Round 21 V Sharks

[chrisD]

Give Luai first shot because he’s a half or nothing whereas Burton could be anything.

 

[Crashtest]

Only way I see them both in the team long term is if one plays fullback, otherwise we'll lose one. The one time Luai played FB he had a shocker, though.

Luai could be the ball playing fullback we need in attack. And his pace and footwork would be a threat with more space to work in at fullback.

But your right, he was caught out of position badly against the Broncos. Maybe that was just nerves from paying of of position, and would be better with an off season to work on it.

Probably won't happen though, he will be given first shot at five eight to start the season.

 

[The Realist]

Luai is not a centre. He is not strong or powerful enough for the role, either in offense or defence.

 

[Dave's mate]

Luai is not a centre. He is not strong or powerful enough for the role, either in offense or defence.

100%

 

[franklin2323]

100%

Problem is we need his x factor. Not sure where his best position is yet.

 

[The Realist]

Problem is we need his x factor. Not sure where his best position is yet.

I think his best position is ironically No.7. He is at his best when he is close to the ruck to take advantage of those lumbering forwards. In the ruck (hooker) he is wasted - we have seen that he is not going to be an elite hooker. Two out from the ruck he is already too far away from the centre field and will have to contend with much more mobile and agile defenders which negates his biggest strength.

I really like Luai but my problem with him at #6 is that he is nowhere near 'direct' enough. He is not prepared to run at the line, and shrug off/burst through tackles, he does far too much bobbing and weaving which just throws our entire attack off (decoys/support have already overrun him). This is what impressed me about Burton - he ran at the line and wasn't afraid to take the hits.

I don't mind the idea of him at fullback but 3-4 passes from the ruck the problems I outlined above might be exacerbated even more.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I think his best position is ironically No.7. He is at his best when he is close to the ruck to take advantage of those lumbering forwards. In the ruck (hooker) he is wasted - we have seen that he is not going to be an elite hooker. Two out from the ruck he is already too far away from the centre field and will have to contend with much more mobile and agile defenders which negates his biggest strength.

I really like Luai but my problem with him at #6 is that he is nowhere near 'direct' enough. He is not prepared to run at the line, and shrug off/burst through tackles, he does far too much bobbing and weaving which just throws our entire attack off (decoys/support have already overrun him). This is what impressed me about Burton - he ran at the line and wasn't afraid to take the hits.

I don't mind the idea of him at fullback but 3-4 passes from the ruck the problems I outlined above might be exacerbated even more.

1. Edwards
6. Burton
7. Luai
9. Cleary

You know it makes sense

 

[The Realist]

1. Edwards
6. Burton
7. Luai
9. Cleary

You know it makes sense

This is where I was going

 

[mxlegend99]

1. Edwards
6. Burton
7. Luai
9. Cleary

You know it makes sense

Makes a lot of sense to move our only experienced half to hooker (where he has no experience) and run a teenager with one games experience alongside a guy with a handful of games experience of which only one game was truly awesome.

Nathan absolutely killed it at 7 when the team was his. He's our best bet in 2020.

 

[OldPanther]

Makes a lot of sense to move our only experienced half to hooker (where he has no experience) and run a teenager with one games experience alongside a guy with a handful of games experience of which only one game was truly awesome.

Nathan absolutely killed it at 7 when the team was his. He's our best bet in 2020.

X2. We have no information that says he'll even be good at 9. Just a maybe based on his skill set. Are we willing to lose an entire off season and season on the gamble?

 

[betcats]

I rate Luai highly but Burton is the total package and his best position will be 6.

 

[franklin2323]

I think his best position is ironically No.7. He is at his best when he is close to the ruck to take advantage of those lumbering forwards. In the ruck (hooker) he is wasted - we have seen that he is not going to be an elite hooker. Two out from the ruck he is already too far away from the centre field and will have to contend with much more mobile and agile defenders which negates his biggest strength.

I really like Luai but my problem with him at #6 is that he is nowhere near 'direct' enough. He is not prepared to run at the line, and shrug off/burst through tackles, he does far too much bobbing and weaving which just throws our entire attack off (decoys/support have already overrun him). This is what impressed me about Burton - he ran at the line and wasn't afraid to take the hits.

I don't mind the idea of him at fullback but 3-4 passes from the ruck the problems I outlined above might be exacerbated even more.

The thing for me is I just need to see more from his kicking game. He'd be great against the tiring forwards and has a decent passing game but the hooker and fullback doesn't kick for us so the halves need to have a good kicking game

 

[Dave's mate]

I don't see a single element in Luai's game that makes me think he could play centre

 

[Abacus]

I rate Luai highly but Burton is the total package and his best position will be 6.

Serious question, are you saying this based solely on Friday night or have you seen Burton play a fair bit?

 

[betcats]

Serious question, are you saying this based solely on Friday night or have you seen Burton play a fair bit?

I’ve only seen him play 4 or 5 times, it’s based on that alone. It’s an early predication no doubt but I’ll stick by it. Move Cleary or Luai I don’t even care as long as Burton 6.

He is big fast and physical. He’s got very good footwork and vision and his debut proved he has it between the ears also. He’s got everything, nothing is garaunteed but he is going to be a star IMO.

 

[Fangs]

1. Edwards
6. Burton
7. Luai
9. Cleary

You know it makes sense

As MX said, we won't be moving Cleary. All that investment of time just to have two rookies in the halves is unacceptable. If Jimmy was still here in 2020 you could understand it.

Interesting 'what if' argument. I reckon Cleary plays 9 under Wayne Bennett in 2019. Thereafter he'd return to halfback in 2020.

Though if Hasler were coach, we'd have kept Cleary in the 7.

And if his Dad was coach...oh wait, he is.

 

[Fangs]

I don't see a single element in Luai's game that makes me think he could play centre

It's just a way to get him in the team without compromising the halves. It worked for 15 minutes against the Raiders and it's better than having Yeo out there who has been awful at centre in 2019 (injury aside).

I wouldn't train Luai for centre in 2020 but it was worth a shot this year.

 

[Fangs]

Another 'What If'.

Tyrone May kills it in the off season and Luai plays out the year in reserve grade. Gets a release and wins a comp off the bench for the Roosters.

I should write a book.

 

[cb4]

Congratulations on the win.
This is the type of danger game I expected and unfortunately we were punished.
That 6 you have looks incredible, I don't rate Luai but this kid looks something else.

 

[betcats]

Congratulations on the win.
This is the type of danger game I expected and unfortunately we were punished.
That 6 you have looks incredible, I don't rate Luai but this kid looks something else.

Agree. That was as impressive debut from a half as you could ask for. Shame we won’t see him again this year.