Matt UTAI is our best winger, and Joel REDDY is . . . .

[Balmain_Bug]

Yep, you read it.

I rate him higher than Tuqiri, and higher than Beau RYAN.

After a full pre-season of training, he was great last night. He was great last year in my opinion. He is definately our best winger. He is more suited to the left, but as we have seen has played well on the right aswell.

He is almost more destructive than Taniela. Parra had massive problems with UTAI last night and the bloke has no fear, he will run into anyone !! His timing hitting Benji's passing line is good considering Chris Lawrence plays on that side, UTAI was good enough to position himself well enough for Benji to hit him on the chest with long passes at speed. That is extreme talent for a winger to judge as the advancing defensive line has to be taken into account.

He is a ten year veteran and has Grand Final experience. Watching 5 opposition players trying to pull him down is incredible.

Joel REDDY must be in our top 17 somewhere. He is hard to pull down, maybe more so than AYSHFORD ??.
(But Blake is in the Fonz's _FAVOURITES_ club. REDDY, like UTAI needs multiple players to bring him down. His defence was brutal and spot on. I know it was only a trial, but his defence techniques were better than what I have seen from Chris LAWRENCE. He was fantastic under the high ball as well.

These two guys who people may have as secondary choices, are top line choices in my opinion.

 

[cunno]

Sounds good to have these players in the squad based on your post Bug. I must admit that I was surprised to see Utai in contention already and if he is in that sort of form it can only be a good thing. I'm looking forward to seeing how Reddy goes next week.

 

[Guest]

Good to get an an assessment like that Bug. I was not at last night's game, so I'll take your word for it, you're not the first person to say how difficult Utai was to bring down.

Looking forward to seeing the squad go around at Campbelltown next Saturday, and in particular the new squad members.

 

[innsaneink]

He does lack pace though…..very very evident watching footage of sandows intercept and moltz's chase...he gave up early...that said Im a big fan, but wingers do need speed.

 

[shadow]

Totally agree bug, Utai was really good and reddy as well
Reddy has some size as well and very solid in defence and hard to tackle in attack .
Good headaches for sheens as to who's in the 17
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[system]

Utai & Reddy are battling for that bench utility spot for mine.

I love Utais runs but his pace and height are always a worry on the wing.

I would love to see Reddy given a chance on the wing outside Lawrence this coming weekend

 

[Balmain_Bug]

Chris LAWRENCE's defence in the four nation, especially one on one was EXCELLENT. He floored some blokes. Joel REDDY is a top line one on one defender close to the line also.

Wow !!! What a great utility option !!!!

 

[Balmain_Bug]

Utai & Reddy are battling for that bench utility spot for mine.

I love Utais runs but his pace and height are always a worry on the wing.

I would love to see Reddy given a chance on the wing outside Lawrence this coming weekend

SMEG,

I reackon Tuqiri wont play for ages. That leaves his left wing spot up for grabs. i can see Fonz slotting UTAI on the left wing and Joel in the number 17 jersey.

 

[system]

It is possible.

You could be right. I do think Reddy offers more on the wing and Utai offers alot on the bench.

Reddy still has great power running from kick returns, is good under the high ball and deceptively quick.

Utai can come in for a injured back OR can come in to pinch hit at lock and make those burrowing runs from dummy half against tiring sides.

It is astounding how many options we have when the squad are all healthy.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Both has great games last night. Aside from one dropped ball by Utai he was excellent.

Reddy's defense is outstanding, especially on our line. Saved at least two tries with great tackles. He will be in the 17 for sure.
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[happy_tiger]

Yep, you read it.

I rate him higher than Tuqiri, and higher than Beau RYAN.

After a full pre-season of training, he was great last night. He was great last year in my opinion. He is definately our best winger. He is more suited to the left, but as we have seen has played well on the right aswell.

He is almost more destructive than Taniela. Parra had massive problems with UTAI last night and the bloke has no fear, he will run into anyone !! His timing hitting Benji's passing line is good considering Chris Lawrence plays on that side, UTAI was good enough to position himself well enough for Benji to hit him on the chest with long passes at speed. That is extreme talent for a winger to judge as the advancing defensive line has to be taken into account.

He is a ten year veteran and has Grand Final experience. Watching 5 opposition players trying to pull him down is incredible.

Joel REDDY must be in our top 17 somewhere. He is hard to pull down, maybe more so than AYSHFORD ??.
(But Blake is in the Fonz's _FAVOURITES_ club. REDDY, like UTAI needs multiple players to bring him down. His defence was brutal and spot on. I know it was only a trial, but his defence techniques were better than what I have seen from Chris LAWRENCE. He was fantastic under the high ball as well.

These two guys who people may have as secondary choices, are top line choices in my opinion.

If we were playing NFL Bug you would be right …..
But there are two things in NRL attack and defence and as we have seen he struggles with the high ball ,he gets caught out in defence and struggles to move laterally

He would be useful possibly playing off the bench

 

[tigerbenji]

Ryan & Reddy could be our wingers for the first game with Utai coming off the bench, but who knows we have plenty of choices @ the moment which is great.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

utai and reddy were great last night. very very hard to tackle Utai. Reddy under the high ball reminds of an AFL player.

 

[Blackandwhite]

Utai is very difficult to tackle because of his height I think players have a problem finding a target area.
His very old school loves a pie, a smoke and a drink and not that keen on too much training.

Joel Reddy is a great guy to have around the place would love to see him in the starting team.

 

[Liddy]

I always had a high opinion of Utai, but wingers these days need to be good under the high ball, have speed to turn and chase a kick put in behind them and move laterally in defense.

I hope with a full pre season under his belt as well as playing top grade footy last year, that he can show his worth.

Because of this height, he will always struggle under the high ball, but I think his speed is adequate and his defense can improve.

I'm looking at a good year from him…..

 

[Fraze23]

I think we lose more through Utais deficiencies than what we gain through his big runs. Some of the mistakes he made at the back end of last year were elementary. Both games at the end of the season against the dragons were evidence enough to me that he's out of his depth defensively. If there's not a better option on the wing than utai we are in trouble.
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[Fraze23]

I had to read it again, but you rate Utai higher than Tuqiri? A half fit Tuqiri maybe. But there is no way Utai is a better option than Lote. Give yourself an uppercut for that one bug.

 

[happy_tiger]

I think we lose more through Utais deficiencies than what we gain through his big runs. Some of the mistakes he made at the back end of last year were elementary. Both games at the end of the season against the dragons were evidence enough to me that he's out of his depth defensively. If there's not a better option on the wing than utai we are in trouble.
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Yep and as we have seen 1 dropped ball at a critical stage can cost you a whole season of promise

 

[tigergirlz]

Utai had a great half last night…...but I think the Eels winger opposing him should be dropeed to State Cup (just putting things into perspective). I still marvel at comments about Tuqiri being a world beater...I think he was (past tense) but showed very little last year. Grant looked underdone on the wing, but with some game time under his belt may be a better long term optionthan Utai this year.
Time will tell!

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Tuqiri is a champion. You're not going to come back after spending the best part of the season on the sidelines and be straight back at your best. If Lote is injury free this year, he'll be like his old self, don't you worry about that.

For mine, Lote and Beau are still our best two options. Utai offers plenty of ticker and meterage, but he lacks pace, lateral movement and ability under the high ball. I won't complain if he starts while Tuqiri is out though because despite his deficiencies, he gives his all and will do anything to be out there, even if it means playing with a broken arm.