There i said it and going to get hate. I said it from day 1 of Moses being ruled out and think if you are going to have any chance of winning in the next 3 weeks before the bye at least, Asi needs to be at 6. He is not the saviour or the messiah but there are a few reasons why.
1. Experience: Granted not a lot of experience, only 28 games worth, 25 more than Talagi. But he has plenty in Cup footy also. Compared to Talagi, Asi is a lot more confident on the ball. BA constantly says we need to help DB, that is how you help him. They have played together twice for a 1-1 record. Asi is not afraid to kick and run. Talagi is hesitant as he is being rushed and when the play is breaking down he has not got the experience needed to create on the spot. Asi at least could try and do something. Taking plays out of the hands of Brown and Gutho will free them up. Talagi at this stage is not calling for the ball as much, nor would he know how to he is a kid with only 3 games at 6 in any level above SG Ball. He played Centre in Flegg and Fullback in Cup. Big step up 2 grades at 18 playing a position where you haven't played in some time. Being in Cup he also had more time being at Fullback, so not like Sanders who has gotten used to faster defences on the line.
2. Asi can attack: There were a few times last year where Asi just made a break out of the blue. Would step, create one on one and just run. Now Asi is similar to Brown and Talagi in the demeanor in which they hold themselves. Laid back, no frills about them. Asi can be a bit too laid back, but unlike Talagi at this stage in development can make that cut back inside or get that kick through when rushed.
3. Defence is no worse than what we currently have: 85% effeciency. That was Asi's defence in 2023. Not bad at all. He had some bad misses last year but so did Talagi. BA said he chose Talagi for his defence, well Asi should be considered as he could be the same or better.
Asi could definately come in and we see no changes. But more so instead of some focus being on helping Talagi and he is trying to find where he should be and working FG out with his training wheels on while Gutho and Brown pick up pieces along the way, Asi is capable to run the right side and let Brown and Gutho do what they need to. Again not so much he will win us the game but more so just able to organise the right side enough where you can trust them to see sets out. Rarely did they go to the right tonight due to Talagi.
Also, Hands just to steady things up would be a good option. Hands is not a world beater and Lussick offers more in his overall game, but the passing we need around the ruck Hands has it.
Replies
Stop making sense no place for that at this club
Honestly Offside, i do not think Asi makes too much of a difference but more comfortable with him.
Won't change much but will offer something
Slim pickings indeed.
Didn't he get knocked out in Cup though? He probably won't be availabe.
Nah he passed his HIA and came back on the field.
Okay cool. Didn't watch it and read that he got a HIA.
The problem we have without Moses isn't his kicking game that we miss it's his ability to get us to the points of the field we need to be.
Lussick should be controlling the first three tackles of a set , barking at the players to get into positions unless we're in the attacking zone.
Tackles 4/5/6 it's up to Brown and Gutho to get us to where we're comfortably kicking or working over the oppositions weaknesses.
Havent seen anyone but brown pointing to where we need to be, he's tried hard with little support.
We have the forwards to play a quasi half , Hopgood, Paulo and Matterson can get into first receiver early in sets and draw defenders so we can play a bit wider.
Our ball runners run alone , they have no support and get gang tackled especially out of our end, you have to occasionally take on the blindside , change the point of attack and at the very least support the ball carrier. Be an option.
We're too ready with excuses , our linespeed stinks.
Lussiick again that's your job, do it.
If Carty was fit he'd be my 5/8, our other options don't offer enough for me to warrant a start. Since he isn't an option pick your next best defensive option and get on with it.
Id be showing our back five the stats from the weekend and previous games and show them how poor they're stacking up against thier NRL counterparts lift your game.
Asi is worse than Talagi
Is he though? Talagi has had 2 games at 6 and done nothing. Asi in 10 games at 6 last year won 5 of them had 7 try assists and 4 linebreaks.
Does the result change last night with Asi? No, but Asi gives us a better chance to win over Talagi.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next