Teflon's thoughts on starting backline

[Magpies Forever]

SHEENS CONFIDENT LOTE TUQIRI WILL PROVIDE VALUE FOR MONEY

http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=22391&sheens-confident-lote-tuqiri-will-provide-value-for-money

By Wayne Cousins
Friday, 5 February 2010
Wests Tigers Coach Tim Sheens admits Lote Tuqiri is value for money but has issued a warning not to expect too much too soon from the new recruit. The dual international signed a three-year deal in England this week to join the Wests Tigers. His impending arrival has already led to an increase in membership and interest from prospective sponsors.
“Lote is a long way from being back in the NRL and back to playing brilliant footy,’’ Sheens said.
“We have got a fair bit of work to do in how long will it take him to fit in and pick up the pace of the NRL as he has been out of it for a few years. “That’s why I am positive about the three years. We will look at bringing him back up to speed, getting him to know the guys and getting to know the language of the club as far as our plays are concerned. “It will take a bit of time so having a three year deal is an advantage for us. Overall, I think we will get very good value for money back over that period of time.” Whilst acknowledging Tuqiri will add plenty of size and strength to the outside backs when he arrives after his stint with Leicester Tigers is completed, Sheens was more immediately concerned about the recovery of powerhouse winger Taniela Tuiaki.

The Kiwi international has struggled since breaking an ankle in the round 24 loss to Parramatta last year. “It is minor keyhole surgery to clean the joint out. It depends on what the specialist finds and how Taniela reacts is going to be the issue,’’ Sheens said. “I am really not counting on him to start the season but how long he will be out for is speculation. And I am not going to speculate. “We are hoping the surgery will clear up the ankle a bit more as he is struggling with it at the moment. “I would have liked to have had Tuqiri and Tuiaki in the same team, rather than one replacing the other. “Having big strong outside backs starting your sets off is more and more today an important factor in the game.” Sheens said former Cronulla utility back Mitch Brown and ex Penrith back Geoff Daniela were in the mix to replace Tuiaki. “Brown has been doing a great job out on the edge. He is a big kid with plenty of speed. He will keep the backs honest all year and he has the versatility to play centre and full-back himself,’’ Sheens said. “Geoff Daniela is also going very well and I am very pleased with him.

“From the end of last season, we still have our centre pairings in Chris Lawrence and Blake Ayshford, there is our other winger in Beau Ryan, we have our full-back in Tim Moltzen and Benji Marshall is there at five-eighth. Robert Lui will probably start at half-back. I’m pretty excited about that group.”

Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah felt the buzz amongst the players knowing Tuqiri was coming. “He is a quality player. I know he hasn’t played league for a while but he is a superstar and I am sure it is not going to take him long to make his mark back in rugby league.’’ Farah said. “There will be an adjusting period. Lote is going to have to learn our plays and our team structure around here. It will take him a while to learn all that and to fit into the side. “Once he does, he is one of those players who will hit the ground running.
“All of the boys are excited about him signing. I suppose if you ask a couple of the boys who play in the wing and full-back positions there is a bit of extra competition there for them. “We all know that it is a great signing for the club on and off the field and there is great depth there for our squad. It is going to be a positive to have him here.”

Farah feels the team is set for a big season. “Even before Lote signed, I was excited about the season ahead. Having him here makes it that little more exciting,’’ he said. “We are going to have a decent backline and it will be pretty big in size with Taniela Tuiaki on the wing. Chris Lawrence and Blake Ayshford in the centres are not small in size either. “We are going to have size right through our squad and that is something we have lacked in the past. “I am sure Tim is up at 3am thinking about ways he can get Lote in the game. He never stops thinking about those sort of things.”

International second-rower Gareth Ellis echoed Farah’s comments, saying he too felt the signs were good for 2010. “We are really confident about this year. The club has recruited very well and the squad is the strongest it has ever been,’’ Ellis said. “The recent addition of Lote Tuqiri is a big boost for the club. He is a fantastic player and he will be a great addition. He will be one of those players everyone looks out for on the team sheet and I’m really excited about playing alongside him. “Lote has experience behind him in that he has played for his country in two codes and has been playing around the world, so he is going to bring a lot to our game.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Sooooo, it looks like Teflon’s season starting preference for the backline is:

Fullback - Moltzen
Wing- ???
Centre- Lawrence
Centre- Ayshford
Wing- Ryan
Five-eigth - Marshall
Half- Lui

Have to say not unhappy but not thrilled either. Happy at Marshall back at 5/8, not thrilled with the Moltzen / Lui positions. Will be interesting to see how the lineup performs with the knowledge of Tuiaki & Tuqiri coming in at some stage.

 

[Talanexor]

FAIL.

Moltzen should be starting half. He's a talented player no doubt, but his positioning at fullback is rubbish and he showed a LOT more promise at halfback last year.

Lui is awful, just awful. Poor vision, lazy defender and not an organiser.

If Sheens is determined to play Moltzen at fullback, maybe it's worth giving Taumata a crack at the 7 jersey. I'd still rather see Moltzen at half, Taumata on the bench and Lui as far away from first grade as possible.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Have to agree Moltzen & Marshall were a winning pairing in the halves for us last year- yet Teflon has been determined to tear them apart from day 1.

Oh well, at very least the pressure is on Teflon this year with Folkes in the background.

 

[westie]

f**king picked it in the other thread. My ultimate worst possible team is the one he'll run with. I think this bloke actually knows less about footy than some of the halfwits on here.

 

[westie]

FAIL.

Moltzen should be starting half. He's a talented player no doubt, but his positioning at fullback is rubbish and he showed a LOT more promise at halfback last year.

Lui is awful, just awful. Poor vision, lazy defender and not an organiser.

If Sheens is determined to play Moltzen at fullback, maybe it's worth giving Taumata a crack at the 7 jersey. I'd still rather see Moltzen at half, Taumata on the bench and Lui as far away from first grade as possible.

The only thing I've ever seen Lui do is barge over a couple of 18 year olds close to the line because he is fatter than them. I actually think I might have had more involvement in FG than he had.

 

[TiggaPlease]

http://queenslandrugbyleague.ning.com/video/video/search?q=tigers

A few good vids of Taumata from QCup last year. Def has size and talent.

From memory he only signed with them about halfway through the season so the later rounds are the vids to be looking at.

 

[DanOz]

FAIL.

Moltzen should be starting half. He's a talented player no doubt, but his positioning at fullback is rubbish and he showed a LOT more promise at halfback last year.

Lui is awful, just awful. Poor vision, lazy defender and not an organiser.

If Sheens is determined to play Moltzen at fullback, maybe it's worth giving Taumata a crack at the 7 jersey. I'd still rather see Moltzen at half, Taumata on the bench and Lui as far away from first grade as possible.

Agree with every word you said. If I start to become excited about footy, Sheens opens his mouth and reminds me he will screw our season up again with poor positional selections. f**k off Tim.

 

[851]

http://queenslandrugbyleague.ning.com/video/video/search?q=tigers

A few good vids of Taumata from QCup last year. Def has size and talent.

From memory he only signed with them about halfway through the season so the later rounds are the vids to be looking at.

I am with you,AJ at half if Tim is fullback,that will work and work well.

 

[macnaz]

lol come on guys ya gotta laugh , its always so predictable with Shines. As ive said before Lui is useless but thats no to say he cant improve, but i just hope he doesnt waste a whole year waiting for it to happen. I think the depth we have now could end up a nightmare with teflon playing too many experiments with all the options. What is the situation with Toapu by the way? Sheens said he is going to experiment ( theres that f*cking word again)with him as prop, with tnt out wouldnt he be a better starter on the wing.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Yep, I'm laughing at how for a short time I had some faith that Teflon's more eccentric hunches / mad thoughts had been reigned in somewhat. :lol:

Alas, now the reality sinks in- Teflon cant help himself. I just hope there is someone high up at WT taking note............:roll:

 

[nyx]

Fitzhenry will be on the other wing. We all know it

 

[Front-Rower]

Fitzhenry will be on the other wing. We all know it

Well, he is a premiership winning footballer...................................

 

[westie]

Fitzhenry will be on the other wing. We all know it

Whose 14? Ryan? Tuqiri?

 

[Talanexor]

Whose 14? Ryan? Tuqiri?

You'd better hope its Taumata. Otherwise you're screwed. Lui is a terrible halfback. I know Fitzy has his shortcomings, but he's probably the best candidate for the 14 jersey this year. Him or Taumata. Seriously, what utility value does Ryan provide?

Backline at full strength should be:

1. Lazarus/Mullaney (whichever plays better in trials)
2. Tuqiri
3. Ryan
4. Lawrence
5. TnT
6. Benji
7. Moltzen

14. Taumata/Fitzhenry

Ayshford to the backrow.

 

[DG85]

You'd better hope its Taumata. Otherwise you're screwed. Lui is a terrible halfback. I know Fitzy has his shortcomings, but he's probably the best candidate for the 14 jersey this year. Him or Taumata. Seriously, what utility value does Ryan provide?

Backline at full strength should be:

1. Lazarus/Mullaney (whichever plays better in trials)
2. Tuqiri
3. Ryan
4. Lawrence
5. TnT
6. Benji
7. Moltzen

14. Taumata/Fitzhenry

Ayshford to the backrow.

Not my best backline.

Mullaney is not ready for the NRL if you ask me. He has great positioning and support play, but he needs a little more time working on his one on one defence and kick returns. Lazarus has been out too long with a serious injury to tell if he will be able to become a valuable asset for us or not. I would actually prefer to have Mitch Brown playing fullback. Ryan isn't a good enough defender for the centres.

I seem to be in the minority, but I think Lui deserves first crack in the trials at halfback and if he performs put in for the first round. I also think Moltzen's best position will ultimately turn out to be fullback, so I am happy to have him back there as long he can improve on his positioning, which should come with a full off season of training in the position.

So my team to start round one:

Moltzen
Brown
Ayshford
Lawrence
Ryan
Marshall
Lui

Pretty similar to teflons I hate to say, but I think that is our best option with what is available.

 

[TrigaTheTiger]

I dont know.

On one hand - Shines has proved himself an idiot time and time again. On the other, he does like to play these games doesnt he.

The no brainer back line would have to be (full strength):

1
2
3 Ayshford
4 Lawrence
5 Tuiaki
6 Marshall
7 Moltzen

They have called Tiquiri a fullback from day one and hes too slow for the wing.

Other wing - Ryan, Daniella, Toupo, maybe blood one of the young fullbacks that way (Lazarus / Mullaly).

Given the crap Shines went on about 1, 6, 7 and 9 being the key positions on the field - he loves to f*ck it up there doesnt he??

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Teflon was getting tea bagged by Moltzens ability in the 7 last year, but he's going to move him back to 1, just to show everyone how much smarter he is than them.

Moltzen at 7 you guys are good things for the top 8.

 

[westie]

And Taumata there... we're certs. Why is it 5% of the people on this forum rate him as a potential superstar and the rest prefer a guy who only showed anything when we were carving sides not in the game?

 

[westie]

You'd better hope its Taumata. Otherwise you're screwed. Lui is a terrible halfback. I know Fitzy has his shortcomings, but he's probably the best candidate for the 14 jersey this year. Him or Taumata. Seriously, what utility value does Ryan provide?

Backline at full strength should be:

1. Lazarus/Mullaney (whichever plays better in trials)
2. Tuqiri
3. Ryan
4. Lawrence
5. TnT
6. Benji
7. Moltzen

14. Taumata/Fitzhenry

Ayshford to the backrow.

It was a piss take. Fitzy is the only realistic candidate for a 14 position. Which is why he was brought back.

Lazarus and Mullaney. That's what's gunna win us a premiership? Not Tuqiri?

Shall we use Ryan's pace and knack of creating something out of nothing to win us a trophy?

What about Moltzen? Relying on him to get us going as a halfback does? The dude has never done a single thing under pressure. He'd be good if Joey was our half - but it's Benji next to him and our pack isn't good enough to carry him and let him play off the cuff.

 

[Talanexor]

Lazarus and Mullaney. That's what's gunna win us a premiership? Not Tuqiri?

As far as I know, Tuqiri has never played at fullback. Also, he's been out of the game for a LONG time now. League is faster and more skillful than when he left. Also, the role of the fullback has changed a lot - nowadays it's almost a second five-eighth.

Tuqiri's biggest assets were always his speed and strength. Not ball-playing ability.

Besides, I think having Tuqiri on one wing and TnT on the other would be just like the partnership he had with Sailor at the Broncos. It would also allow them to make a lot of metres off the first few hitups, taking more pressure off your forward pack (which, while improved, still isn't the best)

What about Moltzen? Relying on him to get us going as a halfback does? The dude has never done a single thing under pressure. He'd be good if Joey was our half - but it's Benji next to him and our pack isn't good enough to carry him and let him play off the cuff.

When has he had the chance? He's played what, 6 or 7 games at halfback in first grade? And looked pretty good while doing it? I don't think he's the next Joey Johns, but I think he IS a better prospect than Lui and possibly Taumata. I haven't seen a lot of Taumata, but even if he gets his personal life together this season, I was under the impression he's more of a running, off-the-cuff five-eighth and not an organising number 7. Which is what you need.

Moltzen played halfback for the Junior Kangaroos remember? And he slotted a match-winning field goal in the 76th minute against Fiji. Surely he's done enough to get a decent shot at halfback?