Latu Fainu #282

[magpies forever]

We have to get Latu into the main 13 squad. I can't see any other option. Ideally it would be at 6 but can't see that happening, maybe 7 with Madden into 14. But who kicks then? Goals and tactical. I believe Murray has a stronger case for 9. Our available players are certainly exposing some broader squad weaknesses and lack of depth.

 

[davey_farrell]

We have to get Latu into the main 13 squad. I can't see any other option. Ideally it would be at 6 but can't see that happening, maybe 7 with Madden into 14. But who kicks then? Goals and tactical. I believe Murray has a stronger case for 9. Our available players are certainly exposing some broader squad weaknesses and lack of depth.

Totally agree with everything you say, give Latu a go at 7

 

[bptiger 0]

Totally agree with everything you say, give Latu a go at 7

Ok , left field , move twal to the second row untill samula comes back and throw latu into lock , think that’s a win win for the team

 

[mtd#2]

No charges for him from yesterday

Twal & KPP both hit with a $1k fine

So was grant charged for his elbow to latu's face?

 

[jadtiger]

So was grant charged for his elbow to latu's face?

Of course not.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

So was grant charged for his elbow to latu's face?

and miss origin, you must be joking lol

 

[Odessa]

Ok , left field , move twal to the second row untill samula comes back and throw latu into lock , think that’s a win win for the team

I like this more creative players on the field have Murray at 9

On the bench 4 forwards and the two backups out side backs

Even if Latu comes on at the 20 minute mark and move Twal to backrow it's more creative

 

[mtd#2]

Ok , left field , move twal to the second row untill samula comes back and throw latu into lock , think that’s a win win for the team

Sione to hooker for the defence too maybe

 

[TheEnz]

Our first 20 in almost every game we have played this year is a bit of a head scratcher, we have leaked try's and struggled to score try's, when we have had repeat sets in the attacking 20. We have generally been on the back foot on the field and the scoreboard. We seem to either lose momentum or not take advantage of it when we have it. I'm a bit unsure what the answer is, other than stronger smelling salts in the tunnel on the way out, maybe get a barista in the sheds and give each player a triple shot of coffee before the game and at half time.

 

[TheEnz]

Sione to hooker for the defence too maybe

Problem with focusing too much on defense is we are pretty much giving away momentum, whilst we may hold them out in the first 20 it will kill us at the back end of the game. We need to capitalize on the momentum, the old adage that the best defense is a good offence has never been more true than in the 2026 version of the game. Score try's to get the ball back, roll through the defense to get 6 agains and you keep the momentum.

 

[innsaneink]

So was grant charged for his elbow to latu's face?

Haha dont be silly
He got 4 Dally M points

 

[426Tlgerland]

Of course not.

How did the nrl not see it in its reviews, ahh that’s right it was Melb player not tigers players, Grant should have got 2 weeks elbow to jaw / neck

 

[TigerBurnsy]

We have to get Latu into the main 13 squad. I can't see any other option. Ideally it would be at 6 but can't see that happening, maybe 7 with Madden into 14. But who kicks then? Goals and tactical. I believe Murray has a stronger case for 9. Our available players are certainly exposing some broader squad weaknesses and lack of depth.

I think luai can kick conversions, Im pretty sure hes done it a few years back at penrith

 

[mtd#2]

Problem with focusing too much on defense is we are pretty much giving away momentum, whilst we may hold them out in the first 20 it will kill us at the back end of the game. We need to capitalize on the momentum, the old adage that the best defense is a good offence has never been more true than in the 2026 version of the game. Score try's to get the ball back, roll through the defense to get 6 agains and you keep the momentum.

Thats where latu at 14 makes sense as interchange. Sione for the first 25.

I honestly dont know.
Benji has a tough week ahead of him

 

[Halbrowne61]

We have to get Latu into the main 13 squad. I can't see any other option. Ideally it would be at 6 but can't see that happening, maybe 7 with Madden into 14. But who kicks then? Goals and tactical. I believe Murray has a stronger case for 9. Our available players are certainly exposing some broader squad weaknesses and lack of depth.

All sounds ok but won’t help results imo.

 

[magpies forever]

All sounds ok but won’t help results imo.

Probably, but getting game time into him regardless of results, can only be beneficial for when we get the 5 back for later this season as we should not have written off 2026 season yet. We can still do it. And to be honest, we still haven't figured out where Latu fits into the squad yet.

 

[Tom Shines]

All sounds ok but won’t help results imo.

We still don’t know exactly what we have yet with this kid … and he will be on the market in November… how much is the club going to offer him ? Look ..don’t get me wrong …l like the kid and think we haven’t scratched the surface ..but he hasn’t provided value for money to date ..luckily his brother has been the opposite ..so between both of them it’s probably been a wash ..

 

[clontarfkid]

We still don’t know exactly what we have yet with this kid … and he will be on the market in November… how much is the club going to offer him ? Look ..don’t get me wrong …l like the kid and think we haven’t scratched the surface ..but he hasn’t provided value for money to date ..luckily his brother has been the opposite ..so between both of them it’s probably been a wash ..

Im with you..lets throw Latu in at the deep end at 7 at see exactly what he has to offer
Sure dont wanna pay $500k + for several more years of the same.Needs to earn it
We dont know what Samuela will do,so need to judge Latu on his merits

 

[TonyTiger]

Ok , left field , move twal to the second row untill samula comes back and throw latu into lock , think that’s a win win for the team

I like it

 

[TheEnz]

Im with you..lets throw Latu in at the deep end at 7 at see exactly what he has to offer
Sure dont wanna pay $500k + for several more years of the same.Needs to earn it
We dont know what Samuela will do,so need to judge Latu on his merits

Barring injury the kid is something special, even based on the glimpses we have seen since he came into the squad. I'm tempted to say lets lock him in on an extended contract at $500k per year (if we can) as well as Samuela on an upgrade, before he comes out and shows everyone what he has and his price goes up.