Latu Fainu #282

Jedi_Tiger said:
no
I would put AD at centre
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Put him at centre in defence and fullback in attack.
We are never going to have a fluent attack with Bula at fullback as he is rarely willing or able to engage defenders before passing the ball.
We would get much more value out of Bula by him still defending at fullback, but playing centre or wing in attack.
 
Whilst AD is still underdone after his dislocated shoulder, I wouldn't move him from 7.

I think Jarome will be back next week, and they need to rebuild their partnership, provided Jarome stays with us next year... Not sure about that though.

I'd start Madden at 9 rather than Latu or Hope, then bring Latu on at the back end of each half.

Latu is very creative and quick, but Madden has a better service and passing game.
 
AD kills our attack. He bombed opportunities against Cowboys & Raiders but because we won it doesn’t get mentioned. He is such a selfish player that needs to play centre. Latu needs to be the 7. He has to be given multiple games there because one off stop gap games are hindering his development. He didn’t just knock on the door yesterday he kicked it down, his performance should have him in at 7. Bula, Romey, Latu should be our 1,6,7 for the remainder of the year. If Benji rolls out either AD or Jock in the halves this week then he not only does it kills off this year but kills off development for next year as well.
 
Tiger_claws said:
AD kills our attack. He bombed opportunities against Cowboys & Raiders but because we won it doesn’t get mentioned. He is such a selfish player that needs to play centre. Latu needs to be the 7. He has to be given multiple games there because one off stop gap games are hindering his development. He didn’t just knock on the door yesterday he kicked it down, his performance should have him in at 7. Bula, Romey, Latu should be our 1,6,7 for the remainder of the year. If Benji rolls out either AD or Jock in the halves this week then he not only does it kills off this year but kills off development for next year as well.
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I don't agree. You can't expect AD to play on song after a severe injury. Even Cleary has fallen apart in tough games and injuries, especially in Origin.

We won't make the 8 this year, so we might as well start blooding our youngsters. However, Latu isn't a half in my opinion. He will be Api's replacement at 9.
 
Leck said:
I don't agree. You can't expect AD to play on song after a severe injury. Even Cleary has fallen apart in tough games and injuries, especially in Origin.

We won't make the 8 this year, so we might as well start blooding our youngsters. However, Latu isn't a half in my opinion. He will be Api's replacement at 9.
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I think your opinion needs adjusting - he’s a rep level half, played his whole career there… if he’s not a half, it will be because he’s retired.
Anything else is just dribble
 
Leck said:
Who needs to retire? I'm confused by your reply.
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I think @batboy means the only reason Latu shouldn't play half, is if he's not playing at all, ie: retired.

Latu should be the half. With Luai, from tomorrow's team announcement until Luai finishes, or Andrews is ready. Time to look forward, even without proper financial input from the inept board. And before we lose more players by playing them our of position or screwing up their development.

AD is a great team player. He's not a halfback, even though he's been playing there, and doing ok this season. How often does he stuff up an attacking play by hogging the ball? And, yes, sometimes, his size and strength gets him through, but more often than not, it ends an attacking set, and we hand over.

Anyway, Latu @7 is the only place he should be. Preferably in firsts, definitely in KOE with Andrews if not. 100% NOT on the bench, filling in as hooker, lock, or anything else.
 
Suzie-Q said:
I think @batboy means the only reason Latu shouldn't play half, is if he's not playing at all, ie: retired.

Latu should be the half. With Luai, from tomorrow's team announcement until Luai finishes, or Andrews is ready. Time to look forward, even without proper financial input from the inept board. And before we lose more players by playing them our of position or screwing up their development.

AD is a great team player. He's not a halfback, even though he's been playing there, and doing ok this season. How often does he stuff up an attacking play by hogging the ball? And, yes, sometimes, his size and strength gets him through, but more often than not, it ends an attacking set, and we hand over.

Anyway, Latu @7 is the only place he should be. Preferably in firsts, definitely in KOE with Andrews if not. 100% NOT on the bench, filling in as hooker, lock, or anything else.
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Agree Suze
 
Suzie-Q said:
I think @batboy means the only reason Latu shouldn't play half, is if he's not playing at all, ie: retired.

Latu should be the half. With Luai, from tomorrow's team announcement until Luai finishes, or Andrews is ready. Time to look forward, even without proper financial input from the inept board. And before we lose more players by playing them our of position or screwing up their development.

AD is a great team player. He's not a halfback, even though he's been playing there, and doing ok this season. How often does he stuff up an attacking play by hogging the ball? And, yes, sometimes, his size and strength gets him through, but more often than not, it ends an attacking set, and we hand over.

Anyway, Latu @7 is the only place he should be. Preferably in firsts, definitely in KOE with Andrews if not. 100% NOT on the bench, filling in as hooker, lock, or anything else.
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Fair enough Suzie, I just don't think he's a great half, however his body would be perfect for hooking.

I do agree that AD can be a hog at times and that's something that Benji as a coach needs to look at closely.

Before AD's injury he was on fire, even that try/injury where he dislocated his shoulder was gold.

AD can play 6, 7, 3, 4 and 1. He's an important asset. Latu is still learning his craft but I see him as a 9.

I believe the 9 is actually the most pivotal position in any team.
 
Suzie-Q said:
I think @batboy means the only reason Latu shouldn't play half, is if he's not playing at all, ie: retired.

Latu should be the half. With Luai, from tomorrow's team announcement until Luai finishes, or Andrews is ready. Time to look forward, even without proper financial input from the inept board. And before we lose more players by playing them our of position or screwing up their development.

AD is a great team player. He's not a halfback, even though he's been playing there, and doing ok this season. How often does he stuff up an attacking play by hogging the ball? And, yes, sometimes, his size and strength gets him through, but more often than not, it ends an attacking set, and we hand over.

Anyway, Latu @7 is the only place he should be. Preferably in firsts, definitely in KOE with Andrews if not. 100% NOT on the bench, filling in as hooker, lock, or anything else.
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I said after the Penrith trial AD's ball hogging cost us two try's to the right side

AD should play centre Latu 7 Luai 6

Souths blooded alot of young players last year we should do the same any player who has a chance to make his debut next year should be in the 6 bench players and give them 15 -20 minutes just to get a feel of it


I am Shaw at worst they can live up to the high standards of missing tackles and lazy plays

And the reason to debut them this year is for them to understand the speed and physical aspects of first grade so they can give them self the best off season possible
 
Leck said:
Fair enough Suzie, I just don't think he's a great half, however his body would be perfect for hooking.

I do agree that AD can be a hog at times and that's something that Benji as a coach needs to look at closely.

Before AD's injury he was on fire, even that try/injury where he dislocated his shoulder was gold.

AD can play 6, 7, 3, 4 and 1. He's an important asset. Latu is still learning his craft but I see him as a 9.

I believe the 9 is actually the most pivotal position in any team.
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I agree re the 9, so I am wondering why you think that is Latu's best position, given that he is a half, a junior representative in that position, and is arguably the best half we have, and is nullified when played at hooker? I'm not being argumentative or dismissive. I'd really like to know what you see in him, other than body size/shape, that says #9.
 
Whilst this might be going down memory lane, Robbie Farah played most of his junior footy in the halves, however as his shape, height, and low centre of gravity changed, he was coached to play 9.

That worked out beautifully.

When I watch Latu play, I feel the same way. He has all the crafty and creative skills of both Robbie and Api combined, but he just needs to finesse his passing and kicking game.
 
Leck said:
Whilst this might be going down memory lane, Robbie Farah played most of his junior footy in the halves, however as his shape, height, and low centre of gravity changed, he was coached to play 9.

That worked out beautifully.

When I watch Latu play, I feel the same way. He has all the crafty and creative skills of both Robbie and Api combined, but he just needs to finesse his passing and kicking game.
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I would like to see Latu actually get a solid go at 7 … he could be something special at that position where we don’t have an obvious medium term solution… he looks to have more zip than Robbie had
 
Suzie-Q said:
I think @batboy means the only reason Latu shouldn't play half, is if he's not playing at all, ie: retired.

Latu should be the half. With Luai, from tomorrow's team announcement until Luai finishes, or Andrews is ready. Time to look forward, even without proper financial input from the inept board. And before we lose more players by playing them our of position or screwing up their development.

AD is a great team player. He's not a halfback, even though he's been playing there, and doing ok this season. How often does he stuff up an attacking play by hogging the ball? And, yes, sometimes, his size and strength gets him through, but more often than not, it ends an attacking set, and we hand over.

Anyway, Latu @7 is the only place he should be. Preferably in firsts, definitely in KOE with Andrews if not. 100% NOT on the bench, filling in as hooker, lock, or anything else.
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Exactly -
he only won’t be a career half, Is if he’s not in the game at all.
If he’s still playing (here or elsewhere) he’ll be a half - and probably a first choice half.
 
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Tom Shines said:
I would like to see Latu actually get a solid go at 7 … he could be something special at that position where we don’t have an obvious medium term solution… he looks to have more zip than Robbie had
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I agree Tom, he deserves that chance. However, I feel that he's had a few bites at the cherry and missed his opportunity.

So in that case, who will be our long term hooker? Rumours are that Api is going to Perth to finish his career.
 
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