Centres Conundrum

[Mako-Ver]

Lost tribes in Africa could see that Talakai is done forever as a centre , so who are our best prospects for the positions?

Ill rank them as I see it.

1. Ronny. Dont weaken one position to strengthen another. This is not that case. we have some capable kids waiting on the wings
2. Gabriel. From what i've seen , is lightning & skilled
3. Taukamo. Goes better in better quality & leads from the front. Not listed as a centre though, but looks the goods.
4. Veailia , Havent seen anything earth shattering, but appears to have a few raps.
5 Hiroti. For mine hes done. If we get a bad injury & need somebody to come in for half a season, we arent going to get too far if we have him in our centres.

Or should we go to market?

 

[R-15-3]

Agree Sifa is done as a Center and probably edge forward 2. Mid game due to injury is his limits. I’d love to see him fit and healthy in the middle.

Gabriel is 2026 at the earliest.

Taukamo isn’t a Center he is a fullback or a half at a stretch.

Veailia needs a good offseason and has probably the most potential but needs more cup time and time to bulk naturally.

Hiroti is 4-5th choice if no one kicks on.

I’m a fan of moving Ronaldo to Center but I think he would offer a shit load of energy and involvement at fullback as well.

The plan was for him to transition into the centres and trained the whole offseason 2 years ago till Sifa came in and killed it.

Fitz must of seen something he didn’t like in it imo because there have been occasions he could have used him with injuries but never has.

The most likely one you missed is Dykes who is probably 3rd choice pending how he returns from injury and if they see ISON as their fullback prospect.

 

[shadowboxer]

Hiroti would have done his job Saturday night and I’d say handled his own.
He’s a honest plugger. No frills.

 

[Tiger Shark]

Hiroti can come in if it’s for a random game or too imo as he can do a job for a week or so.

Vaella should come in if it’s a longer injury

Ronnie would have played centre by now if that was ever going to happen. So won’t happen.

Atko might be next man up. If he spends more time training in that spot as he’s a good defender.

Gabreal is a while away

we also have Nikora Williams but he’s a while away

 

[sladden road]

Can we buy Staggs. He would be too much and off to the Chooks anyway.

So @Mako-Ver do you find the lack of depth and/or the Sifa conundrum the problem.
We may have other issues with Ronnie so it might be a short term fix.
I reckon Iro is a very good player but, sometimes, holds when he should pass. Example onthe weekend was when the Chin did the tackle towards the end that jarred his shoulder. He passes, Ronnie is in.
I’d be throwing it all in on Gabriel. As we have been discussing lately “it’s the cap your honour”.
Gabriel is quick and internal. Same as Lovestreet. We are going to need more of that to cover the 550 k to 650k plus to Roadside. Again unless it’s Puru for 26 we let Roadsidde go and I grate my balls,then we can go outside..Staggs anyone?.

Again I’m on repeat here but this is covering up the cash for Nico and AFB.
Jess I’m glad we have Mooney.
Always been one of the best.

 

[Special K]

Veailia gives me the most hope.

 

[DJDL]

Can we buy Staggs. He would be too much and off to the Chooks anyway.

f**k Staggs.

Staggs anyone?.

f**k Staggs.

 

[Inferno]

I don't think Sifa is done as a centre. Played on the wrong side, was far from fully fit and took a shot to the head early in the game and never recovered. I wouldn't be judging him based on the prelim.

However, Kayal has cemented himself at left centre so barring injury he'll be there. We have two very good centres, Hiroti or Sifa make passable replacements and I'd otherwise be investing in juniors not going to market.

The more interesting question is are we getting value for money from Sifa who is not likely to make our starting 13 at full strength any time soon. He was signed off the back of some great form playing at centre and it seems his time there barring injury is done. I wonder if it's possible he could play some dummy half. He has a decent passing game and is quicker than most forwards out of dummy half. He has the ability to shake off tackles unlike BB.

 

[Special K]

I would say Sifa was in our top 3 players all season despite the shuffling of roles. He was also key to getting his cousin to come to the Sharks.

With Williams going and Cam 31 before next season starts I could see him being built into the 13.

 

[shadowboxer]

f**k Staggs.



f**k Staggs.

My thoughts exactly - any of those donkeys would be poison. I will enjoy watching the ramifications play out when Madge starts his reign of terror up North.

 

[Eion]

We only need backup. We have 2 very good centres.

 

[Cheese sandwich]

My thoughts exactly - any of those donkeys would be poison. I will enjoy watching the ramifications play out when Madge starts his reign of terror up North.

The bbqs and piss ups will be replaced by actual training.

 

[Quigs]

The bbqs and piss ups will be replaced by actual training.

And they (the players) might have to actually wipe their own arses for a change.

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

I don't think Sifa is done as a centre. Played on the wrong side, was far from fully fit and took a shot to the head early in the game and never recovered. I wouldn't be judging him based on the prelim.

However, Kayal has cemented himself at left centre so barring injury he'll be there. We have two very good centres, Hiroti or Sifa make passable replacements and I'd otherwise be investing in juniors not going to market.

The more interesting question is are we getting value for money from Sifa who is not likely to make our starting 13 at full strength any time soon. He was signed off the back of some great form playing at centre and it seems his time there barring injury is done. I wonder if it's possible he could play some dummy half. He has a decent passing game and is quicker than most forwards out of dummy half. He has the ability to shake off tackles unlike BB.

Chuckled at the thought of Sifa as a dummy half but agree with the rest. Does have the silky hands though.

 

[Cheese sandwich]

Chuckled at the thought of Sifa as a dummy half but agree with the rest. Does have the silky hands though.

Wonder how sifa would go trying to burrow over from dummy half, reckon he could get a couple of meat pies doing that.

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

Wonder how sifa would go trying to burrow over from dummy half, reckon he could get a couple of meat pies doing that.

Be f**ked if I'd try and stop him

 

[Chimp]

And they (the players) might have to actually wipe their own arses for a change.

They’re either going to become absolutely elite and destroy everyone (if they buy in), or….. the egos will HATE Madge and it’ll all come crumbling down. I suspect (and hope) it will be the latter - Madge won’t abide the ‘rockstar over rugby player’ attitude, even right down to endorsements and outfits, and I can’t see that going down well with some of em.

 

[PJ]

Be f**ked if I'd try and stop him

Rather that than if he had a run up.

 

[Frenzy.]

Hiroti can come in if it’s for a random game or too imo as he can do a job for a week or so.

Vaella should come in if it’s a longer injury

Ronnie would have played centre by now if that was ever going to happen. So won’t happen.

Atko might be next man up. If he spends more time training in that spot as he’s a good defender.

Gabreal is a while away

we also have Nikora Williams but he’s a while away

He's also a goal kicker and a 2024 Australian schoolboy. Kid is a gun at weight for age.

 

[Frenzy.]

They’re either going to become absolutely elite and destroy everyone (if they buy in), or….. the egos will HATE Madge and it’ll all come crumbling down. I suspect (and hope) it will be the latter - Madge won’t abide the ‘rockstar over rugby player’ attitude, even right down to endorsements and outfits, and I can’t see that going down well with some of em.

I tend to think there's merit in this. I reckon Mam, Walsh and his wife Patricia Carrigan will struggle with Madge. So will Cobbo because he's a soft kid who may struggle with Maguire as Sergeant at Arms