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How ironic, Vatuvei "I want to have a great game for Kris [Inu]"

J

JakeD

Juniors
Messages
29
Wow. Vatuvei is rushed straight back into first grade and makes about 7 handling errors including some embarrassing ones under the high ball. Inu plays very well in the last 2 weeks of the regular season and has proved to be great under the high ball and defusing bombs yet gets snubbed. I really think Cleary needs to take his medicine on this one, demote Vatuvei (who is just too much of a liability at this juncture) and reinstate Inu who has done nothing wrong and posseses just as much 'match winning ability' as The Beast. I like Vatuvei but I really think after tonight's match, he needs to be rested.
 
M

Micistm

Bench
Messages
4,470
Yes, everyone loves the Manu, and it is hard to say drop him, but if we get another bite at it he just has to be dumped atm. I feel for him, even when angry watching the game last night, you'd look at his face and just feel so much for the guy.
He will be back, but it shouldn't be this year and maybe his wing days are over...but he's got through a moment like this before and I hope he can do it again.
If Cleary can't swallow the pride and put Inu in instead, despite obviously having an issue of some sort with him...that says a lot about Cleary as a coach, and reminds me of the era when he just stuck with Rovelli unrealistically when he'd had months of chances. If you like Cleary you could admire his loyalty to his players...if you don't, you'd say he calls favourites at the expense of the team.
IMO, over the years it's been the latter.
 
M

Micistm

Bench
Messages
4,470
Thinking about that, the Cleary loyalty thing- I remember Lance filling in well for Wade for the year some time ago, and first chance he got, Lance was dropped to make way for Wade, after he'd been out for months. Again, just starting a finals campaign. Is it loyalty to go straight back to the official fullback, or stick with the fullback that had done you proud for the year stepping in when needed?
 
hitman82

hitman82

Bench
Messages
4,937
In a finals grind where possession is everything, you cannot have a guy turning over the ball so often. Simple as that. I'd love to see Manu play next week (please win Melbourne) and show he can bounce back - but in reality you cannot take that risk. It'd be a ridiculous decision to start him again.
He will likely miss the Kiwis too. Hopefully a good offseason rest can have him back in form 2012.
 
ozbash

ozbash

Referee
Messages
26,922
true, the Warriors need Manu, but not on the wing.

2nd row or centre would be a better alternative. he started off at centre..
 
AliN

AliN

Live Update Team
Messages
3,676
I'd have him inside Inu, esp if we get to play next week and are a centre short. Tho Berrigan may be back.
 
Beavers Headgear

Beavers Headgear

Coach
Messages
10,092
Graham Lowe has been calling for a move into the middle for Manu for a while now, maybe he is right after all. We have done it with Tony Williams and he is absolutely killing it at the moment

I like Manu, but he is probably the worst player inside his own 20m that I have ever seen, constantly dropping the ball or trying to force an offload in that zone, even when he is in reasonable form

Can guarantee there will be a segment of the Sunday Roast on him today. How about Fatty saying they need to remove his brain at halftime lol
 
I

Izz

Bench
Messages
3,938
Sticking Manu in the middle wouldn't stop him attempting hail mary offloads when he's getting dominated in the tackle.
 
M

Micistm

Bench
Messages
4,470
Yep, he's a nice guy, no one wants to see him dropped out of sentiment...but there's a winger there that is in better form, also a good game breaker, and high ball safe ready to step in. If Inu isn't there if we get another game I would have to question Cleary's ability to think for the team rather than personality issues and playing favourites.
IF Manu is there, like everyone I would be wishing him a blinder, for his sake as well as the teams.
 
attila_the_gorilla

attila_the_gorilla

Juniors
Messages
2,137
Yeah having Manu on the wing now is like having Russel Packer there. Or even worse, cos Packer can make tackles.

His handling has always been a liability, some games more than others, and ball security is paramount for a winger when defusing kicks.

His game is lacking in too many aspects to keep carrying him in the team. Even in the second row, he'd be even worse cos he can't defend. Maybe as a prop he could work, but he'd need to learn to tackle, release and run back 10.
 
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