophies? Quote "It is, by a million miles, a better sport than union. League is 80 minutes of physicality, speed, good handling, good kicking. It’s continuous." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bedfordshire Bronco 1,108 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 45 minutes ago, Oxford said: And still too quick ( yes!) for even older and slower people like me. Played it, watched it and still can't fathom its attraction! The OP was to discuss the Spines of each team and I think we may have drifted a little. Do agree about Leeming as starting 9 though. I was also wondering if Salford's might be going under the radar a bit as the focus shifts inevitably on to the usual suspects for trophies? Depends on Lolohea for me.... Can he become an organiser post Hastings? One thing they will be able to depend will be Luke Yates..... the steal of the transfer season for me..... He would make any starting 13 in SL. On the small size so people underestimate him.. he is an out and out tackling machine who is worth his weight in gold Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oxford 3,715 Report post Posted December 26, 2019 12 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said: Depends on Lolohea for me.... Can he become an organiser post Hastings? He did seem to do the business with Tonga didn't he? And will he need to be if Brown stays fit? Then there's a few unkowns or possibles just behind them! 12 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said: One thing they will be able to depend will be Luke Yates..... the steal of the transfer season for me..... He would make any starting 13 in SL. On the small size so people underestimate him.. he is an out and out tackling machine who is worth his weight in gold Totally agree the steal of the season and some of what I meant by under the radar. SRD's pack looks as strong as most and what they lack overall is pace outwide, if anything. Quote "It is, by a million miles, a better sport than union. League is 80 minutes of physicality, speed, good handling, good kicking. It’s continuous." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oxford 3,715 Report post Posted December 29, 2019 One aspect of this is that Cas will have what could be the future half -back partneship and playing against such differing and talented spines week in week out can only be good for the international set up and future. Quote "It is, by a million miles, a better sport than union. League is 80 minutes of physicality, speed, good handling, good kicking. It’s continuous." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Blues Ox 831 Report post Posted December 29, 2019 In my opinion Leeds spine looks pretty average. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oxford 3,715 Report post Posted December 29, 2019 1 hour ago, The Blues Ox said: In my opinion Leeds spine looks pretty average. Can't agree with this at all. Quote "It is, by a million miles, a better sport than union. League is 80 minutes of physicality, speed, good handling, good kicking. It’s continuous." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oxford 3,715 Report post Posted December 30, 2019 Hull Live nock my idea! The Monkeys Rating every Super League team's spine ahead of the 2020 season https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/every-super-league-spine-rated-3690816 Quote "It is, by a million miles, a better sport than union. League is 80 minutes of physicality, speed, good handling, good kicking. It’s continuous." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Blues Ox 831 Report post Posted December 31, 2019 On 29/12/2019 at 13:12, Oxford said: Can't agree with this at all. I don't think Walker is anything other than a run of the mill fullback. Lui looked good playing alongside Hastings and again I wouldn't say he is near the top 5 or 6 standoff in SL. Gale is quality but I would be surprised if he hits the form he showed at Cas for a while. Dwyer always stood out in the championship and although I rate hit again I wouldnt be taking him if I had to pick 5 or 6 other hookers out of SL. As I said I think they look pretty average, as a whole hey are going to be way better than Huddersfield and Hull KRs choices but nowhere near the top teams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oxford 3,715 Report post Posted December 31, 2019 1 minute ago, The Blues Ox said: I don't think Walker is anything other than a run of the mill fullback. Lui looked good playing alongside Hastings and again I wouldn't say he is near the top 5 or 6 standoff in SL. Gale is quality but I would be surprised if he hits the form he showed at Cas for a while. Dwyer always stood out in the championship and although I rate hit again I wouldnt be taking him if I had to pick 5 or 6 other hookers out of SL. As I said I think they look pretty average, as a whole hey are going to be way better than Huddersfield and Hull KRs choices but nowhere near the top teams. I think they'll prove you wrong ...... but the real point is 18 hours ago, Oxford said: Hull Live nock my idea! The Monkeys Rating every Super League team's spine ahead of the 2020 season https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/every-super-league-spine-rated-3690816 Quote "It is, by a million miles, a better sport than union. League is 80 minutes of physicality, speed, good handling, good kicking. It’s continuous." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
