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Which Super League star does your NRL club need?

Expert
29th May, 2012
24
1373 Reads

With representative season in full swing, the clubs of the National Rugby League are doing it tough. Some a lot tougher than others. On the other side of the planet, the English Super League is into round one6.

Which Super League stars could come back and do a job in each NRL team?

Broncos: With coach Anthony Griffin resting his State of Origin stars through a very tough period, the Broncos would probably love an extra prop or two, especially after David Hala went down with a shocking knee injury on Friday night.

Answer: Lopini Paea

Bulldogs: Canterbury are absolutely stretched to the max right now for outside backs. Even with the signing of former New Zealand Warrior, Krisnan Inu. Mitch Brown was another nice signing for the club, but you feel Des Hasler would like a little more experience.

Answer: Joel Monaghan

Raiders: Wow Canberra are in massive strife right now. They need a whole lot of help if they are to resurrect what has been a terrible season to date. Captain Terry Campese is gone for the year and you suspect the Raiders need more than just one player. Perhaps a new coach is in order too.

Answer: Lance Hohaia and Iosia Soliola

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Cowboys: North Queensland are a tricky one. The Cowboys seem to be doing just fine at the minute but with Robert Lui out for the year and Johnathan Thurston on duty with Queensland, a utility back who can play in the halves might lighten the burden for Thurston and young Ray Thompson.

Answer: Jarrod Sammut

Titans: The Gold Coast are plodding along pretty well at the moment considering many punters had them further down the table a little while back. Aidan Sezer is a player of the future, but is he a player of right now? Scott Prince definitely needs a little more help.

Answer: Brett Finch

Sea Eagles: The premiers are being stretched to the limit right now with State of Origin commitments and injury hindering their progress. Tony Williams is gone for another six weeks, but it’s their outside backs looking thin. Might be time to bring back a fan favourite to Brookvale.

Answer: Michael Robertson

Storm: Does Melbourne really need any extra help? Craig Bellamy’s men are flying at the moment and are stacked for options in the backs and in the forwards. Perhaps this is the right time to bring an English star to our shores and put him into one of the best programmes in the NRL.

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Answer: Sam Tomkins

Knights: Newcastle are a mess. The Novocastrians need help all over the park. Their fullback is timid, the halves are struggling and their forward pack has no grunt. Making things worse is injury has hampered the seasons of Kurt Gidley and Danny Buderus.
Answer: Josh Perry and Luke O’Donnell

Eels: The once mighty Parramatta Eels are scratching away at 2012 and are so close to a win it’s not funny. But the blue and gold are still lacking quality and finish. Chris Sandow has been a fail so far this season and probably needs a little more help in the backline if he is to fire.

Answer: Clint Greenshields and Francis Meli

Panthers: Penrith may have had a wonderful win on the weekend against a lacklustre Manly outfit, but there are still big problems at the foot of the mountains. The Panthers have a great forward pack with a hard working hooker, but the backs are a real problem. Penrith need to add experience and depth to their outside men.

Answer: Setaimata Sa

Sharks: Cronulla still lack a few quality outside backs to go with Todd Carney and Nathan Gardner. Michael Gordon sure is a good signing for them, but they are short a really good finisher.

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Answer: Pat Richards

Rabbitohs: South Sydney are on a wave to the playoffs in 2012 on the back of Greg Inglis and a monster forward pack. Adam Reynolds has blossomed in his rookie season and John Sutton seems to be taking more responsibility. Michael Maguire is getting plenty from some young wingers at the club, but another experienced one wouldn’t hurt.

Answer: Ryan Hall

Dragons: The Saints are at a crossroads in 2012. They’ve struggled in recent weeks and probably didn’t deserve to beat Parramatta at Kogarah on the weekend. The million dollar question is, can St George Illawarra win without Jamie Soward and Ben Hornby? Do the Dragons have a back-up plan?

Answer: Craig Gower

Roosters: Sydney on their day can compete with anyone in the NRL. They have a monster forward pack, experience in key positions and some very good kids coming through their system. But are there too many kids in the top 17 right now?

Answer: Anthony Laffranchi

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Warriors: New Zealand are the Jekyll and Hyde of the NRL. They are either sublime in everything that they do and entertain the masses or stumble their way through a game. Nathan Friend is a machine in the middle of the field, but I would like to see a little more creativity for Shaun Johnson to play off. There is a bench spot there at the Warriors.

Answer: James Roby

Tigers: Wests might have Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah getting them through games, but if the go forward stops, the Tigers stop. I would love to see Wigan backrower Sean O’Loughlin at the club, but there just isn’t any room for another backrower, especially with Braith Anasta and Eddy Pettybourne on their way.

Answer: Ryan Bailey

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