I'm of the opinion that speed is the most essential quality that a team needs in it's back 5.
At the moment we have only Semi and Robo who are genuine speedsters. I can understand Takairangi's re-signing as he does possess a good mixture of size, ballskill and above average speed for his height and size, but he can be the only non genuine speedster in the 5.
We cannot go into 2016 with both Hopoate and Taka in the centres. Hopoate finds it very difficult to take advantage of space created by our forwards, leading to many of our backline plays prematurely breaking down. Opposition teams are aware of this and easily shut the play down, and can also simply shut his winger down, understanding that Hopoate's pace is no danger.
Hopoate's time may be up at Parramatta, and if Arthur does re-sign him, it won't help his, or the teams cause.
Although he may be raw, Goodall should be given an opportunity in the near future. He might not be the answer, but he has shown that he has a good balance of size and speed. BA must pick and stick, just as Jack Gibson did with Kenny, Grothe and Ella as rookies.
Hopefully the other two backs will come through our reported rumored recruitment - with Johnston the most likely.
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Slower than Hopoate, id like to see that. Did you see his try against the Bulldogs.
There's no chance Hopa could have done what Goodall did.
Danny Wicks would even trounce Hops over 30 meters and I've never seen a slower centre this decade.
Goodall is a lot faster than you think Henry. Saw him in early Wenty game where he almost run down winger from opposite side of field. Surprised me with his speed, he is not obviously in James Roberts category, but for centre would be more than capable in fg imo.
You don't need the fastest team, you just need to be fast enough.
Maybe our unheralded forwards have got us into great positions on the field - they certainly haven't been long range tries.
Hopoate wasn't the centre feeder whilst these tries were scored.
It's explosiveness and change of pace that defines a players ability to beat another, and for some reason Hopa does not possess those fast twitch fibers.
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