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It’s more the ridiculous contradiction that people throw Herbert and Garrick on the scrap heap on the basis of ‘they didn’t dominate NSW Cup’ despite both being old enough to play NYC (and Herbert playing very well at the back end of the year, and dominating NYC the year before) and yet they want to start with Lomax, who hasn’t even hit NSW Cup yet!
Host has a much, much higher ceiling than Leilua IMO.
Different types of players with different roles in the team Benny: Now that Thomo is gone, IMO Host should be starting and playing big minutes and Leilua should be giving some impact from the bench; but there's no reason they can't both have a high ceiling, albeit in different ways, the talent is certainly there for both of them.
Jack Bird
Great reply. I was no where near as confident about Bird making it as I am about Lomax.
They are different players, and I’ve always stated that Leiluas style leads him to being an impact player, but the demand for this style isn’t as high because to use this within 8 interchanges required a bigger workload on their forwards. Host, however, could eat to the top tier of edge backrowers if given the right opportunity. He’s got all the tools - size and power, ability to hit holes, very solid in defense and a smart player. Could very easily become as good as the likes of Cordner, Gillet and so on. (Key word being ‘could’).
I know you are prone to crazy rambling, but throwing former players names around with no context is a new one poss!
Appropriate? Best clubs skip protocol and back big talent. if he's got the "right stuff" he can and should jump the queue.
Nothing
And what of Herbert, Garrick and Mann? As a 16yo, Garrick was signed to a long term junior contract and was playing Aus Schoolboys, NSW u16s and NSW u18s a year younger than the age limit, and had half of last season in NSW Cup (even though he was eligible for NYC). Herbert played 3 years of junior Kiwis, captained our NYC team 2 years before he hit the age limit and spent the full year playing NSW Cup despite being eligible for u20s, and was very, very good at that level.
I Agree with this post....people just jump on band wagons. Field will be next inline for fullback if he is not injured if it happens in a game then Mann will go there. Lomax may have stated that he would like to play fullback but he is a much more experienced centre... if he gets a shot this year it wont be a fullback it will be in the centres or wing. I've heard through the grapevine that Herbert has been training the house down and is very determined to get a shot a first grade as well. Just because you read "there the next best thing" doesn't mean shit. I think he needs to do is time at least half a dozen games in reggies to see how he handles it.
Good points. Just saying if this kid is head and shoulders above and they all know it, and I don't know he is or not or if it's outsider hype, don't he afraid is all. Bird, Codrick etc...
So then why did Millward extend Lafai, Aitken and Mann. Surely if Herbert is ready, he should have let one or more of them go.
I think Host look the more solid player. He looks technically very good. He does look like the your modern edge backrower. I am keen to see how he develops over the next few seasons.
Fair enough. We'll see how they go. Considering Leilua's strengths and abilities, I'd be inclined to not confine him to one side of the field (particularly when we have such talented edge backrowers like Friz, Host and Sims) and his best chance of actually breaking through to the team would be as an impact forward. HIs skillset, IMO, also lends itself to a high risk of errors from him and from the team and he needs to ensure he learns that restraint and adds the 'workhorse' string to his bow if he wants to play big minutes.
