Team vs Raiders

[Thatwasnthighref]

I’d prefer fullback. Will be interesting to see what impacts origin has this week in many games

I agree. And the amount of shuffling around RTS has done this season is actually absurd.

Started the year at left centre, played a game at fullback where he shot the lights out, next game at right wing, then back to left centre before he got injured. Came back from injury to play right centre for 3 games, and now he’s on the left wing.

The dude has just come back from rugby and in only 13 games he’s been asked to play every single outside back position in the team. And we wonder why he’s not making the impact we all hoped. FMD.

 

[Big Marn]

I can see the worth of RTS on the wing as it will more than double his carries (being part of the back 3). Gives him more opportunities to have an impact and potentially catch defenders out of position.

 

[JJ]

I can see the worth of RTS on the wing as it will more than double his carries (being part of the back 3). Gives him more opportunities to have an impact and potentially catch defenders out of position.

Yep, but I still think the team and him would be better with him at 1

 

[Big Marn]

Yep, but I still think the team and him would be better with him at 1

Im not so sure. RTS has been found wanting under the highball a few times this year which has directly lead to points. Its been a small issue with him his whole career. He will have to catch a few on his wing too but less likely to be catching under the posts. TT has been rock solid.
Also he wouldnt be as effective as RTS on the wing if you swapped them having no experience at NRL level.
If you are suggesting TT shouldnt even be in the run on side at all, i would have to disagree strongly.

 

[Meth]

I am fine with RTS at wing. Doesn't really help us with speed, but he's elusive with a bit of space, so there's that. Good to see Leiataua back in the side.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

I agree. And the amount of shuffling around RTS has done this season is actually absurd.

Started the year at left centre, played a game at fullback where he shot the lights out, next game at right wing, then back to left centre before he got injured. Came back from injury to play right centre for 3 games, and now he’s on the left wing.

The dude has just come back from rugby and in only 13 games he’s been asked to play every single outside back position in the team. And we wonder why he’s not making the impact we all hoped. FMD.

You have people out there thinking RTS is a failure of signing for us. Goes to show how much people look over the context of it all.
Love Rog and will always have my respect the way he conducts himself.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I agree. And the amount of shuffling around RTS has done this season is actually absurd.

Started the year at left centre, played a game at fullback where he shot the lights out, next game at right wing, then back to left centre before he got injured. Came back from injury to play right centre for 3 games, and now he’s on the left wing.

The dude has just come back from rugby and in only 13 games he’s been asked to play every single outside back position in the team. And we wonder why he’s not making the impact we all hoped. FMD.

On the face of it, I see the merit in this...but when I look at Roger, I don't see someone who is the best in this side in any position. He's not the Roger of old and yes, he's 'only' 31 but if you're not demanding a spot in the NRL, you might have to fit in where it works. There's such a high bar with Leaitaua, and Webster sees this - which is why he's playing this week. RTS killed it in one game at fullback, but honestly I didn't see that he was that flash against the Dogs.

You could swap Tuaupiki out for Roger and play Graham-Taufa on the wing, but I like this side better.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

The way I see it, Roger is basically a quite strong and elusive ball runner with average speed and decent ball skills. He used to be an elite "run first" fullback and one of the hardest guys to tackle in the NRL, but he has lost a couple of steps physically.

I still think he earns a spot in our ideal starting side because at minimum he offers at least as much as Montoya/Kosi. Personally I also think he is good enough to start at centre (probably over Pompey) but I appreciate there is debate about that. I also respect the POV that he is our best fullback, but I'd be reluctant to drop CNK.

I just think we need to adjust our sights and accept that RTS The Superstar disappeared with COVID and what we have now is a squad player with a bit more upside than most.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

To be fair I don’t think Roger’s had the opportunity to show where his ceiling is this season. He hasn’t played more than 4 consecutive games in the same position.

I’m struggling to think of any player this year who’s literally played every outside back spot for their team, let alone someone who’s doing that while also trying to transition back into the game.

I’d like to see him back at 1 but I’m not unhappy with Taine there either. Like the other youngsters he’s the future of our club and I hope they have huge games.

But Roger would have every right to feel hard done by too IMO. Whether by accident or design, he’s been dealt a pretty shitty hand and the fact he’s copping it without complaint really does speak volumes about his character.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Anyone suggesting that RTS is NOT up to it now can shove it up where the sun don't shine.
You have to feel for him where a club can't make their mind up where you are playing.
Roger's loyalty and no whining attitude to put club first has always shined for me.
When he left for Rugby he made the adjustments necessary (at the time) to get the club moving forward.

Put him in a position for half a season minimum and see him shine again.

Deep down, we as a club have not deserved this bloke.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Anyone suggesting that RTS is NOT up to it now can shove it up where the sun don't shine.
You have to feel for him where a club can't make their mind up where you are playing.
Roger's loyalty and no whining attitude to put club first has always shined for me.
When he left for Rugby he made the adjustments necessary (at the time) to get the club moving forward.

Put him in a position for half a season minimum and see him shine again.

Deep down, we as a club have not deserved this bloke.

At the moment, you'd have to suggest that Webster doesn't necessarily think he's up to it.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

At the moment, you'd have to suggest that Webster doesn't necessarily think he's up to it.

What makes you think that? Webster consistently selects him. If anything it suggests Webster thinks RTS is uniquely capable of being a “Mr Fixit” in the outside backs who slots on wherever he’s needed, which I think is at least partially true. RTS right now is somewhat the victim of his own experience and willingness to play wherever he’s needed.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

At the moment, you'd have to suggest that Webster doesn't necessarily think he's up to it.

Coming from Rugby being moved around would cause this.
How do you expect someone to perform well, being moved around and not settling in?

Here a list of things that Webster needs to improve on (I am a fan of his btw)

1. Bench selection.
2. Not moving RTS you keep him at Centre, Wing or FB make up your mind and stick to it.
3. Ability over loyalty.
4. Tweak the system to include offloading and have variation of options on 5th tackle.
5. More speed and kickers.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

What makes you think that? Webster consistently selects him. If anything it suggests Webster thinks RTS is uniquely capable of being a “Mr Fixit” in the outside backs who slots on wherever he’s needed, which I think is at least partially true. RTS right now is somewhat the victim of his own experience and willingness to play wherever he’s needed.

Yeah it's odd that he can be trusted anywhere but not cement an actual position.
Is Webby reacting to all the commentary about his usage of RTS?
All the external noise were stating RTS should be FB, but he stuck loyal to CNK and Tuaupiki and said he will be our centre. This is why I am barking at the guy for not sticking to it. He has stuck to his guns on mostly everything else though.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I take Webster at his word, that it’s his responsibility to find a structure that gets the best out of RTS and he’s still trying to do that. But IMO he needs to do that by firstly allowing him to settle into a spot.

I remember before Magic Round we talked about Roger’s struggles at least partly down to the inside backs misfiring and depriving him of quality ball.

But since Magic Round when TMM came to life, Roger hasn’t once played in the left centre spot he spent all off season training in. He was unfortunately injured himself and then came back having to cover injuries elsewhere, first Berry, then CNK last week and now Montoya.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

What makes you think that? Webster consistently selects him. If anything it suggests Webster thinks RTS is uniquely capable of being a “Mr Fixit” in the outside backs who slots on wherever he’s needed, which I think is at least partially true. RTS right now is somewhat the victim of his own experience and willingness to play wherever he’s needed.

What makes me think that, is he's not playing FB or centre this week. He's picked Ali Leaitaua, who's played 2 NRL games, along with Pompey in the centres, and Tuaupiki who has played 9 games. It would be an easier fix, potentially, to put RTS to FB and pick Kosi on the wing (yes, I am no fan of the guy either, but Webster has picked him previously). Even MGT on the wing, or Ali, or whatever.

I don't think I potentially worded it right that he doesn't think RTS is 'up to it', but it's interesting to me that he now thinks the best balance for the side for Roger is on the wing, having insisted throughout the first half of the year that he needed to be given time to become a great centre.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

What makes me think that, is he's not playing FB or centre this week. He's picked Ali Leaitaua, who's played 2 NRL games, along with Pompey in the centres, and Tuaupiki who has played 9 games. It would be an easier fix, potentially, to put RTS to FB and pick Kosi on the wing (yes, I am no fan of the guy either, but Webster has picked him previously). Even MGT on the wing, or Ali, or whatever.

I don't think I potentially worded it right that he doesn't think RTS is 'up to it', but it's interesting to me that he now thinks the best balance for the side for Roger is on the wing, having insisted throughout the first half of the year that he needed to be given time to become a great centre.

Like I said I think that comes down to RTS’s perceived versatility more than anything. There definitely seems to be a belief that RTS will do a job wherever we put him, so he ends up slotting in as needed.
for the record though, I think Tuapiki probably has more runs on the board at FB this year and probably deserves that spot. Centre is more questionable, I guess it might come down to whether the coaches think Leiataua or MGT deserve a first grade opportunity more right now.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

RTS wasn't that good in 2020/2021 either, his peak was 2017-2019. I really just think he's a fairly typical case of a player who relied on fast-twitch explosiveness peaking by 26/27. That's actually really normal.

Totally different conversation to how best to use him or whether he's worth a spot in the team btw...

 

[SpaceMonkey]

RTS wasn't that good in 2020/2021 either, his peak was 2017-2019. I really just think he's a fairly typical case of a player who relied on fast-twitch explosiveness peaking by 26/27. That's actually really normal.

Totally different conversation to how best to use him or whether he's worth a spot in the team btw...

I don’t think that’s particularly controversial at all. But even RTS minus a yard or two of explosive pace is still a very good footballer, just not at his elite peak.
I do agree however though that security under the high ball has never been one of his peak attributes. He's good but does have the occasional drop in him and always has. I don’t recall ever seeing Tuapiki drop one cold, only when being contested.

 

[sup42]

Another week, another patch work team delivered by virtue of one of our worst injury tolls in living memory.

This year has been a write off. Still, it is not all bad news, few would still be watching games with interest in the past if you saw SJ and Tohu were out, and you knew the Elite signing of the club wanted out and was playing like a plonker on and off the field.

Yet here we are.

Largely thanks to brave showings by the fill ins and a couple of genuinely notable wins this year. There can no longer be any doubt that Taine Tuaupiki is the Number two fullback of the Warriors. Webster has gone to Taine without hesitation. I am pleased we get to see the two cousins playing in the same Warriors team, with TMM being the play maker.

I would love to know the reasons Ali edged MGT for that center berth. Small sample size, but MGT had a better debut than Ali imo. I really like both men, so that is always a good place to start from. I personally see them as offering good things individually, so I will not be disappointed or shocked if one gets in over the other, they are close in my estimation.

I think so far (bearing in mind both are developing so nothing I say is the all and end all) MGT is the better defender and offers more tackle breaking block busting raw power.
Ali on the other hand is a little bit silky, and has nice subtlety in his game. Both have football smarts. Both follow the ball, both stay live - switched on.

As for all the RTS chatter, I dunno, I am in the camp that say's he is a very good player still, he is a good club man, and that is in great need with the tensions behind the scenes after walk off gate. I do not disagree with folk who think he maybe the best Fullback option, however when you have a more than adequate alternative which therefore allows you to strengthen a much weakened wing while still having a steady fullback.

The problem Webster has had this year above all others, is the constant player juggling destroys your communication and pairings in the defensive line. It doesn't matter who you have out there, defence takes a familiarity and key voices in key positions, especially the fullback chatter from out back hey. Not telling anyone anything new i know, just saying, putting Roger on the Wing rather than one of the new kids, could be as simple as choosing a more experienced tackler and a talker to help the defence.

The Raiders are a funny side. One of the better attacking clubs in the history of the NRL, especially counter attack and riding late game momentum surges. But we seem to not fear them. Mind you a lot of our bullying of the Raiders was off the back of Shaun Johnson and of course for a time Hurrell seemed to enjoy terrorizing Croker.

With all our outs, this should be a Raiders clear favorites conversation, but their brittle defence does not like fast passing flat at the line in the fashion TMM and Walker play, I think that is our best chance, playing fast, sucking up any mistakes that come from high speed high ball movement, and sticking with that tempo.

Without Barnett though....we will be in real trouble. He had an active Origin game, possibly won't play then?