Suaalii

[Mickie Lane]

Something to detract from the Leinu situation - how good was Su in that centre spot? I had my doubts and always rated him as a better winger, but you can understand why Trent has persisted with him there - a performance like that showed the staggering potential. Some great defensive reads, attacked well and ran with a newfound malice. The 1-5 v Manly will be interesting - wouldn’t surprise me if the only change is Young > Pauga. Fan of Billy, but the upside for our backline and team if Su plays as good as he did is massive - cannot see him playing NSW Cup.

100%
You beat me to it in regards to starting a thread about his performance.
He runs so hard & tackles hard & his dual with Staggs was unreal.
He has to be in the side.

[Bates]

The left side vs right side for Suallii is an interesting point you raise Batesy. After starting with us on the right, where he was developing very well with his big right foot step and right arm carry, the apparently obligatory need to then move him in closer at any price to play centre, meant he moved to the left side. Last season he was all at sea playing on the left side. When we lost Billy before kickoff meaning Suallii had to revert back to the left, I thought oh no.

But he went really well. Still not as well as he'd go on the right, but way better than he used to go on the left. Maybe says something about his overall class and his development.

Left centre is a hard spot to fill. Most of the good left centres (Mitchell, Bradman Best, Stephen Crichton, Jack Wighton) are left footed

If you get the opportunity to coach juniors you drill them to be able to step off both feet, pass both ways, turn and sprint both ways.Carry the ball in either arm/hand and fend with both arms. Coaches spend too much time working on kids strengths and forget about the benefits of working on the above. Muscle memory starts early!

[tloos1999]

He was very good. Apart from 1 missed tackle on Walsh that lead to a try.

Walsh is so quick off that foot I’d say most will be grasping at air in a situation like that. Other than that, some of the shots he made in defence were joys to watch. I found in the same position last year he’d love to jump out of the line but had an equal ratio of misses and hits. Against Brisbane he stuck a majority of shots he put on. Clearly reading the play much better.

[Kelby]

He is Samoan you muppet.

Admit it.




You wanted to type monkey didn't you....................

[OMR]

What stood out for me was his passion during the team song with JWH! We are going to miss him, and more importantly who will lead the song after they’re both gone?

[HunchoRooster]

Big fan of JS and the way he applies himself to the game. Has the superstar billing and the prodigy tag with him but plays like a veteran with plenty of aggression and passion.

Always will be an asset to our side and interesting to see how Robbo plays it when everyone is fully fit. Don't really need to worry too much given we got to Round 1 and already had to play Pauga due to injuries to 2 of our outside backs and Joey Manu was close to missing aswell. Both BS and JS will play plenty of footy this year.

[Ray Stehr]

Suallii is coming along nicely, unfortunately he's not a linebreaker. If he can add that to his repatoi he'll be sensational.

[Rooster90]

Before the weekend i didn't see Suaalii as a centre at all.

But the way he hit holes and defended made me think maybe a full off season training in the position has actually done him wonders

Id keep him there next round and if he keeps playing like that, it's his spot to lose

[Bansai Pipeline]

He can also put a shot on.

[ism22]

Walsh is so quick off that foot I’d say most will be grasping at air in a situation like that. Other than that, some of the shots he made in defence were joys to watch. I found in the same position last year he’d love to jump out of the line but had an equal ratio of misses and hits. Against Brisbane he stuck a majority of shots he put on. Clearly reading the play much better.

Walsh salutes the master as he goes down to terra firma

[Rooster_boy]

How anyone thinks Billy Smith is better than him baffles me. That hack can’t even pull off a simple catch and pass

He was one of our best week in week out last year

[Easts75]

He was one of our best week in week out last year

100% he was and he is twice the centre of JS.....and KS is twice the winger Billy would be

You only have to watch the try Billy Smith scored against the filth at the end of last year with that fend on Graham.....JS is not capable of that.

I do believe Suaalii is a very very good winger, courageous as fark from day 1, if anything he just lacks pace

[Serenader]

Rumours now surfacing that Sualli’is rugby deal could be in doubt. Roosters working overtime to get him out of it. Probably means Manu is definitely gone if the Roosters are trying to keep Joseph

[Kelby]

If we can keep JS after losing Manu, I'll be very happy.