Pauga

[Rooster89]

Just thought I'd mention Pauga and his game against the rabbits.

I personally thought he was very good for a fill in.

He showed quite a bit of speed on a few occasions, he was willing to do the hard yards and had some nice touches.

Does anyone know how long he is signed for? He might also be in the equation next year too.

[Easts75]

His first game for us at Gosford was highly impressive. He did seem to plateau very quickly however and his carries lacked a bit of punch. Friday night however he was super impressive and didn't look out of place at all

[Thirteen]

I think he scored 20 odd tries in his last 11 reserve grade games.

[Vasco]

Had the game of his life.

[Qld Chook]

I like him, just has a few errors in him but if he cuts them out he goes real good. He has now averaged 160 run metres per game in NRL this year & showed he can finish tries.

[Bates]

I like him. His d was solid against Souffs. He could potentially be a great replacement for Toops when he retires.

[ARD]

Fine player, we’d be lucky to keep him given what he has to offer.

[Thirteen]

I like him. His d was solid against Souffs. He could potentially be a great replacement for Toops when he retires.

Will be 29 assuming Toops retires end of next season.

[takethe 2]

I like him too but I recall that he didn’t handle high kicks that great earlier on in the season. Luckily souffs didn’t test him out too much there. Solid player though

[Bates]

I don’t realise he was that old. He’s a late bloomer.

[Rooster_6]

I like him. His d was solid against Souffs. He could potentially be a great replacement for Toops when he retires.

Don't forget that's what we signed Lewis Murphy for.

Will be interesting to see the pecking order of wingers next year with Toops, Suaalii, Young, Murphy & Pauga.

[Bates]

Don't forget that's what we signed Lewis Murphy for.

Will be interesting to see the pecking order of wingers next year with Toops, Suaalii, Young, Murphy & Pauga.

Perhaps the rules are changing next season, 15 v 15 hence why we are stockpiling outside backs.

I think his managers phone is going to be ringing hot tomorrow

[ism22]

He had some key runs and also showed solid passing skills. Combined well with Keary too (who I also think has lifted his running game in recent weeks).

IMO our form was promising as the Faders, Cows, Souffs, Warriors, Eels...etc have all dropped-off towards the end of the season. IMO we are amongst the Riff, Drongos, Knights and Sharks as the 5 teams that will have a serious crack during the finals.

I doubt we'll see Toops again in 2023 so it's good to know that Pauga's been able to step-up. During the pre-season I remember that Bloke in a Bar loved Pauga and assumed he was a youngster. Checked his age and went 'WOW!' We've had a few journeymen who've come good under Robbo. Possibly one of his under-rated skills is taking on guys who others have written off and squeezing some of the youthful form/attitude outta them that first brought 'em to the game. Always love a story about a toiler who's come good!

Arguably Pauga's awareness was one of the biggest factors behind us making our mark on the game. Firstly just befor half-time he had that try where he was perfectly setup for a Sam Walker Harbour Bridge pass... IMO he musta seen Campbell Graham rush in and had an ESP moment with Walker there. Then just after 1/2 time he was in the right place at the right time for Keary to do two show and go's followed by a PERFECT pass for Pauga to slice through, before handing Teddy a try. To me his awareness & ability to link-up with Walker, Keary and Teddy all like that was extremely impressive. Seems simple but I reckon that's mostly what Brett Morris offered around the park... awareness and an ability to always be in the right spot as a result. In a game full of many freakish physical specimens on the wing, IMO the smartest player still wins 99% of the time.

[The Marshall]

Realistically he is handy at best. I think he was very good on Friday but played above himself. He has pace and can find the line but is a bit suspect in defence and he defiantly doesn't have any punch in his carries. There is a reason he is north of 25 yo and only played a handful of first grade across 2 or 3 clubs. He is more a Sam Perret style of yardage than a Toops. This will count against him in the long run as robinson seems to like those big yardage wingers. With Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Suaalii, Manu, Dom Young and Lewis Murphy on the books I can't see him being here long-term. But good luck to him and I hope he keeps it going for another month.

[The Lip]

His first game for us at Gosford was highly impressive. He did seem to plateau very quickly however and his carries lacked a bit of punch. Friday night however he was super impressive and didn't look out of place at all

The game plan didn't seem to change from him in or Toups in. Not his fault he got dominated taking the second hot up from our own end every time. That was poor from the coaching staff giving him that role - he's probably 15kgs lighter than Toups and hence is not equiped physically for that role. I can't believe they persisted with it all game after two carries it was obvious it had to go to someone else in that situation where he was dominated every time. I do however worry about him under the high ball - looks completely uncomfortable under them every time. However the rest of his game was very good. Looks like we are going to see more of him I just hope that stop gonging him that second hit up from our own end.