Wests Tigers -2018 Centres

[wt01]

For me…

1\. Tui Lolohea
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Esan Marters
4\. Moses Suli
5\. Taane Milne

I think that for the back 5 for Rd 1, Fonua or Kev will be at #5

 

[Tigerdon]

I thought Suli and Marsters both did a good job defensively in 2017\. Which was something Tigers struggled with in the centres and edge previously. For that reason alone i'd go with them for Round One. If Marsters gets a 5 (or less) out of ten , Milne or Fonua should be given their chance to make the centre position theirs.
Given Suli's age and pedigree i'd give him a little more time than Marsters. As Marsters is somewhat of a make shift centre and if its not working he should concentrate on a utility or second row position. Having said that, i see no reason why either would regress in 2018\. They were both good finds in 2017 and should only get better.

 

[Masterton]

I like the look of Milne.
Suli has been average.
Naiqama is a defensive liability.
Marsters is an unknown who looked good in the youth grades cos of his bulk.
Having compared to the rest of the teams, our centres, though full of potential, right now are completely unproven and defensively questionable. On paper we will arguably possess the worst centre pairing in the comp.

Even though most won't agree about Suli, I'm still to see what all the hype is about, I know he's still a kid, and he started Last season well, butHe seemed to drop off quite a bit pretty quickly.

I'm not saying he won't be a world beater, but you can only go on what he's doing on the field now, and average describes that pretty well

He certainly isn't a flashy centre. But he debuted at 18 with bugger all junior games and averaged 130 metres with the ball and often lead our post contact metres. He's a keeper.

 

[Snake]

Talking footy over the weekend with a couple of long term Dragons supporters and they say Milne is well above average ,have watched his progress and would of liked to have kept him … sounds with Suli and Milne a big centre pairing to contend with both big boys.

 

[AL The Tiger]

I like the look of Milne.
Suli has been average.
Naiqama is a defensive liability.
Marsters is an unknown who looked good in the youth grades cos of his bulk.
Having compared to the rest of the teams, our centres, though full of potential, right now are completely unproven and defensively questionable. On paper we will arguably possess the worst centre pairing in the comp.

Suli has been average?

 

[bigsiro]

I like the look of Milne.
Suli has been average.
Naiqama is a defensive liability.
Marsters is an unknown who looked good in the youth grades cos of his bulk.
Having compared to the rest of the teams, our centres, though full of potential, right now are completely unproven and defensively questionable. On paper we will arguably possess the worst centre pairing in the comp.

Suli has been average?

Not sure if you mean that he has been above, or below average. There are definitely mixed reviews on here.
When rating centres, perhaps here's a random bunch who would be considered above average (or better, or slightly above average) (in no particular order):

Jennings, Takairangi, Roberts, Gagai, Watene-Zelezniak, Moga, Lafai, Aitken, Chambers, O'Neill, Linnett, Mitchell, Ferguson, Aubusson, Harris, Hayne, Capewell Leutele, Leilua, Croker, Peachey, Whare, Morris, Walker, Hiku, Hurrell, Auva'a, Copley, Bird.

The list is by no means exhaustive or comprehensive (don't shoot me, it's rough!). Some of those guys aren't really that good, but comparatively they are certainly better than also-ran centres - which truly is mostly the rest of the competition.

There just aren't too many great centres these days. It is not a glamour position anymore. Nowadays, centres that are largely average players seem better only because comparatively centres have become lacklustre.

Anyway, I don't rate Naiqama, and I hardly consider Suli to be much better than him. I reckon he will be one day, but for now he needs to develop if he is to get to above average - IMO.

 

[colmcd]

For me…

1\. Tui Lolohea
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Esan Marters
4\. Moses Suli
5\. Taane Milne

I think Taane Milne will start in the Centers, but at the cost of whom? Suli seems to have bedded down one spot, Marsters the other (unless he moves to Lock/second row).

I think Mahe Fonua is going to claim the wing spot. Did we really hire Corey Thompson as well as MWZ and Kevie?

 

[Tim Sheens]

I hope Milne is playing ahead of a fit Marsters, even if only because we need to be better in that position than Esan was last year. Suli would have to go backwards from his pre ankle problem form to miss out and expecting him excel with better ball and more often against a retreating defence this year.

 

[240z]

I hope Milne is playing ahead of a fit Marsters, even if only because we need to be better in that position than Esan was last year. Suli would have to go backwards from his pre ankle problem form to miss out and expecting him excel with better ball and more often against a retreating defence this year.

I have said this before but I think Marsters would make a good hooker

Big, tackles well, strong, fast with a good step and he seems to have a good pair of hands. Best of all he will less injury prone than our current 2 hookers.

 

[240z]

I hope Milne is playing ahead of a fit Marsters, even if only because we need to be better in that position than Esan was last year. Suli would have to go backwards from his pre ankle problem form to miss out and expecting him excel with better ball and more often against a retreating defence this year.

I have said this before but I think Marsters would make a good hooker

Big, tackles well, strong, fast with a good step and he seems to have a good pair of hands. Best of all he will be less injury prone than our current 2 hookers.

 

[WTArmy]

I Think it might be like this:

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

 

[WT2K]

I Think it might be like this:

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

That's how I see us for R1 too

 

[Tigerdon]

I Think it might be like this:

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

That's how I see us for R1 too

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne/ Marsters- close battle, preseason & trials will see who gets the nod.
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

the World Cup is giving Milne good boost.

 

[earl]

I Think it might be like this:

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

That's how I see us for R1 too

This is what I think we will be running with as well.

 

[colmcd]

I Think it might be like this:

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

That's how I see us for R1 too

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne/ Marsters- close battle, preseason & trials will see who gets the nod.
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

the World Cup is giving Milne good boost.

Totally agree with the above, Milne and Marsters will fight it out for Center and Milne could claim it.

Ok so who is the bench back/utility?
I could see 2 props on the bench, with Marsters making the 3rd bench spot. Then maybe Corey Thompson as our utility?? But it would be better to get a Utility who can shake things up.

 

[wt01]

I Think it might be like this:

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

That's how I see us for R1 too

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne/ Marsters- close battle, preseason & trials will see who gets the nod.
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

the World Cup is giving Milne good boost.

Totally agree with the above, Milne and Marsters will fight it out for Center and Milne could claim it.

Ok so who is the bench back/utility?
I could see 2 props on the bench, with Marsters making the 3rd bench spot. Then maybe Corey Thompson as our utility?? But it would be better to get a Utility who can shake things up.

could marshall be that utility?? :sunglasses:

 

[Russell]

I Think it might be like this:

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

That's how I see us for R1 too

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne/ Marsters- close battle, preseason & trials will see who gets the nod.
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

the World Cup is giving Milne good boost.

Totally agree with the above, Milne and Marsters will fight it out for Center and Milne could claim it.

Ok so who is the bench back/utility?
I could see 2 props on the bench, with Marsters making the 3rd bench spot. Then maybe Corey Thompson as our utility?? But it would be better to get a Utility who can shake things up.

Bet your boots the utility will be Benji - no contest. Can play anywhere in the backs.

 

[wt01]

Thanks bud….thats jst what i wanted to hear :slight_smile:

 

[balmain boy]

That's how I see us for R1 too

1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne/ Marsters- close battle, preseason & trials will see who gets the nod.
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

the World Cup is giving Milne good boost.

Totally agree with the above, Milne and Marsters will fight it out for Center and Milne could claim it.

Ok so who is the bench back/utility?
I could see 2 props on the bench, with Marsters making the 3rd bench spot. Then maybe Corey Thompson as our utility?? But it would be better to get a Utility who can shake things up.

Bet your boots the utility will be Benji - no contest. Can play anywhere in the backs.

Rubbish. If no-one gets injured then Benji doesn't come on. And a bench spot is wasted. Twal and Eiso seem capable of playing big mins but still playing a hooker and a back on the bench would be a massive gamble.

Benji was signed to be a backup half, and that's what he'll be unless form or injuries dictate otherwise. Marsters is a back rower who can play in the backs if needs be. He'll be our backs backup on the bench.

 

[kevinmcguiness]

what happened to marion seve? didn't someone say he was our Renouf?