OFFICIAL Latu Fainu #282

[TurnStyle]

Didn't see much, but like others have said I'm just happy for him to get through a full 80 minutes.
This is the beginning... Let's hope it keeps going to the point where you don't instinctively flinch every tackle!

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Thought Latu played his role well tonight as the more passive receiver. Contributed to a number of Tonga’s tries with some classy touches. Defended strongly & got through 80 mins albeit a little bit of cramping. But placed on report for a high shot on Conti, didn’t look much in it but he needs to be careful.

Was Conti the Lebonese half?
I thought he outplayed Latu. Latu did bugger all in attack.
Not holding my breath for him being our halfback savior.
Under instructions to just shovel it out? He did that well.

 

[davey_farrell]

Was Conti the Lebonese half?

yup

 

[Spartan117]

Was Conti the Lebonese half?
I thought he outplayed Latu. Latu did bugger all in attack.
Not holding my breath for him being our halfback savior.
Under instructions to just shovel it out? He did that well.

Conti looked good.

Latu wasn't under pressure to over play his hand against Lebanon.

Latu is a cracker of a half. I'm really looking forward to 2027.

 

[tigertragic]

Was Conti the Lebonese half?
I thought he outplayed Latu. Latu did bugger all in attack.
Not holding my breath for him being our halfback savior.
Under instructions to just shovel it out? He did that well.

Conti played on the ball half, as did lolohea.
Latu played 6 and did his job without overplaying his hand. Good game and defensively strong.

 

[weststigerman]

Did they really drop Latu for Lolohea?

That’s not a good sign.

 

[upthetigers]

Did they really drop Latu for Lolohea?

That’s not a good sign.

I think that was to be expected after the game Lolohea had

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

I think that was to be expected after the game Lolohea had

To his credit he goes up a level when he plays for Tonga. It's like Dane Gagai when he used to play for Queensland, could be playing poor at club level but finds another gear representing his state (or country in Lolohea's case). Man Lolohea is a big what if in the NRL, he just couldn't put down the big macs.

 

[Merlot]

To his credit he goes up a level when he plays for Tonga. It's like Dane Gagai when he used to play for Queensland, could be playing poor at club level but finds another gear representing his state (or country in Lolohea's case). Man Lolohea is a big what if in the NRL, he just couldn't put down the big macs.

Lolohea's days in the nrl where plagued by potential but no will to fulfill it

 

[achilles]

Conti played on the ball half, as did lolohea.
Latu played 6 and did his job without overplaying his hand. Good game and defensively strong.

Definitely did well at not overplaying

 

[achilles]

Did they really drop Latu for Lolohea?

That’s not a good sign.

Yes

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Interesting point in today's foxsport's article on Latu:

Although he will face in-house competition from Jake Averillo and Javon Andrews to partner Adam Doueihi in the halves, Fainu shapes as the leading contender for the vacant five-eighth position if he can put his injury trouble behind him.

‘I grew straight away’: Tigers star opens up on $1m rookie deal, contract talks... and replacing Luai

‘I grew straight away’: Tigers star opens up on $1m history, contract talks... and replacing Luai

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[TigerBurnsy]

Interesting point in today's foxsport's article on Latu:

Although he will face in-house competition from Jake Averillo and Javon Andrews to partner Adam Doueihi in the halves, Fainu shapes as the leading contender for the vacant five-eighth position if he can put his injury trouble behind him.

‘I grew straight away’: Tigers star opens up on $1m rookie deal, contract talks... and replacing Luai

‘I grew straight away’: Tigers star opens up on $1m history, contract talks... and replacing Luai

www.foxsports.com.au

Do you think they have any concrete intel, or are just guessing based on the fact ad played 7 for most of this season?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Do you think they have any concrete intel, or are just guessing based on the fact ad played 7 for most of this season?

He's probably assuming but who knows!

 

[TigerBurnsy]

He's probably assuming but who knows!

I hope they are assuming, we have tried the ad experiment and it failed

 

[innsaneink]

He's probably assuming but who knows!

Of course they are its what they do

 

[tig_prmz]

I think Latu is great at straightening the attack, deft little short kicks and has that deception about him that Benji did.

But.. you need a lot more than that at halfback. I remember seeing the KM covered by Cleary in 2024 was more than any other player including Edwards. Cleary may not have the same amount of touches that Hynes does but his presence at first receiver creates space for the men inside and outside him.

Latu to me doesn't have the fitness to be a halfback. He like standing deep and waiting for his moment. In terms of talent, he's up there with Katoa or Walker, but doing it consistently for 24 weeks for 80 minutes requires extreme dedication and fitness which I haven't seen from him.

TBH I don't think AD has that either and haven't seen enough of Javon.

 

[Oscar Martinez]

Interesting point in today's foxsport's article on Latu:

Although he will face in-house competition from Jake Averillo and Javon Andrews to partner Adam Doueihi in the halves, Fainu shapes as the leading contender for the vacant five-eighth position if he can put his injury trouble behind him.

‘I grew straight away’: Tigers star opens up on $1m rookie deal, contract talks... and replacing Luai

‘I grew straight away’: Tigers star opens up on $1m history, contract talks... and replacing Luai

www.foxsports.com.au

So to win a comp you need a top 4 half and a top 4 fullback. (If you have a superstar in one of those two it's still possible)

We're going into 27 with Bula and AD apparently. I'm struggling to think of a worse combination in the comp.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Interesting point in today's foxsport's article on Latu:

Although he will face in-house competition from Jake Averillo and Javon Andrews to partner Adam Doueihi in the halves, Fainu shapes as the leading contender for the vacant five-eighth position if he can put his injury trouble behind him.

‘I grew straight away’: Tigers star opens up on $1m rookie deal, contract talks... and replacing Luai

‘I grew straight away’: Tigers star opens up on $1m history, contract talks... and replacing Luai

www.foxsports.com.au

That's an issue I'm not happy about.
Can't see Doueihi being a game manager from the halfback position. Loves the ball in hand.
All the outside players need to see early ball. Not a stifled-occasional attack.
This rests with Benji. We are watching!

 

[Buttface]

So to win a comp you need a top 4 half and a top 4 fullback. (If you have a superstar in one of those two it's still possible)

We're going into 27 with Bula and AD apparently. I'm struggling to think of a worse combination in the comp.

Any combo with AD in it is the worse.