This. I feel like Wright often flies under the radar especially when compared to the entertaining style of McReight, Wilson and Uru, but having him fit and firing at 6 is a huge plus. His set-piece and breakdown work is phenomenal but I think his best trait is just his general rugby smarts. He always seems to make the Wright (pun intended) decisions and makes very little mistakes. Not to mention his clear leadership qualities. I'm backing him in for a huge year.Liam Wright being fit is a big bonus.
Feel like you guys are being a lot kinder to Luke Jones since he's signed as a red.
Not really. I thought he got overhyped at times - but he’s always been a quality Super rugby player and is a step up from guys like Vest & Tualima. I am pretty happy with Blyth, Smith, Jones, Uru, Wright, McRieght & Wilson to fill 5 starting & two bench spots. Jones aside, the rest have shown they can match it with any of the other Aussie packs (still need to show they can match the Kiwis though). Unless he’s dropped away then Jones will compete for a starting spot at lock but, I suspect, will probably play off the bench.Feel like you guys are being a lot kinder to Luke Jones since he's signed as a red.
Missing a bit up front this year and it’s going to hurt. Held together greatly by McReight, Wilson and Wright in the back row. In that order. Anderson one to watch and looking to establish himself in the 23. Our tall timbers are ok. Line outs are going to be interesting.1-Fa'agase
2-Faessler
3-Ravai
4-Smith
5-Vest
6-Wright
7-McReight
8-Wilson
9-McDermott
10-Lynah
11-Vunivalu
12-O'Connor
13-Flook
14-Petaia
15-Campbell
I just don’t rate Vest as Super quality. I was hoping for a big off season but I think he played ITM and then has been injured so his S&C are likely still not up to it.I thought Lynagh was great at Roma but I don’t think he’ll be starting unless O’Connor and Creighton are injured. Even then they might want to use another option.
Parts of Lynagh’s game appear Super Rugby standard by physically he doesn’t look ready to me. Henry, on the other hand, looks ready to go.
Also wouldn’t think Vest would be starting lock unless non of the injured locks are ready.
I thought he did really well against the Aussie teams (for a guy newly in Super Rugby). But was well off the pace against the Kiwis.I just don’t rate Vest as Super quality. I was hoping for a big off season but I think he played ITM and then has been injured so his S&C are likely still not up to it.
Who else? Where is Blyth?I just don’t rate Vest as Super quality. I was hoping for a big off season but I think he played ITM and then has been injured so his S&C are likely still not up to it.
1-Fa'agase
2-Faessler
3-Ravai
4-Smith
5-Vest
6-Wright
7-McReight
8-Wilson
9-McDermott
10-Lynah
11-Vunivalu
12-O'Connor
13-Flook
14-Petaia
15-Campbell
Who else? Where is Blyth?
What I noticed when Creighton came on was the distance of his clearing kicks. Don't know if they had wind behind them but he seemed to make far more ground than Lynagh from his kicks. I think Lynagh needs one more year of growth.I thought Lynagh was great at Roma but I don’t think he’ll be starting unless O’Connor and Creighton are injured. Even then they might want to use another option.
Parts of Lynagh’s game appear Super Rugby standard by physically he doesn’t look ready to me. Henry, on the other hand, looks ready to go.
Also wouldn’t think Vest would be starting lock unless non of the injured locks are ready.
Probably helps that Creighton has/was working with Dave Alred for the last two years or so. Hopefully Dave is back out in Aus this year as the Reds kicking from hand has been pretty good over the last few seasons.What I noticed when Creighton came on was the distance of his clearing kicks. Don't know if they had wind behind them but he seemed to make far more ground than Lynagh from his kicks. I think Lynagh needs one more year of growth.
He's with Bristol these days:Probably helps that Creighton has/was working with Dave Alred for the last two years or so. Hopefully Dave is back out in Aus this year as the Reds kicking from hand has been pretty good over the last few seasons.