Lets talk Juniors

[ozbash]

I had basically written them (particularly the new coach, Ackers) off after the first haldf dozen rounds of the season. They looked like an absolute rabble.

After yesterday my faith has been re-affirmed in the young fullas.

Its easy to pick U20's players who you think could make the next step up to first grade, mostly wishful thinking, but I do feel there are 3-4 ( maybe a couple more :sarcasm: ) who would not be far off Prems.

I'll name them

Ben Henry, got a young Hugh McGahan look about him. Mature well above his years.

Shaun Johnson, this kid is the goods. He has only had 2 games back since injury and he has quality written all over him.If he plays all season, I predict a final.

Likiliki, already a first grader and if Tate decides to head home next year I hope the club bends over backwards to keep him.
A season of regular first grade starts is what this kid needs. I think he has gone as far as he can in U20's.

Nafe Seluini. I remember watching a Lion Red Cup game years ago and there was this halfback debuting for Auckland - Stacey Jones. It was an instant recognition of x factor. Even people who didnt follow the game recognised something 'special' in the Jones boy. Nafe gets the same reaction from me.
His 3rd season in TC and theres no stopping him.

Why isnt he in first grade now ? hooker, half, full back.....
Sign him now Warriors.


A couple of others to really shine this year,

Elijah Niko, Penehe, Gubb and yesterday Sione Lousi's little (yea right) brother , Sam, debuted. Kid is a monster, has a Lauititi offload and a meaner streak than his big bro...

the young guys are really shaping up.

 

[Skinner]

I've asked this before elsewhere but never got a response. Is Ben Henry a relation of Sticky (Ricky) Henry ??

 

[Dirty Hoe]

2nd cousin...so may aswell say no

 

[Skinner]

2nd cousin...so may aswell say no

Should have gone to the oracle in the first place....

 

[Scott]

I like the look of Matt Robinson. A good solid player who should develop into a quality NRL player in time.

 

[mean]

I like the look of Matt Robinson. A good solid player who should develop into a quality NRL player in time.

Yeah I like Robinson as well, but Gubb is a kid that I admire. There's a good association about white kids and work ethic. They may not be flash, but they know what tenacity is.

 

[Iafeta]

Nafe Seluini - genius of a talent. Man, his acceleration is amazing. I used to love Tevita Latu's work at dummy half, very fast and could really catch markers and A defenders out ad nauseum. Seluini is a bit like that. Knows when to go and when he does, good luck stopping it.

Elijah Niko - I love a winger who's willing to get in and do the hard yards to get the team going forward. Elijah is very good at that.

One other name, I'm guessing he needs to put on a bit of bulk to get close, but in terms of speed... unparalleled. Glen Fisiahi. Amazing toe. Time stands still when this bloke has the hammer down.

 

[One Warrior]

Ozbash do you think Nafe Seluini should get a run in first grade before Mara?

 

[MKEB...]

I think Gubb goes alright, though I had to laugh how he tackles when he flings out his forearms and takes out the opposition ankles/shins in something akin to a angry ankle-tap.

Also, I would like to see a bit more of Fisiasi. Seems to have all the time in the world and a damned relaxed fullback.

 

[ozbash]

Ozbash do you think Nafe Seluini should get a run in first grade before Mara?

probably, but only because i have seen more of him this year. Nafe would be a lot quicker imo.

 

[Rich102]

I just hope they find a position for Seluini and leave him there for a while. The kid is surely talented.
But they seem to be treating him like Lance. Jack of all trades.

I would like to see Gubb mentored by the club. Good work ethic, does the basics well, doesn't shirk. Could be very good.

Matt Robinson reminds me of Logan at his best. Big future. Ben Henry is all class.

Have been very disappointed with Likiliki's form this year and last week he was completely missing. Looks like he has lost interest.

I am still not convinced Johnson will make the step up. He is lucky to play behind a dominant pack in a grade where defence is not the overriding concern. Looks classy but kicks can be well astray and defence is poor. When the pressure comes on he goes missing.

I am starting to warm to Zensei Inu. He is developing well.

Fisiiahi looks class.

Ackland seems to be bringing the team together, but gosh I would love to see what Norton could do with these kids.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Last season Johnson looked good playing behind a beaten pack, but last year he was flashier. This year he looks a lot more in control. His kicking game might need work in regards to execution, but he always has the mentality right.

Sam Louisi is a masive unit, ridiculous really. I like the look of him though.

Seluini is definately a spark out of dummy half. Not sure about the other aspects of his game though. Would be a good impact hooker but not an 80 minute one. A Mara/Seluini combo would be interesting to see.

Robinson - I like the kid, but when I watch him play and then look at our first grade side and see Mannering, Luck, Brown, I just think it's more of the same and for that reason he may struggle.

Penehe - Would love to se some tackle break stats on him, he seems to be a handful everytime he gets the ball.

Gubb - Never gives up in the tackle. Even when beaten he makes a last desperate lunge for the legs. Have to admite the attitude. Not sure where his future lies, but it won't be because of a poor attitude.

Fisiahi - Speed to burn, the way he went around the Bunnies defence with pure speed was quite incredible.

Likiliki - Really not warming to him that much. I can see the appeal, but I'm haven't been impressed with him as much this season as I was last saeason. And some of his defensive lapses are shocking.

How many of these kids are still eligible for NYC next year? Seluini, Robinson, Penehe, Likiliki, Johnson are all in their last year I think.

 

[ozreece77]

i dunno.

When Packer was making headlines in the U20s he was making 40 tackles and 20 hitups a game. When he moved up to NRL, he struggled with the pace of the game and having to tackle bigger units.
Do we have anyone in the current crop doing numbers like Packer? If not then they wont be able to cope with the pace of NRL.
The stepping stone should be u20 > Vulcans > NRL.

 

[One Warrior]

probably, but only because i have seen more of him this year. Nafe would be a lot quicker imo.

Thanks.

 

[Skinner]

Do we have anyone in the current crop doing numbers like Packer? If not then they wont be able to cope with the pace of NRL.

The stepping stone should be u20 > Vulcans > NRL.

You, my friend, are on to it

 

[Martli]

i dunno.

When Packer was making headlines in the U20s he was making 40 tackles and 20 hitups a game. When he moved up to NRL, he struggled with the pace of the game and having to tackle bigger units.
Do we have anyone in the current crop doing numbers like Packer? If not then they wont be able to cope with the pace of NRL.
The stepping stone should be u20 > Vulcans > NRL.

To be fair, I always thought prop was one of the harder positions to make the transition in. Most decent props take a bit longer to develop into solid first graders because of the size factor and the physical workload, but are sort of lucky in that most teams use two props on the interchange bench, so they can learn their trade from here whereas someone who plays a position like centre or wing usually has to do so in the starting side. It's probably a position where players would benefit more from playing reserve grade with the older guys than U20s where the forward packs are probably a bit smaller and maybe not as physical, but I see what you mean. If we're supposed to get our next prop from here then we might be in a bit of trouble and may be better off going to the market.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

i dunno.

When Packer was making headlines in the U20s he was making 40 tackles and 20 hitups a game. When he moved up to NRL, he struggled with the pace of the game and having to tackle bigger units.
Do we have anyone in the current crop doing numbers like Packer? If not then they wont be able to cope with the pace of NRL.
The stepping stone should be u20 > Vulcans > NRL.

when it comes to forwards, i couldnt agree more

 

[mean]

Last season Johnson looked good playing behind a beaten pack, but last year he was flashier. This year he looks a lot more in control. His kicking game might need work in regards to execution, but he always has the mentality right.

Sam Louisi is a masive unit, ridiculous really. I like the look of him though.

Seluini is definately a spark out of dummy half. Not sure about the other aspects of his game though. Would be a good impact hooker but not an 80 minute one. A Mara/Seluini combo would be interesting to see.

Robinson - I like the kid, but when I watch him play and then look at our first grade side and see Mannering, Luck, Brown, I just think it's more of the same and for that reason he may struggle.

Penehe - Would love to se some tackle break stats on him, he seems to be a handful everytime he gets the ball.

Gubb - Never gives up in the tackle. Even when beaten he makes a last desperate lunge for the legs. Have to admite the attitude. Not sure where his future lies, but it won't be because of a poor attitude.

Fisiahi - Speed to burn, the way he went around the Bunnies defence with pure speed was quite incredible.

Likiliki - Really not warming to him that much. I can see the appeal, but I'm haven't been impressed with him as much this season as I was last saeason. And some of his defensive lapses are shocking.

How many of these kids are still eligible for NYC next year? Seluini, Robinson, Penehe, Likiliki, Johnson are all in their last year I think.

Have to agree with everything you've said.

 

[ozreece77]

when it comes to forwards, i couldnt agree more

OK, with the backs then, what should the main prerequisite be? For me i feel defensive decision making should be the number one attribute for a potential NRL player. Its all well andgood being able to streak across for a try or 2 but if you are letting in 2 or 3 a game from making defensive blunders, (which some of our current group of NRL players still do btw), then you are a hindrance to the team.
Communication on defense, defending as a unit (not as a solo) and anticipating well would be the key attributes to have. Defense still wins NRL games imo.
Who would be the most defensively sound back in our juniors team? (and i don't mean tackle technique)

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

I'm hoping that when the new Tv right deal is done that we have enough money to go back to having a reserve grade side as well as U20's and players shouldn't be allowed to skip reserves as they'd have to play a minimum number of games in reserve grade first to qualify.

The standard of NYC has dropped off dramatically in the last couple of seasons, and I think alot of that is because before NYC most of these players were playing in either the QLD or NSW comp. Then when the NYC started those who had experience in those comps really stood head and shoulders above the rest.