Mateo and Ben Smith debuts

[Twizzle]

Ben Smith is a big bloke who seemd to be strong in defence and attack. He did not get involved alot, but what he did I thought was classy and I would like to see alot more of him.

If Langi is not wth us next, tear, there is no reason why this kid should not take his first grade spot for the rest of the season.

Mateo has a fancy two step, in attack, similar to Karmichael Hunt.

He seemed to be playing at lock when Hopkins went to hooker, and he did a lot in defence.

He's a damn big 5/8 and I can see him moving into a lock/playmaker role, a la Jim Dymock.

Seems to have a bit of class, as well and I'd like to see more of these two kids, for the rest of the season.

 

[Suitman]

Lets hope so Twiz, lets hope so.

Suity

 

[Utey]

In reality with Tahu and Freshy as our centre pairing I wonder if Smith will get a run barring injury. His a big centre and id love to see more of him. I thought Mateo had a defensive problem i was proved so wrong. He was one of our best I think. Good debuts howevere if Smith saw more ball we would have previewed a lot of his game.

 

[Twizzle]

no certainty that Tahu will play centre,

hopefully they will learn from the Willie Tonga saga, and just get him in the team, at centre or wing.

last thing we want, is to loose one of these kids

 

[1eyedeel]

As I said last week, it's bloody difficult for any of our centres to look good because they get zippo quality ball. As for Smith, if I was Freshy I'd be very worried about holding my first grade spot next year. I thought it showed amazing confidence to try and beat that guy on the outside. Sure, he get pulled into touch, but I'd prefer a youngster on debut to have a go, rather than just try and not make a mistake.

 

[Utey]

It was pretty courgaeous. This is why we lose most of our juniors mostly becuase of the compeuition in teh 1sts for positions. Look at Tonga. Tahu has come to Parra to play centre. He wants the chance and Smith has given it to him.

 

[Jake the snake]

I remeber when i 1st saw Mateo play on TV for Terra sancta a few years back and I knew he would make it because he is just magic on the ball.

Mateo is Jason Smiths and Jimmy Dymocks love child. He has definately got the skills for 5/8 and at the moment would probably handle that posy but next year he is definately in the forwards as he is a big lump of a lad.

 

[scottyeel]

I want to see them play 1st for the rest of the year as well as brett anderson.

 

[strider]

Good solid first up efforts from both these guys....nothing spectacular, but thats not really a way of describing anyone in the Parra team these days

I hope Mateo gets the starting lock position now that Morris is likely out for a while, with Hopkins to hooker.

And altho I don't think Langi has been bad for us, if he is not to be here next season, then I would like to see Ben Smith given more time in the centres.

 

[stuke]

well now definitely is the time to let them get some experience and hopefully grow in confidence ready fro next year.

 

[ParraMatt]

yeh I believe smithy will play these two lads for the rest of the season, He would be silly not to.

 

[bartman]

Why not keep playing them? They've handled their debuts fine, and more games should help in their development for next year.

 

[queanbeyhole hindy fan]

These 2 guys went great last night.
I was actually surprised at the size of Ben Smith, I didn't think he would be as big as he is.
Mateo was excellent, he looked pretty comfortable out there.
Keep 'em in 1sts for a while I say!

 

[ParraMatt]

agreed

 

[yy_cheng]

Jake, I don't think he is only Smith and Dymock's love child, I think you could throw in Andre the Giant in there as well.

I thought Mateo was more impressive in one game than Tsoulos have been in the last few.

And Smith is one big bugga. I'd rather have an unproven smith than Tonga. He's out next Gene Miles.

I think the backline should change to

Wade
Petersen
Smith
Widders
Burt
Wagon
Thorman

We need a faster winger than Graham

 

[Pazza]

They where both much larger than i expected. I remember having a arguement with i think it was Parra pete about how a few unknowns fly threw the ranks to play first grade. He disagreed, saying that these players arn't ready for firsts. So far Parra have had Anderson, Afasamaga, Mateo and Smith play first grade. All of these guys have oppertunities to be in that top 17 come round 1 2005, hopefully they make a real fist of it and put pressure on the establish players and big name imports at the club next season.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Pazza

totally agree

Anderson looked fantastic in the games he played - hardly put a foot wrong, solid in defence and plenty of pace - unfortuantely we didn't see him get into a bit of fresh air - oh well!

Afamasaga has been a major surprise!!! When he came in I thought we were clutching at straws to bolster our pack - but he's in there on talent and performance. The kid has major ability - constantly has the ball out in front in one hand looking for the runner (run off him McKinnon!) and also makes plenty of meters and threatens the line when he runs. Do NOT want to see him out of first grade next year!

Mateo - wow - off one frist grade game we'd have to say he's got a bit of a future ahead

Smith - looked great - big tall guy who has loads of pace and can get rid of the ball while being tackles. Hopefully he sticks in the centers next year - what a whopping backline we'd have with him and Vaealiki and Grothe tipping the scales at 100kgs and Tahu not far behind!

And lets not forget Wade McKinnon - he wasn't an unknown, we all knew he played some first grade at Souths and looked pretty ordinary, but what a major surprise his form is! how is it that we always manage to have a good fullback every year?

 

[Eelementary]

As I said last week, it's bloody difficult for any of our centres to look good because they get zippo quality ball. As for Smith, if I was Freshy I'd be very worried about holding my first grade spot next year. I thought it showed amazing confidence to try and beat that guy on the outside. Sure, he get pulled into touch, but I'd prefer a youngster on debut to have a go, rather than just try and not make a mistake.

I agree 100%, and I don't even think he was put into touch (Smith's body was ontop of the Storm player's; he was, in effect, in mid-air over the sideline and thus not actually into touch).

Both these guys were outstanding.

 

[The Engineers Room]

Ben Smith is a real talent. I have said this for a while now. Against the Roosters in Premier League he was about the only guy who looked good out there.