Tommy Talau #225

Muffstar said:
He is as slow as a wet week and has hands like flipper, thankfully he is only locked in for 1 year.
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Don’t disagree but he has potential so let’s see what happens .
Also a bit of a “Dooway drifter” floating in and out of matches.
Certainly needs to get fit, in a few of his latter games was continually “ looking for dollar coins”.
Interesting that Wests Tigers website says in announcement that we are pleased to re-sign outside back TT.
Maybe they haven’t got the back row memo or just going on his past position. I would have thought correct word was utility but maybe I’m just being pedantic.
 
I have plenty of faith that Talau is going to be a good one. He has size, strength and the type of attitude required to turn our powderpuffs around. He has the ability to be a great second rower longer term. Perfect off the bench also where he can cover centre.
 
Earl said:
Is he big enough ? I worry he is too slow for the centres and not big enough for backrow.
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I think he would still be growing Earl. I’m sure he will fill out more. Also dependent on training regime/ weights program etc. He has the step and evasion to stand up opposing forwards IMO and has the hole running attributes of a centre.
 
Roar_Power said:
I think he would still be growing Earl. I’m sure he will fill out more. Also dependent on training regime/ weights program etc. He has the step and evasion to stand up opposing forwards IMO and has the hole running attributes of a centre.
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I agree but I think we are overrating him a little. He hasn't proven himself a first grader yet. That doesn't mean he won't do that next year.

Put it this way he is a project player right now.

It'd be awesome if he made a spot his own next year though.
 
Earl said:
I agree but I think we are overrating him a little. He hasn't proven himself a first grader yet. That doesn't mean he won't do that next year.

Put it this way he is a project player right now.

It'd be awesome if he made a spot his own next year though.
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Yep true, more potential than anything. Has shown glimpses. 19 tries from 35 games. Storm like him. There's something there....
 
Harvey said:
Except compete against England in the world cup
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Islanders generally cant organise themselves in the spine.
Im sorry if thats controversial but we have never seen a good organising halfback of tongan/fijian/samoan heritage.
Api is the closest/exception.
Its the most important positional set so its any wonder England dominated.

Im at an unnatural advantage as a coach but I made alot of money that game by having England win 20+ and to rack up 50+
 
Muffstar said:
He is as slow as a wet week and has hands like flipper, thankfully he is only locked in for 1 year.
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You don't have to be particularly quick to be a good centre. These are the attributes I rate -

Good defender
Hit a gap
Set up your winger
Be aware of your environs
Goalkicking is always an asset

Mick Cronin, Ryan Girdler are good examples

Our issue is the wingers we have are far too slow. Bring in someone like Dominic Young and you can pair him with a strong centre as they complement one another.
 
Talau was a center in 2021 and was ok in some games .In 2022 our centers were weak . Whether he is fit or fast enough to play there again ? I haven't got a clue . We sure need some talent there . I think maybe Douehi and Naden are best there but AD might sulk if he doesn't get the no 6
 
Stevec said:
Talau was a center in 2021 and was ok in some games .In 2022 our centers were weak . Whether he is fit or fast enough to play there again ? I haven't got a clue . We sure need some talent there . I think maybe Douehi and Naden are best there but AD might sulk if he doesn't get the no 6
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Defence is the major requirement in the centres. Doueihi would be targeted as he was by the Roosters and Robinson.
 
Lebanese_Coach_aspiration said:
Islanders generally cant organise themselves in the spine.
Im sorry if thats controversial but we have never seen a good organising halfback of tongan/fijian/samoan heritage.
Api is the closest/exception.
Its the most important positional set so its any wonder England dominated.

Im at an unnatural advantage as a coach but I made alot of money that game by having England win 20+ and to rack up 50+
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Organising halves at international stage has been a big issue.

However, I was very surprised that there is only one NRL fullback in the WC in Tedesco. Koula, Sualii, Manu don't play fullback at NRL level.
 
Roar_Power said:
Yep true, more potential than anything. Has shown glimpses. 19 tries from 35 games. Storm like him. There's something there....
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Both Benji and Madge have a high opinion of Talau .....if he can get some consistent football behind him ...remember coaches of the ilk of Sheenius and Bennett both reckon it takes 50 NRL games to become a consistent NRL player ...lets give him another season
 
Earl said:
Is he big enough ? I worry he is too slow for the centres and not big enough for backrow.
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I've got the same concerns. Where did I hear or see that he's bulked up?
He was always was a tad slow so coming off a long layoff with a knee injury, surely he would be even slower???
 
Odessa said:
Mate he has Samoan blood Samoans can do anything on a footy field he will be fine he will fill out now he is young just changing his weights program in the gym will do wonders for him
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I hope you right mate because he has some legitimate forwards to compete against if he was to transition to lock.
Is Joffa going to play lock again?
Then there's Isaiah Papali'i and also young Justin Matamua coming through.
I thought his best option was to get speed into those legs and push Naden, To'a and Kepaoa for a centre spot.
 
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