goldcoast_tiger
New member
@ said:
Last seen throwing darts at a photo of Ivan lol
Dropped Lolohea faces fullback challenge
- Thread starter Tacky
- Start date
Last seen throwing darts at a photo of Ivan lol
stevied
Well-known member
I don't think anyone needs to worry about this move by Ivan. I didn't see the game but apparently Tui played well last week. There might be a few things to tweak but nothing major I'd imagine. People forget that he played a lot of fullback at the Warriors, including a purple patch in 2016, before he lost form and confidence. The truth is that Ivan wants to see what he's got in Thompson. He was one of the star performers last week and he wants to give him more opportunities by playing him at the back. Tui can't play anywhere but fullback so he makes way for one game before returning for the Roosters game.
guyofthetiger
Well-known member
No surprises here really.
Just more of the same, as with his time at the Warriors.
Just more of the same, as with his time at the Warriors.
The thing is with Tui is that he hasn't played fullback for quite awhile I would think. Even the world cup he was playing in the halves. Think he deserves to at least start the season at 1, I think it's a confidence thing him starting in the reggies this weekend.
Can anyone tell me how many games Thompson has started at fullback in his career??
Can anyone tell me how many games Thompson has started at fullback in his career??
Fraze23
Well-known member
@ said:
8 times. Once at the dogs (the game against us in 2015 when we blew that massive lead and Mbye kicked the winning field goal. We lost 25 24.) Then 7 times over in the UK. He mainly played wing.
So it's not as though Thompson is a tried and tested option at fullback either.
http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NDQtLS01LS0tLS0yMDcxMi0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=
Tui has played 22 out of 52 games at fullback for the Warriors. He's spent more time on the wing than I realised.
http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTAtLTQtLS0tLS0yMDg2Ny0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=
@ said:
That is a very broad term. It could be that he's getting to where they want him to be but just has yet to refine a few things. I didn't think he was all that bad at all last weekend overall. His fitness was probably the biggest concern, looked pretty gassed early on in the piece. Playing Thompson over him in a trial means nothing in the great scheme of things.
It's likely that it's Ivan putting everyone on notice, no one is a sure thing.
tigerbenji
Well-known member
Its a Trial, Trying different people in different positions. Come round 1 i think Tui to Fullback & Thompson on the Wing.
simonthetigerrrr
New member
It seems a strange move…...it must be his fitness.
Surely if its just a selection thing ud give em 40 mins each and the best man wins.
Also strange as Tui went pretty well from my eye against the cows....
Surely if its just a selection thing ud give em 40 mins each and the best man wins.
Also strange as Tui went pretty well from my eye against the cows....
beachtiger
Well-known member
@ said:
I tend to agree that he went pretty well but here is the thing, the Coach obviously didn't and saw things in his game that isn't what he wants from his fullback. For me that is significant indication that IC won't be settling for anything less than what is expected from his players, great place for us to be in.
balmain boy
Well-known member
In the end it's better for Tui to have 80 mins to work on things, and get fitness up than to play half a game in NRL. He already has some combinations with half the squad having played in halves with brooks, mcilwrick etc last season.
Depending on how major the things he has to work on are he could be in for round 1 or start a few weeks later if Thompson's going ok
Depending on how major the things he has to work on are he could be in for round 1 or start a few weeks later if Thompson's going ok
