black_and_white_tige
New member
Barring injuries, I think Utai will spend most of his time in NSW Cup. After last years effort he does deserve another year, but in 2012 with the signings we've made I think we will have better options for the bench.
Utai signs new deal with the Tigers
- Thread starter t2010igers
- Start date
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zantapop
Guest
Always gives all in effort.Not sure that its makes up for being to short and slow .His hands and defence are a worry as well. :deadhorse:
i just don't want to see him in the back line…
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Guest
Guest
@Demps said:
I agree. Utai is a good signing for depth, but the backend of the season really did show him up in terms of pace and defensive positioning and he should be used in the forwards off the bench for impact.
I have horrible memories of utai being carved up in D by Gasnier in last years semis…. Utai would be a 2 or 3rd choice option for any back line injuries.... We must have room in the 2012 cap to sign him... I just hope there is no mid season report that the WT are being fined for salary cap breach!
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Prop as per alexaki would be interesting, or Lock.
But with Heighno, Woods, BMM, Fulton, Blair, Bell, Reddy, Ryan (LOL!!!!) and Groat all potentially in front of him covering those roles it would be another horrendous injury toll which would see us using him for that role.
But with Heighno, Woods, BMM, Fulton, Blair, Bell, Reddy, Ryan (LOL!!!!) and Groat all potentially in front of him covering those roles it would be another horrendous injury toll which would see us using him for that role.
@clontarfkid said:
Yep, spot on! Utai would be great used as an impact forward off the bench, but he is a liability in the backline. My heart went into my mouth every time I saw a bomb headed his way or when he was isolated by in defence by speedy opposing backlines. Let's face it, he ain't gonna get any faster, but his determined running and leg drive is too good not to have in the team somewhere, so why not bring him off the bench when the forwards are tiring.
Tigerdave
Well-known member
happy enough based on his efforts this year, off the bench is probably his best spot.
Yes agreed, as a reward for his efforts this year and as a backup next year, this signing is fair enough. I suspect he will come into play once injuries hit but as others have posted, hopefully that will be in close rather than out wide. The way Sheens uses his bench, Utai could come on for 10 minutes in a game, bash and barge then go for a shower.
@underdog said:
V.Good point Underdog…I am trying to understand how we could best use him in 2012...I believe we have some very good "depth" signings this year...so where does that leave Utai..?..I'm sure he doesn't want to play NSW cup...he's too good a player for that level IMO....hey...we have great depth in 2012 and that can't be a bad thing.....bring it(the season) on!!
hammertime
Well-known member
No way he should be used in the forwards… His defense is terrible! Unless you shuffle him back out to wing when defending. (the game against saints sticks in my mind - dont think he tackled gasnier once)
But great resigning. I'm serverly perplexed by our massive abundance of backs depth, yet no prop depth.
So, vying for 2 back spots (incl bench) we now have grant, reddy, brown, utai, humble, miller & simona
Not to mention koribete, sironen and tedessco!
But great resigning. I'm serverly perplexed by our massive abundance of backs depth, yet no prop depth.
So, vying for 2 back spots (incl bench) we now have grant, reddy, brown, utai, humble, miller & simona
Not to mention koribete, sironen and tedessco!
Demonborger
New member
I'd play him in state cup for most of the season but pick him for the bench in games where we face teams with dominate territorial kicking games to help us get out of our own 20 in key parts of the game - the creation of the specialist metre eater winger.
glebe_tiger
New member
@LukeH said:
…besides his barnstorming runs he's still a liability in defence and still very mistake riddled. one more year and thats it for him i reckon.
supercoach
Well-known member
He returned to the scene in 2011 as a bit of a surprise packet,but as the season wore on the other teams woke up to him and targeted his weaknesses, and their were a few. Other than a depth signing I don't see any other value in him and if it was me I would have looked at what we already have in the cupboard
CocaCola
Active member
Glad to have him for another season, he has earned it with his performance this year.
Sheens needs to toughen up on his players this year if he wants to produce the best out of the them. That means benching or dropping any player who has ends up having a few horrible weeks on field.
That will keep competition within the squad fierce & strong.
Sheens needs to toughen up on his players this year if he wants to produce the best out of the them. That means benching or dropping any player who has ends up having a few horrible weeks on field.
That will keep competition within the squad fierce & strong.
