Lolohea at fullback 2018

[Defiant]

I reckon he will kill it next year.

Improving each week and I think fullback will suit him once the aerobic fitness gets there.

I assume he can catch the ball well ?

 

[TYGA]

He will kill it. Good to hear honesty and why his game and physique fell off. One player we all want to see succeed.
Compare this kids attitude to Moses.

 

[Chainlink]

Bit of a worry that when things got tough and not going his way he basically packed it in rather than working his butt off to try make his way back into the team. But I guess he is still young and hopefully learned some lessons and been humbled by the experience.

I think a player knows that if he works hard he can play his way back into a team.

I think a player also knows when a a coach has it in for him - like Kearney he can give up, get depressed, his game gets worse and so does his chances if he ever had one.

He seems in a good place now - so I am looking forward to seeing him at his best again.

Exactly Russell

I don't think it's a case of Lolo packing it in

Who wouldn't get frustrated playing under Kearney

He's been around a while n achieved nothing

Just living on the fact he was once an assistant to Bellamy

Apart from that Kearney haa achieved absolutely nothing with anybody

Evem had to call in Bennett to get the Kiwis firing

Fair enough. Kearney doesn't exactly seem to be the greatest leader. However, his main gripe seems to be that he was stuck on the wing. Not the first player to not get to play their preferred position.

Anyway, glad he seems to found a home for now and hope to see him tear it up at the back next year.

 

[Telltails]

Considering the all consumimg demands of being an NRL player - their is not much else to focus on from week to week other than your performance and holding a place in your team, and if its not going well,, mentally I think most would struggle.
It seems many are challenged by the expectations that they place on themselves, and of others, and some are built to cope and some are not. I dont think we can be too dismissive of it especially when being successful in the NRL is all these players have ever considered.

 

[Needaname]

One thing that is over looked is how important it is to read and organise defence whilst at fullback.
I hope I'm wrong but I feel we may fall short in this area with Lolohea at the back.

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

I wish he'd be more decisive when he gets the ball, especially when he runs it.
I like when he just gets it straightens and takes off at a gap, he seems to hesitate too much and drift sideways before he makes a decision to run or pass.

I am sure you are correct TIGER, I am also sure you have noticed that every game he is improving, getting more confidence again in his own ability. (Confidence that was stripped from him by that idiot Kearney). He is also playing a position imo that is not his. He is a full back through and through.

Give him a hard off season where he will also lose a few kilos which will increase his speed (you can see now, he sees the gaps, puts the foot down and just misses getting through by a whisker), plays in his best position, settles with new club mates, gets his full confidence back and with new games plans he will be a winner of the highest order.

You could see yesterday on a number of occasions that he was setting up supports (when they were there?) and he put Masters through a huge gap that he didn't take (all he had to do was run for it straight and hard - what did he do, try to side step and lost the gap). He reads the game so well.

I still think this guy will be better than Teddy and he passes the ball and for less than half the price (for now).

All we have to do is watch and be excited.

It'll be a long time before we see anyone better than Tedesco. They don't fall off the back of trucks. Il be satisfied if he just turns out Good consistently.

 

[TCL]

One thing that is over looked is how important it is to read and organise defence whilst at fullback.
I hope I'm wrong but I feel we may fall short in this area with Lolohea at the back.

I'm not as concerned, if you look at the try saver by teddy against the Roosters, LoLo was screaming instructions to Teddy. Teddy got the credit by the commentators but LoLo was part the reason. He got him self inbetween the outside runners and the ball carrier and was waving at Teddy to take the ball runner and the inside support.

I think he will be fine.

 

[tigerbill]

One thing that is over looked is how important it is to read and organise defence whilst at fullback.
I hope I'm wrong but I feel we may fall short in this area with Lolohea at the back.

I'm not as concerned, if you look at the try saver by teddy against the Roosters, LoLo was screaming instructions to Teddy. Teddy got the credit by the commentators but LoLo was part the reason. He got him self inbetween the outside runners and the ball carrier and was waving at Teddy to take the ball runner and the inside support.

I think he will be fine.

I'm glad someone else brought this up. The replay was so telling of Lolo directing traffic. He's strong, has a good step. I think he looks good.

PS: anyone reckon Nick Cotric is another Tedesco in the making?

 

[stryker]

Cotric is an awesome prospect.
Great physic, fast, elusive, usually positions himself well and keen to learn.

 

[newtiger]

One thing that is over looked is how important it is to read and organise defence whilst at fullback.
I hope I'm wrong but I feel we may fall short in this area with Lolohea at the back.

I'm not as concerned, if you look at the try saver by teddy against the Roosters, LoLo was screaming instructions to Teddy. Teddy got the credit by the commentators but LoLo was part the reason. He got him self inbetween the outside runners and the ball carrier and was waving at Teddy to take the ball runner and the inside support.

I think he will be fine.

I'm glad someone else brought this up. The replay was so telling of Lolo directing traffic. He's strong, has a good step. I think he looks good.

PS: anyone reckon Nick Cotric is another Tedesco in the making?

Yes I think Cotric is going to be a future superstar,
now that we have got our cap under control we should start to offer money to guys like Cotric and Latrel Mitchell even if we don't get them it forces their clubs to blow their budgets to keep them.

 

[Russell]

One thing that is over looked is how important it is to read and organise defence whilst at fullback.
I hope I'm wrong but I feel we may fall short in this area with Lolohea at the back.

I don't think we will fall short at all.

Lolohea reads the game better than most, you can see it on the video clips and how he has played since he has been with us. This guy is a "Goodun" make no mistake and FB is is spot, as you say an integral part of a FB today is a team organiser in defence.

 

[Tacky]

**<big>Lean Wests Tigers star Tuimoala Lolohea studies James Tedesco’s fullback blueprint</big>**
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August 24, 2017 6:00am
Nathan Ryan
@nath_ryan
Source: FOX SPORTS

WESTS Tigers livewire Tuimoala Lolohea has lost six kilos since leaving the Warriors.

Now he’s revealed his plans to drop even more weight in a bid to prepare his body for the added workload needed to excel in the fullback role.

Confirming he’ll claim James Tedesco’s No.1 jersey when the NSW star moves to the Roosters next season, Lolohea, who currently weighs 94 kilos after tipping the scales at 99 when he first arrived at the club, said the weight loss is all part of his plan to transition to fullback.

“I take little tips off Teddy when he plays and trains,” Lolohea told foxsports.com.au.

“He’s been a consistent performer all year. He creates something out of nothing. He’s just a freak. Sometimes I’m standing on the field watching him and I’m like ‘what the?’ there’s probably no one else who can do what he does.

“He follows the ball and gets himself in good position to receive the ball from an offload and that’s when he does his magic.

“Definitely, I know we’ll be different. I’ve set out a goal to come back even lighter for the pre-season. Hopefully I’ll be three or four kilos down.”

Doing extra training and having tweaked his diet, the Kiwi international has transformed his body.

Losing motivation at the Warriors and developing bad habits, the 22-year-old has cut the take away food from his diet and prepares his own meals.

“When I came over here, I came over really heavy,” he said.

“I got a bit complacent and was doing stuff I didn’t usually do … now I feel good.

“I was doing extras – cardio and eating right so that’s helped me a lot. Living on my own has motivated me to cook.

“I have my dinners early. I eat around 5.30 and if I get hungry later I just snack on nuts and that’s helped me a lot. At home it was the opposite. I’d eat late so switching it has helped.”

Playing a utility role at the Warriors, Lolohea was spinning his wheels this season which prompted him to request an early release from his contract.

Since arriving at Concord, he’s found a home in the halves but next year he’ll switch to a role where he’s played 21 of his 63 top grade games.

While he’s played almost every role on offer from hooker, half, wing and centre, it’s fullback which will allow him to best tap into his running game.

“That’s the plan,” he said when asked if he’ll play fullback in 2018.

“It’s all up to me and how bad I really want it.

“If I really want the position I’ll find my way to earn that number one spot.”
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https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/lean-wests-tigers-star-tuimoala-lolohea-studies-james-tedescos-fullback-blueprint/news-story/fbb30d9a5af649f79dead746df999357

 

[tigerap]

Good attitude..Tui…I am hoping he really shines at FB in 2018...and we all end up saying Teddy who...?

 

[newtiger]

Some people were worried about his lack of speed, but I noticed that he kept up with Teddy when he scored that try.

 

[tiger05premier]

Some people were worried about his lack of speed, but I noticed that he kept up with Teddy when he scored that try.

He sure did and than did well to avoid the cover.

I think he is enjoying the opportunity IC has given him and will flourish under his coaching.

Good times ahead

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

I think he will be great at fullback, he looks dangerous when he runs the ball. Hopefully the experience he got from playing in the halves this season will see him get involved as a fullback offensively. I am sure he would do well up the middle in broken play and running good lines in set plays.

 

[Russell]

Some people were worried about his lack of speed, but I noticed that he kept up with Teddy when he scored that try.

And he gave the ball to MWZ who made the initial break - followed through all the way by backing up - (dare I say it - alla Terry Lamb, hate that guy) - and scored the try. Just a small taste of things to come imo.

 

[newtiger]

Some people were worried about his lack of speed, but I noticed that he kept up with Teddy when he scored that try.

And he gave the ball to MWZ who made the initial break - followed through all the way by backing up - (dare I say it - alla Terry Lamb, **hate that guy**) - and scored the try. Just a small taste of things to come imo.

Is that because of the Ellery Hanley incident?

 

[Guest]

Some people were worried about his lack of speed, but I noticed that he kept up with Teddy when he scored that try.

He's not slow, and if he drops another 3-4kg he'll be better on his feet still.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Some people were worried about his lack of speed, but I noticed that he kept up with Teddy when he scored that try.

And he gave the ball to MWZ who made the initial break - followed through all the way by backing up - (dare I say it - alla Terry Lamb, **hate that guy**) - and scored the try. Just a small taste of things to come imo.

Is that because of the Ellery Hanley incident?

It was for me, with encouraging Hoppa to play poker icing the cake.