I’ve seen enough of Apa Twidle — this kid is the real deal. Not just a solid NRL player in the making, he’s got genuine elite potential. Today proved it again. Two quality tries on the wing, then shifts to fullback and somehow lifts another level. More intent in his runs, tougher in defence, and constantly popping up in the right spots to create chances. He looked right at home straight up in front of a capacity crowd. His energy and enthusiasm lifted the side to what should have been victory.
Apa must be the fullback for the foreseeable future. Absolutely no doubt Ryles must go with him.
Meanwhile, Joash just didn’t take his opportunity. When the team needed metres, he looked hesitant, almost drifting into the line, and his defensive positioning wasn’t up to standard.
Twidle and Sam Tuivaiti are easily two of the best development players we’ve got. Sam’s off-contract window is coming up and you can guarantee rival clubs are already circling. If we lose either of them, it’s an absolute failure — fans would have every right to be filthy.
Araz Nanva also put his hand up in Cup. Strong carries, good presence — looks ready to push for a centre spot as early as next week.
Simple reality: lock up Sam long-term (2029), secure Twidle and Nanva, and stop messing around. As for Joash, give him a crack at six next week, but I’m not convinced he’s the long-term answer. Right now, he looks more like depth.
1. Twindle
2. Addo-Carr
3. Nanva
4. Penasini/ Russell
5. Kelly
6. Joash
7. Moses
Replies
With our current injury rate, we may be end up picking our outside backs from Ron Massey so all Richie needs to do is say he is fit to get a turn at this rate.
Isn't Richie injured again?
yea hopefully only couple weeks
This is the issue while our guys show potential are they really ready for full time FG.Even though we don't have a choice putting him in could ruin him if it goes tits up.Twidle like Papali'i aren't meter eaters either.Rock meet hard place Parra are in deep shit here.Some of those out of trouble sets tonight we were making like 20 odd metres in 5 tackles.
More like 10 meters from 5 tackles lol. Not getting any better next week with no one other than Tago expected fit. Our SG ball outside backs need to develop asap
I agree with you and therefore I think we need to turn W Penisini into a winger. His carries are strong and defence seems to be his Achilles heal at centre. He will need to learn how to diffuse a bomb quickly though. I remember Waqa getting found out by Cleary when we tried to turn him into a winger
Twidle is just a footballer, he has instincts you cannot train. He is raw, very raw but he could be a Fullback, Five-Eighth or maybe Centre. But with Simonsson's injury, Twidle could have a spot for the rest of the year and that is amazing for his development.
You're right mate he is a footballer and good things happen around him
As a bonus he'll solve our goal kicking issues.
Keep him in first grade, develop him and sign him long term
Do you think Mon can accomplish that.
Congratulations to apa! Great debut. Reminds me more of joey many.
My backs for next week:
Papa
Apa
Araz
Kelly
Fox
Walker
Mosrs
No idea about forwards or bench. I feel like we are the only team not roids. Our squad has been battered.
Twidle was good, although anyone who has watched him in Cup will tell you he has some defensive issues. And he's of course going to look energetic on the field, debut aside, he came on after 60 minutes against players who were absolutely exhausted.
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