Starford To’a #253

[Betterdays22]

In attack, he is beginning to show more consistently what we have seen in glimpses over the years. That is exciting.

It's his defence that has really surprised me. He is so quick off the mark he is rarely getting beaten on the outside. His technique is also spot on. He used to have an issue where he was going too low and not wrapping the ball on the line but he seems to have fixed this (or his outside and inside men are covering it better). He has really benefitted from the energy Tito provides outside him.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I noticed a worrying situation early in the game against the Sharks in defence Galvin shifted to wing pushing Turuva and To’a each one in and Turuva missed a couple of tackles going in low around the legs.
It wasn’t a one off situation saw it happening a couple of times,
Galvin has the size to defend 3 in and should stay there leaving Turuva on the wing.
Halves pushing out to the wing to hide in defence is one of my dislikes learn to tackle it’s part of the game.

This reminds me of the days when Sheens used to hide Benji in the defensive line.

 

[Oldman]

This reminds me of the days when Sheens used to hide Benji in the defensive line.

Yep Benji wasn’t really known for his defence especially when he was young, that said he was a bit smaller than Galvin with a fair bit more pace as well to handle the opposition winger if they try to run around them.
But as I’ve said before if you can’t tackle you shouldn’t be in first grade.
Galvin can tackle so he doesn’t need to be placed out on the wing.

 

[lathami]

Players always lift for contract year, just like Kennedy for the guppies!

 

[Tom Shines]

Players always lift for contract year, just like Kennedy for the guppies!

Toa ? He is signed for next year ….so hope he can even be better then ..

Starford To'a

The NRL profile of Starford To'a including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.weststigers.com.au

Edit … I guess you are suggesting he can sign elsewhere for 2027 at the end of this year which is the case…stupid friggin rule

 

[JC99]

That move he put on Hiroti to set up Turuva last week was classic centre play.... you don't see that much in the entire NRL anymore let alone for us

Finally finding some consistency and he's proving he is a top line centre. Hope we throw another few years on his contract if he keeps his form up

 

[Moh]

They call Hunt Groot.
I couldn’t work out the flare up between Pole and him, something about tackling the legs.

I don't think it was genuine.

And I thought To'a was saying tackle around the legs cause of Pole's high tackle that got him sin-binned.

 

[TheKhan]

Bummer he is out this week. We will miss him he has been in real form

 

[stephen]

Gotta be careful. Could be seen as body shaming by some…

Uh-oh!! More bullying at the Tigers.🤣

 

[Buttface]

That move he put on Hiroti to set up Turuva last week was classic centre play.... you don't see that much in the entire NRL anymore let alone for us

Finally finding some consistency and he's proving he is a top line centre. Hope we throw another few years on his contract if he keeps his form up

That’s my fav try of the year so far. Loved it, great pass to his winger. Last time we probably seen it was Star on Val. He needs more early ball.
He has it in him, and it’s got to come out, so get him early ball and let that boy boogie woogie.

 

[BAGNF05]

Disappointed for Star. I’m not his biggest fan but he had a good run of footy to start the season.

 

[Betterdays22]

Missed him last week, particularly defensively. Would love to know the extent of this injury?

 

[Stevec]

Missed him last week, particularly defensively. Would love to know the extent of this injury?

All I know is Benjis last comments where he said Toa had a minor neck injury and he had scans and specialist said 1 to 2 weeks .Benji then said hopefully 1 week !
We need him as Naden is not up to it and looks busted

 

[Speed2burn]

We are very much missing him, Naden makes me nervous every time the attack runs at him

 

[Jolls]

Let's be realistic here - there were a shit tin of players that missed their assignments in defence last week besides Naden. Our defence was poor because we went away from the system. We had a gazzilion missed tackles in that game and Naden didn't miss them all.

Why was our defence so bad last week? I think a bit of it had to do with us being physically and mentally drained and the other part of it is probably the strain of doing it week in an week out. We were probably due to have an off day - fortunatley we bagged two points at the same time.

I have no doubt that the video session was focussed on our defensive lapses - and this was primarily a failure to get back and scramble - and most of that was related to the middles not the edges.

Naden isn't a world beater, sure, but he has clearly shown Benji and the coaching staff that he is deserving of a spot. If I recall correctly up until he did his knee in the pre-season he was performing well and many on here were talking him up.

I trust that he does well this weekend, we need him to. He doesn't need to set the world on fire, he just needs to play to the system in Defence and give Taruva some space in attack. FFS if AD can hold his own in our new defensive system Naden certainly can.

This game is winnable; we just have to play to our strengths and not focus on theirs.

 

[Halbrowne61]

We are very much missing him, Naden makes me nervous every time the attack runs at him

Coz he looks like a Stick man - no meat
on the bones. That’s why he can only play winger.

 

[Betterdays22]

Let's be realistic here - there were a shit tin of players that missed their assignments in defence last week besides Naden. Our defence was poor because we went away from the system. We had a gazzilion missed tackles in that game and Naden didn't miss them all.

Why was our defence so bad last week? I think a bit of it had to do with us being physically and mentally drained and the other part of it is probably the strain of doing it week in an week out. We were probably due to have an off day - fortunatley we bagged two points at the same time.

I have no doubt that the video session was focussed on our defensive lapses - and this was primarily a failure to get back and scramble - and most of that was related to the middles not the edges.

Naden isn't a world beater, sure, but he has clearly shown Benji and the coaching staff that he is deserving of a spot. If I recall correctly up until he did his knee in the pre-season he was performing well and many on here were talking him up.

I trust that he does well this weekend, we need him to. He doesn't need to set the world on fire, he just needs to play to the system in Defence and give Taruva some space in attack. FFS is AD can hold his own in our new defensive system Naden certainly can.

This game is winnable; we just have to play to our strengths and not focus on theirs.

Know what you're saying Jolls. The team missed their mark as a whole in defence, but To'a has been outstanding there all year, consistently locking down his opposing number. I like Naden, but his position is wing.

 

[tigerballs]

Let's be realistic here - there were a shit tin of players that missed their assignments in defence last week besides Naden. Our defence was poor because we went away from the system. We had a gazzilion missed tackles in that game and Naden didn't miss them all.

Why was our defence so bad last week? I think a bit of it had to do with us being physically and mentally drained and the other part of it is probably the strain of doing it week in an week out. We were probably due to have an off day - fortunatley we bagged two points at the same time.

I have no doubt that the video session was focussed on our defensive lapses - and this was primarily a failure to get back and scramble - and most of that was related to the middles not the edges.

Naden isn't a world beater, sure, but he has clearly shown Benji and the coaching staff that he is deserving of a spot. If I recall correctly up until he did his knee in the pre-season he was performing well and many on here were talking him up.

I trust that he does well this weekend, we need him to. He doesn't need to set the world on fire, he just needs to play to the system in Defence and give Taruva some space in attack. FFS is AD can hold his own in our new defensive system Naden certainly can.

This game is winnable; we just have to play to our strengths and not focus on theirs.

I don't think Naden will play. I heard he'll be out for a few weeks.

 

[Jolls]

Know what you're saying Jolls. The team missed their mark as a whole in defence, but To'a has been outstanding there all year, consistently locking down his opposing number. I like Naden, but his position is wing.

I agree that Naden should be playing wing - but it would not have mattered if Toa played last week - it was the system that failed. Toa would have been caought up in the problem as much as Naden - he may have stuck one or two of the tackles but I don't think he would have made a diference in the overall result.

 

[Jolls]

I don't think Naden will play. I heard he'll be out for a few weeks.

I guess Benji will give him the opportunity to prove his fitness - this is a good sign. A pea heart would opt not to play against Melbourne.