Heath Mason #288

[BirchgroveTigers]

Same size as Connor Watson - I think that is his role really. Just needs to keep plugging away and could lock down the 14 role once Api has retired and Da Silva is our staring 9.

 

[weststigers]

I'd pick between da Silva and Api for hooker and play mason at 14 to relieve at hooker and play the utility role. I don't like carrying a hooker on the bench who can't play well elsewhere. And Mason could also be brought in to play a papenhouzen like lock role that he did at the start of his career. Feel like mason could be someone who adds spark and X factor when you need something to happen.

All that depends on having a competitive forward pack which also enables Latu at 13. Perhaps wishful thinking.

But I think mason is as promising as any of our young bunch this year (behind Galvin of course).

I think by end of 2025 things become clearer as to the make up of the team long term.

Galvin will either stay or go.
Api will extend for 1 or 2 more years or retire.

This makes room for TDS and a 14 if we are without Api.

Without Galvin as well, you'd like to think it will be

9 TDS
7 Luai
6 Fainu

14 Mason or maybe someone else.

I dont think you can carry Api, Galvin, Latu, TDS and Mason in the same team.

They'll all get enough opportunities through injury and suspension like they did this year.

 

[weststigers]

Probably what should happen…
Bird can offer great utility value and fill in at hooker if required…
My concern is, we’ll play bird and have another utility on the bench…
We’re just that dumb!!

Reality is, if we were a better team - Api wouldn’t need a rest so much and one utility could cover us. Tallyn being a specialist hooker is going to make it hard to get him into the game and having our bench 100% effective.

Hopefully whatever they do, works…
Hard to back them at this point though

Do we really think Bird starts at centre? If the rumours are to be believed about Montoya, we are probably looking at a Skelton and Montoya/Laulilii wing combo and Turuva/Olam in the centres.

We have lost 2 backrowers and don't really have a lock. On the surface at least it would make sense to slot Bird into lock or 2nd row.

 

[batboy]

Do we really think Bird starts at centre? If the rumours are to be believed about Montoya, we are probably looking at a Skelton and Montoya/Laulilii wing combo and Turuva/Olam in the centres.

We have lost 2 backrowers and don't really have a lock. On the surface at least it would make sense to slot Bird into lock or 2nd row.

You posting to my reply on his Utility value probably tells you what I think...