Feleti Mateo & Tony Williams

[Vic Mackey]

Now i know that NSW has an absolute mass of backrowers, however surely if these two keep there form up early next year they must seriously come into consideration for NSW. At least one of them off the bench could be absolute dynamite and a real X factor that NSW are missing. Gallen, Bird, Lewis, Watmough, Scott, G.Stewart etc are all good players in their own right, however really aren't that different from each other. Mateo has been just about the best second rower this year, I think he would be fantastic if he keeps this form up.

 

[Dragon2010]

Mateo is a bloody gun and would eaisky be a look in for a bench spot barring form. Hopefully he joins the Blues in Waitin squad. I would like to see him and Maloney in the squad personally but I think Soward's needs another season at number6.

Mateo bring in heaps of 2nd phase play which is what we need especially with a hooker like Ennis where we lack that. He has great offloadability and is a great athlete. The way he runs is great.

 

[Didgi]

Mateo's eligiblity would have to be double checked, having played for City obviously he's eligible but having played for Tonga in 2010 he may have to wait until after the WC.

Good to see NSW fans finally acknowledging him though.

 

[hutch]

Both are current Tongan internationals, would need to switch allegiances to Australia to play for nsw. Would be better for the game if they stuck with tonga, but in our sport the short term seems to be more important than long term gain!

 

[Didgi]

Personal gain, be it for the player or the international body, is more important than long term international competitiveness. Hopefully he sticks with Tonga.

 

[timka4]

I would much prefer Mateo than Williams at the moment. Mateo has been great this year. Still not sure if I would have him in my team though

 

[Yosh]

I think the Gallen to prop will happen again next year. I think there is definitely room for either Williams or Mateo. I feel Glenn Stewart isn't all that effective at origin level so he'd be the one I drop for one of the two mentioned!

 

[RHCP]

14. TLL
15. Mannah
16. Mateo
17. T-Rex

Now that's a bench with some impact.

 

[Yosh]

14. TLL
15. Mannah
16. Mateo
17. T-Rex

Now that's a bench with some impact.

Could all fall apart very easily without a good game plan... Could see us drop balls galore and complete about 4% of our sets and have no field position. Or we'd score 80 tries, have 4000 offloads and break about 30 collar bones.

 

[Fast Eddie]

May as well try it, the last 6 years haven't worked so well for you.

 

[Dragon2010]

Not to jump the gun. But I think next without Lockyer it will be allot harder for QLD with their dominance. Yes they have players like Cronk, Thurston, DCE in their halves in present and future but was we saw against the Warriors Smith/Slater/Cronk can all be contained with good rushed defense and playing strong.

I personally think the Lockyer factor is a big thing for QLD with just the way he captains the team, is able to lift them and just him being on the field is a massive boost for them. I'm not saying QLD will be crap but they will be a different team in comparison to the last 6years.

I personally would like to see Mateo in the squad pending his eligibility. He's played great footy lately and should be great in the grand final as well as start of next year.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Could all fall apart very easily without a good game plan... Could see us drop balls galore and complete about 4% of our sets and have no field position. Or we'd score 80 tries, have 4000 offloads and break about 30 collar bones.

the reason mateo has been so strong this year is because he has been a lot more selective in his offloading. he has been using his running game and footwork a lot more then just looking to offload every tackle for the sake of it...

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Mateo's history of inconsistency counts against him. He will have to prove it next year. Same with Tony Williams. He has a history of drifting in and out of matches.

Mateo is a big game player though. He should shine on Sunday. He would be perfect for what NSW need. Williams, im not convinced with.

 

[stormbati]

Mateo would be awesome. Maloney wouldnt be out of place either.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Im in 2 minds regarding T-Rex

Willams has been used badly over most of his career (he certainly is no winger or centre) and its a credit to Dessy that he is performing so well now in the back row.

It could be the structure at Manly making him look good but I just love watching him run the ball into the opposition and drag 4 blokes on his back. Its difficult to not get excited about the prospect of him doing that to the Maroons but we have seen impressive club footballers fail in SOO before.

 

[timka4]

It could be the structure at Manly making him look good but I just love watching him run the ball into the opposition and drag 4 blokes on his back. Its difficult to not get excited about the prospect of him doing that to the Maroons but we have seen impressive club footballers fail in SOO before.

No doubt. He still has mountains of improvement left in him as well, which is great news for us, but I probably wouldn't be picking him in 2012 if I was a selector.

 

[Pazza]

T Rex just has that size and strength i think the NSW pack is lacking atm! TLL is the only current player we got that provides huge amounts of size and strength. While QLD have Scott, Civoniceva, Shillington, Taylor etc

 

[Yosh]

Gallen is plenty strong.

 

[Pazza]

Gallen is plenty strong.

So is Tim Mannah! Strongest player at Parramatta and equally as strong as T Rex coming through the jnrs at Parramatta.

As good as Gallen, Wahmough, Mannah and Bird are they dont have the size of the QLD pack! Thats why it would be a good idea to mixing in TLL and T Rex just to give us a bit of variation in the pack.

 

[timka4]

Any thoughts on Mateo, Williams and Maloney?
Mateo - Played a pretty strong game again, tried hard to help the warriors get back into the game however some loose offloads came with this. Still a strong game however.
Maloney - I thought he did a good job playing as a 5/8, supported and kicked well and defended great.
Williams - I swear I didn't even see him out there, quiet game I thought