Asu Kepaoa #236

[Elderslie_Tiger]

Very true how many apprentices get thrown straight on the tools at the coalface

 

[weststigerman]

It could be a tactic to prepare them for next year. Last year Talau was thrown to the wolves against Manly and didn't see first grade again until this year. Seems a lot more comfortable this year.

 

[TheDaBoss]

its a hard one

i want to see Kepoa play again

but talau has been playing above expectations playing on the wing

 

[gato]

Hard to judge Kepoa on his debut game since there has been no cc this year it was his first real game time but talau has been doing his job and has been safe under the high ball for the most part.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

He had a tough time under the high ball, but he chewed up a lot of metres. He was strong carrying the ball out of our own end. That is an attribute that normally takes years to develop. The defence and high-ball skills will come.

 

[facepalmer]

Talau has been really good this year I dunno what sport some people are watching. He's elusive, fast for a guy his size, has a pass and a ton of commitment. I rate the kid a lot.

 

[CocaCola]

Talau has been really good this year I dunno what sport some people are watching. He's elusive, fast for a guy his size, has a pass and a ton of commitment. I rate the kid a lot.

Size isn't an excuse for a lack of speed when your playing in the backline.
If he doesn't have the agility at 20, it's not going to get any easier as he develops & puts on extra kgs.

And I agree he's elusive, he goes missing for half the game.

Hes not a solution to our backline, we need genuine strike centers/wingers, not 'safe'.

And for those who are saying hes just a kid, well if thats the case, leave him out of a mans game. You are either good enough to play 1st grade or you aren't.

 

[TYGA]

Talau has been really good this year I dunno what sport some people are watching. He's elusive, fast for a guy his size, has a pass and a ton of commitment. I rate the kid a lot.

Size isn't an excuse for a lack of speed when your playing in the backline.
If he doesn't have the agility at 20, it's not going to get any easier as he develops & puts on extra kgs.

And I agree he's elusive, he goes missing for half the game.

Hes not a solution to our backline, we need genuine strike centers/wingers, not 'safe'.

And for those who are saying hes just a kid, well if thats the case, leave him out of a mans game. You are either good enough to play 1st grade or you aren't.

He’s played a handful of games. The kids is a gun dominated at junior level has to learn the grind if he NRLYou can’t just play veteran match ready players you have to develop them there is a salary cap. Benji said he’s the best rookie here since Tedesco and he very rarely fishes out praise. Besides that he’s better than Mbye, Jennings already. The others have zero upside.

 

[bacon]

When you read the title wrong and you thought it said Wests Tigers sign Api Koriosau till 2023

 

[CocaCola]

Maybe someone can post another highlight reel I might get excited about.. 1 minute and nothing outside opposition 20.. I don't see him being any better than Suli or Marsters, glad to be proven wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESRjqH-f4hY

 

[JC99]

Talau has been really good this year I dunno what sport some people are watching. He's elusive, fast for a guy his size, has a pass and a ton of commitment. I rate the kid a lot.

Size isn't an excuse for a lack of speed when your playing in the backline.
If he doesn't have the agility at 20, it's not going to get any easier as he develops & puts on extra kgs.

And I agree he's elusive, he goes missing for half the game.

Hes not a solution to our backline, we need genuine strike centers/wingers, not 'safe'.

And for those who are saying hes just a kid, well if thats the case, leave him out of a mans game. You are either good enough to play 1st grade or you aren't.

I’ve not seen Talau do much wrong and he’s shown he can score a nice try too. He’s not top quality but he’s doing well for us. Has a mistake in him every so often but that can be fixed

 

[JC99]

It could be a tactic to prepare them for next year. Last year Talau was thrown to the wolves against Manly and didn't see first grade again until this year. Seems a lot more comfortable this year.

Certainly takes pressure off them next time they play

 

[bbobb]

Maybe someone can post another highlight reel I might get excited about.. 1 minute and nothing outside opposition 20.. I don't see him being any better than Suli or Marsters, glad to be proven wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESRjqH-f4hY

Give him time. Teddy had massive wraps on him and took him a few years to dominate. Yes he had injuries which Initially slowed his development but even then he had a couple of years of injury free footy before he really hit his straps.

Not saying he will be as good as Teddy but he has got a fair bit of growth and development to be had. I think we will only just start to see the best of him this time next year.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Tommy Talau has similar potential to Joseph Manu at the Roosters. Manu took a couple of years to find his feet and really start excelling. He debuted in 2016 and it wasn't until 2018 when he really hit his strides. Partway through that year something clicked and he suddenly had all the confidence to use his skill and abilities to their maximum.

Talau has everything. He just needs time to settle. It is daunting to play against grown, veteran men and to have the confidence to execute without fear is no easy matter.

 

[happy_tiger]

Has Talau even made one clean break this season .....he is very solid don't get me wrong

But you expect a bit more from someone at this level

 

[tigerbill]

Has Talau even made one clean break this season .....he is very solid don't get me wrong

But you expect a bit more from someone at this level

I agree. When I saw teddy, JAC and even Brooks for the first time you could tell there was something special, they wouldn't dominate but they had a few moves that showed they were elusive/smart/tough...I see nothing with talau...that being said he is playing off one of the least remarkable players in the NRL.

 

[walter]

if i was playing us i would kick to talau and douehi all the time . they maybe safe but they cant hurt ya in attack at all

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Talau has been really good this year I dunno what sport some people are watching. He's elusive, fast for a guy his size, has a pass and a ton of commitment. I rate the kid a lot.

He's also playing out of position on the wing. He's finished well when asked to do so and has been safe under the bomb.

I'd like to see the Club move him into the left centre position when ready. It seems the logical step.

 

[rustycage]

It's so typical of us to put down our own. The people putting him in the team at such a young age do know a thing or two about talent. Nut unless his stardom is immediate, he's not good enough - or even rubbish. If there's one thing we as a club are good at, it's nurturing talent. So give it time.

 

[walter]

id play talau at lock give him a similar roll to victor radley he was a 5/8 lock growing up