I have said for some time line up all the young backs playing wing and centre and have a straight out foot race to see who is the quickest. Have a look at their try scoring ability through their grade career and then make a selection Garrick, Lomax whoever. The Nighty supporters can see nothing beyond safe, dependable, GF 2010 and are blind to the tries that are leaked on his side and the lack of long range tries scored on his wing and both are telling factors. All the dribble about Nighty at FB and how well he did just ask yourself in all honestly who brought more to the position in attack Dufty or Nighty? The thing that shits me the most with all the pro Nighty posters is "he is a legend" as if that means he should always be picked whilst ever he offers his services. His status of greatness for his past deeds is not in question his ability to outperform others now is what is in question.
If we are going with one of the young guns. I would give garrick ( hes 185cm and 95 kg)first go he has played against men in revs for all of last year bar a couple of games. Herbert (is 93kg and 182cm)is more of a centre to me but would also do a good job. There is also pereira (hes 183cm and 98kg) he is one of the quickest at training. I would throw one of them in if nene does not pick up. I wish nene would wake up and put in because he could be great.
Yes Mann has proven he can play on the wing and score tries. If it wasn't for him, 2016 would've been an even bigger disaster. But the problem is not Nightly. The focus is all wrong. Nighty is just doing what he is paid to do. The problem is McGregor and his reluctance to replace Nighty for someone else. If indeed there are faster, better wingers within our ranks, then why doesn't McGregor use them?? So while there is plenty of trash talk about Nightingale and his lack of speed and how easy the tries are that he scores etc. He is not the problem.
I’m confident Dufty will get a fair go to settle in and remain a believer in his ability to deliver with a good 6/7 in place. Positions 2-5 is where, quite rightly, the pressure should be highest given the little turnover last year in these positions despite the minimal return for that loyalty. I can’t argue the merits of the juniors Herbert, Lomax, Garrick etc. because frankly I haven’t seen a lot of them. Mann also remains a very likely contender. The fact they are on the radar says their turn will come. My thinking is the order of pressure on the current 2-5 is as follows: Aitken - needs to come out swinging & live up to the wraps from 2015. If not, he is first to NSW Cup McDonald - has to realise he has the body to do some serious damage by running straight & fast. Lafai - must stop the brain fades & do what he does best - not think and play what’s in front of him Nighty - least likely to be dropped because he is viewed as safe & this is something SuperCoach likes(except driving home after a couple too many). Anyway, that’s my 2 bobs worth.
Seems like a few posts continually refer to Garrick and Lomax as 'quick'? Question is, are they genuine gamebreakers with their speed or just faster than most of our current crop? Only 2 that I know for certain have that quality, are Field and Dufty.
When are we going to STOP using the old RELIABLE description ?? can't remember any side winning a comp full of reliables. No he didn't put a foot wrong but, it's his lack of putting one foot in front of the other quickly ( which is what is require as a winger ) makes him a "Reliability" Love Nighty but, another year, another foot slower !!!!!!!
Field will be lucky to see any first grade in the near future and I will be surprised if he is at the club beyond next year. He like Mann are utilities at best and like Field i don't see Mann being a regular and surprised he stayed. Dufty has a ways to go to be a regular fullback and I could see him losing out to Lomax in the future. Garrick and Herbert have potential but i wouldn't be relying upon them being regular first graders at this stage but certainly down the road they could be.
Nighty wasnt that bad in 2017. Watch him go in 2018, thats all im gunna say. With the best halves combo we have had in years playing behind what will be one of the comps best forward packs, our centres and wingers will go up another leavel. 2018 will see us finish top 4, im calling it from now.
Exactly dennis. Its 100% the way we coached to play. If there had a better structure as well as more than 1 plan. I think having hunt how can use both sides of the field will help. Just hope they are aloud to play there game.
Anyone who has Nightingale in the starting line save for a few injuries isn't serious about being competitive next year. That includes Mary.
NIGHTINGALE will and can retire whenever the f**k he wants and i vote YES to that. He is our Lockyer. A little more respect for the man, he is a current International, what more can the guy do?
What else can he do? Retire gracefully before the season starts? Tear up his contrsct? Getting picked for the Kiwis so what they’re shit
