Now Sio is leaving, its time to start speculating who will be the new winger alongside Hopoate who will hopefully be a try scoring machine like Sio was.
No.1- Vai Toutai: Now unlike most people on this site I like Toutai, I think he still has learning to do but he only really had one bad game. To be honest I see him as a Centre, he cant take a high ball and comes off to wing to make a tackle exposing the right side, but can tackle and take the ball up quite well which makes me believe he could compete with Morgan for the 3 jersey, and he's experienced which is why I think he will be picked.
No.2- Justin Hunt: Now hear me out Wing could be his position, and he is on a three-year deal why not try him, he only played in 1 game and you cant judge off one game, but what he has that no other wingers (who have played FG) in our team, he is able to back up at fullback in case of an injury back there. And that is handy to have in a winger and he can take a high balls, well more than Toutai.
No.3- Fabian Goodall: More likely the fan favourite here. He could be that running hard winger that we need, like Eric Grothe Jr was like a few years ago. However I haven't seen him take high balls, and from what I've seen he is only a strong runner and only plays wing, I hope he can play Fullback or Centre. I could be wrong and hope I am
No.4- John Folau: A player who has had raps on him with the Folau name and to be honest I don't see it. He has height, rep honours, strength, and plays Wing/Centre but he doesn't set world on fire week after week. Players slamming door down for FG shouldn't dominate every week but most weeks they should and Folau isn't doing that. Now to be fair he has been injured. A bit of time in Wenty will determine his fate
No.5- Bureta Faraimo: A player who I thought would've debuted by now but hasn't and I don't think he ever will, he has been playing ok in Wenty and that's his level
No.6- Nathan Davis: A tall, lean, talented kid who can play FB/WG/CE and goalkick he has it all to make FG. However still young and bit of time in Wenty is key for him and is a player who shouldn't be rushed.
But would love to see him on the Wing next year more than anyone.
So there are a few options and not mentioning possible Signings as ive only heard of one or two wingers we are interested in and I don't believe this stuff til signature on paper so im excluding them, plus be cheaper using any of these 6 than buying another.
Please write who you would pick and if I left someone out
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Replies
It will be Vai, BA has been grooming him and signed him for another 3 years, so he is the cert imo.
Id like to see bureta get a crack, untested at 1st grade but he has some serious power, skills and big powerful defence, but maybe his lack of pace might hold him back.
Also Toutai could be groomed to take Morgans place in 2016?, as Morgan is off contract and to save money move him to Centre and bring a you kid onto wing
But Snake you're right Toutai is certainty, but who will be back-up, fun to think about
Agree , Eels will make a play for him , cant say I agree because we have talent to be unleashed
Sio couldn't take a high ball last year either, it's a a skill that can be learnt. What can't be taught is size and speed and Toutai has a fair bit of those two.
Hunt is a big no from me. He was good in at the start of the year then injured his back and hasn't been the same since.
Goodall can take high balls no problem and has been playing left centre for a few rounds now both for Wenty and the NYC team.
I think Folau was overweight all of last year and at the start of this year, he looks to have dropped a few kgs and it has shown in his game over the past few weeks. As Forty said in chat, he has natural strength no matter what his size is but by having the unnecessary weight on he lost some pace and his light-stepping which whilst not being noted for was actually quite dangerous. He's somewhat started a try-scoring run late in the season scoring doubles against the Warriors and Titans. There's still a few things he can work on but training full-time with the NRL squad in the off-season will hopefully develop his game.
Faraimo is too good for NSW cup and hasn't done anything bad there at all this year. I think his contract means he isn't able to play, he might be upgraded for next year not sure though.
Davis is still a year of playing first grade imo. He's definitely one of the stand-out players in our strong NYC team this year but not only does he need to put on some weight I think he could use a year in the NSW cup to go up against stronger defences and smarter attacking teams. I see him as a centre, his passing skills and ability to straighten up the attack and give the ball to his outside man is just too good to have on the wing.
I think if we re-sign Halaufau Lavaka he might get a shot on the wing. He's been in very good form for our Under 20's not only in the try-scoring department but he brings the ball back as well. He also fits BA's supposed typical physical stature of a winger, standing at over 190cm and surely weighing between 100-108kg he's a very big boy and never gets pushed back. He's also very good under the high ball and at the training the other night whenever Izzard or ZDC put a kick up.
You're right about Goodall playing Centre, missed that one badly haha
I thought he was better as a winger eg looks very good under the high ball and kick returns
Believe Faraimo not in top 25 paid players & we have already exceeded our limit. Might play fg next year.
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