Forward Pack 25

[Tiger05]

Okay guys - we've been worried about our pack but I think with the May signing our pack will be as good as last year on paper but they should perform better. How do you think they will line up ?

Initially I was thinking something like this:-

8. Terrel May
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Jack Bird
13. Alex Seyfarth

14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. David Klemmer or Alex Twal
16. Royce Hunt
17. Sione Fainu

If Matamua comes good though I think something like this may end up better:-

8. Terrel May
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth
13. Justin Matamua

14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Jack Bird
16. Royce Hunt
17. Sione Fainu

I reckon the following players may play a role as well but it's hard to say:-

1. Latu Fainu - this kid is a potential gun. Do you play him off the bench and move him into the lock role. He could also spell Api. TDS misses out if we go with this option.
2. Klemmer - You could easily play him but we don't really need him and unless he is killing it is it worth getting him to 14 games so that his contract is automatically renewed ?
3. Twal - I reckon he is great in a lot of ways. He is pretty interchangeable with Klemmer as well. At the same time we need our pack to get us going forward consistently and Twal is a worker. I don't know if we need another worker in the pack..

 

[Tigerm]

Okay guys - we've been worried about our pack but I think with the May signing our pack will be as good as last year on paper but they should perform better. How do you think they will line up ?

Initially I was thinking something like this:-

8. Terrel May
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Jack Bird
13. Alex Seyfarth

14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. David Klemmer or Alex Twal
16. Royce Hunt
17. Sione Fainu

If Matamua comes good though I think something like this may end up better:-

8. Terrel May
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth
13. Justin Matamua

14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Jack Bird
16. Royce Hunt
17. Sione Fainu

I reckon the following players may play a role as well but it's hard to say:-

1. Latu Fainu - this kid is a potential gun. Do you play him off the bench and move him into the lock role. He could also spell Api. TDS misses out if we go with this option.
2. Klemmer - You could easily play him but we don't really need him and unless he is killing it is it worth getting him to 14 games so that his contract is automatically renewed ?
3. Twal - I reckon he is great in a lot of ways. He is pretty interchangeable with Klemmer as well. At the same time we need our pack to get us going forward consistently and Twal is a worker. I don't know if we need another worker in the pack..

I think the first grouping will start barring injury or laziness.
Not sure, but I think matamua may need to prove himself to the coach.
I also think it will be interesting where they play Bird.

 

[Tiger05]

I also think it will be interesting where they play Bird.

Where do you play him ? I can see us getting some value out of him because I think he could slot into the lock role but more importantly our right side centre and backrow spots are up for grabs.

 

[Tigerm]

Where do you play him ? I can see us getting some value out of him because I think he could slot into the lock role but more importantly our right side centre and backrow spots are up for grabs.

Depending on how things go, I think he may start in the centres?

Amazing we now have choices.

 

[Nutz]

Okay guys - we've been worried about our pack but I think with the May signing our pack will be as good as last year on paper but they should perform better. How do you think they will line up ?

Initially I was thinking something like this:-

8. Terrel May
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Jack Bird
13. Alex Seyfarth

14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. David Klemmer or Alex Twal
16. Royce Hunt
17. Sione Fainu

If Matamua comes good though I think something like this may end up better:-

I think in the first list you've nailed it.
Fainu and Bird give us speed on the edges. Fainu and Galvin worked well and now bird comes in as an option. Both are good defenders that are quick to realign.
I like the Hunt/May rotation. Could be one of our best for some time.
Tm and were just chatting about Justin Matamua, you have a read if you can and make a comment.
He's been training the house down and he is quiet versatile. He could factor in the team at some stage.
@Das Hassler I think has a liking for the lad.
I've been spruking since the last Rd that Latu would make an excellent benchy to sub Api and of course if one of the backs go down he can play mainly ½ or ⅝ and the rest reshuffle.
I suggested this going by his world cup form where he played mainly dummy half. He passes beautifully both to the left and to the right.
For some reason towards the backend of the season, Api's service was at times terrible and when he was replaced, Latu's service was impeccable. I forget the game, it could have been a sin bins situation.
The best thing about the team is we are starting to get some depth and competition for spots.

 

[Tiger05]

I think in the first list you've nailed it.
Fainu and Bird give us speed on the edges. Fainu and Galvin worked well and now bird comes in as an option. Both are good defenders that are quick to realign.
I like the Hunt/May rotation. Could be one of our best for some time.
Tm and were just chatting about Justin Matamua, you have a read if you can and make a comment.
He's been training the house down and he is quiet versatile. He could factor in the team at some stage.
@Das Hassler I think has a liking for the lad.
I've been spruking since the last Rd that Latu would make an excellent benchy to sub Api and of course if one of the backs go down he can play mainly ½ or ⅝ and the rest reshuffle.
I suggested this going by his world cup form where he played mainly dummy half. He passes beautifully both to the left and to the right.
For some reason towards the backend of the season, Api's service was at times terrible and when he was replaced, Latu's service was impeccable. I forget the game, it could have been a sin bins situation.
The best thing about the team is we are starting to get some depth and competition for spots.

Who would you pick out of Twal and Klemmer ? This is a hard one. I think I'd go with Twal because we don't need Klemmer now and especially next season with his salary.

I did read the comments on Matamua. I have basically written him off but he was a gun junior and maybe he can cut it in first grade. It'd be great for us.

Latu is definitely more versatile than TDS and maybe he is a better option. I thought Api was terrible at times last season but he is also a marquee player. His creativity out of dummy half to me is the best in the comp. He just made poor mistakes at critical times. I think he needs a rest and that is why I went with TDS. I'd have no problems with Latu getting that bench spot.

It's hard to pick the top team and we have Tim Johannssen, Reuben Porter, Kit Laulilii, Matamua and maybe even Twal and Klemmer as back-up options. That is some really really good depth.

 

[Tigerm]

Who would you pick out of Twal and Klemmer ? This is a hard one. I think I'd go with Twal because we don't need Klemmer now and especially next season with his salary.

I did read the comments on Matamua. I have basically written him off but he was a gun junior and maybe he can cut it in first grade. It'd be great for us.

Latu is definitely more versatile than TDS and maybe he is a better option. I thought Api was terrible at times last season but he is also a marquee player. His creativity out of dummy half to me is the best in the comp. He just made poor mistakes at critical times. I think he needs a rest and that is why I went with TDS. I'd have no problems with Latu getting that bench spot.

It's hard to pick the top team and we have Tim Johannssen, Reuben Porter, Kit Laulilii, Matamua and maybe even Twal and Klemmer as back-up options. That is some really really good depth.

IMO, both Klemmer and Twal don't offer that much, they have a hit up and get tackled too easily, as FR, they offer no fear to the opposition.
I guess we need at least one in the rotation, so I'd go Klemmer, at last he attempts to pass the ball occasionally.

 

[Nutz]

It's hard to pick the top team and we have Tim Johannssen, Reuben Porter, Kit Laulilii, Matamua and maybe even Twal and Klemmer as back-up options. That is some really really good depth.

Have you been reading my diary
The way I see building a team is not just for now. Coaches want instant results as this saves them from the vultures.
However, if every coach left the Tigers in a better position to when they were appointed then we would be premiership material.
So, having said that, we shouldn't look at potential so much in the roster but form. Then when the player is reaching the end of his time with us you give his heir more game time.
Classic example is Klemmer may be gonesky in 2026 so you then may look at someone like Porter and in the meantime we work on Porter's offloads, hit ups and tackling in tight. Also work on his frame and make him look like a bookend.
Is Porter the man, dunno.
Miller was to be our next bookend and look what happened to him
Have we got anyone else? Apart from Sione Fainu I don't know.
Until then it's Klemmer.
I think you'll have a better indication of Benji's future plans after Rd 15 or so.

 

[Tiger05]

IMO, both Klemmer and Twal don't offer that much, they have a hit up and get tackled too easily, as FR, they offer no fear to the opposition.
I guess we need at least one in the rotation, so I'd go Klemmer, at last he attempts to pass the ball occasionally.

I'd go with Twal simply because Klemmer is on more money and we don't want his contract on the books next year. I think they are both pretty good but they aren't guys who are going to win us games by themselves.

I saw Twal outperform Stef plenty of times last season.

 

[Tiger05]

Until then it's Klemmer.

Good post but I don't see why we need him. I think Twal is just as good. In some ways I like Klemmer. It's just the cost of his contract.

 

[Nutz]

Good post but I don't see why we need him. I think Twal is just as good. In some ways I like Klemmer. It's just the cost of his contract.

I agree.... at some stage a line in the sand is drawn.
The upside of having a full squad of 30 is for depth, to cover for injuries and other reasons. (That what it's designed for, another covid situation)
The reserve must be a player of reasonable ability otherwise we go backwards.
The top 30 must be finalised by June 30, 2025 so some clubs may do a juggling act. If our reserve is a goodin there's a better chance to trade.
It must be an enormous job juggling the cap, a bit like poker, know when to hold, know when to fold.
I'm unsure if this makes sense as I'm tired. Sorry