OFFICIAL Pathways - KOE General Discussion

[wstigers11]

I agree taking the line on is an area of improvement but he'll get there. Importantly, his defensive reads & contact have improved out of the sight this season. In a few years, he has the potential to be one of the better defensive halves in the comp with his size & ability to be physical.

Totally agree his contact is so much better since the start of the year, just looks a cut above now

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

At this stage, the only plausible explanation for overlooking Saukuru is that he's not in our future plans because he's signed elsewhere or the club doesn't rate him. Otherwise, we're playing a busted To'a who's leaving for Manly and a busted Makasini who badly needs a rest.

It's getting to the point where Saukuru has to be selected in the NRL 19, his form demands especially after the poor display by Skelton on the weekend.

I don't think his defence is that bad tbh and he'd likely be brought in on the left wing anyway (I'd rather his defence than Skelton atm).

If Solo misses the NRL squad this week, Benji needs to be slapped until he wakes from whatever coma he is in. Solo deserves a spot above Tupou given his continued good performances in Cup.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

His defence is not good . You can say things like “they’re not good anyway he’s not gonna play any worse than the existing guys” , but that’s no true at all.
For me I’d blood him this week , with Javon off the bench .
I’d have Masi Turuva , Tupou, Saukuru. Potentially Tavana instead of Masi.
Toa can go on an early holiday , And clean his locker out , same with Skelton . That call to Bula that it was out for the 40/20 was boneheaded to the max . (Sorry Bula haters it wasn’t him , I called it as soon as it happened ).
I’d look at starting Pole and May and bringing Taateo off the bench with Sione . Give Roberts the right edge for the rest of year and hopefully get him to 10ish games as a genuine edge backup option. Have a look at Taateo , see what he’s got .
I’d be playing madden and luai for this week with madden dropping out next week for Latu . But this week madden swaps time with Javon .
After next week I’d be going luai to start games with Latu and luai and Javon swap minutes . AD needs to make the transition to either lock or centre or seriously even right edge backrow .
His ball running is dynamic , but if teams are handling his ball running , which they are at the moment becauae he’s nursing his shoulder , then he’s effectively useless for running shape .
If you play him at right edge he can interchange with Javon and use Javon as a hole runner at times even have Bula hit that lead line .
If everyone buys in there’s enough danger there for each of those 3 to have defensive gravity attached to them .
I don’t know what AD is . He has to be in the team , but he can’t create . And teams are sliding off him .
Have him bulk up over the offseason , and he’s the perfect 14. Play middles , centre , edge forward , 6, , and just bring him on and say run at whoever you want and cause havoc .
Latu and his ability to slow the game down , creates infinite space on the edges , but I genuinely feel Javon and his deception around his passing game , will create space .
The future is Javon and Latu . Tel them that , and transition as such . Tell luai that’s the plan , and I’m almost certain that’s 2-3 more wins this year .

Agree that Saukuru needs work on his defensive technique. He tackles with his arms too much instead of driving with his shoulder. But show me a debutant centre who is defensively sound. Even reliable defenders like Herbie Farnsworth struggled early in their careers. Who can forget Farnsworth being rinsed by Daine Laurie and Luciano Leilua in 2021?

 

[Bellend]

Agree that Saukuru needs work on his defensive technique. He tackles with his arms too much instead of driving with his shoulder. But show me a debutant centre who is defensively sound. Even reliable defenders like Herbie Farnsworth struggled early in their careers. Who can forget Farnsworth being rinsed by Daine Laurie and Luciano Leilua in 2021?

If Benji does not give Solo a crack this week then he deserves to go.

 

[fjdiehard]

Agree that Saukuru needs work on his defensive technique. He tackles with his arms too much instead of driving with his shoulder. But show me a debutant centre who is defensively sound. Even reliable defenders like Herbie Farnsworth struggled early in their careers. Who can forget Farnsworth being rinsed by Daine Laurie and Luciano Leilua in 2021?

Just give him a crack goddam then we will see how he goes if it doesn't work he can go back to cup

 

[magpies forever]

Hard one because he’s definitely earned his opportunity but firsts is a mess so you don’t want to drop him into all of that.

Good question there- firsts is a mess- why is it a mess and Benji is responsible for firsts.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Hard one because he’s definitely earned his opportunity but firsts is a mess so you don’t want to drop him into all of that.

Nahh, your right, let's continue with this mess.

 

[wstigers11]

Nahh, your right, let's continue with this mess.

You can burn kids especially young halves throwing them in the deep end.

 

[wstigers11]

What a cup backline lol

 

[diedpretty]

What a cup backline lol

I would imagine Makasini will play on the vacant wing spot - Mason FB Makasini and Skelton wings and Toa and Saukuru in centres - big backline.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Strange how one week multiple players can be on the NRL bench and then next week on nsw cup bench. We would be the only club to do that.

Makes zero sense at all the way selections and progression is being managed of our players.

Saukuru has to leave to get a run deadset no idea how he gets overlooked for some of the players named in 1sts this week

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Strange how one week multiple players can be on the NRL bench and then next week on nsw cup bench. We would be the only club to do that.

Makes zero sense at all the way selections and progression is being managed of our players.

Saukuru has to leave to get a run deadset no idea how he gets overlooked for some of the players named in 1sts this week

Surely an NRL journo can ask Benji in his mid-week presser “Benji, you have a top 30 player, leading the tries & being a consistent good performer in NSW Cup, how close is young Solomone Saukuru to a debut?”

 

[Halbrowne61]

It hasn't even been a generation since it's started to be shown on TV, so as those girls who've actually grown up with it being on their screens get older, they'll hopefully go.

The quality has actually improved dramatically and will continue to do so as junior rates continue to rise.

The NRL has gone about introducing the NRLW almost flawlessly, and has definitely learnt from the AFL's mistakes.

Just saw this in the archives. Anyone know what happened to KingRobbie ?