Peta Hiku

[TheRev]

Nightingale gets picked on the wing, nothing changes. Not saying there aren't concerns but as it stands, Nightingale is our only proven winger.

Aitken and/or Matautia would become the backups in that scenario.

o If Nightingale is fit, hes sweet for another season atleast, depends on that footy injury of his and if its for life, he also brings the defence, work ethic and big game experience we need (would rather noone else under a bomb in a pressure game).

o Aitken I see as starting for the cutters whether we sign someone or not (Dugan is surely the Right Ctr), and id love to see Aitken get his confidence up in NSW Cup, then do a partial 1st grade season as needed to cover injury and rep... he may be more ready this year, but I think 2015 was too long for his body to handle.

None of this really means anything if someone breaks a leg in the Charity Shield.. its unusual to have a full strength squad available.

 

[giboz71]

Is Hiku a ballplayer though? Because I believe that would be the drive behind Mann's contract (over using Dugan), we already had someone who did a great job @1 (other than pass a footy / set up his teammates).

That's exactly my thinking Rev. He's a great ball runner like Dugan, so if we're thinking of putting Hiku there, we may as well leave Dugan there.

It's been widely reported that Mann will get first crack at FB which says to me that's exactly why he was signed, to allow us to change our formation from last year where our attack was so poor. If we don't make this change, what makes anyone think our attack will improve?

Hopefully Mann goes ok at FB, and if Hiku comes, he'll play centre or wing.

Aitken will get plenty of time in FG with inevitable injuries and rep commitments hit.

 

[watatank]

I'd be comfortable with Hiku at fullback. He is a well rounded player with good skills. I think his best position is centre but he's versatile enough to play fullback. I think he is a better fit than Dugan at fullback; Dugan is looking more like a backrower/centre type player than fullback for mine and has stated his intent. I think getting Hiku is about flexibility, he can play fullback, wing, centre well.

 

[Objective View]

Dylan Farrell set to retire, Dragons look to Lafai or Hiku....

http://m.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-p...ai-and-peta-hiku/story-fn2mcuj6-1227635679878

Straight Shooter

 

[Dragon66]

That's exactly my thinking Rev. He's a great ball runner like Dugan, so if we're thinking of putting Hiku there, we may as well leave Dugan there.

It's been widely reported that Mann will get first crack at FB which says to me that's exactly why he was signed, to allow us to change our formation from last year where our attack was so poor. If we don't make this change, what makes anyone think our attack will improve?

Hopefully Mann goes ok at FB, and if Hiku comes, he'll play centre or wing.

Aitken will get plenty of time in FG with inevitable injuries and rep commitments hit.

To improve our attack I have to go with this option. To remain the same it is only logical to expect the same result.

In my mind the problems have never been with our centres or wingers, but with the players who are charged with getting the ball to them so they have an opportunity to run into some open space that allows them to have a chance to get over the line and score. i.e.: The Spine.

 

[Saints Forever]

Difficult to assess how well our outside backs can go with the lack of consistent quality ball from dummy half and the lack of cohesiveness in the halves.

Hiku has size and power, don't recall him being a ball player last season however he did play in the halves for NZ against England.

Don't see him as a better alternative to what we have already.

Suggest we save the coin for a marque player in 2017 who can make the difference at crunch time

 

[Wittenberg]

Last year Aitken was seen as a great success and someone the club could build its backline around. Seems to have changed pretty quickly, now according to some he should be in the Cutters! A fickle lot aren't we.

 

[Vasilevsky]

Last year Aitken was seen as a great success and someone the club could build its backline around. Seems to have changed pretty quickly, now according to some he should be in the Cutters! A fickle lot aren't we.

As a centre, Aitken is far superior to Mann. Homies are saying Mann is going to be a good fullback but even if his ball playing skills are very good (which I very much doubt) he will make Beale look like a blockbusting ball runner. If anything Hiku will be fullback and Dugan and Aitken centres.

 

[BennyV]

Last year Aitken was seen as a great success and someone the club could build its backline around. Seems to have changed pretty quickly, now according to some he should be in the Cutters! A fickle lot aren't we.

None of those who are suggesting to drop Aitken are saying to do so out of poor form or are saying a bad word against him. But if Dugan goes to centre, he is a far better option than Aitken (obviously) as is Hiku if we get him and he plays centre. Aitken was great in defence, work rate and hard, straight running but he has a lot to learn and is only 19. Yes, he will be a long term player for us but that doesn't mean he is guaranteed a first grade spot. At this stage, the only 1-5 backline players who should be nailed in are Dugan and Nightingale.

 

[hardbaby]

Last year Aitken was seen as a great success and someone the club could build its backline around. Seems to have changed pretty quickly, now according to some he should be in the Cutters! A fickle lot aren't we.

Yeah I don't understand this.

 

[giboz71]

Yeah I don't understand this.

Aitken was given an opportunity this year as our starting centres at the start of the year were Dylan Farrell and Dane Nielsen. As it turned out, this pair were barely NSW cup calibre. Perfect opportunity to blood a youngster and he took his opportunity.

In 2016, our centre options are Dugan, Peter M, Mann (if he's not FB) and possibly Hiku/Roberts/Lafai. Completely different options.

If Aitken can jag a FG from the group than good on him. But it won't be easy.

 

[Lovemedragons]

Last year Aitken was seen as a great success and someone the club could build its backline around. Seems to have changed pretty quickly, now according to some he should be in the Cutters! A fickle lot aren't we.

Sorry but any talk of Aitken being overlooked for yet another external option sickens me completely. Aitken is finally an example of a junior who we have given a chance to in FG (only through necessity) and has done pretty well and now given the experience should only grow and blossom for us. As he is only 19 he can develop even further but not by sending him back to reserve grade until another club comes along and picks him up at a bargain price.

FFS we have enough frigging centres, granted none of them are as good as either Cooper or Gasnier - but surely there are other priorities here (i.e. future replacement at 1/2 or 5/8 would be a good start).

 

[grandorient]

In my view, we need to field the best team possible.

Is Mann better than Peter Mat or Aitken, I seriously don't know. I will leave that up to the experts. I do believe however, that Dugan is superior to either Mann, Aitken, and Peter Mat in the centres and if selected there, is a shoe in.

Now are Peter Mat and Aitken superior to Lafai and Hiku. Again I have to leave that to the experts. However at this point I see Peter and Aitken as excellent backups and our centres next year should be Dugan and Lafai/Hiku and don't forget we also have KFFL sitting there.

GO

 

[Mr Red]

In my view, we need to field the best team possible.

Is Mann better than Peter Mat or Aitken, I seriously don't know. I will leave that up to the experts. I do believe however, that Dugan is superior to either Mann, Aitken, and Peter Mat in the centres and if selected there, is a shoe in.

Now are Peter Mat and Aitken superior to Lafai and Hiku. Again I have to leave that to the experts. However at this point I see Peter and Aitken as excellent backups and our centres next year should be Dugan and Lafai/Hiku and don't forget we also have KFFL sitting there.

GO

i think no matter who or if we buy any centres, Peter M is already favourite for the left wing position...

 

[Cagey Mac]

Sorry but any talk of Aitken being overlooked for yet another external option sickens me completely. Aitken is finally an example of a junior who we have given a chance to in FG (only through necessity) and has done pretty well and now given the experience should only grow and blossom for us. As he is only 19 he can develop even further but not by sending him back to reserve grade until another club comes along and picks him up at a bargain price.

FFS we have enough frigging centres, granted none of them are as good as either Cooper or Gasnier - but surely there are other priorities here (i.e. future replacement at 1/2 or 5/8 would be a good start).

I think that Dugan could ultimately be as good as Matt Cooper. Nowhere near Gaz on a good day but better than "Chicken Legs" was for a while.
I believe that centres are critical BTW and there's no way you can win without gooduns.

 

[giboz71]

Sorry but any talk of Aitken being overlooked for yet another external option sickens me completely. Aitken is finally an example of a junior who we have given a chance to in FG (only through necessity) and has done pretty well and now given the experience should only grow and blossom for us. As he is only 19 he can develop even further but not by sending him back to reserve grade until another club comes along and picks him up at a bargain price.

FFS we have enough frigging centres, granted none of them are as good as either Cooper or Gasnier - but surely there are other priorities here (i.e. future replacement at 1/2 or 5/8 would be a good start).

It's tough I know but as GO says, you have to field the best team possible. It's a tough comp, no easy games and we're up against teams who are better coached, better managed and better funded. You need every advantage you can get.

Look at the Sharks, Bird as a 19yr old got a Country jersey, led his team to within a game of the top 4 and was rookie of the year. Big shot at Origin in 2016 as well if he plays well. Yet the Sharks still went out and bought Townsend and Maloney. Clearly not because Bird isn't any good, but as pure halves, they see their new recruits as a better solution. Time will tell if it was the right move.

No different to us chasing these outside backs despite the fact we have a good'un in Aitken.

 

[BennyV]

Sorry but any talk of Aitken being overlooked for yet another external option sickens me completely. Aitken is finally an example of a junior who we have given a chance to in FG (only through necessity) and has done pretty well and now given the experience should only grow and blossom for us. As he is only 19 he can develop even further but not by sending him back to reserve grade until another club comes along and picks him up at a bargain price.

FFS we have enough frigging centres, granted none of them are as good as either Cooper or Gasnier - but surely there are other priorities here (i.e. future replacement at 1/2 or 5/8 would be a good start).

Absolutely ridiculous. I've got big aspirations for Aitken but 'local junior' doesnt automatically means first grade spot. That sort of thinking will see us languishing at the bottom of the table while the clubs practicing shrewed recruitment will be playing through September. If hes not the best option, he can bide his time, and over a long season he will get plenty of opportunities. He is 19 and has a long career ahead, doesnt mean he is guaranteed a spot when there are better options.

 

[The Nick]

I think that Dugan could ultimately be as good as Matt Cooper. Nowhere near Gaz on a good day but better than "Chicken Legs" was for a while.
I believe that centres are critical BTW and there's no way you can win without gooduns.

I think he would be much better than post-French Rugby Gaz, but agreed no-where near as good as pre-French Rugby Gaz.

 

[hardbaby]

Aitken is the fittest guy in the club and pound for pound, one of the strongest. Not bad for a kid. He is so busy when he plays - huge involvement. He defends very well, unlike a lot of young players, and will develop into an outstanding defender next year. He is quick enough and deceptive enough but needs to work on his passing (a common fault in the dragons team). I just can't see him missing out. That's a 250+ game first grader right there and a junior. We should support him.

 

[_Johnsy]

Last year Aitken was seen as a great success and someone the club could build its backline around. Seems to have changed pretty quickly, now according to some he should be in the Cutters! A fickle lot aren't we.

Agree, has matty cooper written all over him. Baring injury, he'll have a long career in the centres at the red v.