RAVALAWA speed freek or bulldozer

[Dracarys]

Almost fell off the couch when Ravalawa threw that ball to Norman for Lafai's try. Great vision.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Rava - it was a risk backing him in as his defence was a worry but I think we had to take the gamble for the season and hope that he got thru and builds week in week out

So far looks the right move

 

[WepnutV]

He's only 21.. he will get better.. needs practice under the high ball

 

[True_Believer]

So our 2 wingers are 7th and 8th in terms of run meters for wingers across the entire league. for a couple of unknowns they are up there with players like Oates and Fergo and other more established players. Tackle Breaks sees them climb even higher in comparison to other wingers. Tries also sees our boys very competitive.

What is even more interesting is that those same players that are beating them for these stats are also beating them for errors. Tupou, Ferguson and Oates are also ahead on error count. Pereira doesn't feature in the top 20 for errors and Rava comes in at 7th - lower than the 3 players I've mentioned.

I know stats don't tell you everything, but that at least paints a picture that they are on the right track.

 

[The Damo]

So our 2 wingers are 7th and 8th in terms of run meters for wingers across the entire league. for a couple of unknowns they are up there with players like Oates and Fergo and other more established players. Tackle Breaks sees them climb even higher in comparison to other wingers. Tries also sees our boys very competitive.

What is even more interesting is that those same players that are beating them for these stats are also beating them for errors. Tupou, Ferguson and Oates are also ahead on error count. Pereira doesn't feature in the top 20 for errors and Rava comes in at 7th - lower than the 3 players I've mentioned.

I know stats don't tell you everything, but that at least paints a picture that they are on the right track.

I was looking at the same things yesterday. Genuinely remarkable performances from guys that early in their careers. If they can stay even just that consistent, let alone keep improving they’ll be super valuable to the team.
On the errors, Rava has almost the same amount of possessions as Oates, 81-79, yet one less error. I wonder if people would call him a reserve grader with hands like feet?

 

[Dragonsamy]

Both JP and Rav are our best options on the wing.
Pearson has a lot of work to do.
He is faster than they are but defensively nowhere near their standard. Fitness wise not even close. JP is our best winger in the club

 

[possm]

Wrecking ball... Couldn't even keep up with Hunt after the one on one strip... Looked like he was treading water trying to keep up

Maybe he needs some extra sessions of sprint work. Surely someone on here - where are you Sammy - knows how he rates against the other speedsters in our squad.

 

[RufusRex]

not fast
very strong

 

[blacksafake]

I was looking at the same things yesterday. Genuinely remarkable performances from guys that early in their careers. If they can stay even just that consistent, let alone keep improving they’ll be super valuable to the team.
On the errors, Rava has almost the same amount of possessions as Oates, 81-79, yet one less error. I wonder if people would call him a reserve grader with hands like feet?

Oates certainly does have some mistakes in him but he's a proven performer who has won or had an impact in plenty of games for his side over the years.If Rava turns out 1/2 as good I'll be happy.
It's funny but I don't really have an issue with a player who has some mistakes in his game so long as he provides serious input with match winning/changing plays,which is why I'm a big fan of Turbo Tom.

 

[denis preston]

If both continue this form consistently it will be a victory for Millward and his "money-ball" signings. People had mentioned Mansour as a must get last year but the difference to our cap would be at least 300k to get him and not resign Pereria. Certainly not value when you compare both players & their difference in performance ?

 

[Dragons 09]

I still don't know how fast he is and the comparison being given when Hunt stole the ball is probably misleading. Rava started his chase outside of Holland and realised Hunt was looking for someone back on the inside so he had to check his run and cut back across behind Holland (and nearly tripped over Hollands feet).
By the time he he regained his stride, Dufty was going past him at a rate of knots so he just backed off. Until that point, he was definitely going quicker than Holland and Okunbor but i'm not sure how quick those blokes are though. I think he might be a bit quicker than some are giving him credit for but we need to see him in the clear to be sure.

I'm looking forward to watching him develop. He could end up having a bit of a cult like following once he fully understands how powerful he is and starts to inflict destruction on oppositions.

 

[possm]

Surely Mary and his many assistants could have prepared Rava for 2019. Sprint training, hit the line hard and continue with leg speed, positional play and stepping the opposition with speed.

Being in the correct position and reading the play helps a great deal with defence.

 

[st.phil]

Reserve grader
Hands like feet

where is the dislike button at ?

 

[st.phil]

definitely not lightening but I think he propped and did not chase hunt with full speed...

Seems to lumber, i wanna see him out in the open with ball in hand, think he takes a while to get in his stride. Really raw talent, freakishly strong

 

[Dragonslayer]

Watched him on replay a few times, especially the chase on Hunt and to my thinking he's playing wing like a RU player, which was his background.

Definitely a work-in-progress, but young and keen.

I like the way he celebrated his try too!

 

[muzby]

I still like to think of him as a speed greek....

 

[hazzbeen]

Pereria , is doing his job well , getting better every game ....

 

[SaintPauli]

He is young and on the improve from 1st game.
I dont believe he is a length of field try scorer like best teams have.

His is a little slow for a winger but dangerous 20-30 meters out from try line with his strength and passing.

Hence our field position and kicking game are crucial. I cant see us scoring many length of field tries unless dufty or Lomax are involved.

 

[hazzbeen]

On Rav , still not sold on him , we will know when he is under the pump , pressure is on him .... Anyway I hope he turns out to be a top winger he is only young and seems strong ..... Time will tell and happy that they are giving him a go to find his way ....

 

[SnowDragon]

Guys, he is inexperienced, raw, but just had a great game!
Revel in that!

He will screw up at times coming like all players, and being raw, I’d expect him to screw up lots as he develops. The question is was last game an indicator that the boy will thrive? Or was it an anomaly?

I am interested in the speed discussion, and can’t wait to find out. Glad Dufty has speed

Again, celebrate a great game and fingers crossed it’s a sign of what’s to come.

... and on Pereria, he really stepped up last year, and apart from some early jitters that concerned me, he has shown over the last month that he has indeed developed hugely in the off season. I can’t velieve how his game intelligence has developed, along with his finishing ability. So hoping we have 2 cult wingers on our hands (move over Ado-Carr and Vinevalou)