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"Kautoga showed so much promise and improvement towards the end of the year. He runs a good line, is good in defence, gets through work and posesses an offloard. I just think it is promise from him, plus Ryles seems to be a big fan. But if Tuilagi…"
"It amazes me that there are battlers out there who still purchase this trash. I wonder what percentage of those readers that are left, (not many) fall for the BS contained within, (particularly in the political pages)?"
"Bailey was training with the reserves in a opposed session he is coming back from injury so maybe Samrani is filling in but I thought it was interesting im not opposed to it he would do the grunt work from our end"
"I don't get the obsession over Kitione Kautoga? Nothing special with much errors in his game, I have Williams & Tuilagi infront for both back row positions."
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Nothing new in there for us that hasn't been spoken about at length, but for most Parra fans that don't visit this site, it's enough information to tie them over for the off-season.
I'm probably most excited to see the hooker rotation between Smith and TDS with a full pre-season under their belts. I see Smith as the leader of our defensive line and honey badger in the pack giving Moses and Pezet some great service, but i'm equally looking forward to seeing TDS's attack, he looked so good in the Tigers trial against us last year, that I genuinly think he's going to make a huge point of difference in the second half attacking tired defenders, Ryles will have this ready to go. This will be an area of attack that we haven't had in years... two highly capable hookers with different strengths complimenting each other, the safe and reliable starter, and the exciting and dynamic interchange hooker... Remember the seasons we had with Drew & Marsh, and Keating & Kingston
I also agree in that Tuivaiti is going to have a huge year in the forwards. I'm seriously excitied by this guy and what I saw throught the year. I have no doubt he'll bevcome our Alpha forward with Moretti.
If Rich Penisini can get some first grade game time and remain uninjured, he gives us a huge advantage by saving some coin and bringing him in lon-term to cover wing or center. He looks like an athletic weapon and his defence in last year's trials tells me he would handle most first graders out there. It would be cool seeing the Penisini bros play side-by-side and create a great duo for years to come.
We made soooo many metres with those exciting hooker rotations - hopefully we can run riot
Me too Carlo
A lot has been said and rightly so of the importance of Mitch MOSES to our season. THat is a no brainer. Highest paid player, club captain, tactician and known point scorer. But I am starting to think Junior P and JDB could be the real glue that holds the team together. JP season last year was outstanding. It wasnt long ago that we would see BA reach for the interchange card at 18 minute mark for a gassed out Junior. WE then would lose further strike at 35 min for RCG and rarely recovered until both came on for their 2nd stints.
The 2025 Fit streamlined JP was crunching out big numbers and has gone from being the biggest 1/2 in the game back to run first mentality. This with a quick play the ball allows the real magic to begin. When we get two passes wide we are putting some key runners one on one and with the great back up skills of Iongi and Smith etc we really began to stretch the defence lines. THis created some indecision in the backs and freed up JAC to do his business. A lot of people said it was Sean RUSSELL improving dramatically but it was more the great work of JP, HOPPY, WILLIAMS being direct and challenging markers and A defenders.
I think Kautoga has the most potential upside in year 2 of NRL. Runs great lines, can pass before or after line and has learnt to defend tight. Looking forward to watching him go.
For the trials :
Lincoln Fletcher sure to get a 1/4 somewhere with Lorenzo. HE is super fit, great football brain and I know where he likely to be playing 2027 onwards.
Api Twidle. A classy player who is just getting better. Not a small body either and will get a sniff in trial matches.
Everyone raving about juniors performance last season (rightly so). De Belin's performance was near identical (only 2 metres less per game but made about 80 more tackles at a higher efficiency). He's going to be a great pick up.
Spot on Adam. Reckon he is going to be huge for us. To have a 300 gamer still competing and adding to the team is massive. The experienced players know where to be, when to be there and all have earnt the right for judgement calls and pulling noses when required. Self Policing is the key here. Good teams make themselves accountable to each other not just when the coach is watching.
This...(hopefully)
I also am very hopefuly that JDB is a good pick up. I can understand the Saints letting him go - their exciting crop of young forwards are probably 1-2 seasons advanced on where our young forwards are, plus they've had exposure to NRL and don't look overawed.
So as a 1-2 year option, with the option in our favour, I think JDB could be an astute purchase. Also lessens the potential impact of Junior retiring after this season, if it plays out this way.
He's a physical specimen (as in he's in great shape and I can't recall him ever being out for an extended period due to injury). As you say disciplined. Plus I reckon he's got a smidge of psycho about him which will come in handy.
He does play with a lot of tape, our strappers will have their work cut out for them this year.
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