Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Have to disagree mate...Joash played a small number of games at 6 and did very well.
It's more that he is 19 and competitive at this level. In three years he'll be much stronger and more composed. He might even have a kicking game.
He needs more than strength to be able to defend in the line. He won't get his body in front of merkins.
Also 19 years old. He is a long way from his best, unlike a bloke in his early-mid 20s.
ffs
Is your tip that he’ll be our 6 in 27? That’s very exciting if it is having a home grown 6!!
You can say it about most of them, but Papalii was a good defender in NSW Cup this year, at both fullback and five-eighth.
www.nswrl.com.au
Iongi wasn't as good last year (aged 21) as Papalii this year (aged 21) but he was better than Twidle (also 21). Yes Papalii's sample is quite small, but it was obviously big enough for Ryles to give him a shot at 6 in first grade:You can say it about most of them, but Papalii was a good defender in NSW Cup this year, at both fullback and five-eighth.
Official The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Joash Papalii for Parramatta Eels NSW Cup | NSWRL
The The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Joash Papalii including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.
| Merkin (aged 21) | Tackles at fullback | Missed tackles at fullback | Tackle effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papalii 2025 | 36 | 7 | 84% |
| Iongi 2024 | 103 | 35 | 75% |
| Twidle 2025 | 53 | 39 | 58% |
web.archive.org
www.nswrl.com.au
* = euphemism?
Iongi wasn't as good last year (aged 21) as Papalii this year (aged 21) but he was better than Twidle (also 21). Yes Papalii's sample is quite small, but it was obviously big enough for Ryles to give him a shot at 6 in first grade:
Merkin (aged 21) Tackles at fullback Missed tackles at fullback Tackle effectiveness Papalii 2025 36 7 84% Iongi 2024 103 35 75% Twidle 2025 53 39 58%
Official The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Isaiah Iongi for Penrith Panthers NSW Cup | NSWRL
The The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Isaiah Iongi including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.
Official The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Te Hurinui Twidle for Parramatta Eels NSW Cup | NSWRL
The The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Te Hurinui Twidle including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.
And whom do you think this player is?
I think it’s getting to the point where the storms will let Munster go before Pezet.
Melbourne have him under contract to 2029.
You need to get BarTV Sports to see that. But if you're still waiting for your Woolworths dividends to come through, you can infer it from tackle effectiveness. The merkins who miss the most tackles are the ones who make a higher proportion of low percentage tackles, which is where the attacker is able to run at a shoulder. Think Walsh getting outside Fogarty yesterday. This is why fullbacks and edge defenders have a lower tackle effectiveness than middle defenders. They try to get their body in front (the first graders do anyway) but the nature of edge defence means they often have to readjust which attacker they need to tackle and don't have time to get their body in front. Middle defenders usually don't have to defend the same amount of space so it's easier to get their body in front and set their feet.
