Bring on Latu Fainu

T

TigerNeddyK

Well-known member
It’s Time.. we desperately need some class.. this kid has it all .. we need a winner that wants to play footy for Wests Tigers .. That can make a break and can make a one on one tackle ..
 
Injury report on WT pretty illuminating. Said the club was sourcing advice from ACU Melbourne on his reoccurring hamstring problems
 
Family seems to be genuine footballers.

I remember when Manase came on the scene, he was a machine. Even Api knew he was next up.... shame how that one played out but the family is good stock. Really like what Samuela has been showing. Hope Latu can overcome his struggles and we can see what he has to offer, as by reports he's the most talented of them all.
 
Could Latu handle the physicality and workload of lock or is that asking too much for the young lad?

If Latu went to lock, we could have TDS/Mason on the bench. Gives Api a break and we fit everyone in the team.
 
I think he would need to be eased into that sort of a role and it would definitely have to be limited minutes at least early on.
 
upthetigers said:
Could Latu handle the physicality and workload of lock or is that asking too much for the young lad?

If Latu went to lock, we could have TDS/Mason on the bench. Gives Api a break and we fit everyone in the team.
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His frame could handle lock it’s if his body and fitness can. As a lock he would become close to the most attacking focused lock in the comp.

If he has last 5kgs it would be to position him more in the halves / mobility player. Hopefully also to take weight off his legs as well.

My goal for Latu is to get through the season without any leg or concussion issues. Thinking more longer term for him and us.

If he does he will force his way into the starting lineup, I have zero doubts about that. Kid is a game breaker that has far too much talent and class to be in Reggies.
 
Mighty_Tiger said:
His frame could handle lock it’s if his body and fitness can. As a lock he would become close to the most attacking focused lock in the comp.

If he has last 5kgs it would be to position him more in the halves / mobility player. Hopefully also to take weight off his legs as well.

My goal for Latu is to get through the season without any leg or concussion issues. Thinking more longer term for him and us.

If he does he will force his way into the starting lineup, I have zero doubts about that. Kid is a game breaker that has far too much talent and class to be in Reggies.
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I agree he is far too talented to be playing reserve grade, wasted playing dummy half and not ideal for him to be playing anymore than 10-20 minutes here and there as a 13, particularly if we are doing more than our fair share of defending during that time.
The million dollar question is how does Benji best utilise and get the best out of the extremely talented Latu Fainu ?
 
Vicious said:
I agree he is far too talented to be playing reserve grade, wasted playing dummy half and not ideal for him to be playing anymore than 10-20 minutes here and there as a 13, particularly if we are doing more than our fair share of defending during that time.
The million dollar question is how does Benji best utilise and get the best out of the extremely talented Latu Fainu ?
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We’re training him to be a long term, career half at this club.
Using him as a utility or lock will stunt his development.
I know it sounds weird to have him in reserves all year, but that is the smartest move to get the best out of him. He’ll get games in NRL due to rep duties for Luai and maybe the odd injury or rest for Galvin.
That’s the path Id take. Hone your skills as a half - your future is there at this club.
 
Tucker said:
We’re training him to be a long term, career half at this club.
Using him as a utility or lock will stunt his development.
I know it sounds weird to have him in reserves all year, but that is the smartest move to get the best out of him. He’ll get games in NRL due to rep duties for Luai and maybe the odd injury or rest for Galvin.
That’s the path Id take. Hone your skills as a half - your future is there at this club.
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You're going all in on him being a half. You're not a gambling man, but that may be a gamble worth taking.
 
The only way he'll be a long term half is if Galvin moves on or changes position. One of them will have to if we want to retain both.

They both have too much talent to play a role from the bench. They have to both be in the 17.

The question for me is that if Galvin moves, then latu will slot straight in. Meaning half / 14 is the best place for this year. Then we make a call late this year if lachy extends.
 
hammertime said:
The only way he'll be a long term half is if Galvin moves on or changes position. One of them will have to if we want to retain both.

They both have too much talent to play a role from the bench. They have to both be in the 17.

The question for me is that if Galvin moves, then latu will slot straight in. Meaning half / 14 is the best place for this year. Then we make a call late this year if lachy extends.
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The dilemma H is what do we do with the 14 creates a log jam with Da Silva ready to go let Benji stew over that one.
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
The dilemma H is what do we do with the 14 creates a log jam with Da Silva ready to go let Benji stew over that one.
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Yeah, hear you mate. They both need to keep match fitness, so id expect the 14 to rotate between the two. TDS will start to take more game time from Api in the years forward. Maybe with madge gone too, he may get the NSW #9 back.
 
hammertime said:
Yeah, hear you mate. They both need to keep match fitness, so id expect the 14 to rotate between the two. TDS will start to take more game time from Api in the years forward. Maybe with madge gone too, he may get the NSW #9 back.
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Blues recall could well play out this year probably his last chance with all the younger NSW 9 candidates coming through, the 14 may well be decided by gameplan for the opposition.
 
Tucker said:
We’re training him to be a long term, career half at this club.
Using him as a utility or lock will stunt his development.
I know it sounds weird to have him in reserves all year, but that is the smartest move to get the best out of him. He’ll get games in NRL due to rep duties for Luai and maybe the odd injury or rest for Galvin.
That’s the path Id take. Hone your skills as a half - your future is there at this club.
Click to expand...
5/8? Or actually at 7? Im ok with giving a 5/8 a go at 7 to see, but he’s a 6.
One thing he isn’t, is a lock.
 
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