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Watch how good Aiden Tolman, Russell Packer and Tim Mannah are going to be.
These three were regular frontrowers in the 2008 NYC, and over the past season and a half, they have developed very well, initially with lots of solid performances off the bench, but soon they will be ready to lead their respective packs. High workrates, strong runs, plenty of ticker. Something that Paea and Nuuausala lack. I rate both, but they simply don't do ENOUGH of what they do.
You can also add in Dan Hunt (debuted in 2007), Luke Douglas (debuted in 2006), Sam Rapira (debuted in 2006) who from the moment they made first grade, flourished and became team regulars. Their high workrates and toughness put them in the same category as Packer, Tolman and Mannah.
However, look at Nick Kenny (debuted in 2005, regular FG since 2008) and Kade Snowden (debuted in 2005, regular FG since 2008). Nuuausala debuted in 2007, however 2009 was his first full season of first grade as a regular. He could very well develop like these blokes, who also took 2-3 seasons to get settled before really hitting their straps.
Paea is the big issue, IMO. After doing little to nothing from 2003-2006, he first really hit his straps in 2007 as a gamebreaking prop (22 games, average 10 runs for 89 metres, 4 linebreaks, 44 tackle breaks), with this form carrying over to 2008 (26 games, average 10 runs for 91 metres, 3 linebreaks, 60 tackle breaks). His form in 2009 was alright, not terrible, but it could have been alot better (21 games, average 10 runs for 80 metres, 2 linebreaks, 39 tackle breaks).
The issue with Paea is that, unlike these other young props, his form is getting worse since 2008. Nuuausala has improved year after year, and is still only young, so there is lots of room for improvement. Paea had 4 nothing years, 2 great years, an average year, and seems to be going backwards now. If his form doesn't improve, don't expect to see him re-signed beyond this season.
These three were regular frontrowers in the 2008 NYC, and over the past season and a half, they have developed very well, initially with lots of solid performances off the bench, but soon they will be ready to lead their respective packs. High workrates, strong runs, plenty of ticker. Something that Paea and Nuuausala lack. I rate both, but they simply don't do ENOUGH of what they do.
You can also add in Dan Hunt (debuted in 2007), Luke Douglas (debuted in 2006), Sam Rapira (debuted in 2006) who from the moment they made first grade, flourished and became team regulars. Their high workrates and toughness put them in the same category as Packer, Tolman and Mannah.
However, look at Nick Kenny (debuted in 2005, regular FG since 2008) and Kade Snowden (debuted in 2005, regular FG since 2008). Nuuausala debuted in 2007, however 2009 was his first full season of first grade as a regular. He could very well develop like these blokes, who also took 2-3 seasons to get settled before really hitting their straps.
Paea is the big issue, IMO. After doing little to nothing from 2003-2006, he first really hit his straps in 2007 as a gamebreaking prop (22 games, average 10 runs for 89 metres, 4 linebreaks, 44 tackle breaks), with this form carrying over to 2008 (26 games, average 10 runs for 91 metres, 3 linebreaks, 60 tackle breaks). His form in 2009 was alright, not terrible, but it could have been alot better (21 games, average 10 runs for 80 metres, 2 linebreaks, 39 tackle breaks).
The issue with Paea is that, unlike these other young props, his form is getting worse since 2008. Nuuausala has improved year after year, and is still only young, so there is lots of room for improvement. Paea had 4 nothing years, 2 great years, an average year, and seems to be going backwards now. If his form doesn't improve, don't expect to see him re-signed beyond this season.
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