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Wingers warned: Get ready for a fight
6:50am Wednesday 7th January 2009
Comments (11)Steve McNamara has told his Bulls wingers: All places are up for grabs.
The coach has four widemen battling out for just two spots ahead of Super League XIV.
Last season’s top try-scorer Semi Tadulala should nail down one while new signing Rikki Sheriffe has bagged the No 2 jersey but McNamara says nothing has been decided.
With Kiwi Tame Tupou bidding to prove his worth after a serious knee injury and Dave Halley keen to become a regular himself in 2009, the fight is on.
“We’ve got plenty of competition there,” said McNamara.
“A couple have the ability to play in other positions – Dave Halley showed some stuff at full back last year while Rikki Sheriffe did similar at Quins and Tame can be used as a forward. We’re definitely thinking of doing that again this season.
“But the fact is we have four very good players who can all play those wing positions.
“Now it’s effectively up to them to decide who gets those spots by the way they practice and perform.”
The Odsal chief is excited by what each can bring to the table.
Tupou, in particular, is looking for a big campaign after struggling with form and fitness last time around.
“Tame had a very good start to his Bulls career, scoring ten tries in his first ten games,” said McNamara.
“But by his own admission he was frustrated last year and disappointing, something he is keen to put right now. He’s still recovering from what was a big knee injury but is giving us all the right signals about what he’ll do when he gets that chance.”
Conversely, Tadulala, who reported back for training on Saturday after his World Cup exploits with Tonga, returned 23 tries in 2008 but McNamara believes he can deliver more.
“Scoring tries is one thing but preventing tries is the other,” he said.
“People playing in those wing positions for us have some really tough defensive decisions to make and it is a very important role for the team.
“Semi made some great ones last year but also some not so great and he’s looking to improve his all-round game.
“He certainly carries well for us and is a little like Tevita Vaikona in that respect with his strength and power.
“That takes it out of the opposition and yardage is vital, especially early in the season when we might be a front-rower down.
“That goes for everyone though and we’ll be looking for sizeable work-rates from our wingers.”
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haitch, Lincolnshire says...
9:55am Wed 7 Jan 09
We should get behind him and respect his decisions. I agree with Hanley about Sol and there are others who need to look at their fitness but from what Macca has been saying he looks to be addressing these problems. I think Neros selection over Cook at times was probably Macca trying to build Neros confidence and it appeared to be working in the last few games where Nero did improve a lot.
Apart from injuries Cook will find it difficult to break into the team with Sol, Morrison,Langley Menzies and Worrincy. He tries hard but has not really lived up to the promise he had. Let's hope he really can produce and provide even more back row competition.
Gumshoe, Queensbury says...
10:20am Wed 7 Jan 09
Nero improved towards end of season when his match fitness returned but I still have doubts over Sol but I hope he has taken a few steps in off season to sort out his fitness and injuries. Shame about Cook who did well last year even though didnt score as many as should.
langley also needs to improve on last season. Hopefully the stiffer competition for places will make all players step up a gear or two and play out of their skins week in week out!
Cant see Halley getting a sniff unless loads of injuries.
COYB!!!
haitch, Lincolnshire says...
10:45am Wed 7 Jan 09
Gumshoe, Queensbury says...
12:48pm Wed 7 Jan 09
haitch wrote:Possibly Haitch, he is pretty versatile as a player and has a bit of pace.
Couldn't agree more with your comments Gumshoe. Just a pity we havent the competition or cover for Centre and Halfback, which proves we have some way to go yet to get where Macca wants to be? Could he use Cook at Centre?
I think Macca has something up his sleeve re halfback cover as I dont think he could so naive as to not notice it could be a big prob if deacs or BJ crocked!!
COYB!!!
Ralphie, Queensbury says...
4:14pm Wed 7 Jan 09
haitch, Lincolnshire says...
4:59pm Wed 7 Jan 09
Ralphie wrote:Its a good point Ralphie. I know there were no Centres or H/Bs available to sign but it does seem odd to have 4 wingers plus Johnson.
Let me see, four wingers up for places - three were already there at the end of last season, so why sign another when we are short of cover in other areas?
Looking at Bulls website I see they list Tupou as a "utility player" which indicates he is to be used where??
mdn, bradford says...
8:15pm Wed 7 Jan 09
Ralphie wrote:because I'd imagine last year tupou and tadulala were planned to be the starting wings with halley as cover. I like halley but think he was shown up a bit on wing last year due to his size so i'd imagine his future is as a utility player covering wing/fullback. think if tupou doesnt come good very quickly he'll also be used as a utility player covering forwards/wing. Sheriffe is a more typical bulls style winger combining size and power with a bit of pace so I think he'll probably tie down the 2 shirt longterm.
Let me see, four wingers up for places - three were already there at the end of last season, so why sign another when we are short of cover in other areas?
With regard to macca having something up his sleeve regarding halfback - could huddersfield pulling out of carney deal have anything to do with this? I know they're citing visa problems but seem to remember mick dobson having visa problems stopping him coming to hull? acouple of years back which evaporated when he signed for wigan ;-)
oddshapedballs, Bradford says...
9:14pm Wed 7 Jan 09
haitch wrote:Haitch with reference to your earlier comments calling people who actually go to games and who watch accademy games idiots.
Macca has a big job to do. There are plenty waiting for him to fall flat on his face this year. We should get behind him and respect his decisions. I agree with Hanley about Sol and there are others who need to look at their fitness but from what Macca has been saying he looks to be addressing these problems. I think Neros selection over Cook at times was probably Macca trying to build Neros confidence and it appeared to be working in the last few games where Nero did improve a lot. Apart from injuries Cook will find it difficult to break into the team with Sol, Morrison,Langley Menzies and Worrincy. He tries hard but has not really lived up to the promise he had. Let's hope he really can produce and provide even more back row competition.
As you will note my name is a play on words towards someone who constantly slates all things Bulls.
My reference to Cherryholme and Flannaghan playing excellent first games for their new clubs and Cherryholme being accademy player of the year 2 years on the trot shows that if your face doesn't fit with Macca you are on your way out.
Leeds, Saints, Harlequins, Catalan plus many others blood youngsters who have come through the ranks we let the odd one through and then let them go. Leon and Karl Pryce, Stuart Fielden, Stuart Reardon, Chris Bridge, JP, Keale Carlisle, and plenty of others I am sure. Yes some of them saw the big dollar signs etc but you used to be able to look at most of the league clubs and none/few of them contained any former Bulls/Northerners. We let far too many good players go and this is my point with the two mentioned earlier. Joe was out injured, Kopczak at Fax and Burge injured yet the accademy player of the year 2 years on trot (a prop) was not selected even as a sub. Macca didn't like him so now he is plying his trade at a lower level as he also has a carreer starting up elsewhere.
Please do not refer to me as an idiot as I watch a massive ammount of 1st team accademy and amateur games and feel I know a little about the game.
That said I hope the Bulls have a hugely succesful season. But the site must have more than a rose tinted perspective.
I will now return to my original name as I have had a dig at the person with a similar name now.
haitch, Lincolnshire says...
10:53pm Wed 7 Jan 09
therumbull, garforth says...
1:34am Fri 9 Jan 09
Semi Tadulala is one of four Bulls players competing for two wing berths
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HANLEY IS A LEGEND, SCHOLES says...
7:32am Wed 7 Jan 09