Fpn

[Guest]

Very similar to Tupou/Pritchard. Very good when on song, but far too often is more of a myth than reality. I don't mind him though, we just shouldn't be relying on him though. Tupou struggled when we relied on him to carry the pack, but when others did the gritty stuff, he flourished as an impact-style linebreaker.

We get along fine with Nuuausala there, so long as someone like Myles or similar is there to shoulder the workload. An ideal backrow would by Symonds on the left for 80 minutes, Aubusson on the right for 80 minutes, Myles (or similar player) playing tight like a third prop from lock for 45 minutes, and Nuuausala rotating with the lock as a tight running OR wide running impact player, utilizing his best asset (hit, spin and offload) to best effect.

Add this backrow in with 4 aggressive, sizeable props, and you have a good pack.

[crikey chris]

Went from Frank the Tank, to Frankie Valli and the four seasons. Has he gone all soft and mormon on us?

Needs to get the South Auckland "mongrel" back! Now he only has "mongrol".

[Guest]

Since 2010, FPN has a lightened frame and plays wider of the ruck. He could get in closer & doing some more of the grunt work, but that hasn't been his role for a while now.

[Guest]

Since 2010, FPN has a lightened frame and plays wider of the ruck. He could get in closer & doing some more of the grunt work, but that hasn't been his role for a while now.

I agree, and thats what I was trying to say at the start. He is changing as a player and I believe he is finally starting to show some results for his work. At the start of the year he seemed like a passanger, but he is improving on a weekly basis. If this continues he will become a weapon for us in my opinion.

[Guest]

imo the club has to choose between cherrington and FPN as to who they keep. both very similar sorts of players now. unfortunate cherro keeps getting injured so is unable to get himself a game but ultimately, imo there is only room in our squad for one wide running pritchard/tupou style powerhouse backrower particularly considering that imo that is leiluas best role and as he gets older he will most likely end up in the forwards anyway.

[Funky Chicken]

Interestingly enough in the player ratings (RLW) for the game against the Cowboys, FPN was awarded a 7 which the highest in the team. Most got 6 a few 5's and Mose a 4.

I guess those ratings are all subjective though. He has certainly got more involved in the last couple of weeks, maybe he is off the tofu, wheatgrass shakes and eating real food.

[Guest]

I just watched the replay, and he was woeful. Seven?

[Guest]

imo the club has to choose between cherrington and FPN as to who they keep. both very similar sorts of players now. unfortunate cherro keeps getting injured so is unable to get himself a game but ultimately, imo there is only room in our squad for one wide running pritchard/tupou style powerhouse backrower particularly considering that imo that is leiluas best role and as he gets older he will most likely end up in the forwards anyway.

I agree though I think Cherro will be on the bench for pretty much all of next year behind FPN. Also, in saying that methinks a bloke called B.Cordner is gonna have a bit to say about the future of our Backrow. Be interesting to see how he goes tomorrow night.

I'd assume that Anasta is as good as gone from 2013 onwards, which'll open up a spot in the second row.

Our pack will start looking a bit more like this around 2013:

8. Kennedy
9. Friend
10. Hargaeves
11.Cordner
12. FPN/Cherro
13. Aubs/Symonds

14. FPN/Cherro
15. Front Rower/Hooker (Maybe Tasi or Dumbrell) -
16. Mose
17. Aubs/Symonds

[Guest]

I agree though I think Cherro will be on the bench for pretty much all of next year behind FPN. Also, in saying that methinks a bloke called B.Cordner is gonna have a bit to say about the future of our Backrow. Be interesting to see how he goes tomorrow night.

I'd assume that Anasta is as good as gone from 2013 onwards, which'll open up a spot in the second row.

Our pack will start looking a bit more like this around 2013:

8. Kennedy
9. Friend
10. Hargaeves
11.Cordner
12. FPN/Cherro
13. Aubs/Symonds

14. FPN/Cherro
15. Front Rower/Hooker (Maybe Tasi or Dumbrell) -
16. Mose
17. Aubs/Symonds

8. JWH
9. Friend
10. Kennedy
11. Aubusson
12. Hoffman/Heighington
13. Guerra/Cordner

14. Symonds
15. new prop
16. tasi
17. FPN/Cherro

imo masoe needs to work on his wokrate and discipline - these are 2 things tasi already has over him so id give tasi the nod ahead of mose. fpn and cherro battling it out for the impact backrow spot and symonds as the utility/backrower to relieve the lock.

guerra imo is our best option to wear 13 particularly now that goodwin is gone. we should persist with him there this year and then give him the 13 permanently if he does well with it. sign hoffman/heighinton for a couple of years for some experience with cordner waiting in the wings/challenging guerra for his spot.