Mrs Barista wrote:Shaul is a miss because he is an experienced player in our squad who is unavailable. Matongo would have come into contention with Ma'u and Bowden out, so is a miss.
Ma'u is a 3-4 week injury based on last week's update, so 2-3 week's still. Reynolds was said to be 4-6 week's 2 weeks ago. So neither will be back according to stated timescales. As you say Bowden is likely to miss out, so that's 5-7 players missing against last year's Grand Finalists. Not negative, just factual. As you'll see from my posts after the match, I'm pretty chipper about our start to the season, but we haven't played a top side yet and now have to do so with a chunk of the squad out, possibly evem both first choice halves.Good to keep a sense of perspective I think.
Shaul being unavailable however has proved an opportunity to Connor who I feel is flourishing in that role and offers so much more in attack, so not the miss you're making it out to be in my opinion.
Ma'u and Reynolds are definite misses but again timescale not definitely known.
Matongo is a back up player at best but him missing on a positive provides an opportunity for Brown who I rate to be better.
Bowden looks to be a definite miss too so out of your 5-7 missing, I think in real terms about 3.
So keeping a good sense of perspective I prefer to look at the positives.
We've played Warrington who you keep reminding us are a top 4 team.
I suspect Wigan will be too good for us though but even they have injury problems and were playing Farrell and Isa as centres and Smithies in the back row.
French has only just come back and Field is missing also.
Just to put it into perspective and not making rash assumptions regarding players missing.
I'm glad you've been pretty chipper because we look a far better team under Hodgson but you still like that negative spin to downplay our chances, let's be positive eh.
I would like to go the season without us falling out