I actually wasn't aware of that, I thought he'd gone through our schooling system his whole way through. I presume prior to that was Tonga? Yep, just checked. So yeah, what I said doesn't probably fairly represent it, although what I did hear was that he was very comfortable in that South Auckland bubble, and probably needed to go elsewhere to break the family/friends shackle and train hard. Plus, he was being coached by Brown so had to go.I have no doubt that there is a grain of truth in this in that the Melbourne culture has got the most out of him. As a pedant though I do feel compelled to point out that Katoa wasn't a New Zealander in the first place (only moved to NZ at 17 and left at 20) and his entire NRL career has been based in Australia - so at no point in his NRL career was he actually at home in NZ or in a position to be enjoying home comforts.
I'm sorry, but as I said in the matchday thread, I think SJ needs moving on.Huge brickbat for Webster tonight
Johnson has been garbage all year, Martin has played well in his absence, albeit with a couple of quieter weeks lately, and Shaun’s injury obviously stopped him training
His kicking game was awful, barely any hit the mark. No running game at all, and he just dumped off short ball after short ball for 80mins, very predictable even though they got a result when the Eels were short. Saw a limp in the 2nd half and his goal kicking showed no confidence in the leg. There is nothing in his 2024 form to not have him returning through NSW Cup to find timing and fitness, especially at Martin’s expense
Also thought Egan off the bench was a mistake, and he woikd have been better suited to all that early attacking ball than Lussick
The fact that we are in round 22 and no announcement for next year has been made may suggest that has already occurredI'm sorry, but as I said in the matchday thread, I think SJ needs moving on.
(Yeah, I actually said "Biden" him)
The message needs to be "Hey, we love you & respect all you've given, but we can't justify you being there anymore, the future is someone else's"
I hope so. His constant "free pass" into the starting lineup has impaired other, younger, healthier & frankly (on current form) BETTER halves careers.The fact that we are in round 22 and no announcement for next year has been made may suggest that has already occurred
Literally the first words that came out of his mouth! To many errors!I know press conferences probably don’t really matter…but if Webster comes out again and talks ‘errors’ that’ll do me. The problem is we are completely failing to capitalise on dominance because of an ultra-conservative attacking game plan and a complete lack of either creativity or well designed set plays on attack. If he doesn’t recognise that he’s deep in delusion.
I think he needs some new offsiders. As much as Jones was a legendary player, from what ive seen over the years, he just has a job for life (like Dean Bell thought he did) and wouldnt make a coaches arsehole. Too harsh?Literally the first words that came out of his mouth! To many errors!
Media called him out on it as excuse the last few weeks!
Webster looked visibly pissed off from the start.
He defended SJ return as decent and hard to judge under the errors! FmD
Thinks they can win the next 4. Haha
I thought this, too. I don't know Richard Agar, apparently he's pretty well credentialled from the UK. But God love Stacey, I just don't see that he is a strong enough assistant - he's never going to be an NRL head coach, and the Kiwis job feels like a long-service present.I think he needs some new offsiders.