Latu Fainu #282

[Lestronge]

yeh 100% agree with everything.

Bellamy said over a decade ago that they had a "coffee test" of sorts where they saw how a player would speak to the wait staff at the cafe. Not sure how true it is though.

My conspiracy theory in this is that we sign players that are well known or have a brand to them, those that have Insta followers such as Taylan May, James Roberts, Luai, Naden, Jack Bird etc. Obviously they're all good players but I feel that the $$ value they bring in through exposure is weighed into the signings. That's not to say the "winning traits" aren't valued, but may be not valued as much when we sign players.

I agree with this . But less so Taylan May . I think the club didn’t really want him, and had to be convinced . The others were during a period where it was hard to motivate the fan base with Tui Lolohea and Corey Thompson , despite the latter being a real weapon .
So they announce guys like Robert’s , who have some name value to sell tickets .
Luai is an attitude shift for this club . Whilst he can be erratic , and I think the players around him are taking time to adjust to his tendencies, I 💯 believe he and Turuva are the driving force behind us constantly being in the game with 5 to go . And the sheer will to win that seems to be quietly flowing through the club , despite the lack of results and guys who love to shit on the club both externally and in the fan base .
I think it was the Faithful podcast o was listening to today , that nailed someone who I think personifies this the most this year in Star Toa . In years gone by I think when he injures himself on the weekend the first time , I think it defeats him in his head . But last week he injured himself . Kept fighting , did another injury , kept fighting , re hurt his 1st injury , and you could see how much the guy was hurting , yet dragging his legs and arm behind him , he was there in the spot he needed to be at the time he needed to be . It was a real showing resilience for him . And I feel like the more each individual player is put through thier own litmus test , that they will come out the other side realising “I’m as tough as these blokes” .
For whatever reason we’ve really struggled at not just getting but in , but these guys belief in themselves , as well as the realisation that thier limits , are no where near as low as they thought they were . But much much higher !
But you need the first few blokes to walk through the flame to reach back to grab the others . That’s where luai and Turuva have come in .. and slowly but surely one by one , these guys are reaching back and pulling each other through . I genuinely feel we are on the verge of something awesome. It feels like something is about to shift .

 

[Tom Shines]

Where is Latu going to play in this team ?

 

[Buttface]

Where is Latu going to play in this team ?

Looked lost today. Confidence dented a little, but he’s only just coming back into an unsettled team, give him more than a few games, he’ll be in the halves soon enough I reckon.

 

[Moh]

Like Benji said in the post-match press conference - we're not in a rush with him.

Happy for him to come off the bench for the meantime. Still our long-term 7 IMO.

 

[boonboon]

Where is Latu going to play in this team ?

14 coming on at lock but with flexibility. He just turned 20 - no rush to have him leading a team around. Still could play 18 months of Flegg.

 

[Adam Doobie]

Where is Latu going to play in this team ?

At 7. Maybe not now but in the future he'll be there. All the skills are there but he is too quiet.

 

[Bellend]

Was listening to a couple of old dog players could not fault them in what they were saying about tigers 3-4 players short on been top 8 but one of the guys has a nephew in our current flegg side thought it would be better for Latu's development if he dropped back next season.

 

[Merlot]

Was listening to a couple of old dog players could not fault them in what they were saying about tigers 3-4 players short on been top 8 but one of the guys has a nephew in our current flegg side thought it would be better for Latu's development if he dropped back next season.

sensible suggestion

 

[bbobb]

Was listening to a couple of old dog players could not fault them in what they were saying about tigers 3-4 players short on been top 8 but one of the guys has a nephew in our current flegg side thought it would be better for Latu's development if he dropped back next season.

I think he needs a full pre-season there. Also I thought he preferred the left which is Luai’s side. It hasn’t helped that we needed to change much of our attack when Galvin left. Happy for him to get confidence and just play consistent footy this stage.

 

[tigahhh]

respect to benji for looking after latu’s development and not letting him just sink in the position and lose complete confidence

he deserves a pre season and time and that’s okay. he’s a young half who wants to be in our team

 

[hsvjones]

I would have Latu as 14 and bring him on after 20mins to play Lock for the last 60mins. Can cover halves if needed but would makes breaks with sting taken out of the game. AD and his long kicking game helps us big time.

 

[Merlot]

very good defender is Latu

 

[BAGNF05]

respect to benji for looking after latu’s development and not letting him just sink in the position and lose complete confidence

he deserves a pre season and time and that’s okay. he’s a young half who wants to be in our team

I like the kids defense. Looks like he needs to develop his playmaking and game management quite a bit. Plenty of time.

 

[Merlot]

I would have Latu as 14 and bring him on after 20mins to play Lock for the last 60mins. Can cover halves if needed but would makes breaks with sting taken out of the game. AD and his long kicking game helps us big time.

our kicks are mostly rushed, a kick into no man's land needs to be practiced - still

 

[tig_prmz]

I feel like his hamstrings have not recovered yet. He definitely has a good boot on him, I've seen that in periods. He connects well with the ball. But, he doesn't seem to do any long kicking.

Benji is doing almost opposite with Latu as he did with Galvin. He seems keen on holding him back and using him here and there rather than give him full reign like he did with Galvin last year.

If he sorts out his fitness and injury, I have faith in Latu despite an average month.

 

[Terry T.Nuts]

At 7. Maybe not now but in the future he'll be there. All the skills are there but he is too quiet.

Totally agree, he doesn't need to be rushed have him at 14 and build into the game management role. He will be the future 7 as Benji has stated, and a pretty impressive one.

 

[user118245]

What was the result of his HIA today?

 

[hank37w]

Passed it from what I heard.

Think it was in Benji's presser.

 

[Moh]

Looked a bit more comfortable today Latu.

 

[Vicious]

Latu looked very sharp again today until his dropped ball and HIA.
Although his passing game is crisp and creates opportunities for others, we need to see him taking on the line much more often as his powerful running game is a big asset.