As I looked through our Round One teamsheets, I could help but think we look very skinny with our edge forwards.
At one point we seemed to have an embarrassment of riches in this regard. Most people were viewing Tep as an edge forward and with Pauli Pauli also in the squad we looked to have five genuine NRL options, plus a bit of depth with the likes of Tanginoa, Woods and Nelson to call on if we had an injury crisis.
However with Tepai moving into the middle and Pauli Pauli released, I think we're now looking pretty skinny on the edges, especially if you look at 20s side where the guy who is probably our best second row prospect in Tyrell Fuimaino is playing in the centres.
It makes me wonder whether we should be re-thinking how we view a couple of players in our squad.
Firstly, Fuimaino - who I think may be a better prospect as an edge forward than centre - anyway. He was added to the NRL squad when we maybe looked short in the outside backs, but with the signings of Jennings and the strong early form of Tautai, a path way via the second row now maybe shapes as a more likely route for Tyrell.
Even more so, I'd say the same for Folau. I don't ever see Folau making it to NRL level as a centre or winger. I think he is probably behind a bunch of players for those positions, and to me, he just does not have the agility to play centre or the speed to play winger. What has impressed me about Folau has been his strength. He's a big unit, runs and tackles hard and for me is a much better second row proposition.
What he hasn't demonstrated yet is the forward work ethic or ruck skills. However, he's not going to learn that playing NSW Cup in the centres.
Now, we obviously have some versatility in our forwards. Tepai, Gower and Hasson can all handle a second-row role, but we would lose an awful lot of punch on the edges and I think it's a scenario worth planning for.
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If need be and we had to get some experience in the back-row there, absolutely.
The fact Taka is versatile and has good ball movement/control and play-making abilities from his time at five-eighth, would only help.
But, with that said, he probably wouldn't offer that penetrative hole-running that so many would cry for if the likes of Ma'u or Edwards went down.
I like seeing Tyrell play centre in the NYC and hope he moves into NSW cup playing that position. He's demonstrated that he can play second-row, and in doing so he made both the Australian and NSW under 20's teams last year. We all know he can play second-row, I think this is a smart move to teach him how to defend at centre so if he has to step up into the centres in first grade he at least has some experience playing there. I also wouldn't be discounting Jack Morris from our NYC side, he's unfortunately had long term injuries which have kept him out of our NYC side for the past few years but from the little I've seen of him play he's a good edge player.
Can't forget Nelson either, he mightn't be as potent in attack as some of those other guys but he can come in and at least defend at a first grade level. But yes, right now we have a lack of first grade options on the edge.
I don't think it's an issue if we have to fill in for a couple of weeks and I think guys like Nelson can do that, or you can move one of those more mobile middle forwards, but I wouldn't want to have one of our three primary edge forwards go down for an extended amount of time. It becomes even more of a factor if we do lose Watmough, because that pretty much locks Tep in as a 13. If Watmough retires, have to say letting Pauli go is going to seem like a really unfortunate decision.
Edwards and Nelson are the immediate backups for Ma'u and Scott I'd say. Tepai can do the job if needed. I don't like Gower as an edge forward as he lacks punch. We'll be okay, but then why did we allow Aloiai to go??? That was a dumb mistake imo.
He's starting on the bench for the Tigers this weekend, he probably would have been in Wenty for us. I'd say that's a fair reason as to why we let him go.
I would also like to see Wicks used as an edge player rather than upfront. His footwork and speed would be better used out wide rather than as a battering ram.
We also have Kenny Edwards off the bench and Taka could also be used as an edge forward if needed. So overall I thing we have enough players floating around the club that can fill in if needed.
Wouldn't mind seeing him play as an edge forward
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