Who's our 5/8th next year?

[_addict]

Has the club/coach got someone in mind yet?

 

[Iafeta]

I dare say Thomas Leuluai will get the #6 jersey. I have personally been quite disappointed the games I've seen this year from Tuimavave. Loves kicking straight down the fullbacks throat.

 

[vvvrulz]

Leulaui has been earmarked, but I'm not convinced he's up to it.

 

[_addict]

Ah, thanks guys, I'd forgotten.

I'll be happy enough if he knows how to make use of the players outside him, can be reliable kicking at the end of the set, and can defend his channel. I am a bit concerned about cover for him.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I'm sure TL can run straight lines of Mateo passes. As long as his kicking game is alright then it's fine. His defense will certainly be a step up.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

As long as his general kicking is good, and he takes a bit of pressure off Johnson and tackles well, let's have him. Doesn't need to be a match winner, we have one at No.7.

Never rated Tuimavave. Yet to change that based on 20s.

 

[Rich102]

I have always thought Tuimavave a center out of position.

 

[Warmess]

^ Agreed. I don't think we'll see Tuimavave in the 6 jersey in firsts.

Leuluai seems nothing more than a stopgap 6 to me, although I haven't seen his game recently. I may be judging him too harshly because he's coming back from a long stint in SL. We can't get our hands on a world class 6 so I wonder if we're hoping Tuimavave or Lino come good, but Lino is a good 2-3 years off right now.

 

[hitman82]

I feel the same regarding Tuimavavae - he looks to me like a highly skilled centre rather than a half who has to read and run the game.

Leuluai to me is the ideal style of half to support Johnson, who by next season will be well established as the dominant partner. To me, TL will bring toughness, strong tackling, strong running with decent pace, offloading and solid tactical kicking with a good passing game. As for not world class, I'd probably rate him near Foran in terms of skillset and style.

But realistically we have Shaun Johnson, we don't NEED a Carney or Marshall beside him.

The other huge bonus with TL is by the time Friend leaves, if we have a junior who's ready to step up in the 6 role, TL is also very effective as a hooker - and he could easily revert to being one.

 

[_addict]

I have always thought Tuimavave a center out of position.

You think he's eccentric?

 

[Rich102]

You think he's eccentric?

:lol:

 

[Rich102]

No secret - I am a Maloney fan and am gutted he is leaving. He is the best 6 we have had. TL doesn't fill me with confidence.

Look at the long, very long, list of players we have recruited at standoff. For very luke-warm success.
We have juniors covering most positions now but I think Bell should be recruiting a world class 6.
This business about Johnson being the dominant half and just needing someone to add a few tackles is rubbish. How long will Johnson last if all the opposition teams know all the play is going through him?
We need a halves pairing.

Oh wait, maybe JRo is coming back to 6.

 

[hitman82]

No secret - I am a Maloney fan and am gutted he is leaving. He is the best 6 we have had. TL doesn't fill me with confidence.

Look at the long, very long, list of players we have recruited at standoff. For very luke-warm success.
We have juniors covering most positions now but I think Bell should be recruiting a world class 6.
This business about Johnson being the dominant half and just needing someone to add a few tackles is rubbish. How long will Johnson last if all the opposition teams know all the play is going through him?
We need a halves pairing.

Oh wait, maybe JRo is coming back to 6.

TL can do a lot more than make a few tackles. Defense just happens to be a very strong part of his game, hence why people mention it.

Also... how do you define world class? As a Kiwis half I'd rate TL as well up there.

The higher level of Carney, Marshall, etc is simply unattainable.

 

[_addict]

Oh wait, maybe JRo is coming back to 6.

Yes, although it is with trepidation that we would consider him as cover, we have to. The only other options are Tuimavave, Locke, and the current Vulcans Halfback?

 

[vvvrulz]

I'm with Rich on this, apart from Maloney and to a lesser extent Witt we've had nothing at no 6. Maloney offers a good on-field kicking game, has the ability sniff a gap and make half breaks, and has been throwing good cut-out balls to find our centres and wingers.

I don't recall TL being particularly strong in any of these.

 

[hitman82]

I'm with Rich on this, apart from Maloney and to a lesser extent Witt we've had nothing at no 6. Maloney offers a good on-field kicking game, has the ability sniff a gap and make half breaks, and has been throwing good cut-out balls to find our centres and wingers.

I don't recall TL being particularly strong in any of these.

Maloney's been great, but he didn't want to stay.
I can't see any better options than TL floating around, begging for a chance to come to NZ.
In fact, I think we did damn well to sign him. If we hadn't, who would be our 6 next season? A rookie. I'd rather not have two rookie halves tbh.

 

[vvvrulz]

Maloney's been great, but he didn't want to stay.
I can't see any better options than TL floating around, begging for a chance to come to NZ.
In fact, I think we did damn well to sign him. If we hadn't, who would be our 6 next season? A rookie. I'd rather not have two rookie halves tbh.

This is true. I guess my concern is what to do if TL flops, it would have to be a rookie then wouldn't it.

 

[hitman82]

This is true. I guess my concern is what to do if TL flops, it would have to be a rookie then wouldn't it.

Yep, that is pretty much correct!
I can totally understand people worrying he may not go well for us. Personally, from what I've seen of TL in the Kiwis, I think he will be great.
If not, hopefully Godinet can step up...

 

[Skinner]

I feel the same regarding Tuimavavae - he looks to me like a highly skilled centre rather than a half who has to read and run the game.

Leuluai to me is the ideal style of half to support Johnson, who by next season will be well established as the dominant partner. To me, TL will bring toughness, strong tackling, strong running with decent pace, offloading and solid tactical kicking with a good passing game. As for not world class, I'd probably rate him near Foran in terms of skillset and style.

But realistically we have Shaun Johnson, we don't NEED a Carney or Marshall beside him.

The other huge bonus with TL is by the time Friend leaves, if we have a junior who's ready to step up in the 6 role, TL is also very effective as a hooker - and he could easily revert to being one.

Way too much good sense there fella

 

[Penrose Warrior]

No secret - I am a Maloney fan and am gutted he is leaving. He is the best 6 we have had. TL doesn't fill me with confidence.

Look at the long, very long, list of players we have recruited at standoff. For very luke-warm success.
We have juniors covering most positions now but I think Bell should be recruiting a world class 6.
This business about Johnson being the dominant half and just needing someone to add a few tackles is rubbish. How long will Johnson last if all the opposition teams know all the play is going through him?
We need a halves pairing.

Oh wait, maybe JRo is coming back to 6.

I saw in the Herald on Sunday, something about Johnson having to reach the status of Maloney in being a consistent performer. And it seemed a pile of crap to me.

No doubt, Maloney has served us very well. But has he offered much this year? I've not been a massive fan of his form this year. Yes Johnson has been a lot more dominant but surely it is Maloney's duty to get us over the line in close ones, not the 2nd year talent? And that missed tackle last week on Moltzen, whilst a kneejerk to what happened most recently I know, was awful.