I wouldnt play Latu behind our current pack and expect him to be the answer to our current poor form. He has bearly completed 80 minutes in any position and you want to put him behind a very weakened pack as a key play maker while dropping the one bloke in the team that has achieved any level of success.
Latu Fainu #282
- Thread starter ancient_magpie
- Start date
Tiger Stripes
Well-known member
I think Madden's ordinary performance is partly to blame on our poor speed to chase down the bombs.
They are don't get contested anymore! Tavana was great a couple of times but now MIA. And Sam Fainu out injured. The centres just trundle down for the tackle as part of a straight-line D.
And bugger-all help from Luai.
If his name was Luke Brooks we'd be screaming to shoot him into the sun.
We did that and he moved to a stronger team and played finals in his first year - not because of him but what was around him.
Totally agree BWG. I am not one of the doubters when it comes to Latu. Injury hasn't been kind to him so i can see where the doubt comes from but i am not letting this boy go anywhere he is a real talent. As for his kicking game i watched him play KOE probably about 6 Weeks or so back and he put in about 4 big kicks from general play which shows me he does have a reasonable kicking game. even if Adam isn't back i'm like you i would like to see him at 5/8 and Luai at Half. Latu has the ability to be a good half back or running 5/8 but they have to pick which one and stop mucking him around.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
I get the sense that Benji wanted this year to be about his body and gradually increasing his minutes in that lock / hooker utility role. I have noticed it takes a lot to change Benji from where players did their reps in the pre-season. We just don't know what the long-term plan is for Latu, only that Benji rates him very highly.
Like you, I'd love to see Latu get an extended stint in the halves and personally I'd love that to be on the left side. But I don't think we'll get to see him in the halves on an extended basis until at least next season.
HOWEVER if he plays halfback on Sunday and absolutely carves up, that may force a re-think from Benji.
hammertime
Well-known member
I think you completely missed the phrases "if he's able to recapture his form" and "backup to api". He'd be on a train and trial.
So no, not straight into the team.
He'd be the cheap option, but if not, we need to look at other ones out there. Hope is not working.
He owes us zero loyalty. Injuries happen.
Most of his injuries are because he was played out of his halves position and with next to no reserve grade / development time in the forwards.
We made him the $$ offer for a kid yet to have played a NRL game. That’s on us not Latu.
If he isn’t getting game time in the halves and wants to be a half then why shouldn’t he look outside of us?
I don’t want him to look outside and don’t think he will but he owes us no loyalty.
Luai had plenty around him earlier in the year. Still didn't make much difference.
At Manly, Brooks was given the six and played like one outside an actual halfback.
mtd#2
Well-known member
This club loves a good scapegoat. Helps distract from the real issues.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
He’s played some good footy this year. Light years better than Luai.
I would have said I start was the best we have had in years till the injuries took effect.
And he never played a finals game of footy.
I Pap suffered the same criticism and how he is going in a better squad?
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Ipap also killed it at Parra before he got here. It’s almost like there is a common denominator.
I love the 'We signed some of our best players because of him'
Maybe,
But I think Benjis' Aura had more to do with it than Luai
I've not heard a recruit mention Luai when coming on board,
It's all been 'After my chat with Benji' - Including Luai.
It's like he gets a free pass from being worth his money,
But Brooks got hammered from the get go,
when he was 18 and played 1 game.
TheEnz
Well-known member
I am sure Benji and Latu are both aware and have agreed to a plan for him. It may have changed a bit this season due to injuries, however I would expect that Latu understands this and is willing to bide his time. Benji has stated that he is too good to play in reserves so he is likely easing him in to first grade with these cameo appearances at 13 and 9. At this level i don't necessarily think that a player needs reps in reserves in order to get game fit....we see plenty of players out for weeks with injuries or suspension that step right back into first grade. Reserves for first grade players is more about building their confidence if its shot, or working on a specific area of their game if the coach is not happy with them. In terms of the contract renewal, there is no real hurry as they are not able to talk to other clubs till November so maybe its going to hinge on how Latu goes for the remainder of the year and perhaps Benji is going to start giving him more minutes to prove his worth. Both he and Sam look pretty happy at the club, Sam has shown he is worth more than what we have been paying him and that will be reflected in any extension and now its Latu's turn to do the same. There may also be a hold until June 30 to see if anything falls out of the tree, once that date passes things will be clearer.
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
If we had the roster when he was here that we do now without crucial injuries he would show that form, we didn't and he struggled, you're not taking into consideration how good the other teams were/are.
As usual any excuse to lay the boot into the so-called team you support.
crazycat
Well-known member
If you are asking me to explain the Mavrik starting decision I cannot.
There is a certain kind of madness even I struggle to understand/enjoy.
TheEnz
Well-known member
i believe
Tony Sukkar was coming back from injury so played in KOE and had a great game and Roberts has a foot injury....so next player up would be Geyer...maybe Benji thought he would lift against his old club...he did the complete opposite.
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
in latu's case excessive sick leave