you mean a Vete, Gubb, Gavett, Lisone type forward ?
Welcome to the forum, Villa ;-)
Welcome Villa
Number one on my wish list would be a high quality half. But to be honest recruitment isn't the crux of the problem, we're fielding good sides who are not getting the return they should be. I'd be looking to make that top priority.
He'll come good. Only 22 y/o, has yet to register a full season's worth of games in first-grade.I don't rate Lisone.
Robson and leuluai will go, as will maumalo and hurrel already has gone. Might lose wright too.
Based on that, we need and outside back and a half.
Jordan kahu would be great as would Anthony don. If many decides to move on, maybe we should make a play at mansour.
Not sure what halves are off contract.
Absolutely. Recruitment is wasted energy without a good coach and systems. And there's no glaring hole in our squad.
I still think if there's a big-time prop who wants to come, sign him. I don't rate Lisone. In the IQ mould of Gubb and doesn't show up for big games. Lillyman will get older and older, then you're an injury/complete form slide of Matulino away from a completely poxy front row stocks.
Definitely a strike 2nd rower. Shame nothing coming through the U20s or NSW cup. I guess Ali was a one off.
OUr back three are all the same: 80minute, hardworking but hardly likely to terrorise the defensive line.
Its so much easier for a fullback or half following a strike 2nd rower who can free the ball in the tackle .
Is there anyone out there who would come to NZ?
I would also like another prop. Im guessing we wont pay overs for someone like Aiden Tolman who is very consistent. We need to snag someone on the up who is looking for a payrise. Maybe a Sharks or Storm player that's not getting much game time.
I am kind of in Rich's camp a little bit about Kata He has had 2 years now to improve his skills as a centre. He is a total ball hog and doesnt look like changing. When he does pass, they are usually crazy, have to get rid of it passes that cost us. He reminds me of Matt Utai with his power running. He should be on the wing if he doesnt start playing like a centre should.
Would love to have Brent Tate in this years team as he would have been great for them. Unfortunately, you cant turn back time...
5. Sam Lisone Interchange 30 17 13 (135m) 6 12 1 2
Not bad for a youngster.
Props need a bit of time to mature. He will be just fine.
Is that his numbers v the Knights?
I dunno, in sport you either like the cut of a guy's jib or you don't. I don't with him. He'd need to change the headless chicken approach before I'd start rating him. That doesn't last long in the NRL. He's not big, either. If he starts developing footwork, an offload etc, great. But I feel like Vete is 10x the prospect.
yeh, he makes a lot of hairbrained decisions in the heat of battle. kind of reminds me of Epalahame Lauaki in that respect. always shooting himself in the foot after doing something good. But with time, he might become more sensible. I am trying to remember what Sam Rapira was like when he first came on the scene.
imo we are underrating Lisone and Vete a bit.
Lisone lacks a little size but makes up for it with his high impact runs and ball skills. Can play the impact role but I think/hope that longer term he can play more of a workhorse-with-skills role, like a James Graham type. I have been pissed off with his bonehead plays in first grade but I suspect that might be linked to the "go crazy" role he's been given. Was a totally different style of player in NYC (not that that's always the best gauge of course).
Vete is more a no frills prop with more size, not likely to be a world-beater but I like him and actually think he's a better first grader than Lisone at the moment, plays hard and has more physical presence than any of our other props bar Matulino imo.
I guess this might just be the tiny little optimist in me speaking.
Tate was the ultimate ball hog cejntre?
I havent seen many instances where Kata has needed to pass. He easily finds the line by keeping ball in hand. I dont see a problem with it. It's only bad if he backs himself and fails everytime.
I think he's a guy who has improved leaps and bounds, I really disliked him last year and thought he wouldn't amount to much, but he's changed his game to suit his smaller stature but still powerful nature.
Agreed on both. They're both very talented players. Lisone is offering us a lot at the moment with his ball playing on the edges. It keeps the defences honest.
Agree with this too. I'd say a number of clubs would quite happily take Solomone Kata off our hands and be quite excited by the prospect. You're quite right on Brent Tate, and there's a number of other very successful centres who choose to run first and use their footwork and strength to take advantage. Sol's doing a bang up job this year, what I really like is how much his defence has improved. Onwards and upwards with him, the criticism he has copped IMO is nit picking at best.
Looking at the list of off contract players I'd only really be making desperate moves right now for Hingano, get him locked up for the next four years. Depending on how the caps looking I'd next re-sign : Benry, Tevaga, Gubb, Lane, and Wells. The others I'd only look at once we've done some external scouting.
Few names on my wishlist:
Luke Lewis (very unlikely)
Sam Tagataese
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Mitch Aubusson
Curtis Rona