Tweet
NYC:
Henare Wells – Terribly disappointed in Henare’s performance. He only had 15-20 minutes on the field and never really got any opportunities in attack. I get the feeling he may have injured himself to some degree during his time on the field. That or he is extremely unfit for some reason. There was an instance when the Dogs kicked deep to the corner. For some reason Wells was a long way forward and had to run back for it, he casually jogged back and then realised a bulldogs player was about to pass him in the race for the ball. Still after that it took him a while to get into a full sprint and he only just beat the Dogs player to the ball, conceding a line drop out as they both dived for it. Very strange.
Chris Taripo – Played fullback for the majority of the game. Solid without being great. Very fast across field but lacks in his support play. No certainty to get a wing spot imo.
Paul Rokolati – Great developing player and should be rewarded with a spot on the wing to start the year. Excellent returns, beat numerous defenders on occasions. He and Rona looked special together on the left edge. Scored two I think with great finishing to beat the fullback twice after Rona’s good work.
Curtis Rona – Best on field. Only played about 30 mins but was a class above his opposition. Skirted around his opposing centre with ease three times. Super quick for a guy that weighs 105kgs and stands 195cm. Will be there main attacking weapon this year in the same way Moga was last year. Unfortunately with the talent the Roosters seem to have in the centres at the moment he will probably have to leave the club to get an opportunity. Step it up SKD!!!
Joseph Forrester – Big and imposing, but not overly effective today. Granted most of the plays while our best forwards were on were directed down the left side he still struggled to beat his man on the few opportunities that he was given. Certainly looks like he can play (his dimensions are Inglis-like) but he only looked a bit clumsy today and was pulled down easily at times. Will probably fight it out with O’Sullivan and RTS for the right centre spot.
Asipeli Fine – Played about 50 mins at left centre. Looked much bigger and much faster than last year. Centre is his position, moved well today and broke a lot more tackles than he did last year from the wing. Was stepped easily in defence by the Bulldogs 4 which almost lead to a try though.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – Got him confused with Javid Bowen at first and thought he’s scored the first points with an intercept. The actual RTS was playing on the opposite wing with bright orange boots and looked very good. Every time he either returned the ball from the wing or came out of dummy half he would beat the first and often second defender with footwork. Would have liked to see him get a go at fullback at some stage cos it looked like he would offer more than Taripo but he stayed on the wing all game. Did not look overly happy about it after the game either tbh.
Javid Bowen – Scored the first try with a length of the field intercept and was not seen again. Super speedster though. Did not get involved nearly enough.
Corey McGrady – Very impressive play from this kid. Directed the troops well in the first half before Ryley Jacks came on to play 7. Scored a solo try running at the line easy as you like. Will make a great combo with Jacks I think. Good kicking game and was kicking the goals too.
Brandon Tago – Came on for the 2nd half with Evans and Napa and was clearly dominant. Good to see that he can handle himself against the big boys too.
Kane Evans – Also extremely dominant. Only played 20 mins and made several big 15m+ runs and some great offloads under pressure (could probably be more selective though). His right arm fend has improved from last year as well. He’ll play first grade early in the season I think. Shame he didn’t get any time in the NRL trial. Will probably get a go against the tigers.
Dylan Napa – Much more solid than last season when I thought he just looked slightly lanky. Was aggressive for the 30 mins he was on. Excellent in defence, and had a good amount of carries.
Tai Tuivasa – Got held up over the line after he tried a barge over. Needs to work on running at holes rather than players when close to the line. He simply landed on top of the Dogs player, moreso than it being good defence. Looks a bit fitter but still not at the level of the other 3.
Jack Seijka – Had some good struggling Guerra-like edge runs. Nothing spectacular though.
Sam Bernstrom – This kid came with big wraps but for mine he hasn’t looked that impressive. He did get limited opportunities in attack playing on the right. Seems too skinny still to really punch through holes. A few times when he should have gone to Forrester he went himself also.
Tautaltasi Tasi – I could be way off the mark but I’m pretty sure started in the NYC trial in jersey 19. Very unfit at this stage and it really affected his ability to get into the game. More or less a passenger. Hopefully it wasn’t Tasi.
Shaquille Blair – Looks like an interesting prospect. Played about 50 mins at left second row and was difficult to control. Very gangly and had great speed getting around defenders. Might snag a bench spot come round 1.
Clarrie Moore – Scored a sneaky try reaching out from dummy half like the one he scored in last year’s semi. Was solid for the most part. A few times he looked to have created space and came up with the wrong option. Blackman is ahead of him for the starting spot by a long way in my books.
SG Ball: Going off the numbers given on the program. If anyone knows what Willie Meehan and Joe Ofahengaue look like then I could be more sure on which player did what. Willie Meehan was listed as 17 or 18 and was a thin white kid playing right second row (seems wrong to me). I feel like I’m also getting Lloyd Perrett and Ofahengaue mixed up. Whoever was playing in 8 (listed as Perrett) looks like one of the best props I’ve seen at that age in a long while.
1. Dallas Wells – Played far better than his brother. Made one break with speed through the line but was rounded up. Doesn’t have the speed of Henare. Excellent passing game though. Threw two or three long spiral cut outs for tries to his wingers. Good allround player. Will be a standout in the ball team this year.
5. Codey Kennedy – This kid did not look like MK’s brother to me. Hulking, tall winger who can run. Not confident with the kick clean up facet of wing play. Wells saved his arse after a major stuff up when it looked like the Dogs were going to come back and tie the game. Scored off a Wells pass a minute later.
3. Taane Milne – Very exciting on his feet. Possibly a bit small once in the line though. He was beating defenders frequently with footwork but for the most part this was off the back of no lead up work so the defence could cover him easily. Also got run down in the clear which was surprising.
4. Brendan Elliot – Talented youngster. Played right centre and kicked goal after goal (heckling and all) from the sideline (was taking the sideline conversions from 30m back). Scored a nice try himself following a break, received horrible service on that particular play but saved it with a good angle run and some strength. Big fan of this kid.
8. Lloyd Perrett – If it was Lloyd Perrett in 8 then sign that kid up. Not an ounce of fat on him, pure muscle like his brother only a taller scarier version. Made numerous half breaks from one up hit ups. One clean break showed that he can run like a bloody centre, took them about 60m to catch him. Always busy around the ruck, big tackle count, at least one hit up each set without fail. And he was even supporting ball runners at times through the line. I’d love to know if this is actually Lloyd Perrett. I get the feeling I’m giving Joe Ofahengaue’s credit away. Does anyone know if Perrett fits this description: Around 105kg 6”1 square jaw, flatish nose, crew cut, hardly any body fat.
16. Harrison Muller – Workaholic front rower. Sprinted back from kick-offs all day and took a pounding but was going just as hard by the end of the game as he was at the start.
11. Tuiala Togitasi – Another talent. Along with Perrett/Ofahengaue he was the best forward on the field. Really good leg speed for such a big backrower. Scored a nice try early in the game. Could push for an NYC backrow spot if he has the right attitude.
12. Joe Ofahengaue – The 12 named on this site was Willie Meehan but the program at the game said Big Joe. Whoever he was he was impressive. Great footwork before the line and looked very awkward to tackle. Also scored a good try close to the line. Top 3 forwards of the game. Another who could see himself pushing for NYC come the end of the Ball season.
The scoreline certainly did not reflect the Rooster’s dominance in this game. Something like 40-14 would have been a better reflection. Dogs scored two tries in quick succession because of a kickoff out on the full.
Wish I could give more details guys but my memory of the first game of the day is fading rapidly and the programming was so hopeless that I can’t be 100% about the players.
Henare Wells – Terribly disappointed in Henare’s performance. He only had 15-20 minutes on the field and never really got any opportunities in attack. I get the feeling he may have injured himself to some degree during his time on the field. That or he is extremely unfit for some reason. There was an instance when the Dogs kicked deep to the corner. For some reason Wells was a long way forward and had to run back for it, he casually jogged back and then realised a bulldogs player was about to pass him in the race for the ball. Still after that it took him a while to get into a full sprint and he only just beat the Dogs player to the ball, conceding a line drop out as they both dived for it. Very strange.
Chris Taripo – Played fullback for the majority of the game. Solid without being great. Very fast across field but lacks in his support play. No certainty to get a wing spot imo.
Paul Rokolati – Great developing player and should be rewarded with a spot on the wing to start the year. Excellent returns, beat numerous defenders on occasions. He and Rona looked special together on the left edge. Scored two I think with great finishing to beat the fullback twice after Rona’s good work.
Curtis Rona – Best on field. Only played about 30 mins but was a class above his opposition. Skirted around his opposing centre with ease three times. Super quick for a guy that weighs 105kgs and stands 195cm. Will be there main attacking weapon this year in the same way Moga was last year. Unfortunately with the talent the Roosters seem to have in the centres at the moment he will probably have to leave the club to get an opportunity. Step it up SKD!!!
Joseph Forrester – Big and imposing, but not overly effective today. Granted most of the plays while our best forwards were on were directed down the left side he still struggled to beat his man on the few opportunities that he was given. Certainly looks like he can play (his dimensions are Inglis-like) but he only looked a bit clumsy today and was pulled down easily at times. Will probably fight it out with O’Sullivan and RTS for the right centre spot.
Asipeli Fine – Played about 50 mins at left centre. Looked much bigger and much faster than last year. Centre is his position, moved well today and broke a lot more tackles than he did last year from the wing. Was stepped easily in defence by the Bulldogs 4 which almost lead to a try though.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – Got him confused with Javid Bowen at first and thought he’s scored the first points with an intercept. The actual RTS was playing on the opposite wing with bright orange boots and looked very good. Every time he either returned the ball from the wing or came out of dummy half he would beat the first and often second defender with footwork. Would have liked to see him get a go at fullback at some stage cos it looked like he would offer more than Taripo but he stayed on the wing all game. Did not look overly happy about it after the game either tbh.
Javid Bowen – Scored the first try with a length of the field intercept and was not seen again. Super speedster though. Did not get involved nearly enough.
Corey McGrady – Very impressive play from this kid. Directed the troops well in the first half before Ryley Jacks came on to play 7. Scored a solo try running at the line easy as you like. Will make a great combo with Jacks I think. Good kicking game and was kicking the goals too.
Brandon Tago – Came on for the 2nd half with Evans and Napa and was clearly dominant. Good to see that he can handle himself against the big boys too.
Kane Evans – Also extremely dominant. Only played 20 mins and made several big 15m+ runs and some great offloads under pressure (could probably be more selective though). His right arm fend has improved from last year as well. He’ll play first grade early in the season I think. Shame he didn’t get any time in the NRL trial. Will probably get a go against the tigers.
Dylan Napa – Much more solid than last season when I thought he just looked slightly lanky. Was aggressive for the 30 mins he was on. Excellent in defence, and had a good amount of carries.
Tai Tuivasa – Got held up over the line after he tried a barge over. Needs to work on running at holes rather than players when close to the line. He simply landed on top of the Dogs player, moreso than it being good defence. Looks a bit fitter but still not at the level of the other 3.
Jack Seijka – Had some good struggling Guerra-like edge runs. Nothing spectacular though.
Sam Bernstrom – This kid came with big wraps but for mine he hasn’t looked that impressive. He did get limited opportunities in attack playing on the right. Seems too skinny still to really punch through holes. A few times when he should have gone to Forrester he went himself also.
Tautaltasi Tasi – I could be way off the mark but I’m pretty sure started in the NYC trial in jersey 19. Very unfit at this stage and it really affected his ability to get into the game. More or less a passenger. Hopefully it wasn’t Tasi.
Shaquille Blair – Looks like an interesting prospect. Played about 50 mins at left second row and was difficult to control. Very gangly and had great speed getting around defenders. Might snag a bench spot come round 1.
Clarrie Moore – Scored a sneaky try reaching out from dummy half like the one he scored in last year’s semi. Was solid for the most part. A few times he looked to have created space and came up with the wrong option. Blackman is ahead of him for the starting spot by a long way in my books.
SG Ball: Going off the numbers given on the program. If anyone knows what Willie Meehan and Joe Ofahengaue look like then I could be more sure on which player did what. Willie Meehan was listed as 17 or 18 and was a thin white kid playing right second row (seems wrong to me). I feel like I’m also getting Lloyd Perrett and Ofahengaue mixed up. Whoever was playing in 8 (listed as Perrett) looks like one of the best props I’ve seen at that age in a long while.
1. Dallas Wells – Played far better than his brother. Made one break with speed through the line but was rounded up. Doesn’t have the speed of Henare. Excellent passing game though. Threw two or three long spiral cut outs for tries to his wingers. Good allround player. Will be a standout in the ball team this year.
5. Codey Kennedy – This kid did not look like MK’s brother to me. Hulking, tall winger who can run. Not confident with the kick clean up facet of wing play. Wells saved his arse after a major stuff up when it looked like the Dogs were going to come back and tie the game. Scored off a Wells pass a minute later.
3. Taane Milne – Very exciting on his feet. Possibly a bit small once in the line though. He was beating defenders frequently with footwork but for the most part this was off the back of no lead up work so the defence could cover him easily. Also got run down in the clear which was surprising.
4. Brendan Elliot – Talented youngster. Played right centre and kicked goal after goal (heckling and all) from the sideline (was taking the sideline conversions from 30m back). Scored a nice try himself following a break, received horrible service on that particular play but saved it with a good angle run and some strength. Big fan of this kid.
8. Lloyd Perrett – If it was Lloyd Perrett in 8 then sign that kid up. Not an ounce of fat on him, pure muscle like his brother only a taller scarier version. Made numerous half breaks from one up hit ups. One clean break showed that he can run like a bloody centre, took them about 60m to catch him. Always busy around the ruck, big tackle count, at least one hit up each set without fail. And he was even supporting ball runners at times through the line. I’d love to know if this is actually Lloyd Perrett. I get the feeling I’m giving Joe Ofahengaue’s credit away. Does anyone know if Perrett fits this description: Around 105kg 6”1 square jaw, flatish nose, crew cut, hardly any body fat.
16. Harrison Muller – Workaholic front rower. Sprinted back from kick-offs all day and took a pounding but was going just as hard by the end of the game as he was at the start.
11. Tuiala Togitasi – Another talent. Along with Perrett/Ofahengaue he was the best forward on the field. Really good leg speed for such a big backrower. Scored a nice try early in the game. Could push for an NYC backrow spot if he has the right attitude.
12. Joe Ofahengaue – The 12 named on this site was Willie Meehan but the program at the game said Big Joe. Whoever he was he was impressive. Great footwork before the line and looked very awkward to tackle. Also scored a good try close to the line. Top 3 forwards of the game. Another who could see himself pushing for NYC come the end of the Ball season.
The scoreline certainly did not reflect the Rooster’s dominance in this game. Something like 40-14 would have been a better reflection. Dogs scored two tries in quick succession because of a kickoff out on the full.
Wish I could give more details guys but my memory of the first game of the day is fading rapidly and the programming was so hopeless that I can’t be 100% about the players.
Comment