Rumoured and Confirmed Signings and TheRam's whinging XXVIII

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Isn't there a plan that Taka plays from the bench as a super-super-sub?

 

[Fanbase]

Isn't there a plan that Taka plays from the bench as a super-super-sub?

We got too much talent for Takarangi to get a bench spot,

 

[Tommy Coco]

Whichever of Takairangi/Gutherson who doesn't partner Jennings would surely be the first backup centre?

Would suggest in that scenario, Gutherson would play wing which is where he debuted and played for Manly NRL.

Jennings would be a massive upgrade in the centre position and would create our best centre pairing since the halcyon days of Lyon/Vaeliki , what memories

I would've thought the same as Delboy, semi Jennings and taka gutherson. Gutherson can obviously push in with any necessary re shuffle but the best four 3/4's can fit

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

We got too much talent for Takarangi to get a bench spot,

I'm just repeating what one of the guys a bit closer to the club said earlier this week (Forty? emjaycee?)

 

[Bigfella]

Morgan leaving would do one of 2 things that could be beneficial. We have another Top 25 spot which would go to Jennings but it would allow us to play Fuimaono in the centres in NSW cup. This would leave us with a player not experienced in first grade as a back-up as Toutai would then become our #1 back-up centre I'm assuming but would allow us to develop Fuimaono's game further which could be better for us in the long term.

The biggest losers for the club in this scenario is the fans, who are we to blame if we lose? Now that Sef and Morgan are gone and with Kelly more than likely our 4th choice half, where does that leave the Eels fan base? We won't know what to do with ourselves.

It won't happen nearly as often.

It will be like having an extra player every game.

 

[Fanbase]

Roosters signed Copley so here comes Jennings yeah whoooo

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Toutai as main back up? Lord help us. Has to be jennings and gutherson and Takarangi to reserves.

Toutai being a back-up would be right in line with some of the better backlines back-ups. What we sacrificed in a back-up (Morgan) we're gaining with quality in the first grade position as well as developing a junior who could prove to be better than Morgan and Toutai. Plus Jennings is rarely injured so hopefully that form of his continues and the only time that we'll be using our back-up centres is when he's out for Origin.

 

[Fanbase]

Jennings and gutho for first grade and if toutai or takarangi are any place near first grade it'll be just as bad ad its been for the past years. Some people on here are so happy with average players. I want winners. Toutai and takaragni are one or two game a year players at best.

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Jennings and gutho for first grade and if toutai or takarangi are any place near first grade it'll be just as bad ad its been for the past years. Some people on here are so happy with average players. I want winners. Toutai and takaragni are one or two game a year players at best.

Taka pretty much led the league in try assists per game (or at least he did pretty well in that regard) . He's better than you make out (particularly if clear of his injuries).

 

[axe&smash&crush]

Toutai was an outstanding junior player and deserves at least one more chance. A chance to play with quality players like Foran and Jennings.

 

[Noise]

Toutai was an outstanding junior player and deserves at least one more chance. A chance to play with quality players like Foran and Jennings.

Deserves another chance just because he was an outstanding junior? I don't think so. He'll get his chance if we have a string of injuries and he kills it in NSW Cup

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Everyone currently on an NRL contract was an outstanding junior player. But I agree Toutai is underrated. That doesn't mean he's a good player, but he is far less shit than the whingers make out.

 

[caylo]

Taka pretty much led the league in try assists per game. He's better than you make out (particularly if clear of his injuries).

Yep, agree 100%.
To put it in perspective, Taka had 12 TA in 17 games. Lyon and Hodges who are two of the best centres im the last decade have a maximum of 15 and 14 TA in their best seasons ecen thoigh they botj spent along time at 5-8 and fullback as well.
Taka with a backline of Gordon, Semi, Jennings and Gutherson is excellent. Who are the alternatives? Unknown moss or french? Tautia?falou? All worse off options imo.

 

[Stagger eel]

Jennings and gutho for first grade and if toutai or takarangi are any place near first grade it'll be just as bad ad its been for the past years. Some people on here are so happy with average players. I want winners. Toutai and takaragni are one or two game a year players at best.

So given the possible scenario of Morgan out and Jennings in who would be your 1 to 5??

 

[parra pete]

What is Jacob Loko up to these days? Wonder if he'd be interested on a game in the bush

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Jennings and gutho for first grade and if toutai or takarangi are any place near first grade it'll be just as bad ad its been for the past years. Some people on here are so happy with average players. I want winners. Toutai and takaragni are one or two game a year players at best.

It'll be just as bad because they're back-ups, take a look into the back-ups at other teams and you'll see that there aren't many first grade players.

Broncos outside back (OB) depth - Greg Eden, Tom Opacic, Aaron Whitchurch
Raiders - Brenko Lee, BJ Leilua
Bulldogs - Kerrod Holland, Tyrone Phillips, Chase Stanley
Sharks - Jacob Gagan, Jordan Drew
Titans - Leva Li
Sea Eagles - Fabian Goodall (but with how much he's bulked up I'd be surprised if he's still considered an outside back), Halaufu Lavaka, Nathan Green, Tony Satini
Storm - Richie Kennar, Cheyse Blair
Warriors - Ken Maumalo, David Fusitu'a, Matthew Allwood, Blake Ayshford, Jonathan Wright
Knights- Pat Mata'utia, Chanel Mata'utia, Nathan Ross
Cowboys - Shaun Hudson, Matthew Wright, Tautau Moga, Javid Bowen
Panthers - Robert Jennings, Waqa Blake, Josh Hall, George Jennings
Rabbitohs - Darryl Millard, Ed Murphy, Hymel Hunt, Michael Oldfield
Dragons - Dylan Farrell, Yaw Kiti Glymen, Kalifa Fai Fai Loa, Taane Milne
Roosters - Brendan Elliot, Joseph Manu, Abraham Papalii, Joe Burgess
Tigers - Chance Peni, Joshua Addo-Carr, Watson Heleta, Marion Seve

Both Toutai and Takairangi as back-ups are right alongside what back-ups other clubs have. And outside of the raiders and Warriors there isn't much first grade experience amongst back-ups across the entire competition so to have Takairangi who has played 85 NRL games as a back-up is pretty good.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Toutai was an outstanding junior player and deserves at least one more chance. A chance to play with quality players like Foran and Jennings.

I agree that Toutai deserves another chance, from what I've seen of him at centre in NSW cup he could prove to be a good back-up there so whilst I wouldn't have him in the top 17 if his chances arrive I believe he'll take them head on.

 

[Fanbase]

Yeah as back ups no problem just not as regular first graders.

 

[parra pete]

Gordon
Semi
Jennings
Takarangi
Cutherson/Shulte * goes OK according to my NQ mate..just too many outstanding outside backs for Cowboys to keep him
Norman
Foran

BTW - Mitch Cornish is handy...OUTSTANDING junior talent..

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

What is Jacob Loko up to these days? Wonder if he'd be interested on a game in the bush

Quite possibly, but when he discovers that you mean a game of rugby league outside the city he might be disappointed.