38-0, great win but some stats have really caught my eye. Now of course the result may have actually made these stats a bit better than what they should be, but still good to look at some great and some meh.
Ky Rodwell: He has been consistent in NSW cup but had an injury a bit back and it effected him. On the weekend he was back with 236 metres, 27 tackles, 0 missed, 1 tackle break. That is a workhorse. Though he has not thrown a single offload this year, hope he can actually provide an offload in general. Surely he would be a nice addition on the bench. One thing i will say is it seems he gives away a few penalties, he gave away two set restarts in the final 15mins alone, that could hinder his chances of getting picked by BA.
Wiremu Greig: Big Woody, scored a try with a nice step and use of power close to the line. 233 metres coming off the bench for 49 minutes. 2 offloads and 5 tackle breaks. Greig i feel is a player that would add something to our bench, big body, seems to be getting fitter and fitter and with Kaufusi leaving, ill get to him later, why not develop Greig further with him getting some game time for 2023.
Maika Sivo: 253 meters, 9 tackle breaks, 3 tries and 4 line-breaks. He's ready and yeah his tries were practically walking over the line, the way he scored them showed he is above the level though, he literally walked over the line for the first two.
Makahesi Makatoa: 31 minutes and picked up 124 metres in those minutes, which is what a first grader should do. Nice little kick to Sean Russell for a try too. But Maka got a run that he must've needed and stood up as he should.
Oregon Kaufusi: Ok to some might sound like no big deal, but i have an issue with these stats. 31 minutes only 67 metres. Now you could say "Well Maka may have gotten a lot of metres through kick-offs" he only got 18 and Kaufusi 0, 67 metres is fine i guess but against that opposition, seeing the numbers Rodwell, Greig and Maka got makes you think he has more experience than those players yet produced the least. I just think he did not get on the field v Canberra, why not go with Rodwell or Grieg as they will offer the same or more and get them ready for 2023 at the same time. Kaufusi i am not picking on as he is leaving but i have never been a fan of Kaufusi, i find him a decent squad player to have and that is it. But now time to usher in other props at his expense. He is not playing that well to take minutes away from Greig and Rodwell who will be here for 2023.
Ofahiki Ogden: Finally big Ofa is back, coming off the bench alongside Grieg. 174 metres, 2 tackle breaks, 13 tackles and 1 missed. What you expect from a player with 45 NRL games under his belt (cough Kaufusi cough). Ogden is a nice experienced player to have and even he could offer something on our bench compared to what we have.
Elie El-Zakhem: I love this player, but a bit of a quiet night for him. 101 metres, 1 tackle-break, 3 offloads and 27 tackles in 80 minutes. I hope he gets a debut by the end of the year, he would be a nice addition to our 30 man squad and getting a game or two would give him good development leading into a possible WC selection for Lebanon.
Bryce Cartwright: Scored an easy try going to the blind side from dummy half, 80 mins, 125 metres, 2 offloads, 3 tackle breaks. But the big thing here, 12 tackles with 3 missed. That is something that is costing Cartwright.
I am happy with our bench but feel Greig, Ogden or Rodwell would add similar to what Makatoa and Kaufusi do.
Replies
I agree LB, I think it's time to move Oregon on and start preparing someone for next year. Greig or Rodwell would be the obvious choice.
I understand different points that if someone is leaving it does not mean that can be a reason not to pick them and preparing a player for the future is not what top 8 teams do, but nobody can tell me that Ogden, Greig and Rodwell would not do better than Kaufusi at the moment? what will we be missing, hell even them getting 15mins a game is better than NSW cup.
Spot on gents. Kaufusi is only a back up bench player.
I think Rodwell will be in first grade next year if not this year with players moving on every side needs a workhorse type player like him
I am not sure why Brad Arthur hasn't given Rodwell, Ogden, Zakhem, and Grieg more NRL game time in preparation for 2023. I know the coach likes to stay with the same players but some of them won't be here in 2023.
Because this year is the priority, next year will take care of itself
Preparation is a priority don't you reckon ? Early bird catches the worm 🐛
But not at the expense of the present
Not necessarily
I agree Brett, you name Papa and Mahoney as they are the best we have in those positions, Oregon however, i think Rodwell and Greig would benefit us more being played over Oregon, even if Kaufusi was here in 2023 i'd say the same thing.
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