Interchange

[Since 73]

I admit to being no expert when it comes to the interchange, but I know it's basic principle is to allow you to keep a consistent performance over the 80 minutes.

This isn't happening with us. Raper is making the same change each week and it immediately weakens the team.

At the 25 - 30 minute mark he replaces Kinga (who stays off for half an hour) for Latu.
At this point last week the Cowboys immediately went through the guts and put on 2 tries. Last night the impetus began to change once again, but thankfully, Penrith's high mistake rate thwarted their comeback.

We need Kinga plugging the guts for 80 minutes. He basically misses nothing and can effectively tackle one on one.

Latu is crucial to us as his injection has created at least one try each week he has come on, but where to insert him is the quandary. Why weaken our defence to create a different attacking option?
If Latu's attack is the reason he comes on, surely it's another less effective attacking option he needs to be replacing.

Scott played well last night to set up 2 tries, but I believe it is these 2 guys who should be filling 1 bench spot. Latu can do everything Scott can plus more. Reading the play in defence from centre is the obvious concern, but there is only one way to find out.

 

[blacktip-reefy]

I don't know about the timing, but bringing latu on impact style is working.
unfortunately latu brings 3 missed tackles, 2 penalties & 2 errors with him.

he needs to be played into form.

I honestly think he should play half a game of PL before firsts until he is played into form.
Like the good old days.

 

[SharkWings]

Latu is improving every week - seems the team is getting more and most used to his style of attack. Loved his shoulder charge last night as well - BOOM!

 

[spirit of league]

latu's a bit of a toss up worrying about his mistakes while we wait for him to spark something. i'm much happier when kinga's on board because i know i won't be shaking my head in disbelief while the defensive structure dcrumbles and his excellent service out of DH is a major component of our new relaxed deeper attack.

but was latu so responsible for the panthers resurgence as he was against the cows ?

i agree the bench shouldn't be carrying scott and latu, but i don't think latu is a centre nor should we play him there. hopefully after his positives last night scott can play into some confidence and form so we can start with our 2 centres like every other RL team in the world. if not scott then somebody else so bailey can get back to the second row where he belongs.

bench should be 1 prop 2 backrowers and a utility

 

[robhoward00]

I actually thought that Latu played a really good game last night. I do agree that Kingston is the man in the middle (so to speak) but as was said earlier Latu adds some much needed impact. Sometimes I think Latu tries to hard, and that's why he comes up with crucial mistakes.

I really believe that the Sharks have turned a corner. I am not going to get too excited just yet but I really believe that we are starting to gel as a football team.

 

[Frenzy.]

I find myself agreeing with this now. Earlier I wasn't so keen to have Kinga on all game because he doesn't offer much in attack at this stage. He is however far and away the best plug we have. So leave him on for 80 but maybe play him lock when Latu comes on. The downside would be losing a running forward to accomodate this.

Another possibilty is to take a back off for Latu. Put Kearney back to fullback, Latu into 6.

It all has the ring of meddling with a winning team of course but then again it's a relevant issue

 

[Blue Bagger 66]

Earlier I wasn't so keen to have Kinga on all game because he doesn't offer much in attack at this stage.

I think that's because Raper has him playing a no risk, mistake free type role out of dummy half at the moment - if Raper was to take the reins off him I think you'd be surprised how much he could offer in attack. Whilst Premier League with the Jets is a far cry from the NRL Kinga was lethal out of dummy half last year. I think he's been told to do nothing silly until Latu comes on. I'd like to see him cut loose but Stueys idea seems to be working so who am I to judge.......

I do like the kicking aspect of his game though - especially the kick that led to a repeat set and a try

 

[Since 73]

We have seen some of that spark BB66. First 5 minutes against the Cowboys and Manly he looked like Aaron Payne, bu then he settles down into more traditional hooking role.

I wasn't bagging Latu in my original post. He is an important ingredient of our recent successes. I'm just saying this plan of bringing Kinga off to accommodate him is NOT the best option. It needs some fine-tuning to get it right. I think the strongest 13 on the park includes both Kinga and Latu.

 

[Genius Freak]

My bench issue last night was that we only had one prop. Ross went down in the first ten seconds, and against a better pack, that could have been disasterous. 1 Prop and 3 smallish utility players would not be the way I'd go.

 

[!fullback!]

the opposition has to score at some point in a game. latu just happens to be on in that period when the defense gets tired. he did set up a try last night.

 

[Blue Bagger 66]

I think the strongest 13 on the park includes both Kinga and Latu.

No argument here!