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Tuimoala Lolohea wants a spot in Warriors’ halves, Andrew McFadden says he needs more time
Pamela Whaley FOX SPORTS November 09, 2015 6:16PM SHARE
IF there is one man to benefit from Tuimoala Lolohea being dropped from the New Zealand Test team, it’s Warriors coach Andrew McFadden.
Like every other rugby league lover, McFadden has filled in the sparse off-season by watching the Kiwis v England Tests very closely — in particular his young prodigy being tested in the halves on the international stage.
But even after Lolohea was dropped from the halves in favour of fellow rookie Kodi Nikorima in Sunday’s victory over England, McFadden was not concerned. He knows how special this young player is.
“I know young Tui would have been disappointed to miss out the other day but the whole experience would be terrific for him,” McFadden told Foxsports.com.au.
“I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be really hungry. He’s put a lot of work in this year and he’s got the reward with a representative jumper at the end of the year. It’s a pretty easy formula for him.
“If he works hard, then he gets results and opportunities.”
It’s tough stuff for a 20-year-old Test rookie, who made his NRL debut late in 2014 and has played four different positions in the backline since.
His prodigious talent allowed the injury-plagued Warriors to spread Lolohea liberally over the park in 2015, from the bench to the wing, centres, halves and fullback.
But it’s not Lolohea’s talent that McFadden is worried about — it’s his reliance on it.
As the Warriors returned to pre-season training last week, McFadden has contemplated where Lolohea will fit into his halves plans alongside star halfback Shaun Johnson and new recruit Jeff Robson, from Cronulla.
His conclusion is to give Lolohea more time.
“I think long term he’ll fill one of the key position in the halves but I also know that he’s got some learning to do in that area and while he’s learning and we can use him in other positions, fortunately for Tui, he’s very versatile,” McFadden said.
“He’s a great athlete. I know what his long term ambition is, but I think his role will be in the outside backs, and obviously cover fullback and halves. If he gets his opportunity then I feel confident putting him in there.”
With such a gifted young athlete at his disposal, McFadden feels a responsibility to make sure he is developed correctly, not thrown into the deep end too soon.
“He’s got to develop some of the finer attributes of a halfback and halfback play because he’s such a great athlete he hasn’t been able to develop it because he’s relied on that athleticism.
“He’ll pick that up over time.
“Having played will all those quality players (for the Kiwis) he’ll come back with lots of confidence.”
McFadden says being dropped from the Test team will make Lolohea hungrier to prove him wrong in time for round 1, 2016.
The challenge has been issued.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...-needs-more-time/story-e6frf3wc-1227602202025
Pamela Whaley FOX SPORTS November 09, 2015 6:16PM SHARE
IF there is one man to benefit from Tuimoala Lolohea being dropped from the New Zealand Test team, it’s Warriors coach Andrew McFadden.
Like every other rugby league lover, McFadden has filled in the sparse off-season by watching the Kiwis v England Tests very closely — in particular his young prodigy being tested in the halves on the international stage.
But even after Lolohea was dropped from the halves in favour of fellow rookie Kodi Nikorima in Sunday’s victory over England, McFadden was not concerned. He knows how special this young player is.
“I know young Tui would have been disappointed to miss out the other day but the whole experience would be terrific for him,” McFadden told Foxsports.com.au.
“I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be really hungry. He’s put a lot of work in this year and he’s got the reward with a representative jumper at the end of the year. It’s a pretty easy formula for him.
“If he works hard, then he gets results and opportunities.”
It’s tough stuff for a 20-year-old Test rookie, who made his NRL debut late in 2014 and has played four different positions in the backline since.
His prodigious talent allowed the injury-plagued Warriors to spread Lolohea liberally over the park in 2015, from the bench to the wing, centres, halves and fullback.
But it’s not Lolohea’s talent that McFadden is worried about — it’s his reliance on it.
As the Warriors returned to pre-season training last week, McFadden has contemplated where Lolohea will fit into his halves plans alongside star halfback Shaun Johnson and new recruit Jeff Robson, from Cronulla.
His conclusion is to give Lolohea more time.
“I think long term he’ll fill one of the key position in the halves but I also know that he’s got some learning to do in that area and while he’s learning and we can use him in other positions, fortunately for Tui, he’s very versatile,” McFadden said.
“He’s a great athlete. I know what his long term ambition is, but I think his role will be in the outside backs, and obviously cover fullback and halves. If he gets his opportunity then I feel confident putting him in there.”
With such a gifted young athlete at his disposal, McFadden feels a responsibility to make sure he is developed correctly, not thrown into the deep end too soon.
“He’s got to develop some of the finer attributes of a halfback and halfback play because he’s such a great athlete he hasn’t been able to develop it because he’s relied on that athleticism.
“He’ll pick that up over time.
“Having played will all those quality players (for the Kiwis) he’ll come back with lots of confidence.”
McFadden says being dropped from the Test team will make Lolohea hungrier to prove him wrong in time for round 1, 2016.
The challenge has been issued.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...-needs-more-time/story-e6frf3wc-1227602202025
