Jacob Loko has all the Charateristics to be the next Israel Folau or Greg Inglis i know its a big rap but this kid really does have what it takes.
- Great under the high ball
- Damaging Runner
- Can find a line break
- Busts Tackles very easily
- Has the Inglis fend
- Is fast for a big boy
- Hard to handle close to the try line
- Can play a variety of postions such Lock, Center, Second row and Wing
- He's only gonna get better
- He's just turning 19 i beleive
Sure he has some defensive issues that he needs to fix up but that will be worked on in the pre season i think.
Steve Kearney would have made a massive blunder if Loko is not given a run on paddock in 2011.
He impressed in his first year of toyota cup i know i have given Loko a big rap but he has all the trates of young Inglis or Folau he was a shinning star in his first year of toyota cup and thats impressive in a often beaten toyota cup team.
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The last thing SK or the Eels will want to do is rush him in, because if he has a poor game, his morale will go down, and it'll mean that he won't get a crack.
For the first 8 weeks or so of the season, I'd have him alternating between the NYC and NSW Cup to see how he copes with the added pressure for Wenty, and then if we see some consistency from him, which I'm sure we will, then we can play him in first-grade.
I just don't want him to be played early, thus being a setback for him in his career.
+ Only carries the ball in one arm, so NRL sides will cram in on him and take away his biggest weapon
+ Has a relatively loose carry so he'll make some mistakes
+ Won't be able to run over the top of NRL defences
+ Has a troublesome shoulder
+ Needs to learn to run some additional lines
+ Needs to life his involvement when the ball doesn't come his way
+ Needs to talk more, particular communicating with his wing
+ Needs to improve his defence
This is why I see our centre roster as being absolutely dire next year. Ideally, you'd give Jacob some experience on the wing - let him play one in on occasion to see how he goes in attack, but not put too much pressure on him or expect too much from him. Centre isn't a position that kids walk straight into because if its a weakness opposition sides can just target it all day.
Exciting prospect though.....
Loko does have an enormous amount of potential. With SK as our coach next year, it will be interesting to see if he blossoms some under new directions.
BUT .... remembering last year, he is still just a little bit away from NRL standard.
There is a MASSIVE divide between Toyota Cup and NRL standard, but I do think that given a little bit more maturing he will become an awesome NRL player.
I just hope we don;t lose this one to another club after spending years (and $$$$) developing him
:)
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