With Moa and Hargreaves out...

[Guest]

...we have essentially lost our starting front row for at least 5 weeks. This is the opportunity FPN and Tasi needed to earn new contracts. Evans and Napa are long-term prospects that aren't going anywhere, but both Tasi and FPN are on that cusp where they are sitting behind the two pack leaders JWH and Kennedy, as well as seasoned 'stop gap' props O'Donnell and Moa.

Realistically, Moa and O'Donnell have neither the longevity nor the sheer ability and talent that FPN and Tasi possess, but their experience and consistency this season has seen them be selected time and time again.

Who thinks Tasi and/or FPN will make the most of this unfortunate circumstance and take a hold of their first grade spots?

[Rooster_6]

I'm not so sure that Tasi will be selected, I know he was 18th man on Monday night but that's been a rotation all season. I think that more comes down to the fact that Robbo doesn't want the 18th man missing consecutive games in reserve grade.

To my knowledge Napa, Liu, Bosden & Tasi have all been 18th man at some point this season. Liu obviously got the nod last time but Tasi was returning from injury so I'm not sure how much we can read into that but I definitely don't think he's a certainty to be selected.

On Moa, I think you're underrating him just a tad. He's more than just a stop gap solution imo, he gets through a decent amount of work in defence & his metres per run are always very good. Starting as a prop is one of the hardest roles in the game and he's handled it very well so far for what is essentially his rookie season in the NRL.

[chook 56]

Who thinks Tasi and/or FPN will make the most of this unfortunate circumstance and take a hold of their first grade spots?

A BIG ?over both of them.....BUT, if anyone can get the best out of them it is TRobbo.
Also, if they aren't motivated by "this" team they are playing for, they never will be & may as well start looking for a career in netball.

[Guest]

A BIG ?over both of them.....BUT, if anyone can get the best out of them it is TRobbo.
Also, if they aren't motivated by "this" team they are playing for, they never will be & may as well start looking for a career in netball.

FPN or Tasi in a netball skirt is a quite disturbing image. Frank Paul with Wrecking Balls.

[chook 56]

FPN or Tasi in a netball skirt is a quite disturbing image. Frank Paul with Wrecking Balls.

[Guest]

Dylan Napan and Lama Tasi were not named for Newtown so it looks like it will come down to one of them replacing big Jared.

[Guest]

I'm not so sure that Tasi will be selected, I know he was 18th man on Monday night but that's been a rotation all season. I think that more comes down to the fact that Robbo doesn't want the 18th man missing consecutive games in reserve grade.

To my knowledge Napa, Liu, Bosden & Tasi have all been 18th man at some point this season. Liu obviously got the nod last time but Tasi was returning from injury so I'm not sure how much we can read into that but I definitely don't think he's a certainty to be selected.

On Moa, I think you're underrating him just a tad. He's more than just a stop gap solution imo, he gets through a decent amount of work in defence & his metres per run are always very good. Starting as a prop is one of the hardest roles in the game and he's handled it very well so far for what is essentially his rookie season in the NRL.

I saw an interview with Robbo where he was talking about body shapes and having different physiques for different roles (not just positions). I suspect this may mean he will try to replace JWH with a "like" body type - Liu?

[Darkone]

The "UNDERTAKER" has been called in....

[stephenj]

its getting exciting now!

[TheLoneRooster]

The "UNDERTAKER" has been called in....

Excuse my ignorance, who is the "Undertaker" Darkone?
And how do you know said person has been called in?
Thanks.

[roostersrule2]

Excuse my ignorance, who is the "Undertaker" Darkone?
And how do you know said person has been called in?
Thanks.

Kane Evans, I just got why he'a called the undertaker to, I'm yet to see this kid play I really hope he lives up to the hype.

[TheLoneRooster]

Kane Evans, I just got why he'a called the undertaker to, I'm yet to see this kid play I really hope he lives up to the hype.

Thanks rr2. I assume he's called that because he sends people to "sleep" or some such?

[roorooman]

Kane Evans, I just got why he'a called the undertaker to, I'm yet to see this kid play I really hope he lives up to the hype.

Why is he called the undertaker ?

[Guest]

Why is he called the undertaker ?

I'm pretty sure a Kiwi commentator started calling him that when they played the Vulcans a few weeks back, due to his tackling technique putting opposition players "under the ground"! Or maybe his tackling technique prepared the opposition players for death! Something like that anyway?

[davos]

I think that our top 2 frontrowers being out, may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

It will give an opportunity for some of our fringe forwards to get a look into the teams front row places and may even force some of our slightly underperforming/inconsistent forwards like FPN, Kennedy and LOD to keep looking over their shoulders.

I would be very surprised if Tasi isn't selected tbh. From all reports he has been playing some decent footy at newtown. This time, last season he was starting in the front row, before his form and injuries held him back in the latter part of last season. I like him as a footballer and he is similar to JWH in many ways. He hits the line hard, has strong momentum and never takes a backward step, and never slows down before he hits the line.