Vuna

[CJG 182]

All the talk of "what Uate can do" is fantastic.

Shame he doesn't.

And because he doesn't it doesn't mean jack. McManus DOES do what he is supposed to and makes hard yards, uses his brain, and actually tackles.

At this point in time it's easily McManus > Uate.

 

[Apey]

All the talk of "what Uate can do" is fantastic.

Shame he doesn't.

And because he doesn't it doesn't mean jack. McManus DOES do what he is supposed to and makes hard yards, uses his brain, and actually tackles.

At this point in time it's easily McManus > Uate.

yep, and what Uate may or may not bring is not worth risking at this important time in the season. You have to go with the safe option.

 

[Pika]

Aku will have another preseason this year and start of next.

He is still young, and his learning curve has slowed for the year. Preseason could do him wonders with time to concerntrate just on his game (not worry about playing each weekend) and a different Coach trying to articulate what is required to him.

Just on off season, we have a few young players who should be much improved for next season. Con Mika, Patto, Mark T (not so young), Jr, Coops, Mullo all seem to come in each season better after a solid preseason at NRL level.

 

[Karmawave]

I don't think anyone is debating McManus is ahead of Uate as of right now. Not even close.

He'd have to be 100% fit though. Carrying a 90% fit McManus won't cut it, because he doesn't have the talent to play the game anything under 100% full fitness in must win games.

James McManus talent level can't really go any higher than he already has. Uate's talent has a heap of improvement left in it.

Discussing now and the future, are 2 different things.

 

[Joker's Wild]

McManus is ahead of Uate.

I know which one I'd want on the wing in a grand-final and at the end of the day that's the ultimate test of a player.

People need to get over Uate's size and speed and realise that brains and heart are more valuable.

This is precisely the issue I have with Aku, his lack of true footballing ability. The kid can run hard when he chooses too and has speed to beat most players but he just doesnt apply that talent at the right times and fails at some of the most basic skills of the game. His lack of commitment/skill under the high ball and seeming inability to turn and chase is the biggest worries in his game for me.

Jimmy Mac is ahead of him when it comes to actually playing RL so as it stands he needs to be brought back in but as Karma has stated, only if he is 100%.

OT, Vuna is the best attacking winger we have at the club bar none. If he works on his defencive reads and his kick clean ups he will be amongst the best in the NRL.

 

[Karmawave]

This is precisely the issue I have with Aku, his lack of true footballing ability. The kid can run hard when he chooses too and has speed to beat most players but he just doesnt apply that talent at the right times and fails at some of the most basic skills of the game. His lack of commitment/skill under the high ball and seeming inability to turn and chase is the biggest worries in his game for me.

I am not sure if he is handling the thought of new found wealth that came from his contract extension.

He has dropped off his commitment in almost every way ever since re-signing.

 

[Joker's Wild]

I am not sure if he is handling the thought of new found wealth that came from his contract extension.

He has dropped off his commitment in almost every way ever since re-signing.

He reminds me of Tony Williams. All size and ability but just nfi when to apply it.

 

[keeney]

We need Mcmanus' ability to roll on our sets at the moment. On potential benefits he'd be 3rd at the club (perhaps 4th behind L Doogs if we count this year) but on current form he's easily 2nd best, and an important part of our team for now.

Vuna has been outstanding in each of his games, and it was a point of much frustration for me earlier on that he wasn't getting the game time. Really though, he's prone to a few negative aspects also. His fixation with smashing guys means he isn't likely to break the line. He slows up in his run to bunt people, or to top half wrestle them off him. Meaning he racks up tackle breaks, but in a really redundant manner. He needs to just pitch head long into people, taking the resultant break if it comes and using the momentum to follow through.

 

[voltron]

vuna and mcmanus atm
im loving vuna's kick returns
he just winds up and goes for it
awesome
and i miss mcmanus' solidness which is higher than lulia's

 

[Rolla]

Aku was good in defence and attack this game....Good to see him do the hard yards and happy to run hard at the opposition forwards. Coop was GREAT, you could see that not only were those returns effective but they lifted junior and the rest of the team and set the tone for the set.

As for Jimmy i dont know. He needs to be 100% to be a thought, and even then im not convinced. Who knows how he will come back? his improvement was on the back of training and hard work.....so how do we know he wont need to work back up to that after his time off?
To be honest i dont think he has been particularly consistant this year either....has had some poor games and made some massive blunders.

To be fair i did miss the few of Aku's matches leading to his exclusion but from what ive seen this season the line up should remain as it was this weeked.

Vuna - Aku - Lil doogs (going purely off what im hearing from you guys) - Jimmy - lulia - Wes - Mcdonell..............This is how i would rate them

 

[antonius]

As it stands now
1. Vuna
2. Mac I think a lot of people overlook the work Jimmy does coming out of our end. If we make the finals (and we will) then it has to be those two. Pika is correct IMO Vuna is currently our No1 winger. He really has been the forgotten man, I always thought he was our best winger. Little Doogs could be there but really has had no game time in two years, you wouldn't take the risk with him.

 

[aqua_duck]

Jimmy is oujr best winger under the high ball by a country mile and our best winger defensively too. He also make a mountain of yards out of dummy half. Jimmy does all the little things right

 

[Rolla]

Jimmy is oujr best winger under the high ball by a country mile and our best winger defensively too. He also make a mountain of yards out of dummy half. Jimmy does all the little things right

True but Aku scores more tries from kicks, high balls included.... Jimmy might make more yards too but opposing halves will always kick to his wing for meters over cooper or aku on the other side because he isnt a threat. Who wants cooper charging back at them? And we all know what aku can do to a sloppy chase.

Totally disagree in him doing all the little things right also. Positioning in attack? Drop balls?
If jimmy is as consistant as is made out than that would make him the perfect reliable replacement imo

 

[BG]

Defending bombs is a huge part of a winger's requirements in the modern game. I agree with Aqua that Jimmy Mac is easily our best in this regard. It has also previously been Vuna's weak spot. I'm with the plaudits he's now getting for his aggressive running and so forth. Possibly he's already our top winger, and will only get better imho. But I would like to see him prove that he can be consistent under the high ball before I'm totally comfortable with acknowledging him at #1 in the pecking order on the flanks.

 

[Yosh]

What wingers? We got Shane Webcke Sau and Shane Webcke Vuna playing... Jeez they run up the ball hard.

Vuna and Aku for me ^^