NEWS Versatile Bird no lock to stay centre

[Super Freak]

Wayne Bennett says versatile Jack Bird is no lock to stay at centre throughout season

March 22, 2018

Source: Courier Mail

 

[Unbreakable]

“He can play 13, he can certainly play six, he can certainly play centres, he can certainly play fullback.

That's the most interesting part of the Bennett quotes for mine, the fact that he listed 13 first and with all the articles & noise when he signed last season that he was coming to play Lock for us. Very plausible that he could be our Lock post-Origin once Jordy is back.

If that did happen, I'd say that we could chalk up Lodge as being goneskies after this year, I think we're committed to Pangai Jr as a starting prop moving forward.

2019 line-up, assuming Bird is our full-time Lock & assuming Lodge, Sims & Thaiday all move on.

* = denotes a position that we should be looking to upgrade on the market over the off-season.

1. Boyd (c)
2. Isaako
3. Roberts
4. Opacic*
5. Kahu
6. Milford
7. K.Nikorima*
8. McGuire
9. McCullough
10. Pangai Jr
11. Oates
12. Gillett
13. Bird

14. J.Nikorima
15. Ofahengaue
16. Haas / Fai
17. Su'A / Fifita

 

[Renegade]

Would love to see Bird at lock - gives Opacic a crack at center who i think could be a really good player for us if given a proper shot.

Makes that forward rotation a bit harder though, but competition is good.

 

[Number6]

That's the most interesting part of the Bennett quotes for mine, the fact that he listed 13 first and with all the articles & noise when he signed last season that he was coming to play Lock for us. Very plausible that he could be our Lock post-Origin once Jordy is back.

If that did happen, I'd say that we could chalk up Lodge as being goneskies after this year, I think we're committed to Pangai Jr as a starting prop moving forward.

2019 line-up, assuming Bird is our full-time Lock & assuming Lodge, Sims & Thaiday all move on.

* = denotes a position that we should be looking to upgrade on the market over the off-season.

1. Boyd (c)
2. Isaako
3. Roberts
4. Opacic*
5. Kahu
6. Milford
7. K.Nikorima*
8. McGuire
9. McCullough
10. Pangai Jr
11. Oates
12. Gillett
13. Bird

14. J.Nikorima
15. Ofahengaue
16. Haas / Fai
17. Su'A / Fifita

Can’t splash cash in every position Opa deserves a shot or Isaako might be an option at centre. Surely we can find another winger somewhere. Can’t we send a few scouts to Fiji and beat the storm for f sake? We need to wait and see for halfback let’s give it 8-12 rounds for KNik.

Bigger concern is Boyd. Will be on hopper frame at this rate.

 

[Wolfie]

My gut feeling is even if we offer a contract Tommy wont be here next year. Bird will definatley be our long term lock at some point. Never waivered on that.

 

[Dash]

My gut feeling is even if we offer a contract Tommy wont be here next year. Bird will definatley be our long term lock at some point. Never waivered on that.

I reckon consistently being 3rd choice, despite showing numerous times that he's perfectly capable of playing NRL, would have to factor into his decision to stay or go.

 

[Smokin' Joe]

I reckon consistently being 3rd choice, despite showing numerous times that he's perfectly capable of playing NRL, would have to factor into his decision to stay or go.

He is capable yes. But I personally don’t think he is anything special. Here or another club, he will always just be solid. Which is fine.

 

[Wolfie]

He is capable yes. But I personally don’t think he is anything special. Here or another club, he will always just be solid. Which is fine.

Thats all you need sometimes in this day and age with Salary cap restraints. He never lets anyone down and he is reliable. You need blokes like him to balance out the superstars.

I do think he is a lot better though than we have seen, he just hasnt had a decent run injury free to show what he can do.

 

[Foordy]

He is capable yes. But I personally don’t think he is anything special. Here or another club, he will always just be solid. Which is fine.

your definitely right ... but having a player like him will allow us to spend some cash in other positions.

He is alot like Glenn in the sense that you know what you will get from him... a capable NRL standard player, that will go out there and do a job for you week in, week out, but will never demand the big cash, because they aren't a flashy "superstar"

in the days of the salary cap, every team needs several players just like him

 

[Wolfie]

From what i heard and judging Bennetts comments Bird is certainly going to play lock imo.

 

[Foordy]

From what i heard and judging Bennetts comments Bird is certainly going to play lock imo.

which would definitely leave a center spot available for Opacic. although that could depend on what happens with Oates ... as Kahu needs to be in the backline somewhere, and i'm liking what i'm seeing from Isaako

 

[Renegade]

He is capable yes. But I personally don’t think he is anything special. Here or another club, he will always just be solid. Which is fine.

That's how I see him, a Mick Devere type of player. Or a Jack Reed if we want a contemporary version.

 

[Super Freak]

That's how I see him, a Mick Devere type of player. Or a Jack Reed if we want a contemporary version.

He reminds me of another Jack Reed. Even keeps getting the same shoulder injuries.

He was a solid defender, has a very similar attacking style.

He was given a crack in 2016 and he proved he is a very capable NRL player. Had some issues defensively in the last couple of games due to the shoulder issues. But he should be all good now.

 

[Wolfie]

which would definitely leave a center spot available for Opacic. although that could depend on what happens with Oates ... as Kahu needs to be in the backline somewhere, and i'm liking what i'm seeing from Isaako

I really like Kahu, but he is cursed at center. He just always seems to get injured.

 

[tommy]

I really like Kahu, but he is cursed at center. He just always seems to get injured.

Even when he is playing he is rarely at %100. I want to love him, I really do.

 

[pagey]

Maguire isn't a prop . We need size up front, thats how the game is going

 

[Sproj]

n the days of the salary cap, every team needs several players just like him

Except the Roosters of course.

 

[Super Freak]

Maguire isn't a prop . We need size up front, thats how the game is going

No, he is the former Rabbitohs coach.