Lolohea

@ said:
Cleary said in the Presser that he would be back this week.

Assume he meant ISP.
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As I recall it was pretty open, such as, should be back and available for selection next week.

Whilst acknowledging his faults, I am an unashamed supporter of Tui and think that he will and needs to be part of the team when ready. Whether that be at the back, halves or three quarters, we desperately need his abilities to break open opposition.

I am all for the effort that the boys are putting in defensively, but we need to make other sides tire by forcing similar scramble through our attack. When at least one side of the field is not going forward or asking any reasonable questions as per the past few weeks, well something has to give.

I was even willing to give Gamble a go this week, but his confidence is down going by the half of reserves that I watched yesterday, so on the back burner for a little while yet.
 
@ said:
@ said:
Cleary said in the Presser that he would be back this week.

Assume he meant ISP.

As I recall it was pretty open, such as, should be back and available for selection next week.

Whilst acknowledging his faults, I am an unashamed supporter of Tui and think that he will and needs to be part of the team when ready. Whether that be at the back, halves or three quarters, we desperately need his abilities to break open opposition.

I am all for the effort that the boys are putting in defensively, but we need to make other sides tire by forcing similar scramble through our attack. When at least one side of the field is not going forward or asking any reasonable questions as per the past few weeks, well something has to give.

I was even willing to give Gamble a go this week, but his confidence is down going by the half of reserves that I watched yesterday, so on the back burner for a little while yet.
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Oh ok! didn't pick up on that. Hopefully back soon.

We really need a ball playing FB in my opinion and he is it at this stage - there is no one else.

Thompson has been solid but will never set the play after chiming in. Not complaining as he has been going good.

He is a good FB but not a FB that is part of a good spine if you know what I mean. (in other words creative).
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
Cleary said in the Presser that he would be back this week.

Assume he meant ISP.

As I recall it was pretty open, such as, should be back and available for selection next week.

Whilst acknowledging his faults, I am an unashamed supporter of Tui and think that he will and needs to be part of the team when ready. Whether that be at the back, halves or three quarters, we desperately need his abilities to break open opposition.

I am all for the effort that the boys are putting in defensively, but we need to make other sides tire by forcing similar scramble through our attack. When at least one side of the field is not going forward or asking any reasonable questions as per the past few weeks, well something has to give.

I was even willing to give Gamble a go this week, but his confidence is down going by the half of reserves that I watched yesterday, so on the back burner for a little while yet.

Oh ok! didn't pick up on that. Hopefully back soon.

We really need a ball playing FB in my opinion and he is it at this stage - there is no one else.

Thompson has been solid but will never set the play after chiming in. Not complaining as he has been going good.

He is a good FB but not a FB that is part of a good spine if you know what I mean. (in other words creative).
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I second the issue with Thompson. He has been fantastic but he offers nothing in the way of ball playing and taking pressure off the halves.
 
While everyone loves Thompson - he is also the reason people are talking about tying to sign RTS, Holmes etc. etc.

They can see something lacking - whether our mate is the answer (who knows at this stage) but he is worth a shot when he is fit.

Thompson is a really good winger as well so that would solve another problem if it worked.
 
@ said:
If Tui is anywhere near ready put him straight in at 5/8.

Benji is like an overcooked turkey at the moment.
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That's the problem at the moment, he's way down on match fitness.
 
Lolohea won't be replacing Thompson at FG…given ISP's predicament losing another half on the weekend..Lolohea may be better served coming back through there...

Was going well at 5/8 last year some more heat on Benji wouldn't hurt either..

Reynolds is quite a way off...
 
@ said:
Lolohea won't be replacing Thompson at FG…given ISP's predicament losing another half on the weekend..Lolohea may be better served coming back through there...

Was going well at 5/8 last year some more heat on Benji wouldn't hurt either..

Reynolds is quite a way off...
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He should be a shoe-in for 6 in ISP.
 
@ said:
Yep Thompson is a set and forget winger.
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I feel that last week against Warriors showed Thommo's limitations as a fullback. A good backup and a good kid, but he got fairly monstered and he just doesn't cause enough drama in attack from set pieces. He has great footwork but about half of his kick returns are dominant tackles, and although he supports offloads well, we haven't been much of an offload team of late. His positional play is excellent, but also he'll almost never be able to barge out of an in-goal or stop a try 1-1 at the line.

The premium FBs at this level offer another dimension in attack - tackle breaks, pass selection / extra 5/8th, pure speed to worry a backline. Thommo is more a winger, hunting around for opportunities, makes his tackles, solid positioning.

Again very good fullback 2nd option but as a first option, he's not going to add a lot of threat.
 
@ said:
@ said:
Yep Thompson is a set and forget winger.

I feel that last week against Warriors showed Thommo's limitations as a fullback. A good backup and a good kid, but he got fairly monstered and he just doesn't cause enough drama in attack from set pieces. He has great footwork but about half of his kick returns are dominant tackles, and although he supports offloads well, we haven't been much of an offload team of late. His positional play is excellent, but also he'll almost never be able to barge out of an in-goal or stop a try 1-1 at the line.

The premium FBs at this level offer another dimension in attack - tackle breaks, pass selection / extra 5/8th, pure speed to worry a backline. Thommo is more a winger, hunting around for opportunities, makes his tackles, solid positioning.

Again very good fullback 2nd option but as a first option, he's not going to add a lot of threat.
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Well summed up.
 
@ said:
@ said:
Yep Thompson is a set and forget winger.

I feel that last week against Warriors showed Thommo's limitations as a fullback. A good backup and a good kid, but he got fairly monstered and he just doesn't cause enough drama in attack from set pieces. He has great footwork but about half of his kick returns are dominant tackles, and although he supports offloads well, we haven't been much of an offload team of late. His positional play is excellent, but also he'll almost never be able to barge out of an in-goal or stop a try 1-1 at the line.

The premium FBs at this level offer another dimension in attack - tackle breaks, pass selection / extra 5/8th, pure speed to worry a backline. Thommo is more a winger, hunting around for opportunities, makes his tackles, solid positioning.

Again very good fullback 2nd option but as a first option, he's not going to add a lot of threat.
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Finally some one who agrees with me. you hit the nail on the head.
 
Not sure who knows what on this forum with team selections but from the different comments I’ve heard in the press this week I’m predicting Tui back as fullback, Thomson to wing and McQueen in the 17 with Lawrence out. Also expecting Liddle to play with Taylor as back up.
 
@ said:
@ said:
Yep Thompson is a set and forget winger.

I feel that last week against Warriors showed Thommo's limitations as a fullback. A good backup and a good kid, but he got fairly monstered and he just doesn't cause enough drama in attack from set pieces. He has great footwork but about half of his kick returns are dominant tackles, and although he supports offloads well, we haven't been much of an offload team of late. His positional play is excellent, but also he'll almost never be able to barge out of an in-goal or stop a try 1-1 at the line.

The premium FBs at this level offer another dimension in attack - tackle breaks, pass selection / extra 5/8th, pure speed to worry a backline. Thommo is more a winger, hunting around for opportunities, makes his tackles, solid positioning.

Again very good fullback 2nd option but as a first option, he's not going to add a lot of threat.
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Booo!!!
Thompson shreds.
 
WE need to show some faith in Tui in the fullback role, give him a few weeks to settle in there, and he showed last year what his capabilities are , he has the X factor that we need. Have Thommo and Fonua as our wingers.
 
@ said:
WE need to show some faith in Tui in the fullback role, give him a few weeks to settle in there, and he showed last year what his capabilities are , he has the X factor that we need. Have Thommo and Fonua as our wingers.
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yes totally agree
 
If he’s back before Reynolds put him on the bench. ET covers hooker, tui covers fb, centre via Fonua, and can give benji a rest when he needs it. Or, just start him at 5/8 and play benji like it was supposed to be. We know what he can do at 5/8

Cory will be targeted with kicks on the wing and I’m not sure we would be better off with him there. With Fonua on the other wing - all the kicks will go his way
 
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