Starford To’a #253

Definitely not a fullback. I think he should be in the centres, if not wing.

Not sure who will be available this week but I hope we give the number 1 to someone else. Hopefully it will only be another 1-2 games anyway then Laurie is back.
 
Earl said:
He is doing great and I think it'll be good for him but I don't think he is a fullback. He should get a chance in the centres.
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I look at it in a different view.
To'a is a good footballer with limited time playing at fullback. Injuries have forced madge to play him there.
I'm glad that he's had a go there because it's good for his development.
If he partners AD un the centres when AD returns and all of a sudden Laurie gets injured again, we know we can throw To'a in there at a pinch.
Same with wing, he now becomes a utility 👍
 
Some harsh critics here. I think he's doing a pretty good job despite being moved around.

Has a bit to work on, in particular defensively at fullback but is safe and his link play was pretty good against the cowboys until we lost our 6. He'll be much better at centre or wing once Laurie returns.
 
Earl said:
He is doing great and I think it'll be good for him but I don't think he is a fullback. He should get a chance in the centres.
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Pretty sure he will be back in the centres as soon as we have Laurie back to play fullback.
I think he could develop into a very good centre.

It's certainly not his fault that we have a complete lack of talent and cover at fullback and I am pleasantly surprised that he has performed as well as he has while he has been forced to fill in, I really expected it to go very badly.

Only criticisms I would have of him would be to be a bit more confident under the high ball (not easy I know) and don't let it bounce.

A bit more spatial awareness would not go astray and this was demonstrated by not having his foot on or over the sideline when taking that kick off. I don't think he will make that mistake again.
 
I do like To'a, really good on his feet. I just don't see him being consistently good, even at his preferred position.

Mentioned it before, but he reminds me of Tui Lolohea.
 
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There’s some deficiencies in his game at fullback but I think overall he seems to be playing ok there given he is learning on the job.

He looked great at centre though and I can see him being one of our long term centres based on some of his performances prior to Laurie being injured.

This was a good pick up for the club.
 
I like him, puts the effort in and is competent. Though its obvious he'll be a far handy player in centres hes just not a fullback.
 
I like him.
Got a footballers brain.
Agree he's an out and out centre but at least he's giving FB a crack.
 
Spine positions are difficult to master long term so throwing a wing - centre raised player usually does not end well.
I like him as a player but we need Laurie back asap or recruit a specialist as I think the club is currently in throws of doing.
 
At @ Cobes, Earl, & Bones, agree with what you say. The kid is a trier, & puts in. I think a great centre or winger, but ATM lacks the skills to be a fullback. For example, 1- taking the dummy / missed tackle on Cotter. The first thing i was taught as a fullback the most dangerous person is the person with the ball, dont worry about the support, your job is to take the man with the ball. 2-Never let the ball bounce. Its your ball , as a fullback, everytime.3 -I saw a ball, late in the second half, on the ground with 2 Cowboys descending on it quickly. The first thing I was taught , is to dive on it , & take the knees in the back if necessary to secure the ball. Young Toa, bent down instead,& (to his credit ) picked it up cleanly. However it was the low (& risky ) percentage play. Its not a criticism, as i like the kid, but I wonder where the coaches ( old fullbacks etc) are teaching these good kids these basic skills. I mean , this is premium NRL football ,not bush footy. I wonder if other old fullbacks think the same .
 
Champ1 said:
At @ Cobes, Earl, & Bones, agree with what you say. The kid is a trier, & puts in. I think a great centre or winger, but ATM lacks the skills to be a fullback. For example, 1- taking the dummy / missed tackle on Cotter. The first thing i was taught as a fullback the most dangerous person is the person with the ball, dont worry about the support, your job is to take the man with the ball. 2-Never let the ball bounce. Its your ball , as a fullback, everytime.3 -I saw a ball, late in the second half, on the ground with 2 Cowboys descending on it quickly. The first thing I was taught , is to dive on it , & take the knees in the back if necessary to secure the ball. Young Toa, bent down instead,& (to his credit ) picked it up cleanly. However it was the low (& risky ) percentage play. Its not a criticism, as i like the kid, but I wonder where the coaches ( old fullbacks etc) are teaching these good kids these basic skills. I mean , this is premium NRL football ,not bush footy. I wonder if other old fullbacks think the same .
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I have to agree. Certainly not all his fault but he is part of the professional game these days so he, along with others need to take the good with the bad.

The forum should be a place for both the positive praise and when it’s warranted, awkward criticism. “Everyone gets a prize” is not going to cut it if we want success.

I definitely believe To’a has the goods but we need to see them consistently. My beef is the excuse that he’s not a fullback but a winger (has played over 20 games now in NRL overall and has played fullback for NZ Schoolboys) but if anyone tells me that as a winger, a fullback should not attack the high ball, well, he’s in for a shock then when he gets back to his normal position. Also, not passing the ball when a certain try was on - basic skills but yes we’ve all done it at some stage of our footy careers (just learn from it please). Surely we coach our players around these things?

I look forward to us helping him reach his potential despite my frustration.
 
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