Who do you want to play at fullback in 2025?

[vvvrulz]

Our bigger problem I feel is that our game plan just doesn't make much attacking use of our centres, there must be a way we can have all three of Tuaupiki, CNK and RTS in our backline to good effect. Right now centres are mostly tackle-bots and babysitters.

Toopi and Hurrell were centres who created bucket-loads of problems, I also think back to one of the Origin matches where Teddy was fullback and Latrell & Turbo were effectively fullbacks-lite / roaming centres, who were regularly in space with halves that were sniffing gaps.

We get that right, then I truly believe we can make the best of all worlds, I wouldn't be against:
1. Tuaupiki 2. DWZ 3/4. CNK & RTS 5. Montoya (or buy someone with proper wheels)

Metcalf and TMM are the obvious halves choices.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

It'd probably, or more so possibly work, but we need to give combinations a chance. Shit, that's been something that has gone horribly wrong this year. I remember the good old days of the Ivan Cleary teams that never changed.

 

[JJ]

Reality might be that there’s not room
for the three of them in the squad.

Guess I’m the anti Webster in my thinking, regardless of what CNK does I see more upside in RTS. Tuaupiki isn’t even in the discussion tbh … three first grade fullbacks is probably wasting a roster spot…. Buggering RTS around with different positions each week doesn’t help if they actually see him as a centre

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Someone said it before and I agree, we bought RTS because he was RTS, not because he was the player that fit our roster and what we were trying to do. At 30, learning a completely new position, we would have been much better off splashing money on someone who knew how to play centre. Yes, he's a Kiwi, great player, provides cover across the backline, but we need specialists - he is a FB, and we'd already decided we had one.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

What makes you think Metcalf at 7? Especially given TMM has a bunch of MoMs at 7?

I've chosen Metcalf at 7 because that's what he prefers. Whether it's 7 or 6, he has put his hand up to taking over goal-kicking, Webster will determine that in preseason. None of our current halves have shown a strong kicking game so far. Luke deserves an opportunity to show what he can bring to the table, depending on the direction they decide to take moving forward.

I do acknowledge TMM's creativity when it comes to off the cuff decisions in attack but still need that kicking game to pick up a few levels.

It's crucial that we develop a plan where both halves can get their hands on the ball and take control. After SJ, we lack a quality halfback who can organize the team effectively.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Tuaupiki isn’t even in the discussion tbh … three first grade fullbacks is probably wasting a roster spot….

Not hating on Tuaupiki at all but yeah. I would be stunned if he ever hit, say, 50 NRL games. I like him but I just don't see more than fringe NRL standard/back-up there, and he's already about to turn 25.

Feel free to bring this up in future when he finds his niche somewhere and starts racking up the games.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Not hating on Tuaupiki at all but yeah. I would be stunned if he ever hit, say, 50 NRL games. I like him but I just don't see more than fringe NRL standard/back-up there, and he's already about to turn 25.

Feel free to bring this up in future when he finds his niche somewhere and starts racking up the games.

Hope I'm wrong but I'd agree. He doesn't have the blinding speed of a Faalogo/Kini/Campbell etc that I can see. However, he did play bloody well in that Panthers win, so it wouldn't be inconceivable.

 

[Big Marn]

Hope I'm wrong but I'd agree. He doesn't have the blinding speed of a Faalogo/Kini/Campbell etc that I can see. However, he did play bloody well in that Panthers win, so it wouldn't be inconceivable.

my personal opinion but i think people are putting their hopes on RTS of yesteryear at fullback.

Because we didnt see much of him apart from the Panthers win where he STARRED, here is a reminder not to sleep on TT as a gun player for the Warriors. Links up well, sets up others and if you were concerned about speed, check the 2.25 mark.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Some chat from RTS

Sport Nation NZ

Do you sympathise with RTS' plight this season?

www.facebook.com

 

[JJ]

I think that hoping he’ll improve is a safe bet, no question he’s the best player in this discussion.

whatever Webster decides he needs to show the same commitment and pick RTS in the same spot week to week, using home as Freddy fill in is such a waste

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I think that hoping he’ll improve is a safe bet, no question he’s the best player in this discussion.

whatever Webster decides he needs to show the same commitment and pick RTS in the same spot week to week, using home as Freddy fill in is such a waste

Yep agree. If he was settled in all positions then maybe it’s a bit different, but he has no grounding at centre

Takes me back a bit to Lolohea, immensely talented, but his NRL career was messed up from the get go as he had 14 positional changes in his first 42 games and never got a chance to settle. Another sport but have seen it happen frequently in the past in cricket where they pick a batsman and shuffle him all around the order

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

What surprises me is they’ve allowed it to happen for so long and across so many positions; centre and wing on both sides of the field.

I get the injury issues, but when you buy a used Ferrari and find yourself using it as an Uber, surely there’s a point at which you think what the fk am I doing here?

I think this comes back to the other point we discussed about the club maybe needing more experience on the coaching staff because I’m almost certain Bellamy for instance wouldn’t have let that happen.

When Meaney was shifted to centre this year, he wasn’t shunted straight back to fullback to cover Pap when he got injured. Bellamy left him there to settle into his new job and brought in Faalogo instead.

Obviously having a player available of Faalogo’s quality was a luxury, but he backed both players in their roles - even when they lost 2 of Sua’s first 3 games as a starter over that period - Meaney has clearly benefited from the stability, and the Storm have reaped the rewards.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

my personal opinion but i think people are putting their hopes on RTS of yesteryear at fullback.

Because we didnt see much of him apart from the Panthers win where he STARRED, here is a reminder not to sleep on TT as a gun player for the Warriors. Links up well, sets up others and if you were concerned about speed, check the 2.25 mark.

Nah you're right, he did star against the three-time premiers. Definitely deserves mention. Incidentally, hard to understand how quick he is, given I don't know who the winger he chased down was in that video. He's certainly not slow, but I don't think he's that lightning off the spot quick like the guys I mentioned, even Walsh etc are.

I could see him making the switch to 6 like Jayden Campbell has, he's a very good link player as you say. But then I don't know how he'd defend in the line. I dunno, I've been wrong about so many players that he should be happy I'm saying this...I just don't see him as the guy.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Yep agree. If he was settled in all positions then maybe it’s a bit different, but he has no grounding at centre

Takes me back a bit to Lolohea, immensely talented, but his NRL career was messed up from the get go as he had 14 positional changes in his first 42 games and never got a chance to settle. Another sport but have seen it happen frequently in the past in cricket where they pick a batsman and shuffle him all around the order

Yeah, good example. I don't think Tui was professional enough to make it, but they certainly dudded him early.

And agree with everyone's sentiment about shifting people around. It's worked poorly for the team, and the individuals. Clearly it hasn't acknowledged that intangible, almost sixth sense that you develop playing next to the same guys week in, week out to know where to be, when to run on their shoulder, where to hold in the line etc.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Some chat from RTS

Sport Nation NZ

Do you sympathise with RTS' plight this season?

www.facebook.com

Speaks pretty truly and fairly to what we're saying. Pretty obvious it's held him back, and if we're honest, has wasted a year of his career which is reaching the twilight.

 

[Clarkent]

If RTS switches to Samoa then CNK.

Yes, I'm that petty.

On Berry, I really don't see what others see in him. He seems to be good at chasing kicks and that's about it. I wish he had the physicality and running of his old man. Ali for me.

I guess RTS ain't playing fullback next season?

 

[Matua]

I guess RTS ain't playing fullback next season?

Sell him off to the Tigers and revoke his citizenship.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Sell him off to the Tigers and revoke his citizenship.

Who've you got for Kiwis fullback and centres? Keep CNK at fullback and find a new centre somewhere (dare I say, someone from the Warriors?). CNK centre and Kini FB?

Funnily enough I think Reimis Smith would've been perfectly poised to play for the Kiwis if he hadn't moved on....maybe his replacement Jack Howarth gets the spot?

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I guess Kris is also a thing

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Who've you got for Kiwis fullback and centres? Keep CNK at fullback and find a new centre somewhere (dare I say, someone from the Warriors?). CNK centre and Kini FB?

Funnily enough I think Reimis Smith would've been perfectly poised to play for the Kiwis if he hadn't moved on....maybe his replacement Jack Howarth gets the spot?

I’d be guessing Manu will still be available, or does his rugby stint start ASAP ?

They had Kini is the squad last year so he was highly regarded by the previous regime

Not sure if he is Kiwis level just yet, but Tommy Talau has really surprised me this season with what he has produced both on the wing and at centre