Anybody heard of this new kid. Seems to be going ok in NSW Cup.
Arthur could easily transition from halfback to lock: Lewis
NSW Cup.
April 2023:
True Blue Luke Lewis is enjoying the quality of Jake Arthur’s game at halfback for Parramatta in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, but sees his future at lock.
Running his eye over the Round Six match-ups over the Easter long weekend, Lewis was drawn to the Western Suburbs Magpies up against the Eels at Accor Stadium on Monday 10 April.
Lewis is eagerly awaiting Arthur against Brandon Wakeham, who has come back to NSW Cup after three NRL games with the Wests Tigers.
“There is a really good match-up this weekend with these two No.7s – Jake Arthur against Brandon Wakeham,” Lewis told ‘The Short Side’ on nswrl.com.au.
“Brandon Wakeham – I’m liking his control and his leadership he’s been trying to do at the Tigers. I think he’ll step up and have a big game this weekend,” he said.
“And I really like what Jakob Arthur can do.
“He’s got some really good footwork, he’s strong, he’s tough, he goes looking for the ball, always wants to get heavily involved,” he said.
“I do believe Jakob Arthur’s body shape though, will turn him into a 13,” said Lewis, who was named both Dally M Lock of the Year and the IRL (International Rugby League) Lock of the Year in 2010.
Lewis also won his second NRL premiership playing lock for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2016 and played in the back row 14 times for NSW, and 16 times for Australia.
“Jake’s pretty tall, he’s a big boy already. But as he puts some more size on, I think he’ll be a really nice ball-playing lock,” Lewis said.
“So I think for this weekend it will be a battle of the No.7s.”
It is also a battle of those who can earn the most line-break assists.
Arthur leads The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup stats with seven from five games, although Wakeham has five from just two matches.
Arthur has the most line engagements (101) in NSW Cup so far, as well as leading try assists with eight.
Replies
Good on JA. Maybe he will be NRL level one day. The problem is BA's decisions not JA.
The problem is that when someone is put repeatedly in the top 17 when there are better options people point out the reasons why that is not justified, which means focussing on a developing players weakness rather than complimenting his strong points.
If BA goes there is no problem with JA - just need a more rational/non-biased person to decide whether or not he should be in the 17
I think its a bonus he is seeing extensive reggies time to develop. Whether he makes it in first grade or not. There were some here that see him as a transitioning second rower in the future. Interesting Luke Lewis sees something similar.
eitherway I think he needs to become stronger (core strength) before he could be first grade level - I think he will be a late bloomer. Having said that the highlights reel makes it looks like he has improved massively this year. Only saw a glimpse of that in the trial when he passed at the line. But he seems to be taking the line on a lot this year and that was a strong try against the dragons. I still think he has a way to go but he seems to have stepped up this year.
Agree Coyote, I dont know if he makes it or not, Ive always been on his side, as I can see his skill level and the huge heart and mental strength he has. It is just a really perplexing story that unfolds around him. His body type is going to take some time to develop, when that happens people may very well see him in a different light. I really enjoy the drama and story surrounding him. He is still only 20 years old. Not many backup halves in the NSW cup / NRL that can honestly step up and look like they belong. He is leading in a lot of half back statistics in NSW cup putting him above most of the next wave of candidates.
A ball playing lock hey. Yeah I can see that in about 2-4 years.
He's certainly too slow to play in the halves. Perhaps lock could be his thing down the track but he needs to take the pill and bulk up
I think majority of us know he is not an NRL Halfback and a move to the back-row is the right tradjectory for him. Issue is, it will take 2-3 years for him to transition. The more years he stays at 7 the longer it takes for him to get going.
Yeah, lock is the only position he has buckleys of making it, imo, with a few big ifs. If he goes on a Cronulla diet, bulks up, and adds power (not sure how).
Problem is JA's lack of natural fast-twitch muscles will make him a defensive liability in the middle, and his plays are too sloth-like and lacking in oomph - ultimately killing off his NRL lock-career pretty quickly.
We saw how easily the likes of Cleary were able to run around him, laterally. Adding 10-15 kg of muscle probably won't make JA go any faster. Just look better in a jersey.
Imagine a good ruck play around an even slower, heavier JA. Plenty of teams will target him in the middle.
Physical limitations, not a lack of want or brains, like his father before him (as told by Royce Simmons), will be his ultimate undoing IMO.
Unless, he finds a magic diet (cough, cough) and finds a way to make it legal (officially).
Honestly, I can't find a position for him in the top grade long-term. Just my two cents. I'd love to be wrong.
PS: His younger brother seems to have a bit more potential, but we'll see.
I agree with all of that. Simply put, he's not quick enough for NRL. He can have the best footy brain and biggest heart out there, but if he's a half a yard beyond the pace he'll get found out mercilessly. Just like Cleary did to him in week 1 of the finals.
I'm glad he's getting 80 minutes each week in reggies and I hope he does develop into some form of quality nrl player but I just can't see it purely because of his speed (in all aspects). Some guys look great in reggies but never make the step up to NRL despite several chances. Some guys look average in reggies but blossom when they get to play with and against better players in NRL as the pace suits them. IMO he'll end up in the ESL somewhere and have a decent career over there. I hope it works out for him, he bleeds blue and gold!
Pace wise , He's not as slow as the 1EE brethren wouid have you believe MM. that bloke he just beat to this ball ain't no slouch. Smart players get themselves in positions to compensate for their weakness's.
https://youtu.be/xHYuZXPcZec
He's tall, so his legs aren't moving at 3000 steps a minute so it's an assumption he's moving slow. He's just not as quick off the mark due to his height and frame, but he's not a " slow " runner.
Yes he's not agile enough to play as a spine player , certainly not right for an NRL half , but I think we all know that was never where his role was mapped out to be down the track.
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