Blessing in disguise?

[Johnny Tobin]

Carney in 2010 was as good as Fittler for mine.

[2026]

I liked how disappointed the kid was when he had to go off with concussion.

I also like his hair style.

[eddie]

19 yr olds are no where near 200 gamers.
f.

Excellent point that.
Only problem is, neither is Pearce.

[Game Fowl]

Nikorima will get bashed in first grade. He will take more time than what Mitchell will.

Big C , I tend to agree even the Poms sent plenty his way , it was noticeable that we had planned for it the way - he had defensive assistance from both sides to take the sting out.

It won't take long before the assassins take aim and badger him relentlessly.

[Tommy Smith]

Carney in 2010 was as good as Fittler for mine.

In attack, yes.

But defensively he was always a liability whereas Freddy was one of the great textbook defenders.

So factoring in both sides of the ball he still fell short of Freddy in his miracle one-off season.

[2026]

How old was SOH when he debut back in 2014 against the wermin?

Halves are tough little farkers. They have to be.

Maloney 83 kg

Nikorima 84 kg

[Cockadoodledoo]

Agree, can't see having him start at 5/8 v Souths rd 1 and playing 80 is a good idea. I know what I'd b doing if I were Maguire, running the burgess Inglis straight at him all game. They will work him over for sure. So what's the alternative, perhaps start with Aubbo at 5/8,move him to hooker to relieve jake and bring Nikorima on for 20-25 minutes where he could have a dynamic impact fresh v there tiring forwards.Hate to see him have to make or attempt to make 30-35 tackles against big mobile opposition

Aubbo at 5/8? May as well play Moa there, his passing and kicking game are just as good. If Robbo didn't think he was up to it, he wouldn't have played him there against St Helens. He will defend 3 in from the sideline, that isn't where Burgess runs, Inglis might but he only runs it a few times a game.

[Bigchook]

Aubbo at 5/8? May as well play Moa there, his passing and kicking game are just as good. If Robbo didn't think he was up to it, he wouldn't have played him there against St Helens. He will defend 3 in from the sideline, that isn't where Burgess runs, Inglis might but he only runs it a few times a game.

Robbo played him there because he had no other option and it was a free game in the sense that no points were on the line. Nikorima wasn't bought to be a starting half this year.

[JAF]

Robbo played him there because he had no other option and it was a free game in the sense that no points were on the line. Nikorima wasn't bought to be a starting half this year.

Footy (and life) is about opportunities and taking them when they arise.
The secret to success is being prepared for when those opportunities present themselves and taking them with both hands.
So if Niko keeps working hard and learns quickly, then I believe he will be a big success in the NRL!

[eddie]

Nikorima wasn't bought to be a starting half this year.

Nobody told our former captain this.
But in any case, any player signed to the top squad is a potential starting player. What would you have done if Hastings or Pearce got injured?

[Half time]

Robbo played him there because he had no other option and it was a free game in the sense that no points were on the line. Nikorima wasn't bought to be a starting half this year.

Just because he wasn't bought this year with the intention of being a starter this year doesn't mean he shouldn't be a starter if something happens to create a vacancy in that position. Sometimes its injuries that create a vacancy in that position, other times it can be the stupidity of the incumbent player. Pearce's complete stupidity has opened up a vacancy in that position, hence the title to this thread that pearce's stupidity may in fact work out to be a blessing in disguise for us.

[Bigchook]

I'm not saying nikorima shouldn't be starting half right now. All I said was that I'm not convinced he will start or that he will play big minutes. The kid looked awesome last week and obviously has loads of potential. Whether he's ready to settle into the grind of first grade football as a starting half before he's even had short stints off the bench is a whole new story. Depending on what happens with Pearce, I wouldn't be surprised to see nikorima debut in the halves knowing that he'll only have to play 5 or 6 games before Pearce returns. From there he could get dropped altogether if we choose not to run a utility on the bench and carry an extra forward. Having said that he could remain on the bench as a utility. But it's not a foregone conclusion that he will be a first grader all year. He wasn't bought with that planning in mind for this season. But obviously Pearce ****ed up all those plans.

[Andrew Walker]

I liked what I saw of Nikorima has a bit of Crsig Wing about him. Hopefully he develops week in week out to the point that if Pearce does play this season it will be as a twenty minute cameo at hooker giving Jake a breather

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I liked what I saw of Nikorima has a bit of Crsig Wing about him. Hopefully he develops week in week out to the point that if Pearce does play this season it will be as a twenty minute cameo at hooker giving Jake a breather

That's precisely the role I envisage Pearcey playing this year Andy...if any.

And then no contract renewal next year with a dignified exit and new start for him. Win win.

[dice]

All three SL teams got belted. That is the only meaningful stat for the weekend.