How bad is...

[The European Polynesian]

Nathan Friend?

 

[Diesel]

Might be why one reason we have Luke next year

 

[jamaman]

Nathan Friend?

does he speak English?

 

[WithTheDawn]

Not a great game for Friendy this one, but he has been decent most weeks.

 

[playdaball]

I really want to see Havalli in first grade. He must have been GUTTED when the Luke signing was announced as per Abbey when RTS signed.

 

[MKEB...]

That strip from dummy half should never have happened.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Friend taking the gas of the pedal? ala Maloney 2012

 

[mean_maori_mean]

I really want to see Havalli in first grade. He must have been GUTTED when the Luke signing was announced as per Abbey when RTS signed.

Welcome to reality....sorry.

Havili wouldnt command no. 1 hooking spot anywhere
Likewise Abby.

Unfortunately both have an inflated opnion of themselves from others.

Havili must be be pretty poor at training to not have given a crack as yet.

Likewise Abbey couldnt even make the Jnr Kiwis side when his club coach was the coach.

 

[Blair]

I thought this post was going to be 'How bad is...Manu's injury?'

 

[JJ]

I thought this post was going to be 'How bad is...Manu's injury?'

Would be a more sensible thread.

Friend is an NRL veteran who has had a long career and given fine service to several clubs, including ours. For some reason atm the coach is using him for short spells off the bench, when he's an 80 min hooker - seems akin to telling Chris Martin he has to bat 6 and be explosive.

IMO he's just being used wrongly, and he's still a better starting hooker than TL... but I am not the coach...

But yeah, what's the word on Manu?

 

[Dane Nielsens Biggest Fan]

He's definitely being used the wrong way, bringing him on the 60-65th minute just makes no sense, better if TL starts and Friend gets at least 30 mins in the middle and TL finishes.

Let's be honest, TL was good in the Kiwi's win but has been fairly average himself this season so far. We don't have great options at 9 hence why Luke is being bought in.

I've always liked Havili but he must be doing something wrong not to have been given a shot? That being said if Friend is to continue being used the way he is then there's little point in keeping him on the bench.

 

[The European Polynesian]

IMO he's just being used wrongly, and he's still a better starting hooker than TL... but I am not the coach...

He can't pass to his right (although last night I recall one horrible pass to his left...). His service is slow both ways. His service is static both ways. He never challenges any of the markers. He is being used to give TL a small rest while being on the field for as little time as possible - I think that is the right way to use him.

 

[The European Polynesian]

Not a great game for Friendy this one, but he has been decent most weeks.

Maybe he's just rubbed me the wrong way at some point and I only see the bad side of him, but my girlfriend and I seem to shout at Friend through the TV every week. I think that means a lot coming a lot from a pretty carefree, but generally positive, Warrior's supporter. Nothing else makes me vocal during the games.

 

[The European Polynesian]

Also, how bad is...

Ben Barba?

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

 

[JJ]

He can't pass to his right (although last night I recall one horrible pass to his left...). His service is slow both ways. His service is static both ways. He never challenges any of the markers. He is being used to give TL a small rest while being on the field for as little time as possible - I think that is the right way to use him.

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

 

[Dane Nielsens Biggest Fan]

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

Yeah TL is a terrible half and is limited himself at 9. People calling out Friendy for left to right passes should look at TL's, thats his biggest weakness imo and the reason we don't go to the right nearly enough when attacking the opposition line.

 

[Auckland4ever]

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.

 

[The Pa Kid]

Terrible
If he is not dropped this week then the coaching staff, are not doing their job. The standard was set when they sent Konrad back to reserves for not doing one of his core roles and Friend failed to do the most basic skill for his position. PASS THE BALL with speed and direction.

 

[LeagueNut]

Just on Havili - was watching NSW Cup at Mt Smart a few weeks back, Lousi gave Havili quite a spray after an error, seemed to be a lot of frustration directed towards him and it was pretty early in the game too. I don't think we'll see Havili in firsts anytime soon.

 

[Fast Eddie]

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

Friend runs the ball himself from dummy half more sure, but no way overall does he ask more questions of the markers imo. Against the Sharks was a perfect example of the difference between the two in helping your forward pack out, Leuluai while not play that great at least puts the forwards on the right lines and draws markers putting them into half gaps, Lillymans half bust a perfect example. He also doesn't blatantly ignore our halfback 30m out from the oppositions line. I liked what he brought to the team in his first 2 seasons, but he is done. Once Tomkins is back we need a better utility on the bench.