Fullback, hooker and wing spots in 2011.

[playdaball]

What has Locke done really to earn a shot at fullback or even to keep his place on the wing? One good game against the Roosters and thats it.

True but no other real competition

 

[ozbash]

what had he done to earn a space on the wing ?

the guy was totally carving up Toyota Cup at fullback, the aussie sports writers were comparing him to Slater.

In typical Warriors/Ivan Cleary style, he was pulled into First Grade and played out of position to cover for Kemp or Paddy or whoever was hurt.

people are very quick to put the boot into someone who stuffs up out of position.

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

Not every good fullback is suited to playing on the wing. Some fullbacks are only in their element when they have space to work with, don't need to worry about leaving their position vacant. Locke may very well feel stifled stuck on the wing. It is a very stressful defensive position, especially on the right, it takes away a lot of energy from a player's attack.

A fullback's defense is very specific. Field bombs, gather kicks and watch for the in-goal, as the last line of defense. But most importantly, in everything he does, a fullback like Locke is always thinking counterattack. At last that's the way I saw it in the Toyota Cup. And that's what I feel we lack at the moment, with Lance showing no initiative in broken play.

 

[Warmess]

I think a lot of people here are making the point I was trying to make in the first place.

I definitely don't think Lance is a bad fb, not by any stretch. I don't like this idea of earning your stripes in another position, then once you've 'shown hunger' you can move to your preferred spot.

Now we don't know how much training Locke does at fb during the Warriors training sessions, if at all. But I'd sure as hell rather have a specialized fullback playing fullback and a specialized winger playing wing. To me it seems sort of redundant having them out of position, as every day they're picking this new spot, trying to get to NRL level, they're losing what they had in their preferred spot.

 

[Rich102]

what had he done to earn a space on the wing ?

the guy was totally carving up Toyota Cup at fullback, the aussie sports writers were comparing him to Slater.

In typical Warriors/Ivan Cleary style, he was pulled into First Grade and played out of position to cover for Kemp or Paddy or whoever was hurt.

people are very quick to put the boot into someone who stuffs up out of position.

Like Fien, who came as a hooker, being made to play halfback and then dropped because we interfered with Stacy. Now playing bench hooker with the pace setting Dragons.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Fullback - If we had world class halves then it wouldn't be an issue, but with the halves we got we need a different style of fullback, someone like Locke or Fish who have speed and can provide a better link to the outside backs than Hohaia currently does. Plus, Hohaia always plays his best when playing direct in the middle of the field. Sounds like a hooking role to me.

Hooker - Heremaia works hard, can't question his effort at all and he gets every bit of ability out of his body each week. Having said that, he's average, and won't be getting too much better. The hooking role has become just as, if not more important than the halfback role in the modern game. Need more than what Heremaia provides.

Wings - Inu to start with, Tupou next in line. Would like to throw the Fish's name in there, but after what we've seen happen to Locke I wouldn't be too quick to throw a fullback onto the wing again.

 

[Iafeta]

Like Fien, who came as a hooker, being made to play halfback and then dropped because we interfered with Stacy. Now playing bench hooker with the pace setting Dragons.

Nathan Fien was a halfback. It was the Warriors who converted him to hooker.

 

[Lego_Man]

Can we just crack this old chestnut that fullback is Hohaia's best position?

It's clearly hooker, as his physique and playing/running style suggests.

As for the comment that he's "good bar his kick returns"...well kick returns are at least 50% of a fullback's game. So if his kick returns arent good, then he's not a good fullback. The things he's doing right are things that could be shown from hooker.

I'd be seriously frustrated if he held back Locke or the Fish. Locke played garbage on the weekend, but they are young specialists who deserve a chance a la Dugan. As someone earlier said, they anointed Dugan early and dropped a solid incumbent in order to accomodate him. Now he's tearing up the comp. Meanwhile Locke stagnates...

 

[nzinmelb]

What has Locke done really to earn a shot at fullback or even to keep his place on the wing? One good game against the Roosters and thats it.

Now I understand Locke's playing out of position and his natural spot is fullback. But with all the time he's had on the wing, I would have loved to see a string of top performances from him to give me more confidence with him at FB. IMO atm all he's showing is glimpses of potential to be in first grade. I know there may be a lack of competition/other wingers with the experience but he often is beaten by his opposite wing and correct me if I'm wrong, but reading some stats on nrl.com, I'm sure he hasn't defused any bombs this year! If he was prone to having blinders on attack, continually got around his man, ran back the kick returns at pace etc., then I guess it'd balance it out a little...but hes not.

I admit I havn't seen too many Jnr Warriors games so I can't really comment on Fisiiahi, but from what I've seen of Tupou he needs a bit more time and I guess even though I've ranted on about Locke, I can't suggest a suitable replacement.

I will say though that I doubt Locke, playing like he is atm, will be a better fullback than Hohaia next year and if he is to finally take over the reigns, then he best forget this year and play out of his skin next season to give him a chance for the spot in 2012.

Finally, I can see why people are comparing Locke and Dugan, but to me Dugan has the superior phsyicality, running style and defense. I'd love to see Locke doing what Coote and Dugan are doing, but other than a few glimpses, he's nowhere near them.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Has ANY player consistently played well on the right wing for the Warriors? Our team's attack isn't set up for our outside backs unfortunately so it's hard for them to really make an impact.

Locke's defense can be questionable at times, but defending on the wing is a hell of a lot different to defending on the wing, especially at the Warriors where we seem to compact the middle and leave massive amounts of space out wide. I think Locke could do with undergoing the same body transformation Coote did before this season.

Our current 1,6,7,9 isn't a premiership winning spine, and it won't win us a premiership. At some point we have to risk a little short term pain for long term game by giving the likes of Locke/Mara/Seluini/Fish a go to see which of them are going to step up in their key positions.

 

[Meth]

Can we just crack this old chestnut that fullback is Hohaia's best position?

It's clearly hooker, as his physique and playing/running style suggests.

Even if I were to concede that point, which I don't, the question would then be is Hohaia a better hooker than Heremaia on form, or than Mara on potential?

I'd say probably not.

So, when Hohaia loses his fullback berth, there's no room for Hohaia in the 17.

Has Locke performed at a level that justifies sending Hohaia packing? Not this season for mine.

While I take (with a grain of salt) the comparison to Dugan, I still think, to a degree at least, Locke is holding himself back

 

[Meth]

BTW- Canberra had nothing to lose taking a punt on Dugan. We do

 

[Rich102]

Has ANY player consistently played well on the right wing for the Warriors? Our team's attack isn't set up for our outside backs unfortunately so it's hard for them to really make an impact.

Locke's defense can be questionable at times, but defending on the wing is a hell of a lot different to defending on the wing, especially at the Warriors where we seem to compact the middle and leave massive amounts of space out wide. I think Locke could do with undergoing the same body transformation Coote did before this season.

Our current 1,6,7,9 isn't a premiership winning spine, and it won't win us a premiership. At some point we have to risk a little short term pain for long term game by giving the likes of Locke/Mara/Seluini/Fish a go to see which of them are going to step up in their key positions.

A pretty fine distinction perhaps?:lol:

Take your point though - we don't have centres who set up their wings.
Time we got some!

 

[Fast Eddie]

I guess Inus another option at fullback. I agree that Hohaia is a solid fullback, but I think he lacks too much positionally, urgency and barely does any support running for the forwards on offloads to be be a very good fullback. But its not like Locke is putting any pressure on him for his spot.

So next year Moon, Inu, Locke, Tupou and Hohaia will be competing for a centre, wing and fullback spot.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

A pretty fine distinction perhaps?:lol:

Take your point though - we don't have centres who set up their wings.
Time we got some!

:lol: Must have had wings on the brain. Although, comparing our right to left wing it does feel like a different position at times.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

I guess Inus another option at fullback. I agree that Hohaia is a solid fullback, but I think he lacks too much positionally, urgency and barely does any support running for the forwards on offloads to be be a very good fullback. But its not like Locke is putting any pressure on him for his spot.

So next year Moon, Inu, Locke, Tupou and Hohaia will be competing for a centre, wing and fullback spot.

With Mateo coming on board it highlights for me another reason why we need a Locke/Fish at fullback. Hohaia is a very good support player on the break and in general play, most of his involvement in that regards comes from a standing start rather than running off an offload.

Going forward I don't believe he's the type of fullback we need. The question is whether or not Locke/Fish can step up to replace him.

 

[Lego_Man]

As much as i love Lance, i'd have to sacrifice him in the name of future development if it came down to it.

I think ideally you have him and Mara as our hookers, and Heremaia misses out. If Locke is a 3rd choice FB as he seems to be at the moment, then he will leave. And he has a lot more years in him than Lance...

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Can we just crack this old chestnut that fullback is Hohaia's best position?

It's clearly hooker, as his physique and playing/running style suggests.

As for the comment that he's "good bar his kick returns"...well kick returns are at least 50% of a fullback's game. So if his kick returns arent good, then he's not a good fullback. The things he's doing right are things that could be shown from hooker.

I'd be seriously frustrated if he held back Locke or the Fish. Locke played garbage on the weekend, but they are young specialists who deserve a chance a la Dugan. As someone earlier said, they anointed Dugan early and dropped a solid incumbent in order to accomodate him. Now he's tearing up the comp. Meanwhile Locke stagnates...

au contraire, what needs to be cracked is the chestnut (the hoary old chestnut, if you will) that Hohaia has any value anywhere other than fullback- especially that he has "utility value" (ugh)

It's like people forget that his entire career, apart from his stints at fullback in 2008 and 2010, has just been one giant epic fail.

The definitive feature of Hohaia's career has been constantly sucking in a variety of different positions which people think he should be suited to but which he really isn't.

You only have to go back to 2009 to see what a sh*t hooker he is.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

au contraire, what needs to be cracked is the chestnut (the hoary old chestnut, if you will) that Hohaia has any value anywhere other than fullback- especially that he has "utility value" (ugh)

It's like people forget that his entire career, apart from his stints at fullback in 2008 and 2010, has just been one giant epic fail.

The definitive feature of Hohaia's career has been constantly sucking in a variety of different positions which people think he should be suited to but which he really isn't.

You only have to go back to 2009 to see what a sh*t hooker he is.

If we rated everyone on 2009 form then we'd be keeping Luck and Manu while releasing the rest of the squad.

As for Hohaia's 2009 - He started game 1 at hooker, and in 18 minutes made 2 line breaks and then a knee injury is the only thing that stopped him from making a third.

He then comes back off the bench for a couple of games before being shifted to fullback for 2-3 games while McKinnon was out. After McKinnon comes back he moves back to the bench for 4-5 games before being moved to five eight for 3-4 games, and then towards the back end of the season has 5 games at centre.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

It's very clear we need to change up this squad for 2011

01. Kevin Locke (First 5 games incl Trials if he fails Glen Fishiashi gets 5 games if he fails we put Hohaia or Ropati Here either will do)

02. Krisnan Inu (Good finisher and has a x-factor on attack, needs improvement in attiude and defence which I believe this club will instill or else wiki will kick his arse. I would like to see him in the centres as he matures)

03. Joel Moon (Up and down with his D but has alot to offer on attack, tends to take on the line sniffing for tired players, would like to see him develop into what he was hyped up to be)

04. Lewis Brown (2nd rower he has become but he offers power and attacking prowess which we lack atm, we need attack pure and simple and we all know his D is 110%)

05. The Beast (No explaination required LOL)

07. Isacc John (Before getting injured he complimented Maloney's style better than Buster, he had some quality outings and he needs his chance again, plus the kiwis could do with more halves so lets get him up to that level next year)

06. James Maloney - I got a lot of Man Love for this guy he has proved himself very worthy and with him added to the Australian PM XIII he certainly has the ablity to be a world beater. Whats scary about him is this is his first year with us and he can only get better with more games. This was the buy of the year

08. Sam rapira

09. Aaron Heremaia & Alehana Mara (Hooker is a postition the Warriors have done well in). Give Aaron more time and fitness so we can get more minutes out of him. Backed up by Porirua finest Mara, what an exciting player he is to watch. I can see him being the danger man for next season moreso than Inu and Mateo

10. Russell Packer - Foxton finest product besides Foxton Fizz he has developed into a good prop and is getting better. He is in for a big year and also has slighty changed his running style which has helped with the metres he has gained in the 2nd half of this season. Pacman is due for a great season

11. Captain Fantastic

12. Feleti Mateo - Should bring the x-factor in our 2nd Row. we are boring in this department atm so we need to give other sides other things to think about

13. Michael Luck - Stick to his defence and stay way out of the attack equation especially in the oppostion 20

Bench:

Big Ben
Mara
Lillyman
Latimore

Hohaia