Youngest halves pairing in the NRL in 2016

[Lydon]

Are you saying Nikorima is better? How many games have you watched him play? What is his long kicking game like? How about his organisational skills?
or
What Pearce did is unforgivable and he deserves to be sacked?

Firstly I think what Pearce did on Australia Day is something our Club shouldn't cop,especially as it isn't the first time for him.
So based on multiple indiscretions I d believe he should be sacked!

I think potentially Nikorima is a star,and deserves a crack at the no.7 jersey..
If he performs and does the job well,I am happy to have him as our long term option!

[Darkone]

Pearce should feel threatened not because Niko has great potential

Rather because he is an idiot who should know better

[Double]

Hi mate,

Robbo made it clear last season that Hastings would move aside once Pearce was fit. This, after watching Hastings play a number of 1st grade games and perform well. To suggest that Nikorima, with no 1st grade experience should dislodge Pearce based on nothing but potential is bizarre.

Forget 9.00am Sat. Where playing a NSW Cup standard side. Round 1 vs the Vermin will have all the Pearce negaters begging for his return.

Now I didn't say anybody should necessarily dislodge Pearce at 7 at present unless it was for disciplinary reasons but that remains a decision for the Roosters and NRL to make. Whilst on the subject of Pearce and the penalty our club might hand him, I fail to see what bearing unrelated incidents by players at other clubs has on our own clubs standards and guidelines, unless Pearce's punishment is ultimately imposed by the NRL and deemed to be heavy handed against the weight of previous penalties imposed.

But surely we all want our club to set it's own standards and moral guidelines so let's not worry about what other clubs do.

Back OT I was simply trying to say if I had to choose between the 2... one or the other, then Nikorima would be my choice. We are fortunate the club does not need to choose...

I hope, as I'm sure you do and everyone else that Nikorima has a blinder against the Saints. Regardless of the quality of the opposition this is about seeing where this kid is starting from and accessing how far he can go. I wish him well.

[LeCoq]

I agree with 2026 (amongst others). As much as I don't think Pearce will finish his career with us (for several reasons), I still think Robbo is his biggest supporter and that's all that matters. We can say whatever we like, it's the gaffer that counts.

What Pearce did was not the crime of the century but it is unacceptable all the same, particularly from some one who has fallen short of the mark in years gone by as well with his behaviour and conduct. He does not deserve to be Captain and he ought to be fined heavily. He should also be suspended but anyone who thinks the NRL will or should suspend him for 3-4 months is having a laugh. It won't happen. He did not commit a criminal offence. The only person he really hurt (in actual terms) is himself. The NRL would be foolish (and very poorly advised by their lawyers) if they were to even try and suspend him for 3-4 months (especially if it's without pay).

Pearce will be the first name on Robbo's team list as soon as he's cleared and fit to return. That is the status quo and it will remain so until such time as Robbo decides he's had enough or Pearce doesn't cut it (and others do).

[2 weeks]

Pearce seems to be a very sensitive man

It makes me wonder whether he'll be able to handle the character assassination that he'll get for the rest of his career

He may surprise me, but i reckon his game will suffer as a result

[Cockadoodledoo]

Your choice is:


A halfback who guided the team to 1 premiership, 2 minor premierships and a key play-maker in the leading attacking side in first grade over 3 years
versus
A part-time half back with potential that has yet to play first grade



I've got nothing against Nikorama, but you must have rocks in your head.

Let's be truthful, Pearce has never guided the Roosters to a premiership or minor premiership. He made a contribution, he was a cog in the wheel, however we won the comp because we had 17 players who all did their job. It is a cliche to say the halfback guided the team but really when you look back at 2013 it is a major stretch to say he was more responsible than anyone else. Does anyone say James Maloney led us to a premiership? His role was no less important than Pearce, Jake Friend? Arguably more important.. How about SBW? Pearce played well in 2013 and post origin in 2014 and was ok last year. He didn't lead us to our results though in any of those years.

[Guest]

JU JU'S days could be soon forgotten?

[Double]

JU JU?

[Darkone]

Don't get me wrong, I hope he does really well this year and i'm sure he will in years to come.

But i'm very surprised at how highly fans are rating him, when 95% of them have never seen him play or had never heard of him until we signed him. I think people are rating him so strongly because they are very worried about what might become of the team if our halves fail to fire.

The facts remain:
* He has yet to debut in the NRL
* He will debut alongside a very inexperienced halfback
* Looking at his 2015 stats, although he provides line break potential and scores a good number of tries, his error rate is poor. This will be magnified in first grade.
* He doesn't have the likes of JWH, Pearce, Cordner to look to for leadership on the field.


I just think people should temper there expectations.

Otherwise, if he struggles out of the blocks we will have a chorus of morons calling for his head after 8 rounds.

I'm expecting him to have a tough time of it in the main, although i'm also expecting some brilliance here and there too. To be honest, it will not surprise me to see us 2WINS - 6LOSS after 8 rounds, though I certainly wont crucify any of the boys as long as the effort/passion is there

Early days but your opinion looks pale following the game...

[LargeMike]

I don't think it will influence the decision to return Pearce but I will say one thing. This Nikorima kid is a pure footballer. Pearce is a created product.

It doesn't matter how many games either played. You can tell from the moment Nikorima has his hands on the ball, it all looks so natural. He will terrorise tired forwards on the fringes for many years to come, I just hope it is while wearing our colours.

[Guest]

JU JU?

Pearce's nick.

[The ticket]

Our halves looked great this morning playing a side of a standard somewhere between nsw cup and newcastle. Nikorema is still to make his NRL debut which he will no doubt do against souths. Will be able to make a better assessment 6 rounds in

Regardless, As talentec as hastings is and nikorema seems to be, i am nervous about the longer term ramifications of the pressure that goes on these two kids by being rushed in like this

[Steakface]

Early days but your opinion looks pale following the game...

Way too early to pass judgement. He had a good game, but St Helens is a world away from playing the Storm, Cowboys, Broncos or Sea Eagles.
I still stand by it, and I think it'll take 8 - 10 rounds at least before I'm proven correct or incorrect.

[davos]

I know its only early on but our Halves in this game looked very sharp.

The pressure they put on St Helens with repeat sets was fantastic. I really can't recall a single bad 5th set play in that game.

I really like the combo of Hastings and Nikorima.

Nikorima is a natural ball runner. I saw shades of Milford with some of the breaks he made .

I think that goal kicking may be an issue next season though but Hastings still has time to develop that part of his game.

[Double]

Pearce's nick.

oh him.