Defence.
Simpson - He is knee high to a grasshopper and skinny. He has a go, but big guys run over him.
Fairweather - not a keen defender at all. Makes tackles, but doesn't go looking for them.
Herman - he has been in the forwards for us, but i think he has played centre before by the look of him - not all forwards can defend in the backs, but he went OK.
Tua - This kid is new from NZ and has a lot of errors in him still, but looks an amazing athlete and seems a fast learner. I think he will be our biggest improver this year, but for now he lets a few past him.
Smith - He spent a fair bit of the game out of position pretending to be a fullback still, but had a few great reads in defence that saved tries as well.
Roberts - average defender who doesn't look for work
Davis - likes to tackle, but not great at it.
Wilson - I shouldn't comment on him, but i will, tends to be soft in defence exactly when you don't want him to be, like on the line.
Redman - little bloke with a heart like phar lap - we shouldn't be using him up - he should be on a slow track to firstgrade, not a fast track to John Hunter.
Mason - Young and growing into a fine prospect with a big growth spurt since last year. Will improve, but not really used to being as big as he is yet.
Tetevano - He has gone back to his old ways of avoiding work in defence. He is a good defender, but has never liked doing it much.
Means - skinny kid with a big heart. As he fills out he will get better and better.
Cook - all the skills and a big motor. defends really well.
Sullivan - he was a good defender in Mathews, but dropping him into NYC last year with very little Ball time was a bad plan. He is bigger and stronger now, but still tackle shy because he was bashed around last year.
Cordner - Heart of a lion. He loves defence. He would throw the opposition the ball so he could tackle them if the coach let him. The harder it gets the more he likes it.
Ailoami - Drops guys who run his way. Not many do, and he doesn't go looking.
Brendan Simpson - not sure.
I think every team in NYC has guys who are great defenders and guys who are terrible defenders, and a few who are terrible but can learn.
Tetevano is a great example - he was missing in action in defence for the first year he was here, and if he can finally be a reliable 20 or 30 tackle a game man by the end of this season he will be a good chance to play firstgrade next year - he has everything else.
