Chis Lawrence
- Thread starter Milky
- Start date
His best asset is the good lines he runs in attack on the try line and as a decoy. He tries his guts out, but the reality is that he is now a player of restricted ability. He plays more like a wide running 2nd rower these days. He just doesn't have the acceleration or step to get away from his man one-on-one creat anymore. I've come to live with it and realign my expectations. He's not a match winner anymore, but he plays a role and it's not like we have anyone better playing in reserves.
Tim Sheens
Well-known member
@Tbone said:
Agree, same thoughts on this one. I never thought much of his step, but just another half a metre of pace back of the five or so he has lost, would allow him be so much better. He has though adapted his game to his shortcomings this season.
southerntiger
New member
Very good today. I thought he looked pretty sharp, particularly in the last 20\. Perhaps he has some more confidence in his hammies.
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stevetiger
New member
He is a gun. I'm just not sure where he fits in.
G
Guest
Guest
Solid game today, came up with a cracker of a front on hit on one of the Knights forwards. Ran some good lines today too, pity he doesn't have the same pace before his hip injury, otherwise we'd be singing his praises even more.
greatodensraven
New member
He has been good this year compared to the last couple but he just doesn't have the pace to stay in the backline anymore.
I'd love to see him transition into the backrow, Simona take his centre spot on the left , Nofo to right centre & Koro to right wing. Why not bite the bullet now during this rebuilding year.
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I'd love to see him transition into the backrow, Simona take his centre spot on the left , Nofo to right centre & Koro to right wing. Why not bite the bullet now during this rebuilding year.
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stevetiger
New member
@greatodensraven said:
Who would he replace ? Seriously Blair, Thomson, Fulton, Patterson, Sironen, Akoula, Halatau and Lawrence into 3 or 4 spots ?
Everything looks so hard for him. Even playing the ball looks hard some time. He is putting in 100% thats all you can ask. He run great courage lines and can hit a hole. Defensively he has been better the past few weeks, although the wet tracks suit him.
I still think he has huge deficiencies which will cost us against the better sides.
I still think he has huge deficiencies which will cost us against the better sides.
greatodensraven
New member
@stevetiger said:
That's for Potter & the guys you mentioned to figure out. Competition can only be good for the team. I just don't think he's quick enough for centre anymore & we have a weapon like Koro waiting for another chance.
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jirskyr
Well-known member
I can't really understand the ongoing criticism of Lawrence, despite this thread. Most people are hung up on the fact that he used to be lightening-quick and is no longer, regardless of how he may have adjusted his game.
There are tonnes of players like that - Hodges, Slater, Thurston; all substantially slower than they used to be. The important question is whether they adjust their game to suit. I feel Lawrence has.
Sure he has a few ordinary games here and there, but I feel he is still the best centre at the club. He averages 91 m per game (7.55 m per average of 12 hitups), 15 tackles and has scored 4 tries (3rd behind Richards and Teddy).
He is no longer the player who you can give early ball to dazzle or power past his opponent. He has increased his reliance upon hole-running and strength in the carry, and has compensated by taking more forward-relieving hitups in traffic. He rarely ever finishes a game outplayed by his opposite number and has the size to take down forwards lurking out wide - he decked Sims (?) yesterday as an example.
He's not Dane Gagai, he's not RTS, he's not Simona, he doesn't have that kind of movement any more. But look at Kane Linnett, Matai, Jack Reed - other examples of strong centres who run good lines, hit hard and whilst not being lightening-quick, rarely have rings run around them.
Yes he is on big bucks, but he is fortunate that he signed a deal when he was at his physical peak and all good judges saw him as an emerging elite-level centre. Only injury kept him out of origin; he has already played 6 tests for Australia (that is more than any other WT except Farah who has 7 appearances).
We might face the same situation with Tedesco in a few years, it's the risk you take with the highest quality players. Plenty of dudes running around on more coin than perhaps they are worth; even just with 5 seconds thought: Anthony Tupou, Snowden, Learoyd-Lahrs, Idris, Barba, Ayshford, Benji.
We see out his contract and decide what to do come next contract.
There are tonnes of players like that - Hodges, Slater, Thurston; all substantially slower than they used to be. The important question is whether they adjust their game to suit. I feel Lawrence has.
Sure he has a few ordinary games here and there, but I feel he is still the best centre at the club. He averages 91 m per game (7.55 m per average of 12 hitups), 15 tackles and has scored 4 tries (3rd behind Richards and Teddy).
He is no longer the player who you can give early ball to dazzle or power past his opponent. He has increased his reliance upon hole-running and strength in the carry, and has compensated by taking more forward-relieving hitups in traffic. He rarely ever finishes a game outplayed by his opposite number and has the size to take down forwards lurking out wide - he decked Sims (?) yesterday as an example.
He's not Dane Gagai, he's not RTS, he's not Simona, he doesn't have that kind of movement any more. But look at Kane Linnett, Matai, Jack Reed - other examples of strong centres who run good lines, hit hard and whilst not being lightening-quick, rarely have rings run around them.
Yes he is on big bucks, but he is fortunate that he signed a deal when he was at his physical peak and all good judges saw him as an emerging elite-level centre. Only injury kept him out of origin; he has already played 6 tests for Australia (that is more than any other WT except Farah who has 7 appearances).
We might face the same situation with Tedesco in a few years, it's the risk you take with the highest quality players. Plenty of dudes running around on more coin than perhaps they are worth; even just with 5 seconds thought: Anthony Tupou, Snowden, Learoyd-Lahrs, Idris, Barba, Ayshford, Benji.
We see out his contract and decide what to do come next contract.
tig_prmz
Well-known member
well said jirskyr.
he's adapted well and can still get that oflload away by attracting two defenders.
althought, i think he's better suited in the backrow- we are short of options in the centres which means lawrence will stay there.
he's adapted well and can still get that oflload away by attracting two defenders.
althought, i think he's better suited in the backrow- we are short of options in the centres which means lawrence will stay there.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
He was on track to being the best centre in the game. A damn shame.
@Anthism said:
Yes it was good to see his footwork coming back. If he can stay free of injury I expect his involvement and contribution to increase. He has mentioned confidence a few times too, so hopefully that is also returning.
Let's face it, he is going to be picked every week if he is available.
balmain boy
Well-known member
The thing is, what does Lawrence offer that we don't already have? Look at it objectively people.
He is currently playing as a backrower, playing at centre. We have plenty of hard running back-rowers that can make as many if not more metres in attack and hit just as hard if not harder, in defence.
To be able to play centre he needs some pace or trickery about him. He no longer has this.
He can't beat his man through pace or skill any more. He can only use power - a trait of forwards.
Yes other players have adapted their games as they get old and lose their pace, but even then they still have some pace. Every back mentioned in this thread is faster than Lawrence.
Lawrence probably isn't even in the top 10 fastest players at the Tigers any more. Think: Tedesco, Koroibete, Simona, Rowe, Nofoaluma, Brooks, Moses, Tapau, Gavet, Austin would all be faster than Chris.
If he is to play in the team he needs to earn his position in the back row like any other player would. Perhaps we don't re-sign Bodene and replace him with Lawrence. Perhaps Fulton will need to retire soon due to head injuries and we replace him with Lawrence.
He's a Luke Lewis type player and should be played accordingly to get the most out of him. Playing him out of position doesn't do him, or us any favours..!
He is currently playing as a backrower, playing at centre. We have plenty of hard running back-rowers that can make as many if not more metres in attack and hit just as hard if not harder, in defence.
To be able to play centre he needs some pace or trickery about him. He no longer has this.
He can't beat his man through pace or skill any more. He can only use power - a trait of forwards.
Yes other players have adapted their games as they get old and lose their pace, but even then they still have some pace. Every back mentioned in this thread is faster than Lawrence.
Lawrence probably isn't even in the top 10 fastest players at the Tigers any more. Think: Tedesco, Koroibete, Simona, Rowe, Nofoaluma, Brooks, Moses, Tapau, Gavet, Austin would all be faster than Chris.
If he is to play in the team he needs to earn his position in the back row like any other player would. Perhaps we don't re-sign Bodene and replace him with Lawrence. Perhaps Fulton will need to retire soon due to head injuries and we replace him with Lawrence.
He's a Luke Lewis type player and should be played accordingly to get the most out of him. Playing him out of position doesn't do him, or us any favours..!
