Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tom Shines]

I’ve never seen Bud or Latu play anything like a genuine 7 to be honest, even when they wear the 7 on their back.
I hope I’m wrong, but Latu is a running 6 with a very limited kicking game.

Did you hear Gus Gould today refer to Latu as a 7 as his best position?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Latu is a class act, but what is his best position and where does he suit us best ?

Just wonder whether he'd be keen to develop as a lock and then we try to recruit Mikey Lewis!!! Probably not.

 

[king_sirro]

I've always been pro Benji, but that was his worst coaching performance to date.

Picked one prop on the bench and didn't even play him.

Had 4 different players play lock during the game (Seyfarth, Latu, Bird and Murray), with 3 on the field at one time.

Major mismatch in the air between Skelton and To'o and there was no instruction to exploit that mismatch.

Ivan had similar opportunities and made sure his team took advantage of them. Benji needs to be much better and learn from these mistakes.

I don't know about this. I think Benji deliberately changed things this week to go with a smaller, more mobile and fitter forwards to see if that's the way forward like some other clubs are doing. I think it was good coaching to try this and it generally worked well today and was one of our better forward performances. Add Pole into the mix and it will be better.

 

[Tom Shines]

I assume Taylan to left centre.

Why assume he is coming here ? I don’t know what they are waiting for if they intend to sign him

 

[Tom Shines]

i’ve been trying to convince everyone on this forum for ages what he is capable of haha , kid can play anywhere he’s just that lethal but i’d say 6 atm .

We watch the games too… we can see Latu has some ability …the problem so far has been his availability ….

Let’s hope he can get a run of games now the rest of the way so we can see exactly the goods on offer

 

[crazycat]

Just wonder whether he'd be keen to develop as a lock and then we try to recruit Mikey Lewis!!! Probably not.

Honestly if his related to Wally and that means someone at training knows what they are doing... Sure.

I actually think we should find somewhere for Billy walters, just to get Kevie over here. Assistant or coach, at least he seems to know enough to get some structure going.

 

[tigahhh]

We watch the games too… we can see Latu has some ability …the problem so far has been his availability ….

Let’s hope he can get a run of games now the rest of the way so we can see exactly the goods on offer

no i know , i meant ive watched from his jnrs thats all . lg leaving sucked but we kept Latu instead

 

[Bellend]

Latu to halfback asap.

 

[Winston Churchill]

1. Bula
2. Tito
3. Toa
4. May ??
5. Skelton
6. Jerry
7. Latu
8. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. Sammy
12. KPP
13. Fifita ??

14. Mason/TDS
15. Sione
16 Bird/Royce/Kit/Twal/Sukkar
17 Who cares


This team all year and we would be 4 or 5 wins further along. Adding KPP is a great start. We need a centre and another quality back rower and prop. Leaving the crap we have as depth only, 3 more quality signings and this team is a top 6 squad. We aren't far off.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

1. Bula
2. Tito
3. Toa
4. May ??
5. Skelton
6. Jerry
7. Latu
8. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. Sammy
12. KPP
13. Fifita ??

14. Mason/TDS
15. Sione
16 Bird/Royce/Kit/Twal/Sukkar
17 Who cares


This team all year and we would be 4 or 5 wins further along. Adding KPP is a great start. We need a centre and another quality back rower and prop. Leaving the crap we have as depth only, 3 more quality signings and this team is a top 6 squad. We aren't far off.

The coach who can unlock Fifita would produce the buy of the decade, maybe the man manager style that Benji has learned from Bennett could do it.

 

[Moh]

I have been pro Doueihi & think his D has been improved but the speed isn't there.

He scores close to the line when he put that grubber in & there was a break or two on the cards if he had speed.

Goal kicking also hit & miss.

I assume Taylan to left centre.

Will be interested if they re-sign him. At best would takes bird utility bench spot.

Credit to AD, improved heaps in defence. Offers a bit of yardage, otherwise not all that threatning in attack, which sucks because we do create some chances on that side.

Definitely would like Taylan there if we sign him, and if he can get back to anywhere near his form the last time he played. Big IFs.

I think Benji, and the club, like AD a lot. Probably the reason we haven't jumped at Taylan.

 

[Vicious]

1. Bula
2. Tito
3. Toa
4. May ??
5. Skelton
6. Jerry
7. Latu
8. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. Sammy
12. KPP
13. Fifita ??

14. Mason/TDS
15. Sione
16 Bird/Royce/Kit/Twal/Sukkar
17 Who cares


This team all year and we would be 4 or 5 wins further along. Adding KPP is a great start. We need a centre and another quality back rower and prop. Leaving the crap we have as depth only, 3 more quality signings and this team is a top 6 squad. We aren't far off.

I think we need Samuela Fainu to become our extra quality middle as he’s going awful on an edge this season.

 

[JB9918]

Why assume he is coming here ? I don’t know what they are waiting for if they intend to sign him

True. Well if not him. That's our next target if the can goal kick it's a bonus.

I would like to see Makasini for a game or 2 at the end of the year to see how big of a jump it'll be for him.

 

[Tom Shines]

True. Well if not him. That's our next target if the can goal kick it's a bonus.

I would like to see Makasini for a game or 2 at the end of the year to see how big of a jump it'll be for him.

Agree they need an upgrade on AD at the position… AD has done his best … don’t want to criticise him to much … just think they need some more speed… like you said

 

[bythebeardofzeus]

Agree they need an upgrade on AD at the position… AD has done his best … don’t want to criticise him to much … just think they need some more speed… like you said

If Luke L kills it tomorrow, Skelton to centre & LL on the wing? I wonder if AD can do a better job in the middle than Bird?

 

[Tom Shines]

If Luke L kills it tomorrow, Skelton to centre & LL on the wing? I wonder if AD can do a better job in the middle than Bird?

Does Skelton have any experience at center ? Not that I’ve heard to be honest …: He spilled some ball from kicks today…. So wouldn’t hate it otherwise

I like Luke’ L a lot … but not putting him ahead of the two that started today … yet

AD scares me in the forwards

 

[Demps]

Some calls to be made for our off contract players

Tumeth - farewell
Matamua - farewell

Naden? Time to move on
Feledy? Eh, perhaps a cup contract?
Staines? Good back up, depth option.
Douihei? Not sure.

We need some better options tbf

 

[Tom Shines]

Some calls to be made for our off contract players

Tumeth - farewell
Matamua - farewell

Naden? Time to move on
Feledy? Eh, perhaps a cup contract?
Staines? Good back up, depth option.
Douihei? Not sure.

We need some better options tbf

I’d consider Staines and AD as depth … but with an expectation that they are going to mainly be NSW Cup players …all the others are gone I’d say…

 

[Vicious]

I’d consider Staines and AD as depth … but with an expectation that they are going to mainly be NSW Cup players …all the others are gone I’d say…

Our first 13 and first 17 are still not good enough to be a genuine top 8 team, we lack class, speed and genuine attacking threat.
If we do not sign 2-3 quality players in addition to KPP we will be in this same position again next season.
Today again showed us how good Latu Fainu is, but he played as a 13, not as a 6 or 7, so do we groom him to be our regular number 13, or are we going to see how he goes as Luai’s halves partner for the rest of this season ?
Hopefully we have a plan of some sort as we need a 7 or 6 if we are looking at Latu Fainu as a 13.

 

[Merlot]

i’ve been trying to convince everyone on this forum for ages what he is capable of haha , kid can play anywhere he’s just that lethal but i’d say 6 atm .

i tend to lean towards his Mum's words .The lady laughed in our faces how little Latu is always broken , amused that the contract was that length ,but over all it will keep them, the boys ,her happy and laughed loudly ,she is no dunce