Tommy Talau #225

[Deleted member 3518]

Talau is incredibly frustrating. shows glimpses but makes the easy look incredibly hard.

great front on contact but struggles at times to make the correct read. manages to draw the centre and winger but then throws a forward pass to his winger. it's a guessing game with him every single week. willing to give him another pre-season and I think he'll start in the centres Round 1 2022, but that all hinges on HSS and whether or not Kepaoa is 100% come Round 1. personally I wouldn't have him there, would much rather Kepaoa.

I really liked that role he played against Canberra to start the year. Came on and added a bit of spark. Although our we wouldn't be getting the most out of our bench if we had him and a hooker on the bench at the same time.

I've got a mate who had a bit to do with Tommy over the years and he reckons he's made for the 14 role. not sure what the club plans to do with him, but it's certainly not out of the question. in saying all of that though I think either Simpkin or Hastings will play 14 next year.

Good post.

Makes sense.

MCK style.

Too slow for the backs, too small for the pack.
Has some ball playing skills apparently from coming through as a half.

He does mate - everyone coming through wanted to be a 6 because it was the fun position, fullback as well. Tommy enjoyed it. That was mostly because he was toying with kids at a younger age. The position requires a lot more strategical nous to it and in the NRL I don't think he'd cut it in the halves. A centre, backrow or roaming lock off the bench is how I see him moving forward. Not sure how the club view him at this point but it could be either one of these.

Edge back rower . He’s clearly got the potential to be as good as someone like schuster , or Curtis Sironen .

 

[GarryOwen]

His handling errors are enough to send anyone insane, but there's something there. When he's confident and getting decent ball, he is a damaging runner and a decent finisher. Has a bit of an offload as well.
There's a lot to work on - the callout earlier about his effort on the Dearden try was a good one - but enough to persevere with.

 

[Russell]

Give him time.
He is still on L plates.

They've been saying this about Brooks for years, as well... he's a 10 season veteran.

This is Talau's third year in first grade.
He's been playing the game his whole life.

I don't think the excuse can fly.
You look at NZ's Walsh.. first season and looks at home already.

I'm happy to be the devils advocate.... Talau, needs some time in the UK.

You say third year Demps - which indicates about 70 games, in fact he has only just chalked up 32.

Quite a few of those (in fact most) where out of position on the wing.

Personally would not think of writing him off before 50 games, so another season, then we'll see. imo.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

'Hard stuff? I'm confident I've seen plenty of dirty carries by TT.

I agree. The problem is sometimes he just drops the ball cold.

I like him but he is like Mikaele. Those plays lose us games against decent opposition.

The problem Earl, is if you are going to adopt the scenario of producing youngers to fill most of the spots in your NRL team, even though you nurse them through the lower grades, when they get to NRL - you have to expect "Rocks and Diamonds."

Every one you move up is not going to be a Sam Walker, Shuster, Suaalii, Stefano etc. straight away like them, most take time and you have to ride the bumps with them, if you believe in them of course.

A lot of these young guys we already have will be much better next year after the NRL games they played this year, a full off season etc.

We will obviously have a couple that won't make it - but we need to make sure they are a fail before we let them go. Look what happened with Paseka and Tatola - I'm hoping that was just impatience rather than the ability to recognise talent.

Exciting times Earl - we are lucky to be able to witness the next few years, providing they stay with the coach and the pathways.

Completely agree, I would also add that Sam Walker is worse defensively than any one player at the tigers, but the Roosters' defence is so well drilled they can cover his deficiencies. Sometimes if you can view other young guns through rose tinted glasses if you don't watch them play consistently.
That being said Shuster is a star in the making, Manly will struggle to keep him if the right offer comes along...

 

[Demps]

I hate to be the negative guy...
I still don't think he's up to it.

Looks very immature out there and has all year with minimal signs of improvement...

Wouldn't hurt slimming down a little and working on becoming faster.

I like seeing the second generation sons coming through and making their own names but sadly, Talau is a work in progress and MAY not work out.

I can agree it was his best game for us but still, as an individual performance once the dust settles... still wasn't that amazing. 5/10

Grabbing at jerseys and letting players run past him.
Looks very slow.
I'm at a loss with this one, I think if we can recruit some one better, we should and let Talau go.

Understand what you are saying Demps - however think he will keep on improving.

Gildart and Talau would be a good centre pairing for 2022, with Hastings in there as well, I think we will be in a much better position.

Don't bank everything on Gildart...
And Talau, well... ehh, don't wanna keep harping on about the kid but he is no good.

Hastings to hopefully ruffle some feathers with Brooks supporters though.

 

[TYGA]

Whichever way you cut it Talau is the best centre at the club. Jet, BJ, Pauga, Chee Kam it’s not a list of representatives.

We need to recruit badly but when he keeps the errors out of his game he can play. Hits hard, can score from close range and is an aerial threat.
Didn’t play juniors at centre he’s not a finished product. Showing signs of improvement.

In the one game he played, I thought that Kepaoa looked particularly good there. He might surprise us if he recovers well from his injury.

He did look good at centre then he got hurt. One to watch he can’t play on the wing.

 

[rustycage]

Talau is gonna prove a lot of people very wrong whether it be in our jersey or in another. He's a talent for sure.

 

[Demps]

Talau is gonna prove a lot of people very wrong whether it be in our jersey or in another. He's a talent for sure.

Love to see it happen.
Have my doubts though.
Still a kid tho, hopefully he spends less time with Nofo eating kebabs and more time working on his game.

 

[TigerWest]

Talau is gonna prove a lot of people very wrong whether it be in our jersey or in another. He's a talent for sure.

Agree, he will prove the people that think he is good or the people who think he is bad, wrong 😂😂😄

 

[aturkey]

Talau is gonna prove a lot of people very wrong whether it be in our jersey or in another. He's a talent for sure.

Love to see it happen.
Have my doubts though.
Still a kid tho, hopefully he spends less time with Nofo eating kebabs and more time working on his game.

He doesn't inspire much hope aye? With his performances and his character. I hope to be proven wrong. I just hope it doesn't take 8 years.

 

[Demps]

Talau is gonna prove a lot of people very wrong whether it be in our jersey or in another. He's a talent for sure.

Love to see it happen.
Have my doubts though.
Still a kid tho, hopefully he spends less time with Nofo eating kebabs and more time working on his game.

He doesn't inspire much hope aye? With his performances and his character. I hope to be proven wrong. I just hope it doesn't take 8 years.

Watching that episode of Tiger Town and hearing Madge name him in the 7 players he wants to keep and build the team around... there must be something that I am not seeing?

Maybe it's because his dad was a weapon and they're hoping he turns out like him or maybe he's a good training.
I have no idea.

I watch him closely during the games and I just don't see it....

 

[jirskyr]

Completely agree, I would also add that Sam Walker is worse defensively than any one player at the tigers, but the Roosters’ defence is so well drilled they can cover his deficiencies.

Not against the best teams they cannot.

 

[tigerbill]

Talau is gonna prove a lot of people very wrong whether it be in our jersey or in another. He's a talent for sure.

Love to see it happen.
Have my doubts though.
Still a kid tho, hopefully he spends less time with Nofo eating kebabs and more time working on his game.

He doesn't inspire much hope aye? With his performances and his character. I hope to be proven wrong. I just hope it doesn't take 8 years.

Watching that episode of Tiger Town and hearing Madge name him in the 7 players he wants to keep and build the team around... there must be something that I am not seeing?

Maybe it's because his dad was a weapon and they're hoping he turns out like him or maybe he's a good training.
I have no idea.

I watch him closely during the games and I just don't see it....

Or maybe Madge isn't that great at selecting players. A certain mbye comes to mind.

 

[weststigers]

Talau is gonna prove a lot of people very wrong whether it be in our jersey or in another. He's a talent for sure.

Love to see it happen.
Have my doubts though.
Still a kid tho, hopefully he spends less time with Nofo eating kebabs and more time working on his game.

He doesn't inspire much hope aye? With his performances and his character. I hope to be proven wrong. I just hope it doesn't take 8 years.

Watching that episode of Tiger Town and hearing Madge name him in the 7 players he wants to keep and build the team around... there must be something that I am not seeing?

Maybe it's because his dad was a weapon and they're hoping he turns out like him or maybe he's a good training.
I have no idea.

I watch him closely during the games and I just don't see it....

He’s 21…

This season he has 10 tries and 13 line breaks.

He can definitely find the line, but like all young players, he needs to work on a few things.

Centre is a tough place to defend. You really need the guys inside and outside you doing their job and vice versa.

I’m hoping he can lift that part of his game and lose the silly errors, but I’m also confident this will come with experience.

I just think some patience is needed for all our young blokes.

 

[TonyTiger]

Talau is gonna prove a lot of people very wrong whether it be in our jersey or in another. He's a talent for sure.

Love to see it happen.
Have my doubts though.
Still a kid tho, hopefully he spends less time with Nofo eating kebabs and more time working on his game.

He doesn't inspire much hope aye? With his performances and his character. I hope to be proven wrong. I just hope it doesn't take 8 years.

Watching that episode of Tiger Town and hearing Madge name him in the 7 players he wants to keep and build the team around... there must be something that I am not seeing?

Maybe it's because his dad was a weapon and they're hoping he turns out like him or maybe he's a good training.
I have no idea.

I watch him closely during the games and I just don't see it....

Or maybe Madge isn't that great at selecting players. A certain mbye comes to mind.

Yeah, there’s no need to do the ‘showroom park’ with Mbye we’ve already sold the lemon + a few banana skins in his diff ... after a few games next season when the skins wear thin the Dragons will hear a lot whining.

 

[BZN]

Hi fellow Tigers tragics.
Ive been reading this forum for years and have never registered until now.
I think both our centres played well last night.
MCK particularly in defence and TT with ball in hand.

I agree it was a sloppy effort from TT for that try but he is young and needs to learn to be in the game for every second of the 80 minutes.

Many on here believe we need a whole host of new players. In my opinion we don’t.
If we had 2 really good centres this team would improve out of sight.
Yeah its dreamworld but if we had our current squad but were to add Lomax and Joey Manu we would improve sharply and I think if we had luck with injuries we could finish around 6th.
Laurie at 1, AD at 6, Brooks at 7.
Simpkin still learning and hopefully he improves.
Forwards are exciting and mostly young.
2 strike centres and we would be a very solid team.

Of course signing 2 good centres is unlikely for our club. If Gildart turns out to be a success and we happen to jag a Lomax type player I think TT would be an effective lock.
He has the body shape, the skills (used to be a 5/8) and I think it would suit him.
Wondering others’ opinions.

Have a good day and up theTigers

Welcome to the forum brother.

A snippet from a post I made elsewhere..

*Playing around with team lists for next year and similar to this year where we went into the year… with James Roberts and BJ Leilua as our starting centres.
Next year we have: Talau and Oliver Gildart… a rusty AJ Keapoa, maybe?

An area Madge overlooked this year and I’m hoping it isn’t overlooked again next year*

Centre is our weakest positions at the moment.
Surely Madge knows this.

Lomax and Harley Smith-Shields are upgrades and realistic... Manu would be amazing but I'm sure every club would feel the same way.

Good to see you @Demps and @TigerWest 'welcome' a new member to our forum.
I did that a few times 12 months or so ago and was put down for it.

Some one put you down for welcoming a new user?
Shameful mate...

I remember the day i signed up and @Spartan117 welcomed me.

Saw some posts the other day from a user saying his friends who go for the Tigers said they won't use the forum because they don't like the negativity. That's not what we want to be known as. Lucky they got guys like you and I, on here man... keeping that positivity alive. ✊?

[/QUOTE]

 

[Demps]

Anyone seen his brother, Lachlan play?
He's a hooker, yea?

Any good ?

 

[Demps]

Anyone seen his brother, Lachlan play?
He's a hooker, yea?

Any good ?

 

[KingRobbie]

Anyone seen his brother, Lachlan play?
He's a hooker, yea?

Any good ?

He’s 22 (older than Tommy).

Played 3rd grade for Ryde-Eastwood this year with the Rizk boys, Ryan Garner (Luke’s brother) etc. Was playing Hooker or Lock.

Highly doubt he ever makes it.

 

[Demps]

Anyone seen his brother, Lachlan play?
He's a hooker, yea?

Any good ?

He’s 22 (older than Tommy).

Played 3rd grade for Ryde-Eastwood this year with the Rizk boys, Ryan Garner (Luke’s brother) etc. Was playing Hooker or Lock.

Highly doubt he ever makes it.

Thanks man, I was wondering what his standing was within the club and the game.
This explains a lot.

How'd the Rizk boys go?