Asu Kepaoa #236

[pawsandclaws1]

If you have the time, watch some of the early efforts of Joey Manu, no doubt one of the best players in the NRL. He was erratic and his defence was not great. Toa and Kepaoa have both followed the same path via the NZ Under age team. We need to be patient with both players.

 

[Buttface]

Yep I reckon they both need to see out the year in nrl to grow and become confident in the position at this level.

 

[StarswithStripes]

AJ has come a long way and has a good attitude. Would like to see him in a regular 1st grade start. Biggest improvement is his ball handling!

 

[momo_amp_medo]

He played ok but he needs another couple of really good games to cement his spots.
Lots of mistakes mixed with few good stuff.

 

[TigerVinnie]

I think Naden should secure a centre spot next year, I think we look considerably better when he plays (Laurie also seems to grow a leg with Naden) the other should be between AJ, Talau and Toa, best in the preseason gets it.

 

[Demps]

I think Naden should secure a centre spot next year, I think we look considerably better when he plays (Laurie also seems to grow a leg with Naden) the other should be between AJ, Talau and Toa, best in the preseason gets it.

Talau is bigger than Che Kam now.

He's a backrower 🔥

 

[watersider]

AJ is a physical presence. He hits it up real strong and plays confidently. This is key. Too often our edges have looked overmatched: boys against men, Naden and kepaoa like the physical stuff. Even in games where we're on the back foot he is able to have impact through his dummy half runs, again we haven't had a player like that. AJ also has classy centre touches and good instincts. He's a good player.

 

[69-05-41]

Last night AJ caught my attention consistently for all the right reasons, definitely improving with enormous upside potential.

 

[Tiger-ferret]

I think Naden should secure a centre spot next year, I think we look considerably better when he plays (Laurie also seems to grow a leg with Naden) the other should be between AJ, Talau and Toa, best in the preseason gets it.

I agree with this even though he has the odd clanger in him. The opposition have to work just that little bit harder to contain him.

 

[jirskyr]

If you have the time, watch some of the early efforts of Joey Manu, no doubt one of the best players in the NRL. He was erratic and his defence was not great. Toa and Kepaoa have both followed the same path via the NZ Under age team. We need to be patient with both players.

Respect to you paws, I was going to give you a shout-out here, that you always said Kepaoa had real potential, ever since he joined.

I know Hartigan was very happy with the pickup, which is why we swooped so fast when the Chooks wanted to offload someone for SBW.

It wasn't just us picking up scraps.

 

[Yossarian]

I think he’s been a big improver this year. These final rounds could be the making of some of these guys - AJ, Madden, Pole etc.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Shout out to Asu for his performance since being moved to centre. Up against Kotoni Staggs last night and got the better of him. Hard to believe that we haven’t had a strike centre since pre hip injury Chris Lawrence over a decade ago, early days but he looks good.

 

[balmain boy]

Has he improved? He's gone from poor to average in my mind. He's got to do a lot more. He got targeted in defence and missed a heap of tackles. Attack is improving gradually. Wouldn't start for any other club currently

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Has he improved? He's gone from poor to average in my mind. He's got to do a lot more. He got targeted in defence and missed a heap of tackles. Attack is improving gradually. Wouldn't start for any other club currently

Yep agree. Poor to average, though that’s an inprovement. Made 14 tackles, missed six. Toa for comparison, made 15, missed 0 with 1 ineffective. Looks decent with ball in hand, hard to tackle with a decent pass. Needs to improve defence though. Tricky defending on that side this game though, kelma, madden are hardly strong defenders either…

If he can play the remaining games this year and have a full off season, should do him world of good.

 

[Buttface]

Yep agree. Poor to average, though that’s an inprovement. Made 14 tackles, missed six. Toa for comparison, made 15, missed 0 with 1 ineffective. Looks decent with ball in hand, hard to tackle with a decent pass. Needs to improve defence though. Tricky defending on that side this game though, kelma, madden are hardly strong defenders either…

If he can play the remaining games this year and have a full off season, should do him world of good.

Yep, Toa miss a heap of tackles not long ago and now give flippers the next month at centre in nrl and he might go from average to decent just like Toa, hopefully that growth continues for both. I think Naden is a centre to though.

 

[TCL]

Kid has ability and was better on the weekend.

 

[Stevec]

See slight improvement with hands and footy smarts but his missed tackles were directly involved with 2 of broncos 3 tries .

 

[Blocker1963]

I don't think he was ever poor, he has come back from a pretty significant injury. With the right coaching and attitude, he is going to be a very good centre, he had Staggs guessing all the time.

 

[The SHADOW]

I didn’t rate him much, and he has some work to do , but is getting better.
When boys become men.

 

[SeanT]

I like Kepaoa. I reckon To'a is good as well. Naden can play as well.

We've got some depth in the outside backs now.

Depth but no top 4 players.

AJ needs work. Toa is more a winger. Naden is rocks and diamonds.

Want to see Tupou have a crack there too.