Kevin 'What do we do with you' Naqaima

[Frederick]

I don't think aku possesses the ability to set up his outside man

 

[Noname36]

Is there a reason that Uate hasn't be trialled in the centres? He's big, strong and powerful... he can bust the line from anywhere on the field. One of his biggest weaknesses can be his ability under the high ball, and at centre he wouldn't have to worry about that too much. It would limit his ability to contribute from kick returns, but if it gave you a back 3 of Kevin Naiqama, Darius Boyd and James McManus, it's not exactly going to set the team back in that regard. He can just take the first dummy half run from their kick returns. I know he also makes poor defensive reads at times, but Wayne could probably try and work with him on that. If he couldn't get him up to speed, just have him and McManus switch it up when defending/attacking.

ie.
1. Darius Boyd
2. James McManus
3. Akuila Uate
4. Dane Gagai
5. Kevin Naiqama

Obviously no guarantee that it would work, but when you have a special player like Kevin Naiqama sitting behind a back 3 of Uate, Boyd and McManus who are all special players themselves, I think it's worth exhausting every possible option to keep them all. Actually thinking about it a bit more, you could even move Darius Boyd to the centres and have Kevin at fullback where he is apparently his best. Leaving you with a ridiculously strong backline. Thinking about it i'm pretty sure Boyd played some centre for the Broncos, so he's probably the better option to move. Would that be something you guys would be happy with? Surely it beats losing a talent like Naiqama. It keeps him in your full strength team, and when injuries, origin etc. arise it offers a bit more flexibility in keeping a strong side on the field.

Every time Kev plays there are always a few suggestions of moving Uate or McManus to the centres to accommodate him in the side. As much as I'd like to keep Kev though, moving either of our current wingers would be a disaster. Centre is the hardest position to defend on your line IMO. The decisions you have to make there in defense are a lot tougher than on the wing. Uate has trouble making the right decisions in defense on the wing let alone centre. He wouldn't only let in a heap of tries himself, but he'd leave his winger stranded. Not to mention his best attributes like his finishing ability and kick returns would be limited at centre.

Likewise with McManus his great strength under the highball, his kick returns and his finishing wouldn't be utilised at centre. As much as I'd like to keep Kev, I don't like the idea of weakening other positions or players to make it happen. With Boyd I have no doubts he could handle centre, but he's the most valuable to us at fullback. You only need to look at his game on the weekend to see what he brings us from the back. He plays a traditional fullback roll where he supports our halves (supporting Roberts to score, gathering Mullo's chip kicks), but he's also an extra half for us (the kick he put in for McManus to score). Not to mention his try saving tackles. I know people hate Boyd, but I reckon apart from Mullen he's probably our most valuable player...and I don't think he'd be as valuable from centre.

 

[perverse]

mx - great, insightful post mate. I have to admit a fair bit of ignorance about what's going on at the foot of the mountains at the moment, I'm flat out keeping up with my own team this year (life is pretty hectic for me, in a good way, at the moment!). I watched some highlights of your decimation of the Warriors, that Isaac John looks to have a little bit of something. Obviously playing against total gimps in that particular instance, but I liked what I saw. Seems worth persisting with.

As for Aku, I could only re-iterate what others have said already. He doesn't have the defensive nous or the smarts to set up his outside man on a regular basis. Most of McManus' strengths are in his specialist wing play... and Darius is only second to Mullen in importance to our overall game from the back. It's a really unfortunate situation for Kev... because he certainly is a special talent, but we just happen to be absolutely spoiled for choice in the backline at the moment, and we can't keep them all. I'll wish Kev all the best where ever he ends up, and I would particularly love to see him do well for the Panthers. It's hard to say how much of the Kev -> Panthers rumour has legs... but it does seem like a logical move from where we're standing. Gus was quite generous with his praise the other day.

 

[The Showstopper]

At 24 it is only right Kev has to move on. Kills me to say that. Aku is the incumbent and it is a frustrating situation to be in. Especially when we forked out plenty to keep Aku here for five years. I believe in my gut now and having heard it from a reliable source, that Aku's re-signing was equal parts business and team driven. most big signatures are i guess. Him leaving would be a gate killer. He is the most popular crowd favourite in our history. He is also one shocker away from NSW Cup. Even Bennett knows some players are invaluable for a club on a holistic level. Aku is a talent but his defensive deficiencies are atrocious for a bloke who should be belting anyone that goes near him.

 

[Big Tim]

If Panthers did sign Kevin Naiqama (this thread makes it seem like a done deal, but it could just be a matter of expectation due to us having Wes) it would be great for us. Would add a bit of headache to our back 3 as it has with you guys. The best bet for us would probably be to throw him in at fullback, and move Matt Moylan to halfback. Especially since fullback seems to be the position where Kevin shines.

rnb11 has a proven track record.

I am willing to bet he is right.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

I find it fascinating how humans are so content with living in the here and now that they lose sight of the big picture. It wasn't that long ago that everyone was doing handstands when we re-signed Uate. He is currently out of form and appears to be playing injured. This is why I'm saving my judgement on him until later. When he has been in good form at times during his career, his defense and catching under the kick have been terrific. I'm looking forward to him getting his confidence back and watching people eat their words

 

[Big Tim]

Who is suggesting replacing Uate.

The sane minded posters here are saying the opposite.

They are sating that Kev is in an unfortunate situation for us and him. He cant get a gig, and no matter how well he plays, he is stuck behind 2 guys that he wont be able to "outplay" by the end of his contract.

 

[Silent Knight]

I find it fascinating how humans are so content with living in the here and now that they lose sight of the big picture. It wasn't that long ago that everyone was doing handstands when we re-signed Uate. He is currently out of form and appears to be playing injured. This is why I'm saving my judgement on him until later. When he has been in good form at times during his career, his defense and catching under the kick have been terrific. I'm looking forward to him getting his confidence back and watching people eat their words

Exactly this. Uate is a confidence player. I don't recall anyone panning him when he was paired with old Mad Dog or when Gagai first arrived at our club. We were all talking about how many tries him and Dane would rack up through their combination in attack.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

Who is suggesting replacing Uate.

The sane minded posters here are saying the opposite.

They are sating that Kev is in an unfortunate situation for us and him. He cant get a gig, and no matter how well he plays, he is stuck behind 2 guys that he wont be able to "outplay" by the end of his contract.

Huh?

 

[TooheysNew]

I find it fascinating how humans are so content with living in the here and now that they lose sight of the big picture. It wasn't that long ago that everyone was doing handstands when we re-signed Uate. He is currently out of form and appears to be playing injured. This is why I'm saving my judgement on him until later. When he has been in good form at times during his career, his defense and catching under the kick have been terrific. I'm looking forward to him getting his confidence back and watching people eat their words

What are you referring to? People are saying he is out of form, which is exactly the same thing as you are saying?

 

[Bring it home Knights]

People are stating that he can't defend and that he is atrocious under the high ball. As far as I can see, people are saying that as a general comment as opposed to saying that it's only happening in his current form.

 

[Luke Bowden]

He's signed with Panthers, should be news on it soon. Also Sims re-signing should be announced this week or next too but the Lurker has come out today and said they're set to release Johnson and Hall to sign him so not too sure what to believe atm.

Are you certain of this? Good news for the Penny Panthers if true!

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I'm prepared to back Uate. Have heard him say he has been focusing on the high ball and there has been improvement at times.
Also saw him being critical of himself on field when he has messed up. He can get metres for us even when he isn't a try scoring or machine or wide open blaster.
Maybe he just needs to settle into it a bit more first.

 

[Burwood]

I'm prepared to back Uate. Have heard him say he has been focusing on the high ball and there has been improvement at times.
Also saw him being critical of himself on field when he has messed up. He can get metres for us even when he isn't a try scoring or machine or wide open blaster.
Maybe he just needs to settle into it a bit more first.

I'm getting mixed feelings about Uate and how much effort he is really putting in:

Jason Lambley via email: After being dropped from NSW and the Australian team, there has been a lot of talk about your problems in defence and under the high ball. How do you feel you have been going the last couple of seasons in this area and what kind of work are you doing to improve?

AU: It is definitely something I have been practicing. After training each day I spend extra time practicing those high balls and Wayne (Bennett) is helping me with my defence at the moment. I think I am going alright at the moment but it is only Round 7.

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/KNIGHTS INSIDER Akuila Uate/73243

Ok, that sounds promising. But then from another article...

"I've just been practising after training and I'm really confident with high balls and my defence . . . I only spend 10 minutes extra after training.

Asked to estimate how many he catches safely, Uate replied: "On my good days, probably 10 out of 10, hopefully.

"If I'm not switched on at training, maybe five."

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1...ion-queries-and-kicks-them-into-touch/?cs=306

Seriously? This is the one of the main things stopping him from being a complete winger, and he is spending an extra 10 minutes each training session on it?

 

[RHCP]

He's definitely gotten better under the high ball. He got bombarbed by Penrith and was very strong.

Maybe all he needs is ten minutes? We don't know the training setup. Maybe the wingers spend half an hour doing it as part of the regular program. I have faith that Wayne wouldn't just let him slack off.

 

[Rolla]

In defence of Aku, despite being out of form he still makes more runs than any other winger in the comp each game, and only George Taufua has made more metres (from an extra game, similar average over all). He also still scores a try a game.

A lot is said (deservedly) about Jimmy's heart, but Aku's work-rate is second to NONE in the NRL in his position. For seasons now he has used his body as a battering ram week in week out, even when our forwards wouldn't. This hasn't stopped since his contract signing either, even out of form he is one of the best in the game. You only have to look at the Dally M winger results in recent times to see how consistent he is. It could be argued that even with Mr Consistency on the other wing, Aku has been our most consistent performer in first grade over the last few years by a fair way. He is entitled a rough patch but i doubt it will last, he has responded well to negative press in the past (look at his post origin form last year), he will be back soon.

I don't think questioning his effort is really fair

 

[Bring it home Knights]

In defence of Aku, despite being out of form he still makes more runs than any other winger in the comp each game, and only George Taufua has made more metres (from an extra game, similar average over all). He also still scores a try a game.

A lot is said (deservedly) about Jimmy's heart, but Aku's work-rate is second to NONE in the NRL in his position. For seasons now he has used his body as a battering ram week in week out, even when our forwards wouldn't. This hasn't stopped since his contract signing either, even out of form he is one of the best in the game. You only have to look at the Dally M winger results in recent times to see how consistent he is. It could be argued that even with Mr Consistency on the other wing, Aku has been our most consistent performer in first grade over the last few years by a fair way. He is entitled a rough patch but i doubt it will last, he has responded well to negative press in the past (look at his post origin form last year), he will be back soon.

I don't think questioning his effort is really fair

Top post mate!

 

[rnb11]

Are you certain of this? Good news for the Penny Panthers if true!

Yep, I'm not sure when it'll be announced but it's definitely a done deal.

Apparently Cooper Vuna is returning to the NRL too, not sure who with. Maybe a Tahu & Naiqama replacement?

 

[Jono078]

I'd love super Vuna as a centre for us!

I love Vuna anywhere tbh.

 

[rnb11]

1. Darius Boyd
2. James McManus
3. Dane Gagai
4. Cooper Vuna
5. Akuila Uate

Goddamn that's tasty