OFFICIAL Solomone Saukuru #313

[Oldman]

My theory on outside backs is if they get the ball with no one infront of them ANYWHERE on the field they have to score, I dont care if its 10m or 100ms. Makasani picking up a loose ball on our 20m line and getting run down by Ponga who he had a 10m head start on simply isnt good enough. If he scores we win that game. A set or two later Best goes 100ms and scores for Newcastle winning them the game, thats the difference speed makes. On Easter Monday Tavana similary picked up a loose ball 70m out with no on infront and imminently looked for support. We havent had a genuinely quick player since JAC 10 years ago, hell Id say Jacob Liddle is the quickest player we've had since then which is embarrassing.

Schiller will be our quickest next year.

 

[tig_prmz]

I would say positioning your self is part of the tackling technique.
Little things like keeping your eyes on your opponent, switching shoulders if they change angles, Depending what style the team is using “up and in” don’t let your opponent get on your outside or “sliding”
Don’t rush in, and use the sideline as a defender.

Stephen Crichton at his peak was one of the best at double defending. There was an origin game in 2025 when he saved 2-3 tries.

The fact now is that every edge player needs to be able to double defend. I remember back in the day Jason Nightingale was good too. He would shoot out just a little, make the attackers go in , but still knew how to be close enough that he barely got ran around.

Also comes down to fitness. Jamming in, holding your line then sliding each and every play by the whole line takes a lot of effort.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Poor Solo having an absolute nightmare first 15 mins! Missed tackles, dropped balls ... all contributing to tries against.

 

[Garrry]

Every coach and assistant coaches will be targeting Saukuru next year to check if his been practising in the off season

 

[Speed2burn]

Every coach and assistant coaches will be targeting Saukuru next year to check if his been practising in the off season

Hopefully they have a bar TV subscription then ..

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Poor Solo having an absolute nightmare first 15 mins! Missed tackles, dropped balls ... all contributing to tries against.

He needs to grow some goolies if he thinks he's going to crack 1st grade next season, a lot to work on, here's hoping it's not a bad investment.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Every coach and assistant coaches will be targeting Saukuru next year to check if his been practising in the off season

We'll find out what he's made of over the next 6 months. If there is no improvement in his deficiencies, he obviously doesn't have the application or determination to become an NRL standard outside back.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

We'll find out what he's made of over the next 6 months. If there is no improvement in his deficiencies, he obviously doesn't have the application or determination to become an NRL standard outside back.

Yep. Application and determination sum it up. He doesn't need to be the best defender in the game. However, he needs to put his shoulder into some tackles and work his arse off defensively.

Ideally, he is down our pecking order next year for a left centre spot and the coaching staff just hammer effort areas into him while playing NSW Cup (but starting in the pre-season). Good contact in D, positioning and cover defence, line speed, kick chase.

Would be happy to see us sign 1 more versatile outside back to go in front of him and Tavana and make them really earn a spot in grade. Shame it looks like Schiller won't be that player.

 

[happy_tiger]

His defensive liabilities outweigh his attacking abilities
No use being able to score a try and then let 2 in
Pass on him if he can't improve dramatically , has Jeral Skelton vibes about him

 

[balmain boy]

Saukuru and Makasini are much slower than those two and that will never change. They will never run 90m for a try.
Not a good comparison.

Makasini was a sprint champion at school 2 years ago. He's just got to work out how to keep the speed with his size as he grows.
Saukuru is also faster than most wingers we've had over the past few years. Marky Mark is also not that fast, he's explosive over small distances and tall and long arms

 

[balmain boy]

Saukuru just looks like he is disinterested in D.
His mind seems to be elsewhere. Not alert to any upcoming threats. Slow to react when the penny drops. No communication between his partners? Not sure what's going on in his mind. Wake up!
Hope they can get this out of his game because there is a good centre hiding there somewhere.
Needs one on one coaching and explain to him his future pay packet is depending on it.

He's not a centre. He's a winger in the short term or a second rower in the longer term

 

[balmain boy]

The other 2 are also wingers where they can be hidden in defence a bit if their centre is good

These two are both wingers too.

 

[balmain boy]

IMO
Both are too slow for wingers, and I can’t imagine them being able to jump very far off the ground for kicks.
But
Everyone is entitled to their opinion

I'm not sure if you've ever seen these boys play before

 

[balmain boy]

He needs to grow some goolies if he thinks he's going to crack 1st grade next season, a lot to work on, here's hoping it's not a bad investment.

The first thing to do is move him out of the centres.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

The first thing to do is move him out of the centres.

Possibly, but I think the first thing Saukuru should do is lose some lard from his fat arse, the truth can be insulting but Benji needs to be up front with him to get the basics right, fitness and athleticism will help with his pathetic defence.

 

[Oldman]

I'm not sure if you've ever seen these boys play before

A couple of times,
Got to look at the good and the bad when making a judgement

 

[Tucker]

Makasini is plenty fast , and can jump .. he is an athlete .. a lot of you nay sayers are going to be eating humble pie in the next few years on him .. I truly cannot believe the disrespect and lack of patience a lot of you Forum regulars are showing towards our 18 year old centre from this year that played injured most of the season and was obviously a bit low on confidence at times .. kids going to be a superstar , no doubt

Cool. He can come back up and play first grade when that occurrs.
What is disrespectful is this club continually sending him out there to play centre in the NRL. He is by far the worst centre in the comp and that’s a group that includes Saukuru.