Fullback, Brooks, Nofaluma, Right edge D and goalkicking...

Brooks and Nofa well tried and tested - times well and truly up. Honestly can't give them more than a month of that, final... final notice.

Laurie, yah.. nah - has moments, but just not a modern fullback.

AD not a half, and wish he would apply himself for the 80 - like most of them.

Really happy with Staines and Naden.
The problem is we are under a ton of pressure...and we have a moderately easy start to the season.

We do not have a month to give Luke and Nofa.

0-4 would be a disaster.

Even 1-3 will be fairly poor.
 
Laurie was the difference between winning and losing.

1. didn't jump for the ball after half time and Titans score
2.Out of position in the 1st half when Titans put a kick in and scored
3. Dropped the ball and Titans scored from a scrum late in the 2nd half

Pretty average imo

I refute the 2nd point. That try depends on team structure. Ricky Stuart said it yesterday about Seb Kris. Defending those kicks is all about what structure you choose. Some sides have fullback defend in the line, or float our the back. Those who defend in the line (tiger and raides), csnt defend those. So blame Sheens on that.

I agree Laurie contributed to the other two, but surely you acknowledge how much more effort he had throughout 80 minutes then everyone else. If all 17 showed that effort we win.
 
The high profile recruits Api and Papali'i were very ordinary.

I don't know why anyone was expecting anything more from Brooks. He's done.

And I agree we won't win much with Laurie at fullback. Just hasn't improved since his first game for us (which is a pattern with a lot of our players).

Our only dangerous players with the ball are Doueihi and Naden.
 
Re Laurie

He was out of position on their short kicks...he failed to read which side they were going multiple times...he failed to contest a ball that broke open the game...

Effort, yes.

But you need fundamentals and smarts at FB. He has none.

Problem is the 7 also has none.

You can't carry one, let alone both...

Laurie can't defend those kicks our line while the coaches choose to make the fullback make an extra man in the line.

I'll judge Laurie on that once he isn't defending in the line. That's up to Sheens. We will be scored against like that consistently until the fullback is allowed to play like old school fullbacks
 
I refute the 2nd point. That try depends on team structure. Ricky Stuart said it yesterday about Seb Kris. Defending those kicks is all about what structure you choose. Some sides have fullback defend in the line, or float our the back. Those who defend in the line (tiger and raides), csnt defend those. So blame Sheens on that.

I agree Laurie contributed to the other two, but surely you acknowledge how much more effort he had throughout 80 minutes then everyone else. If all 17 showed that effort we win.
I agree he tried, but the better FBs read those. He should have been able to see where Foran was going.

I can't see how he improves. He has very little footy IQ for FB and is physically weak.

Stains offers a lot more at FB IMO.

Give Stains the spot until Bula takes over mid season.
 
I agree he tried, but the better FBs read those. He should have been able to see where Foran was going.

I can't see how he improves. He has very little footy IQ for FB and is physically weak.

Stains offers a lot more at FB IMO.

Give Stains the spot until Bula takes over mid season.
After Staines effort today I have no issue if the give him the 1.

But Laurie stays in the starting 13. Anyone who plays with heart stays in my team as this team has been heartless for so long.
 
After Staines effort today I have no issue if the give him the 1.

But Laurie stays in the starting 13. Anyone who plays with heart stays in my team as this team has been heartless for so long.
I like that philosophy, but I honesty do not think he is a first grader.

If you want to keep him, maybe we could try him on the wing like the Indigenous team did.
 
Laurie was the difference between winning and losing.

1. didn't jump for the ball after half time and Titans score
2.Out of position in the 1st half when Titans put a kick in and scored
3. Dropped the ball and Titans scored from a scrum late in the 2nd half

Pretty average imo
That's a long way short of average, it's actually abysmal.
 
Gotta love a "sack everyone" thread after one game.

kid-tantrum.gif
 
Laurie is not a consistent fullback. Credit for the try tho, however his positional play for kicks is the worst in the competition. That was utterly embarrassing. I think Tupou needs a run on the wing and try Staines at fullback. Trial & Error
 
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