If there is one player, I expect to have his breakthrough season and establish himself as a player of the highest order this year, it is Justin Horo.
There has always been a lot to like about Justin Horo. In particular, he has always had the ability to bust through a defensive line, which is a pre-requisite for your modern day second rower.
However, Horo has more strings to his bow, too. We've not seen it all that often, but he has a pretty fair offload as well good enough footwork and mobility to be able to hold his own as an NRL centre, as he showed last year.
More so, when he's on his game, Horo is one of those players that has the knack of showing up at the right place at the right time. He's scored plenty of tries following through kicks and saved plenty of tries getting back to cover them up. When he's on his game, that facet of his play is - dare we say it - often Hindmarsh-like.
Indeed, I commented on this site when we were faced with losing Feleti Mateo, that the Eel's wouldn't feel it as much as many thought, because Justin Horo was capable of stepping up as that game-breaking second rower.
There were times last season, when Horo looked a world-beater. There were also plenty of times, when he looked like he should be back playing for Wentworthville. Horo's problem has always been consistency. He would have broken out of State Cup long before he did, except for the fact that every run of form seemed to be followed by a subsequent slump just as he was getting close to that breakthrough.
So I was delighted to hear at the recent Fan Forum, that Horo has really trimmed up and transformed his physique in the off-season. That to me, indicates his head is finally in the right place and that we're going to see a far-more switched on and committed Justin Horo in 2012.
With the likelihood that the Eels will sign a marquee second rower for 2013 and plenty of talented young backrowers coming through the ranks, Horo has to lift his game to another level to hold his place in the side. Not only do I think he'll do that, I think by the end of the year, he'll be a New Zealand international.
WHO DO YOU THINK IS READY FOR THEIR BREAKTHROUGH SEASON? WHO IS READY TO STEP OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AS A TOP-LINER?
CHECK OUT THE JUSTIN HORO 1EYED EEL PLAYER PROFILE
Replies
People that'll have breakthrough seasons: Ryan Morgan,Cheyse Blair or Esi Tonga. It all depends who will get that right side centre position
I am expecting Justin Poore to prove a few people wrong and show why we paid so much money for someone Bennett rejected
...What a talent. Hated seeing him in the centres towards the end of last year
x 2 unfortunate for him & smithy it had to be last year.
Horo was Eels' best in 2010. Looked fat and flat in 2011 (maybe got lazy on the big contract we signed him to after the Knights had a shot at him.)
I was disappointed in Horo last year as I had high expectations after he showed so much potential in 2010. Last year he made a lot of busts but would never look for support & just take the tackle. Once he starts looking for his supports he'll start turning those busts into tries.
Kearneys instructions. NO OFFLOADS. We didn't see many offloads from anyone, let alone Horo.
Kearney said in many interviews that we had to get the simple things right before we can even start to worry about playing a more risky style.. He wanted the team to go forward, and no errors.. This year will be different though and I'm fricken pumped
i got my money on hayne having a re-breakthrough year this season...........but still wont get picked over dugan and slater
There is also an article in Rugby League Week about what will be driving Justin Horo in 2012
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