Here is my take on Saturday's NSW Cup performance:
Daine Laurie - looks good in attack as the 2nd receiver, some effort plays in defence when Souths scored highlight why he's in Cup, unless he's already gone I'd play him at 5/8 and give Pellow time at FB.
Livai Saukuru & Israel Ogden - I had high hopes for both especially Livai with the physical attributes they can bring but too prone to errors & low IQ plays. Livai doesn't get involved enough despite what he physically he can do. It makes me think these two either lack the desire/hunger to play NRL or lack the mental fortitude & concentration to go to the next level.
Triston Reilly - he seems to be a slow burn doing many good things now in both attack & defence, but will come up with a bad read or play. I don't think he would be any better or worse than Oliver Gildart if he had to play NRL and maybe worth keeping him until the end of his contract as a player 30 in the squad. I don't thionk another club would take him to absorb the final year of his contract.
Tony Pellow - good first game except for that brain explosion play-the-ball. Showed ball skills & good defence. Keen to see how he develops in this group.
Will Smith - terrible 2nd half, he needed to show leadership to stop the rot in the 2nd half but didn't.
Shawn Blore - back far & away the best player on the park when he was on, ready to return to NRL with his improved fitness & timing.
Justin Matamua - quietly going about his business but would like him to show more of his ball skills to take a game by the scruff of the neck. Makes me think the coaches have asked him to work on aspects of his game including defence. He could easily get a gig on the NRL bench if injuries happen.
Atasi James - a few more games like this to show the coaches he has developed his week-on-week consistency & he could debut in the latter rounds. I just feel he needs to add a bit more bulk in the off-season to increease his effectiveness as that explosive middle.
Jack Boyling & James Roumanous - tremendous NSW Cup players at this point in time, would love to see them maintained for next season too as we need these types in reserve grade.
Brandon Mansfield - does this guy have a niggle we don't know about? After a great game 3 weeks ago, he has been sparingly used since. Has the attributes to be a very good NRL backrower.
Seyfarth - ultra consistent, just lacking that bit of leg drive, hip power to be more of a tacklebreaker, wouldn't argue against him getting another 1 year NRL contract on lower end wage to see if he can work on his leg power in the off-season.
Rua - not sure why he isn't using his running game, maybe a directive from above that he is taking to the extreme, something just doesn't seem right with him atm but was given the captaincy, not a good captain's performance in the 2nd half.
Fainu - disappointing the lack of minutes this guy is getting compares to Roumanous given Fainu is NRL contracted. Maybe a reason off-the-field or on the training paddock for this???
Look forward to other forum member insights on these guys.
