Latu Fainu #282

[Demps]

I am a big fan of Latu.
I think he's got a very high ceiling and a big future.

His time at the Tigers has been somewhat concerning yet interesting.

Not sure of the idea behind it all, but if it's planned, and focused on developing him - that's good. Otherwise, his talents seem wasted and overlooked.

I like to think the Fainus are the future of our club.

 

[cktiger]

The amount of time he runs himself he should have scored more. If he actually uses his outside men instead of running them towards the sideline we would score more. Go to a game & sit behind the post behind our attack & watch him bomb multiple opportunities.

I’m not saying he shouldn’t pass it more… but sometimes ann attacking option isn’t there.

 

[LukeyTuiaki]

He is still Flegg eligible. Some forget this, as he is pure class, class he has shown in his last 2 cup games. We once played a young half from day dot because he had a great debut. Glad there’s a slower approach here taken especially due to his history of injury.

 

[Leck]

Which numbers, Leck?

Try assists - 0
Line breaks - 0
Tries - 0
Try assists - 0
Kicking metres - 0
Average run meters -15

In 10 games those figures speak for themselves

 

[Leck]

I am a big fan of Latu.
I think he's got a very high ceiling and a big future.

His time at the Tigers has been somewhat concerning yet interesting.

Not sure of the idea behind it all, but if it's planned, and focused on developing him - that's good. Otherwise, his talents seem wasted and overlooked.

I like to think the Fainus are the future of our club.

Demps, I'm personally worried that we've put all our eggs in the family basket.

If one of them doesn't work out and gets cut, or consistently plays in reggies, they could all walk, which would be a disaster.

A family that plays together stays together.

 

[You Know Who]

Try assists - 0
Line breaks - 0
Tries - 0
Try assists - 0
Kicking metres - 0
Average run meters -15

In 10 games those figures speak for themselves

This is moronic and shows a real lack of basic critical thinking. You seem to love ignoring context because it completely undermines your argument.

What position was he playing in those 10 games and for how many minutes? Once again, you’re judging a players ability based on scrap minutes in positions he’s never played in prior to this season.

What do you think is going to happen to a guy who has been a natural half his entire life and is then chucked into the forwards in positions he’s never played before? Use your head.

 

[Leck]

Look at the numbers and the fact that Latu actually played as our hooker in Round 11.

I'm entitled to my opinion, and I don't need you calling it moronic. If you're an adult, put forward your thoughts and act like one, rather than resorting to personal attacks.

His minutes and the position he played support my point -

 

[Telltails]

He is still Flegg eligible. Some forget this, as he is pure class, class he has shown in his last 2 cup games. We once played a young half from day dot because he had a great debut. Glad there’s a slower approach here taken especially due to his history of injury.

Thats how I see it too. Copping plenty of heat for Makasini being played too early and the same for not putting Latu in - in a key position behind a weakened pack at a critical time, after run of significant injuries - let alone a team down on confidence. A poor team performance against a flying Warriors will not do Latu any favours. Building his combo with Andrews can only be a good thing.

 

[You Know Who]

Look at the numbers and the fact that Latu actually played as our hooker in Round 11.

I'm entitled to my opinion, and I don't need you calling it moronic. If you're an adult, put forward your thoughts and act like one, rather than resorting to personal attacks.

His minutes and the position he played support my point -

View attachment 40139

I’m calling your opinion moronic because that’s exactly what it is and you’ve proven it yet again.

Instead of running from the context, answer these: What’s Latu’s natural position and what does hooker fall under, genius? And what positions was he playing coming off the bench? You gonna answer that or deflect and keep doubling down on this stupidity out of sheer arrogance?

You provided numbers and now are deliberately ignoring context because you don’t have the humility to admit that you hadn’t considered it.

If you’re going to post your opinions, then at least try to make them informed.

 

[twentyforty]

Agreed 👍

That’s only left to right though.
But you’re right, the really good halves are strong defensively and have all the skills that puts the opposition guessing and flat footed.

 

[Leck]

I’m calling your opinion moronic because that’s exactly what it is and you’ve proven it yet again.

Instead of running from the context, answer these: What’s Latu’s natural position and what does hooker fall under, genius? And what positions was he playing coming off the bench? You gonna answer that or deflect and keep doubling down on this stupidity out of sheer arrogance?

You provided numbers and now are deliberately ignoring context because you don’t have the humility to admit that you hadn’t considered it.

If you’re going to post your opinions, then at least try to make them informed.

Sure, that's his preferred position, but is it his best position?

He's 5'11, 95kg, and plays a similar style to both Api and Robbie. He's very creative and could fill our need for a 9 when Api leaves.

Feel free to look through all my posts. I've consistently said I believe he should make a positional change. That doesn't mean I don't rate him, I actually like his potential.

 

[Lestronge]

I am a big fan of Latu.
I think he's got a very high ceiling and a big future.

His time at the Tigers has been somewhat concerning yet interesting.

Not sure of the idea behind it all, but if it's planned, and focused on developing him - that's good. Otherwise, his talents seem wasted and overlooked.

I like to think the Fainus are the future of our club.

It’s obvious what the plan is mate . When we first recruited him he was the anointed one . It was supposed to be him and his Sullivan in the halves , with Sezer as the old head .
But his dodgy hamstrings from youth showed up , and then the injuries compiled , where he barely played because of injuries and COVID since he was 16 .
So now he’s catching up and the club has shifted to get his body right for the contact and grind of the nrl , whilst also filling in a void ,re someone who can come in and do a job at lock and 9 . With the emergence of Lanyon , and madden being a bit better at steering the side around , he’s finally being told to go work on his game in cup .
Hopefully luai fit , AD fit , means we never see madden again , so he can ride the pine in nrl. And the 2 kids can build a partnership in cup . Which seems to be pretty devastating the limited amount of time they’ve spent together .
The roster is evolving . I do think if schuster or even Godinet can put on the neccesary bulk and get thier defense right that they might be able to push Samuela back into the front row , where he believes he’s most affective .
Obviously 2028 the halves will be Latu and Javon (hopefully) , but people need to chill .
I think the days of your Cleary types coming in and dominating at 18 are an anomaly.
It will be a return to the days where the best halves don’t start to really take over until they’re 23/24 and even then they won’t/ don’t peak until late 20s .
Look at the minor premiers from last year , with sanders . He’s gonna be a gun but they’ve got a lot of teething problems before that happens .
Even Benji , sure he won a premiership but I’d argue he was playing a hybrid fullback role , and then his body gave way for the next 4 years .
I know people want instant gratification and the next great hope , but they need to be patient . Especially in the halves . He’s clearly far too good for Cup . In just 2 games there this year he was a man amongst boys , but like so many others before him he’s found the step up an adjustment . He will get there . But I honestly don’t belive until he’s at earliest 23 , which even then in modern nrl is probably a 13 year career .

 

[twentyforty]

He is still Flegg eligible. Some forget this, as he is pure class, class he has shown in his last 2 cup games. We once played a young half from day dot because he had a great debut. Glad there’s a slower approach here taken especially due to his history of injury.

It’s slow alright lol.
Andrew John’s was 18 when he debuted for knights and 19 when he had a tight grip on the 7 jersey there.
Latu is 21. Age often gets confused with skill and experience.

 

[TigerJunior4]

Sure, that's his preferred position, but is it his best position?

He's 5'11, 95kg, and plays a similar style to both Api and Robbie. He's very creative and could fill our need for a 9 when Api leaves.

Feel free to look through all my posts. I've consistently said I believe he should make a positional change. That doesn't mean I don't rate him, I actually like his potential.

Latu is not a hooker. Not all halves can play hooker and it takes more than a build to play there.

He doesn’t have a feel for the role. His service is incredibly poor and slow, but it’s also the subtleties of the position that he lacks. He stands too deep at the play the ball, he doesn’t know how to engage the markers, or get his forwards over the advantage line.

Plus you take away his strengths playing to hooker. Its stunts his running game. He hits hard but as a half. You don’t want to put him in the middle and have him defend all day. He doesn’t have the stamina for it and he’s not that type of player.

He’s got a brilliant short ball, engages the line so effectively and squares up the defence. All of that is stifled when he plays dummy half.

 

[TigerJunior4]

I think Latu’s development has been weird. Injury has certainly played a part as well as poor form and depth of the first grade team.

We’ve probably needed to play him on the bench and at hooker and lock in first grade because of that rather than giving game time in NSW Cup as a half.

Like others have said for the rest of the season I’d like to see him play half in NSW Cup or first grade. He’s at the stage where he needs kms in the legs, and stability. He needs to be given the opportunity to refine his game and hone his craft in either grade.

I do think he’s the best halfback at the club currently.

 

[You Know Who]

Sure, that's his preferred position, but is it his best position?

He's 5'11, 95kg, and plays a similar style to both Api and Robbie. He's very creative and could fill our need for a 9 when Api leaves.

Feel free to look through all my posts. I've consistently said I believe he should make a positional change. That doesn't mean I don't rate him, I actually like his potential.

Considering he’s played in that position his entire life and has shone in the halves anytime he’s been given the opportunity, whether that be in Cup or 1st grade, yeah it’s his best position.

He doesn’t play a similar style to to Farah and Api, and you’ve yet again undermined your own argument. His creativity comes from having been a half his whole life. You also claimed that he hasn’t seized the opportunity yet you’re now claiming he could fill in at hooker when API leaves (even though we have the best up and coming hooker in Haywood). Yet those “stats” you provided are mostly from him coming on to play hooker or lock (and one start at hooker), genius. So which one is it? Youre all over the place.

 

[bptiger 0]

My thoughts is the club and benji really don’t have a plan for Latu , and I think this might come back and bit us on the arse , with samula not signed , this could see him move on then followed by his brothers , Latu is not getting the education as a 1/2 back , just been thrown from position to position, benji needs to get on top of this asap

 

[terriaa]

I was at the game. Were you?

No. I subscribe to Bar sports TV so I watch Cup and all the other games on that.

 

[twentyforty]

My thoughts is the club and benji really don’t have a plan for Latu , and I think this might come back and bit us on the arse , with samula not signed , this could see him move on then followed by his brothers , Latu is not getting the education as a 1/2 back , just been thrown from position to position, benji needs to get on top of this asap

His fitness could be an issue?
The reality point here though is what does Benji see him as? Is he the half? Sometimes I think Benji is too afraid to make the hard calls.
The game has changed to favour the 7, they are well protected, and more so in teams with a no nonsense pack.
This is their era. They should be starting their trade at 18-22 and gaining valuable experience heading into the golden years for half’s at 27-35 when they have the ball on a string and winning grand finals.
This is Latu’s 3rd season at tigers. If he is the clubs best 7 then give him the gig, he can wear a different number if it helps?

 

[batboy]

His fitness could be an issue?
The reality point here though is what does Benji see him as? Is he the half? Sometimes I think Benji is too afraid to make the hard calls.
The game has changed to favour the 7, they are well protected, and more so in teams with a no nonsense pack.
This is their era. They should be starting their trade at 18-22 and gaining valuable experience heading into the golden years for half’s at 27-35 when they have the ball on a string and winning grand finals.
This is Latu’s 3rd season at tigers. If he is the clubs best 7 then give him the gig, he can wear a different number if it helps?

He’s a kid that’s had dodgy hammys for 3-4 years…
Maybe they come good, maybe they don’t… but he’ll be there when the whips are cracking - if they can get him fit enough