Latu Fainu #282

[Tom Shines]

I agree TS. I cannot believe any criticism of Latu yesterday (yes he dropped the ball that changed momentum but most of our players made errors). A few things I loved in his game yesterday ...

1 his kicking game looked stronger than previously with the height on his high kicks allowing time for chasers to either contest or be right there.

2 his passion going down the tunnel after being told he had to go off for a HIA with 10 to go.

3 his 'almost' try-saving tackle on Braidon Burns. That was so close to coming off and shows what I've heard that he is one of the strongest pound-for-pound in the squad & one of the best wrestlers.

I think some people forget this guy is barely 20 and only played about half a dozen NRL games at 7…he can still improve things like his kicking game which after yesterday should have alleviated some concerns … he is far from the finished product ….but his ceiling of what he could ultimately be is high … obviously the quicker he reaches it the better the club will be

 

[Tim Sheens]

I agree TS. I cannot believe any criticism of Latu yesterday (yes he dropped the ball that changed momentum but most of our players made errors). A few things I loved in his game yesterday ...

1 his kicking game looked stronger than previously with the height on his high kicks allowing time for chasers to either contest or be right there.

2 his passion going down the tunnel after being told he had to go off for a HIA with 10 to go.

3 his 'almost' try-saving tackle on Braidon Burns. That was so close to coming off and shows what I've heard that he is one of the strongest pound-for-pound in the squad & one of the best wrestlers.

His kicking height was indeed immediately noticeable and he was unlucky to cop an elbow in his try saving attempt. I haven't looked at again, though felt that he had it under control until that point in the tackle, when the knock had him release his grasp.

 

[Wiz]

That Clifford kick where he almost nailed a 40/20 was huge.

Without Douehi our long kicking game is non-existent.

It was game changing. We had them pinned in their 20 metre zone. And then Clifford unleashed that 80m monster. We turned it over next set and then they scored.

 

[Telltails]

The Clifford kick deadset game changer after probably our best set in D.
Still a bit in shock but as a spectacle was an entertaining game.

 

[tigahhh]

I agree TS. I cannot believe any criticism of Latu yesterday (yes he dropped the ball that changed momentum but most of our players made errors). A few things I loved in his game yesterday ...

1 his kicking game looked stronger than previously with the height on his high kicks allowing time for chasers to either contest or be right there.

2 his passion going down the tunnel after being told he had to go off for a HIA with 10 to go.

3 his 'almost' try-saving tackle on Braidon Burns. That was so close to coming off and shows what I've heard that he is one of the strongest pound-for-pound in the squad & one of the best wrestlers.

he’s really not far off for me, and will have a lot more upside than adam once he’s ready. we’re lucky to be in a position where we have doueihi to allow latu to learn & develop at a reasonable pace. it’s a great succession plan by the club for both of them

 

[mtd#2]

It was game changing. We had them pinned in their 20 metre zone. And then Clifford unleashed that 80m monster. We turned it over next set and then they scored.

I couldn't make the game Sunday, but in the previous two games at leichardt there was a strong wind from right to left.. so it explains why his kick was so big...

Its a head scratcher that our guys haven't incorporated the wind into our tactics (e.g. kicking on the first set of the game on 3rd tackle going for the 40/20).. it's a missed opportunity

 

[TheEnz]

I couldn't make the game Sunday, but in the previous two games at leichardt there was a strong wind from right to left.. so it explains why his kick was so big...

Its a head scratcher that our guys haven't incorporated the wind into our tactics (e.g. kicking on the first set of the game on 3rd tackle going for the 40/20).. it's a missed opportunity

I was at the game...zero wind in the first half, there was a stronger breeze in the second half that looked like it favoured the cows. I was impressed with Latu's bombs....they had good height and a bit of a bend to them, not straight up and down (Naden scored off one)....maybe that was him kicking into the wind in the second half.

 

[Buttface]

I agree TS. I cannot believe any criticism of Latu yesterday (yes he dropped the ball that changed momentum but most of our players made errors). A few things I loved in his game yesterday ...

1 his kicking game looked stronger than previously with the height on his high kicks allowing time for chasers to either contest or be right there.

2 his passion going down the tunnel after being told he had to go off for a HIA with 10 to go.

3 his 'almost' try-saving tackle on Braidon Burns. That was so close to coming off and shows what I've heard that he is one of the strongest pound-for-pound in the squad & one of the best wrestlers.

He’s the sort of player any team would be happy to have coming through, looks a good 5/8, and as a 7 he looks like he wants to own it so I’m prepared to give a break on a few errors here and there, and yeah his passion up the tunnel says he wants to be on the field and is sick of being off it for whatever reason.