: Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:57 am  

SAINT ANDREW wrote:

it did worry me a little how much of an impact he seemed to have. he has come from an average NRL team and had to swap his national team in order to play in the world cup yet he looks like he is going to make a big impact in our game.
does this show us how far our game is behind the NRL defensively?

We are miles behind the NRL.

This is from having been to Australia and witnessed the gulf in class of the players, and also the professional facilities they have down under not just for RL but for just about any other sport you can think of.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:32 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

We are miles behind the NRL.

This is from having been to Australia and witnessed the gulf in class of the players, and also the professional facilities they have down under not just for RL but for just about any other sport you can think of.

The facilities point and financila clout of the NRL is considerable, but there is some filth running about down under. I once witnessed NQLD versus Souths and it was the worst top grade match I have ever seen and the first time I saw two top grade teams miss penalties to touch 3 time between them - dire.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:11 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

Story was that he had a very good season last year.

just not good enough to get a kiwi jersey though.

im not saying he is a bad player, i watched him a few times in the NRL last season (on the telly) and he thought he would prove to be a good signing

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:17 pm  

SAINT ANDREW wrote:

just not good enough to get a kiwi jersey

Are you sure? Just because he chose to play for Samoa?

I reckon the likes of Puleatua & Lauititi would still be in with a pretty good shout of a jersey when compared to the likes of Eastwood and Mannering.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:19 pm  

[quote="Offside Monkey"]Are you sure? Just because he chose to play for Samoa?
quote]

im not sure, just my opinion.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:06 pm  

SAINT ANDREW wrote:

im not sure, just my opinion.

and that's fair enough.

At least he could get a work permit though, eh? That trumps most Johnny Foreigners at the mo.

Re: Puletua : Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:34 pm  

Saint Rabban wrote:

On first showing I think the Big Man is going to tear up SL XIV. Very impressive.
A bit like Lauititi, but more athletic and with awesome defence!

Was very impressed with him when i watched the game.
I just wish he had signed for us instead.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:34 pm  

Looked very good. Bigger than i had imagined as well. I'm happy to make just 1 signing this year if he keeps that quality up. Rather have him than the 300 or so ozzies wigan signed

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:39 pm  

Thought it took him a while to get in to the game but once he did he looked very solid imo.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:42 pm  

His game needs to be directed down the flanks, his prefered side is the left hand side. At loose forward he was taking too much of the ball up the middle.