Sandon Smith & Naufahu Whyte by Fox Sports

[Rooster89]

A little report on both Sandon Smith and Naufahu Whyte from last weekends reserves match for anyone interested:

ALL EYE"S WERE ON
Roosters fans should keep an eye on young halfback Sandon Smith. He was 18th man for the NRL side in Round 12 and is highly regarded at the club.

Smith set up four tries in the Roosters’ upset over Newtown. He also got two linebreak assists, ran for 66 metres and made 35 tackles with three misses. He kicked the matchwinning penalty goal in the 73rd minute too.

Naufahu Whyte can’t be far from a call-up either with the 21-year-old, who has played four NRL games season, is in a rich vein of form in NSW Cup. Whyte played a full game at prop and finished with a try, a linebreak, six tackle busts and 271 running metres — 124 post-contact — as well as 29 tackles with just one miss."

[Steggles]

It wouldn’t hurt to give Sandon a run at half whilst Sam is out injured and see if he can handle the top grade. It has to be better than a Hutch/Keary or Keary/Manu combo. Could he be a ready made replacement for Keary longer term?

As for Whyte, I’d bring him into the side asap, probably at the expense of Nat Butcher who IMO is a decent depth player, but is too small to be an effective, well-rounded forward these days. To compete we need forwards that have size, aggression and capability of big metres; Butcher has none of those attributes. And before I’m shot down with the fact that Butcher makes 700 tackles a game, I’ll point out that Whyte (and the rest of the forwards) can tackle too.

Coach Robinson, however, will do neither. He’ll persist with Hutch at half and Butcher in the team, then wonder why we have no points in us. He’ll persist with these guys because they helped us through the ongoing injury crisis of 20XX.

We will probably end up losing both of these guys through lack of opportunity rather than lack of talent.

[Qld Chook]

It wouldn’t hurt to give Sandon a run at half whilst Sam is out injured and see if he can handle the top grade. It has to be better than a Hutch/Keary or Keary/Manu combo. Could he be a ready made replacement for Keary longer term?

As for Whyte, I’d bring him into the side asap, probably at the expense of Nat Butcher who IMO is a decent depth player, but is too small to be an effective, well-rounded forward these days. To compete we need forwards that have size, aggression and capability of big metres; Butcher has none of those attributes. And before I’m shot down with the fact that Butcher makes 700 tackles a game, I’ll point out that Whyte (and the rest of the forwards can tackle too).

Coach Robinson, however, will do neither. He’ll persist with Hutch at half and Butcher in the team, then wonder why we have no points in us. He’ll persist with these guys because they helped us through the ongoing injury crisis of 20XX.

We will probably end up losing both of these guys through lack of opportunity rather than lack of talent.

Agree with all the above. Both should be given a chance, but neither will. Their performances in reserve grade have warranted it, with Whyte always producing big stats - I’d have him in front of May & Baker in the pecking atm (although I like both these blokes aswell).

I want Manu back at centre and JS on the wing so I would also try out Sandon at HFB. Hutch can do a job when we already humming and in form but he doesn’t offer a lot so with the predicament we are in we need to try something.

Nat is not offering much unfortunately. I don’t think he is effective as a middle unless you just want a tackle-bot. I think he showed promise on the edge last year but he, like all of our squad, is out of form currently.

[fletch]

Credit to Whyte for reigniting his career there were times last year he was trending towards being a physical freak who didn't have the work rate or desire to make it as a first grade rugby league player, not sure what happened over the offseason but he is a completely different player now than the guy last year who was a bystander on the field that just watched proceedings without injecting himself into the game.

[ism22]

I think everybody secretly wants Sandon and Brandon ro play in the same team.

[Qld Chook]

Credit to Whyte for reigniting his career there were times last year he was trending towards being a physical freak who didn't have the work rate or desire to make it as a first grade rugby league player, not sure what happened over the offseason but he is a completely different player now than the guy last year who was a bystander on the field that just watched proceedings without injecting himself into the game.

He is killing it now. But he has been producing these stats all year round and Robbo hasn’t given him a shot. I hate losing young talents but I also can’t blame them cause if I were them I’d go somewhere else I was going to be given a crack.

[Lydon]

Both should be given a shot considering our injury toll and our recent poor form..

Also these 2 guys have been tearing it up in NSW Cup

The issue though is we have Drew Aubusson taking up a spot in the top grade and he won’t be displaced as he’s a top bloke and his teammates love playing with him!

[Roosterfarian]

Can Sandon tackle though? Don't want another turnstile out on the fringes with Swaarhelli.

[Lydon]

Can Sandon tackle though? Don't want another turnstile out on the fringes with Swaarhelli.

Based on last weeks game Sandon made 35 tackles with three misses which is very impressive mun

[milanja]

I think everybody secretly wants Sandon and Brandon ro play in the same team.

All 3 Smiths, Smith to Smith to Smith out wide, try!

[Rooster_Mark]

Bring back Brian Smith and sponsored by the Smith Family.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

We need one of them to be a Locksmith.

In case we get stuck.

[DP1990]

Bring back Brian Smith and sponsored by the Smith Family.

Another sponsor = Smith's Chips

[bondi paul]

He is killing it now. But he has been producing these stats all year round and Robbo hasn’t given him a shot. I hate losing young talents but I also can’t blame them cause if I were them I’d go somewhere else I was going to be given a crack.

The mad professor has his pet players. Since that covid season when we had to select nobody’s who performed admirably has seen the professor not give any of them a go nor being consistent in giving up and comers game time. Whyte a perfect example. I recall he played impressively in one game then not selected the next. Liu comment on leaving comes to mind “ I won’t miss Robbo’s mind games”.

[OMR]

The idea of playing reserve grade is to prove yourself and put pressure on first graders to either perform or get dropped. Since Robbo refuses to drop anyone ( except Walker) the injuries and suspensions have given him an opportunity to give those guys a chance. I hope they do get a run, they couldn’t be any worse than the ones missing at the moment.
From memory the last time time Whyte played first grade he went quite well.