oldschooltiger
Well-known member
Yeah he has had alot of injuries
But Madden offers nothing. Slow and cant tackle. Sorry he can kick goals.
Latu Fainu #282
- Thread starter ancient_magpie
- Start date
But Madden offers nothing. Slow and cant tackle. Sorry he can kick goals.
mtd#2
Well-known member
Mate you have a short memory. Madden was one of our star performers early in the season when Luai was injured. He was key in us defeating the warriors in NZ. He blew us all away for a couple of weeks. Benji is obviously has faith in him to reproduce that form. Comparing him to Geyer is hardly a fair comparison.
I also think part of not throwing Latu into the starting role is to do with a long term strategy for him. I wouldn't be surprised if it's been the plan all along for him to have a full preseason at halfback. He was injured most of the 2026 pre season.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
On one hand, I’ll give the benefit of our bench got shuffled around tonight, so it’s not a surprise he didn’t get a run. On the other, TAKE THE DAMN APRON STRINGS OFF HIM. It’s past the point of ridiculous. It’s becoming evident Benji has no faith in the kid.
king_sirro
Well-known member
Benji has cost us a chance of playing finals because he has held this kid back.
This imbecile will throw any kid with a wrap in and gives them every opportunity except the best of them all. Completely clueless.
Forget injuries.....Benji Marshalls pure stupidity and Jerome Luai's betrayal as a captain has put this club back years.
Forget the dickhead HBG. Benji and Jerome have ruined any chance we had.
king_sirro
Well-known member
Latu since he has been 15 has destroyed oppositions. The closest thing to Isiah Katoa you can get. But Benji plays Jock instead. Never plays the most naturally gifted ball player we have had since Benji himself in his preferred position, even in reserve grade.
Im sorry, but Benji Marshall completely ruins young players. He is creating quite a wrap sheet for incompetent development of youngsters. It hurts me to say this, but Laru, Makasini, Saukuru, Andrews......all run for the hills...get away from this coach asap
mtd#2
Well-known member
There is no guarentee he steps up and plays like Katoa. For one, Latu is as quiet as a mouse. We need a loud and vocal halfback.
We also didn't lose tonight because of madden. The whole team was trash. There are much bigger problems behind the scenes when the team can't get up for a must win game against a team with 1 win for the season.
king_sirro
Well-known member
Have you seen Latu play live? Quiet as a mouse??? I see him screaming non stop. Im not saying his communication is great and doesn't need work, but this quiet as a mouse stuff is complete bullshit
mtd#2
Well-known member
The last 3 years I've seen him live I personally think he has been quiet.
Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
Well-known member
Time to give Latu or Andrews a crack. Season is done. Jock has been serviceable and good at times, nothing wrong with his play, but the two youngsters have higher ceilings which we should be investing in now.
You Know Who
Well-known member
Mate, you accuse me of having a short memory yet just affirmed exactly what I said. I said he hadn't had a good game since the first half of the season and he has coasted off those ever since and then you bring up the Warriors game (Round 4) and that he blew us all away for a couple of weeks. Last I checked, Round 4 falls well into the first half of the season. What has he done since then?
What long term strategy would that be? Tank games this season because Benji's love child strung two good games together months ago rather than take a chance on the supposed future of the club and the most naturally gifted half we've had since Benji himself?
You Know Who
Well-known member
Agreed, anytime he's been given a go in the halves at either Cup or NRL, he leads the team around and is very vocal.
People seriosuly expect him to be vocal and directing while being played out of position in limited minutes? Lol
mtd#2
Well-known member
Latu was ready to walk away from the game not long ago. He's played less than 30 games in 3 years. Very different to Benji when he started.
Would struggle to have played 10 of those in his actual position as well.
We have zero idea on how to develop players outside of just chucking them into the deep end and then hope they tread water to make 50 games when the hyper color tshirts change color and they now become a nrl player.
And we call ourselves a development club...what a joke, our catchment area is all.we have and its what we hang our hat on...but thats largely been a.failure (for us mainly)...others benefit.
Terry T.Nuts
Well-known member
Nothing left to lose now, Latu and Luai in the halves for the rest of the year and AD at 13. Keep Andrews in KOE for his own good.
tig_prmz
Well-known member
Latu is probably the next best player we have and that's why people want him to start ASAP.
I'm not doubting that we have been terrible at developing players but putting Latu at halfback solves no issues.
We are where we are because of lack of support, unqualified coaches at each level and a unprofessionalism from top to bottom.
Douehi has been our best player this year and JL.isnt getting dropped. In his last 3 games, he definitely hasn't played bad enough to be dropped..
I'm not doubting that we have been terrible at developing players but putting Latu at halfback solves no issues.
We are where we are because of lack of support, unqualified coaches at each level and a unprofessionalism from top to bottom.
Douehi has been our best player this year and JL.isnt getting dropped. In his last 3 games, he definitely hasn't played bad enough to be dropped..
king_sirro
Well-known member
He hasn't played any in his actual position. Not one game at 6 in 3 years
Last year wasn't Benjis fault. Latu got injured before the first trial and was on limited minutes until round 26.
You can't waste a interchange on a 5/8 who can only play half a game.
The kid has also been on limited minutes at times this year as well.
He is a bit of a dud tbh.
king_sirro
Well-known member
Thats just wrong. He came back last year on limited minutes due to hamstring issues. He should have played cup at 6, but Benji chose not to. He hasn't been on limited minutes this year at all coming back from a shoulder injury. The fact he has not played one game at 6 in 3 years is all Benji's fault. Not one other person to blame or reason to give.
If you think Latu is a dud as you call him, you dont know Rugby League at all and how halves need to play. Just ask Luai who he wants to play with, just ask Javon Andrews what it was like playing that one game with him.....he gives players around him freedom and space....just like Katoa does at the dolhins. We haven't had a half do that for 10 years and we a crying out for it. Our attack gets worse every year. The only time it looks remotely like other teams is when Latu has been in the halves, other than that it all been sideways, individual ability and the odd good plays that give us hope. Absolutely zero cohesion, zero working over the middle off the opposition, zero structure and shape.....Latu provides all that. The toy coach is ruining him and us
mtd#2
Well-known member
I didn't read all your posts I was only quoting the one I saw.
As I mentioned previously, Latu was ready to quit the game. My guess would be there is a strategy in place to see him play till 30+, which includes giving him basic game time. Even if it's 15-30 mins a game to get runs on the board.
Im not saying the current strategy is the right one, but I can also see a world where it's not the wrong one (if we genuinely want Latu for the next 10 years). The mental aspect + injuries would take its toll on anyone, let alone a young fella.
And we aren't tanking games because Latu isn't playing. The only reason many are over reacting (in my opinion) around Latu is because of our poor results - which is a systemic club/coach issue. We've slightly improved, but the deep seeded problems we have are still there.