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paul whatuira

Balmain_Boy

Balmain_Boy

Guest
Messages
4,801
A very classy centre. Not in the class of blokes like Gasnier in terms of attacking flair, but he's still terrific. You always know what you are going to get from Whatuira. Great at knowing when to put his winger away and when to go himself. Also a very solid and capable defender.

I'd rate him a little below Lyon, Gasnier, Cooper and Hodges and on par with blokes like Bell. Would star in the ESL - and I don't mean that in a derogatory fashion.
 
DeeGan

DeeGan

Bench
Messages
2,800
Very good player, vastly underrated by many outside of Leichhardt, Campbelltown and Penrith. Level headed, mature type who adds experience in big match games having played 9 Tests for New Zealand as well as winning two Grand Finals (Penrith '03, Wests Tigers '05).

One of the best defensive centres in the game (capable of shutting down his opposite number, I have seen him do as much against the best centre in the game in Mark Gasnier on a few occasions), good attacking centre who has come on in recent years. 112 games with 48 tries is near enough 1 try every 2 games.

Still unbelievably 25 (I always thought he was much older) and I would have him before the Steve Matai.
 
Balmain_Boy

Balmain_Boy

Guest
Messages
4,801
Yeah I was stunned when we bought him at how young he was.

I forgot to mention, I would have him a long way in front of Matai - I'm sure the Kiwi selectors do as well.

Sheens rates him as one of the most professional trainers he's ever coached. I'd be more upset about a rumour like this if we didn't have some sterling young players coming through the ranks. Despity my somewhat apathetic response, don't fear - Fats is brilliant.
 
choc_soldier

choc_soldier

Coach
Messages
10,385
Under rated at Penrith (where he formed an effective partnership with Girdler), made a name for himself at the Tigers. A great defensive centre who has the awareness to be in the right place at the right time in attack.

Would be a superb pick up for any club.
 
innsaneink

innsaneink

Referee
Messages
29,385
choc_soldier said:
Under rated at Penrith (where he formed an effective partnership with Girdler), made a name for himself at the Tigers. A great defensive centre who has the awareness to be in the right place at the right time in attack.

Would be a superb pick up for any club.
Click to expand...

As soon as it was announced we'd signed him, I paid particular attention to him & Panthers games the latter half of 04....I recall the ball seemed to go 90% of the time Girdlers side of the field- ie: the other side fatz was on, I also noted whoever scored a try, it seemed 90% of the time the first bloke there to congrat him was Fatz.- good support player.
 
tiger_nick

tiger_nick

Bench
Messages
2,972
Definetly one of the most under rated centers going around. If he was an Aussie I think he would be mentioned come around SOO time. Very reliable in defence, knows how to shut down an attacking raid when out numbered. Solid in attack, to be honest dosen't create many oppourtunites on his own, however you only have to give him half a chance and he more then often has the speed, strength and brains to convert it into a try for either himself or his winger. Very selfless player who always puts the team first and who the players love playing with.

Depsite Collis's great season I still rate him a fair bit behind Fatz and although we have Lawerance, Jeffery and Eshman all playing NSW/Aus U/19s last year and all best suited to center, I would be pretty upset if we let him go.
 
N

Nook

Bench
Messages
3,797
Whatuira is one of the Tiger's best - for a bit of context, he's about 13 times better than Lolesi.

Great in defense, underrated in attack, a very good player.
 
Misty Bee

Misty Bee

First Grade
Messages
7,082
He had a quiet year in '06. But he did start the year scoring 3 tries against Gasnier.

His quiet last 6 months aside, he's the best centre in the game. Brilliant finisher. Great defender, great service to his wingers. Big Mick has forgotten his 2005 Tri nations campaign.

Wth a decent pivot, he'll blow away whatever you saw Jamie Lyon do in recent years.
 
Duffman

Duffman

Juniors
Messages
138
Awesome player. Ability to find a hole, and round off a great attacking play. Also does his role in defence. A very consistent player. Always gives 100%.
 
innsaneink

innsaneink

Referee
Messages
29,385
Misty Bee said:
He had a quiet year in '06. But he did start the year scoring 3 tries against Gasnier.

His quiet last 6 months aside, he's the best centre in the game. Brilliant finisher. Great defender, great service to his wingers. Big Mick has forgotten his 2005 Tri nations campaign.

Wth a decent pivot, he'll blow away whatever you saw Jamie Lyon do in recent years.
Click to expand...

He only played the first half of the season, missed the back half with a hammy
 
Pierced Soul

Pierced Soul

First Grade
Messages
9,202
I concur with what most people have said of him. He's a very underated player and one of the top centres in the NRL. be a real shame if he heads to SL at such a young age
 
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