Fulton/Luani split

[VanillaThunder]

Having seen Luani play for the first time yesterday, it got me thinking about him as a potential replacement while Robbie is on rep duty. Of course, I haven't seen to much of him so it may have been a good-ish day, but he looked pretty capable and played a bit of back row too I think.

With Masada out injured now too (who I was never too sure about to begin with), I was wondering about Liam and Luani splitting the time at hooker, with one spending time in the back row or on the bench while the other is acting 9.

Can anyone give me an idea of how he's shaping up/if he normally goes alright?

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[tig_prmz]

i dont like fulton at dummy half tbh. i thought his decisin making was good but his service was bad. long loopy passes- frustrated the playmakers.

 

[VanillaThunder]

Who would you have in his place? I don't follow the lower grades particularly well, but no-one really stands out to me. Anasta at a very very very last straw I suppose..

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[LaT]

That was my thought, Fulton to start and carry a utility forward on the bench who can split duties. Haven't seen much on Luani but reading match reports and opinions it seems he might be a possibility.

We will probably need yet another tier 2 exemption to blood a new player.

 

[tig_prmz]

me neither and im just going off what i saw in first grade. 9/10 times fulton went to the side of the ruck where we had players or an opportunity- however, his passes were very ordinary- not flat. i have no idea who can fill that role in though. not sure if we have a bye before origin 3?

 

[VanillaThunder]

I think we have the bye, but purely for conversation's sake - and, heaven forbid, if Robbie gets injured.

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[tig_prmz]

im not arguing that fulton is not a viable option. he's probably the best we have and im a big fan of fulton as well. im just pointing out a flaw. benji needs room to move, but i just thought when fulton gave him the ball he looked crammed.

 

[southerntiger]

My problem with this is that neither of them is a specialist hooker. Both are backrowers. Luani has been very good at State Cup level but in my view his service his not without its faults.

I am a big fan of James Luff's passing from dummy half but I doubt he is close to first grade.

 

[Black_n_White]

Im hearing you tig, Fulton is now on the books for a while, and I do think that even though its late in his career, they need to make sure he has the skills to play super-sub. He has the brains to play all over the park, and is a good on field utility in that he isnt a wasted bench spot, just maybe needs the time invested into his training program to keep his full skillset sharp incase of injury within the squad.

 

[Chainlink]

I think Fulton will get the gig. I think potter would select Meaney before Luani tbh.

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[tigertilidie]

Well we have a bye the next time Farah misses a game for origin. so unless he gets injured we won't have to use Luani but he would be my choice for a 40min stint rotating with Fulton

 

[westy81]

First grade shouldn't need a replacement for Robbie as the next origin we have the bye, only reason we would need a replacement is if Robbie gets injured for a long period, knock on wood it didn't happen

 

[krayola]

Is Luani really in their plans to ever play first grade though? What I'm really getting at, as crazy/stupid as it may sound, is with Tedesco injured and Meaney at fullback, would they play Brooks there? Too small, too much of a positional stretch perhaps?

These last two games have been two of Fults best…never thought I'd see him hit so hard given his slight of size. Would hate to see him moved atm. If Ted is back I guess they'd play Meaney in 9

 

[happy_tiger]

Can't see the Tigers being allowed by the NRL to give Luani a second tier allowance after the way Fulton filled in so well v the Raiders

 

[bp_tiger]

DO ANY OF U BLOKES WATCH THE NSW CUP OR WHAT LUANI IS A REAL PROSPECT, JUST LIKE SUE, GIVEN THE CHANCE HE WOULD BE VERY GOOD, SOME OF U BLOKES NEED TO START WATCHING GAMES AND GET UR HEADS OUT OF THE SAND.

 

[Anthism]

Luani was in the warm up squad vs Dragons and not sure prior/post then so he's definitely not without a chance.
Played hooker first year of U20s and a bit last year too.
Second row is his suited position but he has great utility value

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[Wacko_Jacko]

Luani not a hooker, there was a shocking pass from him in NSW Cup on weekend from dummy half where we lost 20-30 meteres

 

[Snake]

Have watched the last 2 reserve grade games ..Luani is a prospect but doubt he could keep up to the speed of the game in NRL maybe with 15 mt spurts. Fulton is the best fill in for Farah IMO.

 

[Tiger_Watto]

Wont Farah be back this week?

I'd like to see Luani given a shot off the bench in 20min periods, as he would offer enough as a backrower also.

The other option if Robbie doesnt play is to start the Giraffe there and bring Brooks into dummy-half off the bench?

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Would prefer Fulton, need his defensive ability in the middle, can run a line out of dummy half too.

Punches above his weight but it gets him out of the back row as well and paves the way for a bigger unit to get a run on the fringes.