Lui's the X-factor in Tigers' charge

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Lui's the X-factor in Tigers' charge
* By David Riccio
* From: The Sunday Telegraph
* Sun Oct 04 00:01:00 EST 2009 Sun Oct 04 00:01:00 EST 2009
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HE WAS one of the feel-good stories of the year, and today Wests Tigers five-eighth Robert Lui hopes to add a final chapter to his stellar season.

Lui is the X-factor as they chase victory in today's Toyota Cup under-20s grand final against the Storm.

A part-time lifeguard, the Torres Straight Islander was plucked from obscurity mid-year by coach Tim Sheens to make his NRL debut against Cronulla.

That was a dream realised, but according to Wests Tigers under-20s coach Grant Jones the stint has made Lui an even more potent player.

"Robert's an excitement machine,'' Jones said. "He's the X-factor that every team needs."

"If Robert's on, we're on. Even at training before the Dragons game (last week), he was bouncing around so we knew we were in good shape.''

The Wests Tigers finished fourth on the premiership ladder, with the Storm clinching third. It's a remarkable achievement for the Victorians to boast both their NRL and Toyota Cup sides in today's grand finals.

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Despite getting the better of Melbourne at Olympic Park in round 15, the Wests Tigers will be starting as rank outsiders.

TAB Sportsbet have installed the locals at $2.90, with Melbourne $1.40 to win.

 

[Muffstar]

Dunno about being an X Factor, maybe a X File. I am not sure about this bloke, his defence is a disgrace, I hope we are not pinning our future on him. Talk in another thread about losing Mullany is more worrying than this bloke.

 

[king_sirro]

His kicking game kept us in touch at stages in the first half, but beside that the guy offers very little. In an age where the game keeps getting quicker, i cant see a future for a guy who does things so slow. The days of guys like Jason Smith and Paul Davis are over, and thats how Lui plays.

 

[Torbizlo]

he was the S-factor today and "S" for crap!
pathetic in defence and slow-mo in attack.
he cost the team the game today.
great effort by the rest of the 16 players who busted their guts only for Lui to allow storm players to run right through him time and time again.
i hadnt watched much of him earlier on in the season but the amount of talk he generated with his exciting style of play and his brilliance i think is all speculation coz he has done nothing special in the later 1/2 of the season. im yet to watch him have a good game let alone a brilliant one. keep him well away from 1st grade.

 

[Geo]

Wow…..you didn't like him that much.......you have to say it in 2 threads..........

He needs futher development yes.....I wouldn't be writing him off just yet........

 

[Torbizlo]

i am just very disappointed in his effort, esp in a grand final.
i put it in 1 threat then realised there was another thread discussing the game so i chucked it in there as well.

 

[clontarfkid]

I can only hope he must have been carrying an injury…?Or maybe he's been reading his own publicity
With his 1st grade experience he should carve up at this level,but his defence & passing was atrocious.It was the lack of effort in defence that worried most.
Dont see him being a solution to no7 in 1st grade next year..no way

 

[crouching_tiger]

His smaller frame will always be a disadvantage to his defence. Tackles too high and gets pushed away quite easily. Yesterday it was evident that an opposition enjoy targetting and running at him.

 

[alexaki]

Watched the U20 G.F. and the boys really aimed up..was most impressed by our 2 wingers and Fullback. Lui was disappointing I must say…didn't do much

 

[Yossarian]

Wow…..you didn't like him that much.......you have to say it in 2 threads..........

He needs futher development yes.....I wouldn't be writing him off just yet........

I'm starting to think he ran over Torbizlo's cat or something… Lui seemed to be playing injured but for his age, his poise and kicking game have been superb this year. He is still developing as a player and I personally think he's going to be a massive asset for us in the years to come. Some people though just like to bag certain players no matter what though.

 

[Geo]

Wow…..you didn't like him that much.......you have to say it in 2 threads..........

He needs futher development yes.....I wouldn't be writing him off just yet........

I'm starting to think he ran over Torbizlo's cat or something… Lui seemed to be playing injured but for his age, his poise and kicking game have been superb this year. He is still developing as a player and I personally think he's going to be a massive asset for us in the years to come. Some people though just like to bag certain players no matter what though.

I know his long kicking game is better than Farah or Benji now…......he finds the grass more times than not and kicks it long to the corners........

Defense is his issue....but certain people must have short memories..........eg Benji, Lawrence............and where they were at at the same age......

 

[Yossarian]

Wow…..you didn't like him that much.......you have to say it in 2 threads..........

He needs futher development yes.....I wouldn't be writing him off just yet........

I'm starting to think he ran over Torbizlo's cat or something… Lui seemed to be playing injured but for his age, his poise and kicking game have been superb this year. He is still developing as a player and I personally think he's going to be a massive asset for us in the years to come. Some people though just like to bag certain players no matter what though.

I know his long kicking game is better than Farah or Benji now…......he finds the grass more times than not and kicks it long to the corners........

Defense is his issue....but certain people must have short memories..........eg Benji, Lawrence............and where they were at at the same age......

I thought his defense was coming along okay before he got injured. He seems to have lost a bit of confidence but as you say, others have had similar problems at this stage of their career.

 

[Geo]

I thought his defense was coming along okay before he got injured. He seems to have lost a bit of confidence but as you say, others have had similar problems at this stage of their career.

Defense in the fact that he gets caught out at this level…....In first grade he had proven defenders in Galea, Payten and Ellis helping him out.......

I actually thought he defended better in his FG games than he did for the majority of the year in the 20's.......go figure......

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

I like Lui and think he is a good 5/8\. I am not sold on him being a half back and leading a team around though.
The kid has got a very good kicking game and controls the tempo of the game well.
His defence is his weak spot and I am pretty sure they will be working on this part of his game in the off-season.
Too many times do fans get disappointed when young kids are built up by the media and coaching staff and do not perform to those expectations.
The kid is only 20 years old, he is going to have his up and downs….he just has to work harder now like all talented juniors, as there talent only takes them so far.
Do not be quick to judge. Lui is a talent and will only get better.

 

[Wellington_Tiger]

His kicking game kept us in touch at stages in the first half, but beside that the guy offers very little. In an age where the game keeps getting quicker, i cant see a future for a guy who does things so slow. The days of guys like Jason Smith and Paul Davis are over, and thats how Lui plays.

Totally agreed.

 

[Wellington_Tiger]

I really don't rate Lui's pace. He has a lack of genuine pace, doesn't threaten the line and gets shrugged off like a pixy.