If you had the chance to watch the NYC match over the weekend, I think the most positive take-out was just how well covered we are with our young wing prospects.
I know Fabian Goodall has gotten most of the plaudits this year among our young NYC backs but every time I've seen Halauafu Lavaka I've been hugely impressed and he's definitely my smokey for the wing position next year.
You don't score 26 tries in a season without having some talent, and he just seems to tick all the boxes for me. He's very quick, big body, nice finisher and most importantly just seems to position himself very well.
For all the team lists I've seen on this site, I don't think anyone has pencilled Lavaka into a wing spot but it wouldn't surprise me at all if he ends up running out for us in Round One on the opposite wing to Semi.
We may be going into next year with really only one recognised NRL winger but between Bureta Faraimo, Goodall, Lavaka, Nathan Davis and then Toutai we're going to cope without Kenny Sio just fine.
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He is a very good player and his manager Mario Tartak has been raving to me about this bloke all year. In my view a much better prospect than that lazy Fabian Goodall - who did nothing on the weekend.
Interesting Jimmy. Goodall was very quiet but admittedly he didn't get a lot of opportunity.
I always find a good guide as to whether they're going to take the step-up is not how good they are, but how gaping are their weaknesses. There's nothing you could really point to with Lavaka as anything that's going to get in the road of him stepping up to NRL and he appears to have a good attitude to.
Jimmy, do you know if he's definitely signed with us for next year?
Standing over 195cm, Kamikamica has good athleticism for a big man, and saved the team with some last ditch cover tackles throughout the match.
He's definitely NRL material.
That's the one we signed from overseas, isn't he?
IM with you there Chief .
Needs a little more muscle to go next step.
What?
1. Will Hopoate
2. Halauafu Lavaka
3. Israel Folau
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. Semi Radradra
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