Latu Fainu #282

Kelce68 said:
He was thrust in last minute from 18th man and was asked to play out of position.

He defended well in the middle, with 100% efficiency, despite never having played there, much less at NRL level.

He straightened the attack better than anybody on the field, leading to not only his own try, but heavily contributing to the space on the outside for Galvin to kick for Faataape.

His passing was crisp and rapid. His PTB speed was exceptional at 2.9 s.

He had excellent line speed.

To summarise; he contributed way more than 5 minutes of good play. I'd argue his whole 33 minutes was great.
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I have been talking this kid up for years now.
Benji just needs to find him a spot in firsts.

In his limited 1st grade minutes he has offered more than most have in 50+ games playing for us.
 
It’s not just that he straightens the attack. He does it at pace and presents a genuine running threat, thereby attracting defenders. Or if not, he can run himself like he did last night when he scored.

This skill could be used at 13 or in the halves.
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
We may have no choice but if Doueihi is right I would have him there, too much responsibility too soon let him ease into the team at lock rotation.
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Interesting that Doueihi played half in the second trial. That may be indicative of the thinking if Luai went down. We’ll know at 4pm tomorrow.
 
A lot is said about using Latu at lock and his ball skills but what we are lacking out wide is his speed that can help us create more space for our outside backs. I’m still of the opinion a left side right side Luai / Fainu halves would be our best fit.
 
Kelce68 said:
He was thrust in last minute from 18th man and was asked to play out of position.

He defended well in the middle, with 100% efficiency, despite never having played there, much less at NRL level.

He straightened the attack better than anybody on the field, leading to not only his own try, but heavily contributing to the space on the outside for Galvin to kick for Faataape.

His passing was crisp and rapid. His PTB speed was exceptional at 2.9 s.

He had excellent line speed.

To summarise; he contributed way more than 5 minutes of good play. I'd argue his whole 33 minutes was great.
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Plenty of good things which I never denied … I said only 5 minutes of greatness. No doubt he’s talented and I’m sure will get even better. Too many superlatives fly around on here… and I’ve been guilty in the past myself.
Nobody can predict the future and there’s always the possibility Galvin leaves or even moves to lock as he fills out.
 
Halbrowne61 said:
Or maybe Galvin is a centre in waiting although currently doesn’t run straight enough.
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If Latu was available for that first game last year Gal might not have got the jump on him, and Latu might be 6, with us trying to fit Gal in, and when I think like that Gal goes to centre or lock and the team seems better. But I would be doing the same with Latu right now anyway, just get him in the team.
 
Halbrowne61 said:
Or maybe Galvin is a centre in waiting although currently doesn’t run straight enough.
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Furthermore, I think centre would straighten Gal up and simplify things under pressure, where as, I think he may overplay his hand as that first receiver, attacking type lock. And Twal is a rock in D in the middle.

I did not mean to turn this into another Gal Thread. 🧵
 
Will be good to see him in the 7 jumper this week with Galvin in 6. I think they should be our future halves. Throw in Da Silva and Bula and we've got a talented spine that we could keep together and grow for the best part of a decade.
 
Camel2281 said:
He is a must in the 17 even when we are full strength. He's able to play 6, 7, 9 and 13. He'd easily be able to play TDS's minutes giving Api a spell and then stay on the park at 13 against tired defenders. Kid is a natural footy player.
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If we are fair dinkum we can't be considering him at 9. TDS has a mortgage on that. Given our rotation can play pretty big minutes (May/Twal/Pole) I still think there's a genuine role for him on the bench. Similar to how the dogs were using Haywood last year. Benji just needs to sharpen up on how best to utilise the attacking threat of Luai, Galvin and Fainu all on at the same time.
 
This is probably not the right spot but what the hell.
As an unabashed Isiah Yeoh fan I congratulate him and wish him well for his 250th game for Penrith tonight. A very solid performer and a key part of the Panthers 4 peat.
Pity he’s so loyal coz I would have made a play for him and Romey.
 
Halbrowne61 said:
This is probably not the right spot but what the hell.
As an unabashed Isiah Yeoh fan I congratulate him and wish him well for his 250th game for Penrith tonight. A very solid performer and a key part of the Panthers 4 peat.
Pity he’s so loyal coz I would have made a play for him and Romey.
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I remember Yeo answering a question, sittting next to Coach Cleary in a post match interview, following a Panthers win over us, where he went out of his way to compliment the Wests Tigers players.
Top shelf attitude.
 
Vicious said:
Is Latu’s kicking game good enough to be an NRL halfback or 5/8 ?
I don’t think it is and therefore he is probably best to convert himself into a 13 full time.
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Didn't see an amazing kicking game in the short time. His first one was a shocker but someone stuffed up the dummy half pass to him for it.
 
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