Rumours and Stuff

[TheRam]

AFB is averaging approx 107m a game and a massive 16 tackles.

Moeroa is averaging just a bit less at 91 m and a lot more tackles at 29 tackles!!

But Moeroa can play both edge and middle. Additionally when attacking on the edge alot depends on how good your half is. Moeroa hasn't really had a chance to build a combo with a half partner yet.

And now finally after getting a quality half partner, he has 5 tackle busts, 2 Line breaks and 2 tries in two weeks.

It's not just about the metres gained, that is just an indicator but not the be all and end all. If he made 90m metres a game but really hammered the defensive line like AFB does I would be happy. But he doesn't, he generally gets meekly dominated.

 

[IFR33K]

@TheRam is right to an extent.

Tepai has been somewhat disappointing since he debuted as an 18 year old with huge wraps on him.
There have been some valid reasons for this I am sure and while he has been underwhelming for a lot of the time, he is starting to show more of the promise he displayed early on.

Hopefully with Moses as a more settled half and someone who can get him good ball in good position, we will see this improvement continue. BA's plans for Tepai in 2015 and 2016 seemed to be about improving his defence and providing a solid hit-up option. Probably a legacy of the unsettled halves inside him.

BA re-signed him for a reason and at a price he believed was ok.
So far most of his signings have been spot on so this one shouldn't be considered any different.

Every wide running back rower needs a good half to run off and tep is no different.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Money well spent.

He plays an important role for them. Manly would prefer he played on the edges to reduce his defensive workload but he is a liability out there. Not so with Moeroa.

 

[Glenneel]

@TheRam is right to an extent.

Tepai has been somewhat disappointing since he debuted as an 18 year old with huge wraps on him.
There have been some valid reasons for this I am sure and while he has been underwhelming for a lot of the time, he is starting to show more of the promise he displayed early on.

Hopefully with Moses as a more settled half and someone who can get him good ball in good position, we will see this improvement continue. BA's plans for Tepai in 2015 and 2016 seemed to be about improving his defence and providing a solid hit-up option. Probably a legacy of the unsettled halves inside him.

BA re-signed him for a reason and at a price he believed was ok.
So far most of his signings have been spot on so this one shouldn't be considered any different.

Well said emjaycee, I am not at present a Tepai admirer but agree he is improving. He is putting a step in just before the line thereby helping him get thru occasionally and actually passed for a TA. Both these have been missing up until this year. Needs to develop his passing game better but there has been definite improvement.

 

[TheRam]

@TheRam is right to an extent.

Tepai has been somewhat disappointing since he debuted as an 18 year old with huge wraps on him.
There have been some valid reasons for this I am sure and while he has been underwhelming for a lot of the time, he is starting to show more of the promise he displayed early on.

Hopefully with Moses as a more settled half and someone who can get him good ball in good position, we will see this improvement continue. BA's plans for Tepai in 2015 and 2016 seemed to be about improving his defence and providing a solid hit-up option. Probably a legacy of the unsettled halves inside him.

BA re-signed him for a reason and at a price he believed was ok.
So far most of his signings have been spot on so this one shouldn't be considered any different.

I hope you're right and that I end up with egg on on face. But he is a worry.

 

[TheRam]

Yeah, 2 of them in the one team would be disastrous

Way to go on how to manipulate what I said to suit your pathetic argument and judgement.

 

[emjaycee]

I hope you're right and that I end up with egg on on face. But he is a worry.

And on his form of 2015 and 2016 I can see why.
Don't forget though in 2015 and 2016 he wasn't earning anywhere near what you are concerned about him being on now.

Compare him when he was on say $200k- $250k with some of the duds we have had on that type of money like Lussick, Lasalo and Mossop and he wins hands down.

 

[TheRam]

He plays an important role for them. Manly would prefer he played on the edges to reduce his defensive workload but he is a liability out there. Not so with Moeroa.

HAHAHAHAHA...Boy you can sling it to justify your middle of the road player love.

So if both players were available?

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Wonder what Gavin Cooper's career would have been like had he not been playing outside Thurston ......

 

[Poupou Escobar]

HAHAHAHAHA...Boy you can sling it to justify your middle of the road player love.

So if both players were available?

The market would decide their price and our roster would decide our need.

 

[TheRam]

And on his form of 2015 and 2016 I can see why.
Don't forget though in 2015 and 2016 he wasn't earning anywhere near what you are concerned about him being on now.

Compare him when he was on say $200k- $250k with some of the duds we have had on that type of money like Lussick, Lasalo and Mossop and he wins hands down.

Hardly an argument to justify his place in the team and what he is earning. But yes I have seen SOME improvements in his game. Like he is getting better early ball so he has been running through the occasional hole here and there. But as for his brute strength hitups, very little has changed and that is where against the better teams he fails to get us on the front foot almost always.

 

[TheRam]

The market would decide their price and our roster would decide our need.

Exactly what I expected you to say. But you know I wasn't asking the market. Have some balls Pou, which player if you could only have one and they were both going for around $600-700k would you opt for?

 

[Gronk]

 

[84 Baby]

You know what we really need stat wise? How many metres opposing runners make against the tackler, pre and post contact too. This is where I reckon Teps contributions would be highlighted

 

[emjaycee]

Hardly an argument to justify his place in the team and what he is earning. But yes I have seen SOME improvements in his game. Like he is getting better early ball so he has been running through the occasional hole here and there. But as for his brute strength hitups, very little has changed and that is where against the better teams he fails to get us on the front foot almost always.

I am not looking for an argument, just a discussion, but to be honest, none of us really know what he is earning. Say for discussion sake it is $400k or thereabouts. Is he worth that in your opinion?

My thinking is maybe not at the moment, however recruitment sometimes means taking a gamble on what might happen and how a player may further develop over the course of the contract.

For all we punters know, BA has been giving instructions to Tepai that he has been following to the letter as best as his ability allows and so BA is happy with this. The next stage of his development may be to introduce some improved hole running, or a step before the line, or even an offload ability. We just don't know what the plan is for him.

All we can judge is on what we see on game day and yes, his brute strength hit-ups don't necessarily get us on the front foot always. He needs to work on this aspect of his game and I daresay as he gets more confident in his offloads and stepping at the line, we will see a change in his hit ups as well. Until 3 weeks ago, the opposition never really had to consider he would step them so it was easy to plan defence against him. Now they will start to think twice.

 

[84 Baby]

Exactly what I expected you to say. But you know I wasn't asking the market. Have some balls Pou, which player if you could only have one and they were both going for around $600-700k would you opt for?

Taupau is just a heavy hitter that goes missing way too often for his hype. Plus he's an A grade grub. No use having a guy who's going to be suspended half the season for cheap high shots

 

[Glenneel]

Regarding a middle forward recruit for next year what about Zane Tetevano from Roosters. I don't know whether he's contracted for next year but could be a cheap handy pickup. Big player that plays tough, just what we need when the going gets tough. Evans doesn't strike me as a tough player who will take it to opposing players when they are dominating.
PS I NEVER want to see Parra thrashed again like they were against Roosters a short time ago.

 

[chiefy1]

@BuzzRothfield got scoop

 

[84 Baby]

John Grant to quit as ARLC boss, won’t seek reappointment bit.ly/2rJUK75via @BuzzRothfield

Thanks scoop

 

[Joshuatheeel]

The ability to be a quality defender on the edge is very important, as important as a middle forward making metres. But fans only rate players on attack!!