The Let's Talk About Loko Thread

[Eelementary]

I was discussing last night's game with a mate (a Storm fan), and he observed that we don't have any size or aggression up front.

He then asked me why Loko isn't playing, and I explained he is injured.

Then we had some enchiladas.

After that, we spewed for hours, after which he asked me, "So why don't you play him at prop when he's fit?"

I initially laughed it off, but then his argument made sense:

* he's huge;
* he's aggressive;
* with his history of knee injuries, playing in closer to the ruck where be doesn't need to step or change director so much may actually prolong his career;
* his defence sucks, but maybe playing in tight defending next to blokes like Peats might alleviate that.

So when is he due back?

 

[Gary Gutful]

I'm not sure he would be able to play prop. You said it, his defence sucks. He would need to tighten that up.

Sorry to hear about the enchiladas.

 

[Bazal]

We'll have to do something else with him. He'll be behind Tonga, Hoppa, Morgan, Toutai and Hunt (and probably Pewhairangi, now that I think about it) for a spot in the centres...but he'll be behind just as many for a spot in the pack if we were to move him there. There may not be a spot for him.

 

[TheRam]

Well, it's an idea anyway, and I have heard of a lot worse. I feel his days in the backs are all but over. But before anything else, lets make sure, as much as possible, that he has recovered as much as possible from his knee injuries before we do anything else with him. I don't think he will ever make it at all if he does another knee.

 

[TheRam]

We'll have to do something else with him. He'll be behind Tonga, Hoppa, Morgan, Toutai and Hunt (and probably Pewhairangi, now that I think about it) for a spot in the centres...but he'll be behind just as many for a spot in the pack if we were to move him there. There may not be a spot for him.

Are you kidding, if he shows any ability at all in the forwards, he would be a shoe in to take a spot. We have about 3 or 4 forwards at the moment that a playing at NRL level. A team needs at least 9 or 10.

 

[Bazal]

Are you kidding, if he shows any ability at all in the forwards, he would be a shoe in to take a spot. We have about 3 or 4 forwards at the moment that a playing at NRL level. A team needs at least 9 or 10.

Apart from the starting props, if we're looking at a back row role, the following at least would be above him in no particular order.

Kelepi Tanginoa
Peni Terepo
Junior Paulo
Joseph Ualesi
David Gower
Darcy Lussick
Mitch Allgood
Kenny Edwards
Joseph Paulo
Manu Ma'u
Pauli Pauli
Ben Smith

That puts him maybe 13th choice as it stands. Maybe he will go up the pecking order, maybe he won't. He's certainly talented, with some major flaws. But the club is going to have to ask whether he is worth retaining and turning into a forward, or retaining him as 4th pick centre. Especially given his injuries. He's absolutely not going to walk in to the side in any position

 

[Stagger eel]

He'll definitely play again this year, probably later rather than sooner as coaching staff and management want his knee to be 110%, I hear he suffered golden staph which hampered the progress of his recovery but the kid when fit is absolute freak and is well due for some Goodluck.

 

[Eelementary]

I thought it was an interesting suggestion.

Obviously, if we try to turn him into a forward, he will need some time to learn to play there, so it won't happen quickly.

But there was some merit to the idea - he's big, aggressive, hard to tackle and playing in tight he won't need to worry too much about speed or stepping, so he might not get knee injuries so much.

I believe a big part of our overall issues is that we don't have any genuinely big and aggressive forwards. Lussick is big and aggressive, but he doesn't seem to make an imprint - compare his game last night to Taumololo's or Simms'.

Junior Paulo is a monster, but he seems to not be getting much game time.

Tanginoa is huge but probably more of a back-rower.

Pauli Pauli is coming along nicely but still just 19.

I feel we need to try to sign or unearth or poach a JWH-type of tight forward - someone who can almost carry a team on his own, like 2005-2009 Moimoi did.

I think Jacob Loko's days as a centre are numbered, but he has all the raw attributes to make a fine forward with some work. But the question is - will it be worth the time and effort?

At least he should come cheap come contract time because of all his injuries.

 

[Eelementary]

Well, it's an idea anyway, and I have heard of a lot worse. I feel his days in the backs are all but over. But before anything else, lets make sure, as much as possible, that he has recovered as much as possible from his knee injuries before we do anything else with him. I don't think he will ever make it at all if he does another knee.

Absolutely, mate - his health and fitness is number one.

I was saying that if we did do it, we would have to give him time, and asking whether people thought he was worth the time and effort and whether they would be patient with him.

In my opinion, he has that raw X-factor our pack is missing, so I would persist with him.

 

[Eelementary]

He'll definitely play again this year, probably later rather than sooner as coaching staff and management want his knee to be 110%, I hear he suffered golden staph which hampered the progress of his recovery but the kid when fit is absolute freak and is well due for some Goodluck.

Absolutely, mate - it's very sad how his bad luck has hampered his career.

I hope he returns when he's 100% fit and kills it. He's a sight to behold when he is throwing defenders off him at will.

 

[hindy111]

Loko played in a team that was going nowhere. In a competitive side with better ball he may shine at centre.I mean Sandows defense has looked a lot better in this team rather than last year right?

Seriously thou what a waste he would be at PROP. We don't need to waste a talent like this as a battering RAM. I could make a case for him as a wide running second rower thou.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

After that, we spewed for hours, after which he asked me, "So why don't you play him at prop when he's fit?"

I've been thinking he might be best in the front row.

 

[Eelementary]

I've been thinking he might be best in the front row.

:lol: You sly boots!

 

[Eelementary]

Loko played in a team that was going nowhere. In a competitive side with better ball he may shine at centre.I mean Sandows defense has looked a lot better in this team rather than last year right?

Seriously thou what a waste he would be at PROP. We don't need to waste a talent like this as a battering RAM. I could make a case for him as a wide running second rower thou.

But with his dodgy knees, the last thing he needs is to worry about footwork and stepping - hence the suggestion he could play tighter in.

I'm not saying it's the ideal solution, but I think it has merit.

 

[T.S Quint]

But with his dodgy knees, the last thing he needs is to worry about footwork and stepping - hence the suggestion he could play tighter in.

I'm not saying it's the ideal solution, but I think it has merit.

You don't want our front rowers to have footwork?

 

[Eelementary]

You don't want our front rowers to have footwork?

I don't think it's essential for tight forwards, no.

And specially not for a quality young man with dodgy knees.

 

[phantom eel]

Sadly Loko will be lucky enough to just get through his first game back at centre or second row without injury, let alone throwing him into the front row.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Front rowers never get injured.

 

[hindy111]

Problem is why do you think he will bust tackles upfront? Outwide much more suited-Isnt his main weapon his fend?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Generally if a forward can play on the edges then that's where he plays. Edge forward is the best place for a big fast merkin to have an impact on a game, due to the perfect mix of involvement and space. Like Jason Taumalolo.

Unless he is able to play fullback, which Loko certainly is not.