Utai signs new deal with the Tigers

[Fraze23]

I think the only player that hits the ball up as hard constantly is Uate. I love watching Utai smash it up, but there is a down side, and defensively I think he's a touch of a liability.

…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.

I agree. I don't think the metres he makes with his running makes up for the risks we take with him defensively and his difficulties under the high ball.
Theres got to be a fair few ahead of him next year.

 

[clontarfkid]

Its hard to believe but almost all those missed tackles,dropped high balls & fumbled passes by Utai last season really didnt bite as as hard as they could have,because there was always someone else covering for him.We really got lucky.
But who knows what impact these had when we ran out of puff in the 2nd half against the warriors?
And seperately,many fumbled passes & over-run balls during the season due entirely to his lack of speed were potential tries in the hands of a good finisher.
Im hopeful weve got many better,but do understand that he's a Sheens favorite

 

[AndTheKungFoSing]

Its hard to believe but almost all those missed tackles,dropped high balls & fumbled passes by Utai last season really didnt bite as as hard as they could have,because there was always someone else covering for him.We really got lucky.
But who knows what impact these had when we ran out of puff in the 2nd half against the warriors?
And seperately,many fumbled passes & over-run balls during the season due entirely to his lack of speed were potential tries in the hands of a good finisher.
Im hopeful weve got many better,but do understand that he's a Sheens favorite

Hi errors started when he broke his arm…. before then I thought he was outstanding.

 

[clontarfkid]

Its hard to believe but almost all those missed tackles,dropped high balls & fumbled passes by Utai last season really didnt bite as as hard as they could have,because there was always someone else covering for him.We really got lucky.
But who knows what impact these had when we ran out of puff in the 2nd half against the warriors?
And seperately,many fumbled passes & over-run balls during the season due entirely to his lack of speed were potential tries in the hands of a good finisher.
Im hopeful weve got many better,but do understand that he's a Sheens favorite

Hi errors started when he broke his arm…. before then I thought he was outstanding.

He's had problems with high balls & bad hands for a decade,which is why he was playing park football.Plus he was slow,& aint getting any faster.
The defence issues last season were a revelation admittedly,& cld well be related to his broken arm no doubt,but even if rectified Id like to think we cld do better.
Much better

 

[Tigersmurf]

I would suggest that his resigning is likely to cover a bench position. He can be our back on the bench and cover both the outside backs and the back row. I like the idea of him coming off the bench in 15 minute spurts to gain yardage in the middle of the field. His ability to break tackles is his obvious strength. We have other wing options now.

 

[underdog]

Jeez he's tough though. I agree with many of the sentiments here regarding his ball handling, and defense, but Sheensy usually stuck him next to a solid defender in Ayshford or Ellis, and it hid his frailties pretty well - although Gasnier made him look stupid.

Watch the First Dragons game again…. won't get much braver a performance than that by anybody on the field in the current game. Tough as nails.

 

[tigerduffy68]

Better to have him with us rather than against us. Every time he played against us for Dogs, he carved it up. I used to shut me eyes when he got ball. 😛ray: Now i shut them when they kick downtown to him especially in our quarter. Off the bench when side is flat is his go. :rant ENTUSIASM PLUS. It rubs off. GOOD PLAYER AT GOOD PRICE.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Jeez he's tough though. I agree with many of the sentiments here regarding his ball handling, and defense, but Sheensy usually stuck him next to a solid defender in Ayshford or Ellis, and it hid his frailties pretty well - although Gasnier made him look stupid.

Watch the First Dragons game again…. won't get much braver a performance than that by anybody on the field in the current game. Tough as nails.

Ah yes, Gasnier made him look stupid, but Gasnier was made to look more foolish when he beat him near on half a dozen times only to not cross the chalk.

Personally there's better in the team, and a fresh Utai would be well served coming off the bench to run up the middle for 20 minutes at the backend of a game. He's not without his deficiencies but he was also instrumental in gaining hard metres out of our 20m area this year and putting us on the front foot in attack.

Him playing the best part of a half with a broken arm is the stuff champions are made of. You don't see players' commitment to their team like that in the modern game. One of the gutsiest things I have seen.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Ryan playing Lock??? *facepalm* :crazy :crazy :crazy
not trying to 'Sheens bash' because he has done a good job the last two seasons getting us into the top 4, but its things like playing Beau Ryan at lock that will never have him in the same stature as Bennett
you would never see Bennett playing an 85kg winger in the forwards

 

[claws]

Yes, some teams have exploited Utais deficiencies at times, but, he has also exploited other teams deficiencies very well. It just goes to show, how much a team requires a complete footballer in all positions these days. Utai is a professional player and footballer who works hard on his game. I remember several times this year, Matt leading the discussion and rallying the troops behind the try line after a try had been conceded. His experience was and is invaluable to our team. I'm glad his contract was renewed and that he and the club have displayed loyalty to each other. A fine footballer, who will continue to put his body on the line and smash it up every time.

 

[Joel Helmes]

Yes, some teams have exploited Utais deficiencies at times, but, he has also exploited other teams deficiencies very well. It just goes to show, how much a team requires a complete footballer in all positions these days. Utai is a professional player and footballer who works hard on his game. I remember several times this year, Matt leading the discussion and rallying the troops behind the try line after a try had been conceded. His experience was and is invaluable to our team. I'm glad his contract was renewed and that he and the club have displayed loyalty to each other. A fine footballer, who will continue to put his body on the line and smash it up every time.

Yes a good post Matt is certainly very vocal out there!

 

[21sixers]

soem very good points but at the end of the day no 1 can argue he puts in work! he was always a force ready to go forward out of our own half when we were lookin flat orcomming off our own line.You need guys like him in your team, maybe not as a starting player but comming off the bench or even just in your squad. Im glad we retained him in my eyes wouldn be surprised if we get an injury through the year ina postion that he can be slotted in .TOUCH WOOD!

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

he has character and heart. I love his runs when he gets us out of trouble deep in our quarter. There's a little bit of taniella in utai. just a little.

 

[Joel Helmes]

he has character and heart. I love his runs when he gets us out of trouble deep in our quarter. There's a little bit of taniella in utai. just a little.

True, have you seen the size of Utai's thighs? - they are massive.

Heaps of power in those legs and if the injury gods are kind to him I see him making plenty of yards for us this season and helping cover injuries in the back line.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

he has character and heart. I love his runs when he gets us out of trouble deep in our quarter. There's a little bit of taniella in utai. just a little.

I'd have to agree with you there AHX.

He's the one player you can depend on to take the ball up without attempting to divert his line, jink or step. He will hit the line, hit it hard and carry three or four men with him.

He's a strong, tough little bloke, and that's what I like about him.

 

[russelldp]

And importantly has a quick play the ball
\
\
Posted using RoarFEED

 

[happy_tiger]

And importantly has a quick play the ball
\
\
Posted using RoarFEED

Actually I think the opposite Russell I think because he struggles and fight for every metre (which is a good thing don't get me wrong) he is actually giving the defence time to set themselves and hinder further hit ups in the set
It is ok early in the set but if he is doing it tackle 4 or 5 he puts pressure on the kickers as the defence get time to pick their marks (the kickers)

 

[Balmain_Bug]

Utai compresses defences as it takes 2 or more to bring him down on that wing. This can facilitate an opportunity of space on the other side if the ball is swung from one side to the other.

He is a valuable signing as he compresses opposition defensive lines.

 

[happy_tiger]

Utai compresses defences as it takes 2 or more to bring him down on that wing. This can facilitate an opportunity of space on the other side if the ball is swung from one side to the other.

He is a valuable signing as he compresses opposition defensive lines.

Most defensive lines are compressed after kick and chase Bug especially early in the tackle count Assuming Matt takes a hit up in the first three tackles (which is logical after kick chase ) he will probably be facing a compressed defence anyway

 

[russelldp]

I understand where you are coming from Happy, but whilst Utai does struggle in the tackle, he usually continues going forward, which means the defense is forced backwards or kept interested in him. This prevents the D line getting leverage on the next play, which was more my point.

Your point is a good one, though- some of our guys have a habit of being held upright to the benefit of the defence. Heighno is guilty in this area occasionally, but has improved.
\
\
Posted using RoarFEED