How bad is...

[JJ]

Once Tomkins is back we need a better utility on the bench.

This really is the point - Leuluai and Friend are both among the worst hookers in the comp imo, Friend is aging and being used in a role he's patently unsuited for, Leuluai is just ok, and obviously McFadden prefers having him in the 17 (last year too when he was looking at 6).

Lolohea is the one who could play smaller minutes from dummy half once Tomkins is back (whether that's best for Lolohea's development is another issue - depends on whether we're building for next year or looking at this year), but I am puzzled as to why Leuluai can't play the 80 if he's the better option...

Given the 2016 signings, a pragmatic approach would be to focus on that (as per American sports) - we could cut Friend loose, play Tui at 6 if that's where they think he'll be next year - etc.

Whether or not anyone believes we have any chance this year, 2016 is a much better bet - and the development of Lisone, Vete, Lolohea, Kata and Hurrell are as key to that as the new signings

 

[Meth]

Also, how bad is...

Ben Barba?

Damn that dude offers nothing. That penalty he gave us in front of the posts was laughable.

I thought that was one of the penalties that shouldn't have really been a penalty to be honest.

 

[Meth]

Definitely not a great game from Friend- accentuated by that strip from Ennis. Pretty much Ennis made Friend his bitch from that point on, which is unfortunate because Ennis is pretty hopeless these days.

 

[MKEB...]

If anything, thought that game showed how much quicker and more accurate TL's service is from dummy half. On top of that, TL has put on a couple of nice try assists in our previous couple of games, putting Manu & Matulino over for tries. That has never been a strong point of Friends game.

it seems to me that although TL's passing might be chrisper, that he has a tendency to run three steps and isolate himself from both the playmakers and forwards. Though Friend wasnt too sharp this week either.

 

[TheDMC]

He's limited, no question - but TL is equally bad imo, a decent spell in the test doesn't change that. Friend has been asking more questions of the markers this year than TL, who really is a plod for someone who people still think is a half

Luke will be interesting, because he doesn't provide the snappiest service either - he's a beast at maintaining a roll, and of course perfectly suited to that great Souths pack from last year. I am a firm believer that our pack is good, so he's potentially a huge addition, that said, the likes of the Dogs, Cowboys and Souths will pose other problems

Luke will help our forward back get on a roll more often and open up way more 2nd phase opportunity. He will be immense for us in that regard. His service is snappy enough, and it is usually 'smart service' if not the quickest, at least he chooses the right options nearly all the time...Plus a much stronger defender than Friend.
TL is defending well, and did so against Cronulla, one of his few assets it seems.

 

[Auckland4ever]

it seems to me that although TL's passing might be chrisper, that he has a tendency to run three steps and isolate himself from both the playmakers and forwards. Though Friend wasnt too sharp this week either.

Maybe, but I think his stepping is actually a positive thing - it goes forward of the ruck and it draws the marker defense. It also gives the runner an extra step or two before running onto the ball.
I'd have issues with TL if we were seeing regular forward passes, if the runners had to repeatedly catch the ball behind themselves, if he was repeatedly getting tackled with the ball close to the ruck or if we weren't rolling up the field on a regular basis. None of this has been an issue for us this season.

 

[The European Polynesian]

Maybe, but I think his stepping is actually a positive thing - it goes forward of the ruck and it draws the marker defense. It also gives the runner an extra step or two before running onto the ball.
I'd have issues with TL if we were seeing regular forward passes, if the runners had to repeatedly catch the ball behind themselves, if he was repeatedly getting tackled with the ball close to the ruck or if we weren't rolling up the field on a regular basis. None of this has been an issue for us this season.

I agree, well said.

The opposite is what I meant by "static" for Friend. Purely stand and delivery play. Turns runners into tackle bags. Especially when its a big average pass.