OFFICIAL Starford To’a #253

[Tom Shines]

I’ve thought criticism of Toa was over the top but that performance was abysmal. Herbert and Makasini need to be in the

Makasini will be targeted just like Turuva was yesterday … they better be confident he can handle it … because the rest of the team can’t seemingly defend the errors otherwise and you lose the game

That doesn’t change the fact that Toa is a liability… makes me wonder why they just extended him in August … seems the worst decision the club has made since Richo arrived here

 

[Tom Shines]

This guy was playing so well to start 2025 and was carving up, then they gave him a 2 year extension and suddenly crashes back down to mediocrity since. Honestly should try modify it so he gets extended one game at a time so he puts in week in week out.

He played well for about 8-10 games at the start of the season … he was crap after that and they didn’t extend him until close to the end of the season

 

[hank37w]

What a shocker. Last week. Can someone with a smarter football brain than me - tell me - what he brings to the team apart from being born in the same place as his coach.

I love being wrong. Bring it on people.

You're wrong about being wrong, you're actually right.

 

[TigerTone]

get rid of him and bring in Isaac Tago

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

This guy was playing so well to start 2025 and was carving up, then they gave him a 2 year extension and suddenly crashes back down to mediocrity since. Honestly should try modify it so he gets extended one game at a time so he puts in week in week out.

He was only playing well when he got early ball and had space.

He is totally ineffective in all other aspects of his game & always has been. Defensively he has never had a good top quality run because his effort areas are just lacking.

 

[hank37w]

This guy only plays well on a contract year

He need 1 year extension max or else he doesn’t put in

So bad

Based on his performances and what you have suggested, the best thing would be to put him on a week to week contract.

 

[TIGERS]

He's not a senior pro. He's still sussing out his own game as much as Tavana. It's not like he's got 4 finals campaigns under his belt. He doesn't look tough enough.

 

[hank37w]

Won’t play another game in our jersey

I wouldn't count on that.

Won't be surprised to see him selected on Tuesday afternoon.

 

[TigerJunior4]

Makasini will be targeted just like Turuva was yesterday … they better be confident he can handle it … because the rest of the team can’t seemingly defend the errors otherwise and you lose the game

That doesn’t change the fact that Toa is a liability… makes me wonder why they just extended him in August … seems the worst decision the club has made since Richo arrived here

We were short on outside backs and Toa had a good start to last year. Not saying it wasn’t a dumb decision just that I can see why they re-signed him.

With Makasini, he will be targeted like any young player. I’ve seen more good than bad in his game and I’ve been particularly impressed by how he adjusted defensively at the start of the year.

Having some extra height/size in the outside backs might help balance the team. Tavana seems smaller, and Turuva and Laulilii are short.

 

[hank37w]

AJ had a functioning heart at least.

Even if his eyes and hands weren't.

 

[Tom Shines]

We were short on outside backs and Toa had a good start to last year. Not saying it wasn’t a dumb decision just that I can see why they re-signed him.

With Makasini, he will be targeted like any young player. I’ve seen more good than bad in his game and I’ve been particularly impressed by how he adjusted defensively at the start of the year.

Having some extra height/size in the outside backs might help balance the team. Tavana seems smaller, and Turuva and Laulilii are short.

Toa - he had a chronic injury issue that apparently had not been corrected and affects his ability and confidence .. it’s about as smart a recruitment decision as Olam

Makasini - he was terrible in his last game ..I would like to see him have a game in the Reggie’s and get some confidence before putting him back up … go with Herbert or Skelton instead

 

[hank37w]

Club needs to find a surgical solution for his tricep/arm injury. Managing it isn’t working as he mentally is not committing to defensive contact nor 100% using his most lethal weapon, his fend. He’s a liability and those of us weekly Cup watchers saw it in his first few games back. Unfortunately we’ll be stuck with his contract so we need to prey that the club doctor can source surgical intervention to give him & us the best chance of seeing him back to his best even if next season.

I was thinking more along the lines of medical retirement.

Adam Doueihi's come back has been some what of a medical miracle, I think expecting another one for Starford is really expecting a bit too much.

 

[user118245]

Benji won’t drop him cause they’re from the same town

 

[hank37w]

Except contracted long term

Milone had 1 year or so

Weren't his family sponsors or something, so at least there was some sort of contribution to the club?

 

[Tom Shines]

I wouldn't count on that.

Won't be surprised to see him selected on Tuesday afternoon.

I would suggest that is the likely outcome

 

[Bellend]

The scariest fact he made his debut in 2019 has he got any better??

When he came back through Koe cup he looked disinterested and weeks later nothing has changed.

 

[jstigers]

he needs to be medically retired or dropped, we really need to invest in another gun centre/winger. Turuva and May are 1st graders, Luke is going next year he is a good fill in for this year and we have skelton which can fill in but we dont really have any gun centres to replace Toa, Makasini is too young and raw; he hasn't impressed more just been a fill in. Tavana just proved that he is too young and inconsistent; he needs at least a year in cup. Herbet is really our only option but he is a fill in, defintely need to find someone

 

[tig_prmz]

I'm confused whether it was bad reads, bad spacing or he put himself in that position to avoid direct contact.

Definitely the second worst player out there but in the last 30 minutes, our forwards got so dominated that they had 20m of space with 3 players defending and Sharks running on to each ball with pace.

I don't think even Herbie could have done much.

 

[426Tlgerland]

He has 3 years left on his contract.

This can’t be correct , who gave him that much , geezus he won’t even make 2 or 3 more years at any club he is shot

 

[Demps]

This can’t be correct , who gave him that much , geezus he won’t even make 2 or 3 more years at any club he is shot

Yep and his reserve grade form didn't justify a start in FG, but I guess we don't have other options.

This contract is a problem.
He doesn't even serve as a decent depth option.