I’m not being antsy . It’s gibberish ! Taumalolo is the same as Yeo? lol I’ve never heard anyone say that, because it’s not true . One is a prototype ball playing lock of 2024 , a HYBRID of the last 2 eras of football . The ball playing lock of the late 90s early 00s eg. Jason Smith , Brad Fittler , and the other the damaging ball running middle type who takes the 4th tackle Hitup off a retreating defence created either by the wingers coming out of yardage or the conventional props eg . PAUL Gallen , Jason T , Marty Taupau. . Jason T , is literally the latter . The very definition of the latter . Like if you were to have a photo of the prototype it would be a photo of Jason Taumalolo .
Big mouth ? Lol the nrl has moved towards this model ever since they implemented the 6 again rule and vlandys ball .
The roosters went early with victor the inflictor , and the panthers found an edge back rower who fight through yardage , but had the ball playing skills of a half . Moved him into lock and the rest is history .
This is the model moving forward . Bigger Faster stronger fitter .
Guys like Royce Hunt 5 years ago with amount of stoppages could have played 40-50 mins no problem , now they are battering rams used to shift momentum and regain the ascendancy in matches . And funnily enough that’s exactly how the cowboys are using Jason T . You could say it’s because they burnt him out early in his career , or the game has sped up to a point where being an athlete is far more of important skill set than being a battering ram , either way it proves my point .
Yeo and Jason T are both amazing footballers , but definitely products of thier era , and most definitely not even close to the same type of player .
You make good points & hard to disagree.
What I would add is that just because a number of teams play one way, doesn't mean everyone has to play the same way.
If you don't have this hybrid ball player to play at #13, don't.
Play the strengths of the team. Or, fill the position with what is missing/required that the other forwards don't offer.
Trying to copy Penrith's Yeo, or Murray at Souths is futile if the best option the club has is an incomplete copy like Matamua, or a forced copy like Bird. Just because they vaguely seem similar does not mean the results will improve.
I honestly don't like Bird at #13. I think he is FAR more use on an edge- be it the centre or second row spot. I can't see him putting Payne Haas down with any regularity, can you? But that is who he will face.
In that way, Sione Fainu, Pole, Seyfarth...are all better options. But that sacrifices some ball playing.
The forgotten man, the workhorse that gets talked down with regularity, that COULD play #13 & simply not be flashy, is Twal. Big enough & strong enough to hold up, massive motor, few mistakes. He just won't be the link man.
As much as it would look great to have flashy ball player uber athletes, the club simply does not have THAT guy.
Play to the strengths. Defend better. Chase smaller scorelines. I think Bird defending out wide in place of To'a, Doueihi etc & not being a liability is a FAR better use of his ability, than pretending he can be as effective in the middle as some of the elite #13's.
Not every 'modern day lock' is an exceptional ball player either. Hell, we were chasing Kobe Hetherington & Corey Horsborough. Neither of these guys will be mistaken for Paul Langmack anytime soon.
I'd be just as excited to be known as the hardest, toughest & meanest defensive side in the NRL, as I would be known as a flashy ball playing side.
Just so long as it's the best style of play for the players on hand.