Lote/Koro/Utai

[fainty]

I would have koro and lote with utai on the bench. I would put him on with 20 mins to go each half in the back row and just tell him to run from dummy half. Come the end if the season we may have the youngest back 3 in the comp IMO
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[Guest]

You could throw David Nofoaluma into the mix as well.
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I think Korobiete is assured of one spot. I think it would be very unlikely that Nofoaluma will find himself on the other wing, particularly if Tedesco is at fullback. I think the chances of Potter selecting a back 3 for the first game of the yr with a combined total of less then 10 fg games would be slim to none. I'd expect Nofoaluma later in the season. Who knows, if injuries strike could be earlier

I wouldn't discount Nofoaluma yet. This kid can play and reminds me of Sam Perret in his style of play. He may not be there in round 1, but I think he'll definitely get a run sooner rather than later. If Lote is fit, I think he'll get the nod over Utai, but Koroibete simply has to be there. We need genuine speed out wide and he has tons of it.

 

[sheer64]

Lote has to earn his spot. He should be the odd one out!

 

[max_smart]

I would have koro and lote with utai on the bench. I would put him on with 20 mins to go each half in the back row and just tell him to run from dummy half. Come the end if the season we may have the youngest back 3 in the comp IMO
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The issue I have with having Utai come off the bench is that he is not a straight interchange - you would need to move a centre into second row in defence and maybe also a winger into centre. This is the kind of sheenius move that most forum people have had enough off :bash

I see the merits of Utai but it is hard trying to fit him in with the amount of talent around as he has a different skillset to Lote - more similar to Koro's in having a power game to run through (and mostly under) tackles.

I'd say round 1 would be Lote and Koro

 

[BenjiMagic96]

Lote will get injured in round 1 anyway he has only played like 8 games in 2 seasons was it?

 

[Justo]

Wish Utai was 18inches taller. He'd be a force to reckon with.
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[LaT]

Lote will get injured in round 1 anyway he has only played like 8 games in 2 seasons was it?

Seriously man?

 

[sunshine_coast_tiger]

im expecting lote and utai starting wingers tbh.

I can not see barring injuries how Marika will not be in the starting line up Round 1\. Marika has what the other two lack and that is geninue pace he is going to be a superstar of the NRL.

 

[softlaw]

I think Utai is the perfect 14\. Bring him on in the backrow late in the half to run out of dummy half like Halatau did at his best. He also generally earns a penalty or two because he's so short that people hit him in the head when trying to tackle him, esp. from marker.
He's very tough to stop so is good running the ball hard out of trouble.

& if we lose a back to injury then he could be used to fill gaps there.

Wingers - Marika has to start and probably Lote - as long as he is actually 100% fit and doesn;t have to wear a huge armguard. That guard really messes with his ball security. Maybe Nofo will work himself into contention through the season but personally I hope Lote is fit and firing and has a really good LAST season.

 

[ed612313]

"Utai had some great games in the back half of the year but please remember he still remains of our biggest defensive liabilities with his work under the high ball".

Agree - But same can be said for Lote's defensive positioning in the line and his ability to turn and chase. All Lote adds defensively is his ability to catch the bomb.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Lote will get injured in round 1 anyway he has only played like 8 games in 2 seasons was it?

Awesome contribution

 

[GNR4LIFE]

You could throw David Nofoaluma into the mix as well.
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I think Korobiete is assured of one spot. I think it would be very unlikely that Nofoaluma will find himself on the other wing, particularly if Tedesco is at fullback. I think the chances of Potter selecting a back 3 for the first game of the yr with a combined total of less then 10 fg games would be slim to none. I'd expect Nofoaluma later in the season. Who knows, if injuries strike could be earlier

I wouldn't discount Nofoaluma yet. This kid can play and reminds me of Sam Perret in his style of play. He may not be there in round 1, but I think he'll definitely get a run sooner rather than later. If Lote is fit, I think he'll get the nod over Utai, but Koroibete simply has to be there. We need genuine speed out wide and he has tons of it.

But what are the chances of having such an inexperienced back 3 to start round 1? I think Utai or Lote will defintely take the other spot, the only question is which one will it be

 

[Goose]

I think Noffa looks like a career first grader to me, however I cant see us going with 3 kids at the back, I expect Lote to get first crack with Koro.

Utai has played his heart out for the last 2 years, and is great at what he does, but feel a fully fit Lote and Marika offer more.
If Lote again fails to find form than that spot opens up.

 

[Wacko_Jacko]

A Toyota Cup player came into my work today and said he believed that Potter was keen to trial Koro in the centres, so maybe all 3 will start.
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Koroibete defence would have to improve significantly

 

[strrretch]

I am surprised Lote is being given another chance, he sure has been an expensive flop the past few years. Utai on the other hand has excelled and has been great value, and good to watch.

 

[innsaneink]

A lot of mud has stuck to Utai, no matter how well he performs….99.9% didnt want him when his signing was announced, hes done no more wrong than any other player....old associations are hard for some people to forget

 

[Guest]

A lot of mud has stuck to Utai, no matter how well he performs….99.9% didnt want him when his signing was announced, hes done no more wrong than any other player....old associations are hard for some people to forget

I don't know if that's the case here Ink. On form I'd pick Koro and Utai to start the year, but if Lote is fit and looks ok in the trials I reckon he'll get the nod over Matty. I think Nofoaluma would hold his own and he's also a difficult player to tackle, but it may be a case of giving him a run later in the season if injuries or form slumps occur.

 

[Goose]

A lot of mud has stuck to Utai, no matter how well he performs….99.9% didnt want him when his signing was announced, hes done no more wrong than any other player....old associations are hard for some people to forget

Perhaps, he is not really a highlight reel player either which hurts with perceptions.

I was critical of the signing, he has certainly proved me wrong, and I d start with others and may be proven wrong again.

 

[Gordon]

nofoaluma and koro are the wingers i would hope to see start the season we are in re building so lets see how the dice fall with these young guys.

 

[tigersrule4life]

I would like to see Koro and Nofoaluma be our starting wingers but will be happy with Koro and Utai to start the year off.