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Latu is so young that he could play 14, cover injuries or suspensions until Luai starts to get a bit old. He could also play 13.We definitely don't punt him. There's alot at stake with Samuela and Sione here. We need to make the Tigers their family club; from what I've seen from all 3, that shouldn't be any issues.
It does beg the question of what will happen next year when Luai arrives. I'm genuinely torn about what combinations I'd like to see.
I completely agree with this - he wants to play 6.Three weeks ago, I would not have entertained the idea of Galvin at 13 for this exact reason.
I thought if we shift him to #13, we lose him....
But 3 doesn't fit into 2 (Latu, Galvin and Luai).
So the only way we keep all 3 is by making that move......
How it's going to go down? Who knows....
But after what I saw from Latu, I also desperately don't want us to lose him either!
sorry my position would be to play galvin at #13 longer term not Latu. I think Latu is way too small for a #13. but we'd have to get Galvin in long term before moving him to #13I completely agree with this - he wants to play 6.
My view - play Latu at 13 and 14 until Luai is past it. Who knows who else we’ll have coming through now that Sheens is at Westfields and there’s a clear pathway from there now.
There’s also eaglevale high which is becoming a sports high school.
We’re gonna end up like Penrith; having an overload of talent and we’ll need to become the best at identifying the ones to keep.
I think people have the opinion that because he's locked in long term we just let him sit in NSW Cup, where as Galvin's contract is what 1 or 2 years less? So probably the fear of losing Galvin. And I think any other year when the Tigers weren't so horrible, Galvin would have spent more time in NSW Cup.I like how people are prepared to make Latu wait until his mid 20’s before he gets a starting gig in the halves, yet these same people dont blink an eye that Galvin was just gifted his at 18, without earning it.
Galvin has the build to play 13 but obviously sees himself as a 6 and enjoys playing 6. If we move him to where he doesn't want to play to accommodate latu fainu then he will have other clubs such as Roosters with a 6 vacant to say come over and play 6 here.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.
Putting on 4-5 kg would help but he isn't too small. He's 6 foot which is the same size as Victor Radley and Cam Murray who are both arguably in the top 3 or 4 locks in the gameI think Latu is way too small for a #13.
Great points, Bob. Well summarised. I agree we've got 2 good ones on our hands with Lachie & Latu. I probably prefer Galvin to 13 eventually. I think he could become a long time 13 at rep level. Hope he can be persuaded of that.From the limited time I have seen Latu (a couple games in cup and NRL), I believe there are a few differences between himself and Lachie.
1- Latu seems to have more time. He plays the game at his speed and rarely looks rushed. He lets the game to come to him and perhaps is more patient whereas Lachie is full of energy and chases the game.
2 - I think Latu plays more direct and squares his shoulders and straightens the attack where as Lachie is still fairly lateral in his play which sometimes squeezes the centre and wing.
3 - Lachie looks to be more vocal and dominant. Latu is quieter. With Luai arriving, I am interested to see which pairing will be complimentary.
4 - Defensively they are both adequate. Latu seems to be a strong defender for his size especially front on. Lachie can get a little dominated but this is more due to his frame and size which will change.
5 - Haven’t seen Latu in open space enough but my guess he is probably a little quicker than Lachie over 30 meters. Perhaps Latu more threatening with his runnng game (assumption here).
I think they’re both exciting prospects but I cannot see the club retaining both.We as supporters want one of them to play lock but my guess is if they’re not playing in the halves here, it will be somewhere else. My hope is that Latu can have an injury free run next year and we can make an informed choice although with the amount of release requests, my guess is that Lachie is more likely to move.
Imo it’s too early to worry about Galvin or latu to 13.
Currently Galvin is playing ok and shouldn’t be dropped on form and latu is a bench player that gets to potentially play anywhere depending on the game at hand and is playing well also
The better teams only drop on form or injury
If we’re pandering to players about position played it’s only going to bite us later down the track. Example - schuster
I would have agreed with you a few weeks back but the more I see of Latu I reckon he's going to be better in the halves than Galvin.
And little did I know that Galvin was playing backrow in harrold Matthews. So it's not a position uncommon to him.
He plays 80mins a game consistently. Kikau could not do that effectively until his later years at Penrith.Sam Fainu reminds me a bit of kikau at the start of penrith's dynasty
Another observation,From the limited time I have seen Latu (a couple games in cup and NRL), I believe there are a few differences between himself and Lachie.
1- Latu seems to have more time. He plays the game at his speed and rarely looks rushed. He lets the game to come to him and perhaps is more patient whereas Lachie is full of energy and chases the game.
2 - I think Latu plays more direct and squares his shoulders and straightens the attack where as Lachie is still fairly lateral in his play which sometimes squeezes the centre and wing.
3 - Lachie looks to be more vocal and dominant. Latu is quieter. With Luai arriving, I am interested to see which pairing will be complimentary.
4 - Defensively they are both adequate. Latu seems to be a strong defender for his size especially front on. Lachie can get a little dominated but this is more due to his frame and size which will change.
5 - Haven’t seen Latu in open space enough but my guess he is probably a little quicker than Lachie over 30 meters. Perhaps Latu more threatening with his runnng game (assumption here).
I think they’re both exciting prospects but I cannot see the club retaining both.We as supporters want one of them to play lock but my guess is if they’re not playing in the halves here, it will be somewhere else. My hope is that Latu can have an injury free run next year and we can make an informed choice although with the amount of release requests, my guess is that Lachie is more likely to move.
My concern with moving Latu to 13 is the workload and potential for injury. He seems like he’s about to pop a hammy every second run. But I want him in the run on side in a position where he can apply his skills. Hopefully he has a big offseason and gets fit and full health hammys.If Latu is good enuff.. and havnt quite seen it yet,tho last week showed potential..we will make a space for him in the 13.
Somewhere
And Im talking 2025..not 2026
Its not as though were blessed with top line players in the back line..and if hes qualifies..tick
But at this stage,he is well short of Galvin at same age..with Luai to come in the halves
So we need to manage
Luai wants to be on the ball more next year, great defender / runner in traffic. Why not Luai to lock as a game manager in the middle third, Ala how Hastings played his last season with us.
How is it any different to what’s been suggested.Is this a gee up?