Latu Fainu #282

[bbobb]

I am most interested in seeing his second year. Lots of players who have strong debut seasons seem to struggle in year 2. I think it’s mostly because they get worked out by rival clubs and need to develop new aspects to their game.
I believe his development will be a little restricted as he does seem to lack a yard or two of pace so his running game will have a lower ceiling than other parts of his game.
I too see him as potentially an elite 13. Play both sides of the ruck, first receiver, direct play and can run the ball if required. Yeo 2.0 but with a more threatening passing game.

 

[Tom Shines]

Someone at the club must rate Latu.

yeah .. it was Scott Fulton

 

[Tucker]

I would pay it yesterday

There’s never been a 6ft3’ 19yr old 5/8 playing better than 80% of the halves in the comp in his debut year, in a team running last, that loves footy has a smile on his face the whole game and is fitter than the whole squad.

It’s an interesting statement that 80% of halves in the comp have performed worse than him this year. That’s worth drilling down on.

 

[rugbygoated]

Someone at the club must rate Latu.

I mean, they HAD Galvin already at the club.

Then spent very good money to bring him in.

Then spent even better money on Luai.

The club doesn't spend those kinds of dollars to not play them.

Question: with Latu on 500K for a few years, and not a guaranteed starting spot weekly at 19, does he leave to get a starting spot (which other clubs will definitely offer like Newcastle) or does he stay and potentially play a different position learning under others while still young. It's a tough decision, but I wouldn't blame him if he left. I think he is more of a halfback than Galvin

 

[jadtiger]

Question: with Latu on 500K for a few years, and not a guaranteed starting spot weekly at 19, does he leave to get a starting spot (which other clubs will definitely offer like Newcastle) or does he stay and potentially play a different position learning under others while still young. It's a tough decision, but I wouldn't blame him if he left. I think he is more of a halfback than Galvin

I would hope he does not ask for a release because i would doubt that the club would even consider giving him one as he is a large part of our future

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Question: with Latu on 500K for a few years, and not a guaranteed starting spot weekly at 19, does he leave to get a starting spot (which other clubs will definitely offer like Newcastle) or does he stay and potentially play a different position learning under others while still young. It's a tough decision, but I wouldn't blame him if he left. I think he is more of a halfback than Galvin

I don't believe you can make this assumption. With his time on the field on Thursday night, he set up a try and scored another. Defensively he is very strong. Competition is good and it wouldn't surprise me if he partnered Luai in the halves.

 

[Vicious]

I’ve already stated this on the Galvin thread, but it’s clear to everyone that Latu is too good to leave out of our starting 13.
The obvious answer is to play him as our 13, but we really don’t want him defending in the middle making 40 plus tackles per game, he’s not used to it and it’s hard to see his body handling it.
He could play reduced minutes in this role to help reduce the defensive workload, but again we ideally want him playing 80 minutes each game in 2025.
I believe the only way it can be effectively done is to name him as a centre, he defends as a centre, but plays as a 3rd playmaker style of fullback in attack.
This could be done with Bula defending as our fullback, but swapping and playing as a centre in attack,
If we have have a decent team around them, the attacking trio of Luai, Galvin and Latu could be brilliant and we could have the added luxury of Bula’s pace and attacking ability wider of the ruck as a centre.

 

[Roar_Power]

Question: with Latu on 500K for a few years, and not a guaranteed starting spot weekly at 19, does he leave to get a starting spot (which other clubs will definitely offer like Newcastle) or does he stay and potentially play a different position learning under others while still young. It's a tough decision, but I wouldn't blame him if he left. I think he is more of a halfback than Galvin

Latu at lock would be a masterstroke I reckon.

 

[hank37w]

if only 2nd row paid 5/8 money

They can pay whatever they like if they believe they can get the return on their money.

 

[Oldman]

I don’t like to be a party pooper but I can’t believe that after not even seeing Latu play one 80 minute game we have him pushing Galvin (20 games) out of his position ?
I might just wait to next year and see what eventuates.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I don’t like to be a party pooper but I can’t believe that after not even seeing Latu play one 80 minute game we have him pushing Galvin (20 games) out of his position ?
I might just wait to next year and see what eventuates.

Competition is good. This is especially the case for WTs where we have struggled for depth and high performance. Having depth in the halves for Marshall is a filip for performance and therefore results. This can only be viewed as a positive for WTs so your comment about being a party pooper is interesting.

 

[Oldman]

Competition is good. This is especially the case for WTs where we have struggled for depth and high performance. Having depth in the halves for Marshall is a filip for performance and therefore results. This can only be viewed as a positive for WTs so your comment about being a party pooper is interesting.

Competition is good, just saying we need to actually see
more of Latu before we start talking about moving players around to accommodate him.
Hopefully he progresses as well as some on here think.
Does show we are have to many halves next year taking up a lot of the salary cap.
Sullivan needs to be moved on imo out of the halves we will have.

 

[palms]

I am most interested in seeing his second year. Lots of players who have strong debut seasons seem to struggle in year 2. I think it’s mostly because they get worked out by rival clubs and need to develop new aspects to their game.
I believe his development will be a little restricted as he does seem to lack a yard or two of pace so his running game will have a lower ceiling than other parts of his game.
I too see him as potentially an elite 13. Play both sides of the ruck, first receiver, direct play and can run the ball if required. Yeo 2.0 but with a more threatening passing game.

Tim Smith is a prime example of this!

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Competition is good, just saying we need to actually see
more of Latu before we start talking about moving players around to accommodate him.
Hopefully he progresses as well as some on here think.
Does show we are have to many halves next year taking up a lot of the salary cap.
Sullivan needs to be moved on imo out of the halves we will have.

It is injury which has prevented Fainu from making his debut earlier. I have watched Fainu quite a few times; at WTs, at Manly and in the NSW U19s game where his sublime passing was on display. The club must also rate him highly to secure the early release from Manly for his services. Gould during commentary on our game a couple of weeks ago said Fainu is a NRL halfback. No doubt Marshall will work it out.

 

[Oldman]

It is injury which has prevented Fainu from making his debut earlier. I have watched Fainu quite a few times; at WTs, at Manly and in the NSW U19s game where his sublime passing was on display. The club must also rate him highly to secure the early release from Manly for his services. Gould during commentary on our game a couple of weeks ago said Fainu is a NRL halfback. No doubt Marshall will work it out.

No doubt 👍

 

[Buttface]

Scott Fulton.....

I would like to think that was our plan all along. Bring in Fulton, sign the rest of the Fainu bros, and sack Fulton. But there is no way Fruit Pascals and Baggipants were that smart, just dumb luck.

 

[Marella Jube]

I am most interested in seeing his second year. Lots of players who have strong debut seasons seem to struggle in year 2. I think it’s mostly because they get worked out by rival clubs and need to develop new aspects to their game.
I believe his development will be a little restricted as he does seem to lack a yard or two of pace so his running game will have a lower ceiling than other parts of his game.
I too see him as potentially an elite 13. Play both sides of the ruck, first receiver, direct play and can run the ball if required. Yeo 2.0 but with a more threatening passing game.

I'm hoping this will be one of the anticipated benefits of Luai's arrival, to take some heat off Galvin & some of our other youngsters, as they develop.

 

[mtd#2]

I’ve already stated this on the Galvin thread, but it’s clear to everyone that Latu is too good to leave out of our starting 13.
The obvious answer is to play him as our 13, but we really don’t want him defending in the middle making 40 plus tackles per game, he’s not used to it and it’s hard to see his body handling it.
He could play reduced minutes in this role to help reduce the defensive workload, but again we ideally want him playing 80 minutes each game in 2025.
I believe the only way it can be effectively done is to name him as a centre, he defends as a centre, but plays as a 3rd playmaker style of fullback in attack.
This could be done with Bula defending as our fullback, but swapping and playing as a centre in attack,
If we have have a decent team around them, the attacking trio of Luai, Galvin and Latu could be brilliant and we could have the added luxury of Bula’s pace and attacking ability wider of the ruck as a centre.

I'd rather Galvin at 13 than latu. Latu is too small

 

[Yossarian]

I see L Fainu as a perfect 14 for the next season or so. Once Galvin fills out he’ll be a great 13. He’s got that Brad Fittler look about him, beautiful passing game and a big body.

 

[Kaito]

I’ve already stated this on the Galvin thread, but it’s clear to everyone that Latu is too good to leave out of our starting 13.
The obvious answer is to play him as our 13, but we really don’t want him defending in the middle making 40 plus tackles per game, he’s not used to it and it’s hard to see his body handling it.
He could play reduced minutes in this role to help reduce the defensive workload, but again we ideally want him playing 80 minutes each game in 2025.
I believe the only way it can be effectively done is to name him as a centre, he defends as a centre, but plays as a 3rd playmaker style of fullback in attack.
This could be done with Bula defending as our fullback, but swapping and playing as a centre in attack,
If we have have a decent team around them, the attacking trio of Luai, Galvin and Latu could be brilliant and we could have the added luxury of Bula’s pace and attacking ability wider of the ruck as a centre.

3 pronged attack with 6. Gavin 7. Luai 13 latu 🔥