Gutherson

[Haz88]

Gutho for the fullback role in my eyes, obviously once the Prince finishes up.

Give him time to make it his own..Plus we see how important fullbacks are in the game especially those that can ball play at the line, I think Gutho has the skill and can develop further.

Have you seen Tom Turbojet play? He looks very special and while he won;t crack first grade next year I think he'll be our next long-term fullback with Gutherson filling some other backline role.

Yeah so I have heard, I was more referring to next year or year after if Snake was to go and the next inline of the current crop I would have replace.. But yeah I have heard Tom T is the next big thing and the word is it will be his spot !! Haven't seen him play yet unfortunately ..

Hoping if that is the case Gutho can slot in somewhere else, which I am sure he can with his ability.

 

[Shoe1]

Not sure how they'll line up but turbo, gutho and hiku will be part of a premiership winning backline, and internationals.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

i'd prefer Hiku as Matai's replacement

Gutho seems to have better speed

I'll hold out for Hiku's replacement.

Dont hold your breath @Frank he signed until the end of 2018.

Yes I know BD. I think he was re-signed earlier this year. Obviously I have been disappointed with his form.

Anyone who sees him as a replacement for Matai is dreaming. He's just not in that class.

In my opinion he's ahead of where Matai was at the same age. People forget Hiku is only 21 and still finding his feet after a season and a half of NRL. Will he turn out to be as good as Matai in 3/4 years time? I hope so but let's wait and see.

Spot on

Go back to 2005 and read the topics on Matai, most said he would never be a 1st grader

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Hiku is a different style to Matai, not really the super-direct crash-tackling type, he is more of a resourceful all-action type in attack who is not shown to best advantage having to stay out on the wing. I think he'll be very successful, at either fullback, centre or 5/8.

 

[Snake]

I was also disappointed with Hiku's form at times this year, but I thought he was back to his best against the Dogs in the SF. He came in and took some pressure off the forwards, and used his fend to good effect. If he can learn to tackle, I think he can be a handy centre. My biggest concern is he lacks genuine speed, but Matai is hardly the fastest centre going around, but he certainly one of the best. These two play very different styles of game, but if Hiku can play to his strengths, then I see no reason why a lack of speed should prevent him from achieving great things. He is skilful, has a good step, a good fend, and a big motor.

 

[Rodo]

I sat close to Hiku for the 2nd half of the SF against the Dogs and watched him closely. To me, something was not quite right in his game. I'm not sure though whether this was due to fatigue, injury, sickness, or some other reason. In defence he would labour back into position whereas the others would jog back. And he would often have his head pointed down (which to me looked like he was not watching his opposite number closely enough) and be infield not marking his man. This could be why teams managed to get around Manly's RHS defence with relative ease in the later part of the season.

 

[Snake]

I sat close to Hiku for the 2nd half of the SF against the Dogs and watched him closely. To me, something was not quite right in his game. I'm not sure though whether this was due to fatigue, injury, sickness, or some other reason. In defence he would labour back into position whereas the others would jog back. And he would often have his head pointed down (which to me looked like he was not watching his opposite number closely enough) and be infield not marking his man. This could be why teams managed to get around Manly's RHS defence with relative ease in the later part of the season.

He certainly doesn't "hit in" with any conviction. Watching highlights of the Brown try, he just kind of came up and was caught in no mans land. He never really rushed Morris, but at the same time, was not marking his man. If he is going to come in, he needs to do with speed and aggression. If he is going to stay out, he needs to trust Killer. As much as I am a huge fan of Jamie Lyon, he seems to always have a poor relationship with his wingers. I can't imagine he wouldn't be a good communicator on the field, but Wolfie and Hiku have both struggled in defence outside him.

 

[simon64]

Hiku is a different style to Matai, not really the super-direct crash-tackling type, he is more of a resourceful all-action type in attack who is not shown to best advantage having to stay out on the wing. I think he'll be very successful, at either fullback, centre or 5/8.

Fair point SER8.

But what chance does he have with Snake at 1, Skivvy and Killer at 3 and 4 and Foz at 6.

He's no chance of ousting any of these guys.

He was a very good replacement for Snake in last years finals and showed his worth I thought.

 

[RiverEagle]

Hiku is a different style to Matai, not really the super-direct crash-tackling type, he is more of a resourceful all-action type in attack who is not shown to best advantage having to stay out on the wing. I think he'll be very successful, at either fullback, centre or 5/8.

Fair point SER8.

But what chance does he have with Snake at 1, Skivvy and Killer at 3 and 4 and Foz at 6.

He's no chance of ousting any of these guys.

He was a very good replacement for Snake in last years finals and showed his worth I thought.

And the positive is, with each and every game and different position Peta plays, he gains experience in each and every area.

The game is becoming more accommodating than ever, and reliant upon utility-value types of players.

Wherever Hiku, Gutherson, and Tom T end up, they each could be able to cover more than a specialist-role sometimes (especially Hiku).

But if forced, I still agree he may best suit as a centre, in a few years.

 

[Denno]

Leave the Hiku alone he's the business, little low on pace, but not slow ,but is elusive and his ball skills are outstanding can tackle and just needs to learn positional defensive structure and he will be a fantastic player everyone was saying how well he did last year, maybe not a winger but A johns was'nt one either , leave him alone he will show his talents ...!!!!

 

[Technical Coach]

Hiku is a different style to Matai, not really the super-direct crash-tackling type, he is more of a resourceful all-action type in attack who is not shown to best advantage having to stay out on the wing. I think he'll be very successful, at either fullback, centre or 5/8.

Fair point SER8.

But what chance does he have with Snake at 1, Skivvy and Killer at 3 and 4 and Foz at 6.

He's no chance of ousting any of these guys.

He was a very good replacement for Snake in last years finals and showed his worth I thought.

LOL he might even fill out like Joe G and be a wide running backrower with footwork and the ability to pass.

 

[Kevinward777]

Hiku is a different style to Matai, not really the super-direct crash-tackling type, he is more of a resourceful all-action type in attack who is not shown to best advantage having to stay out on the wing. I think he'll be very successful, at either fullback, centre or 5/8.

Fair point SER8.

But what chance does he have with Snake at 1, Skivvy and Killer at 3 and 4 and Foz at 6.

He's no chance of ousting any of these guys.

He was a very good replacement for Snake in last years finals and showed his worth I thought.

LOL he might even fill out like Joe G and be a wide running backrower with footwork and the ability to pass.

A funny man too. You really are a multi-talented individual.

 

[Frank]

i'd prefer Hiku as Matai's replacement

Gutho seems to have better speed

I'll hold out for Hiku's replacement.

Dont hold your breath @Frank he signed until the end of 2018.

Yes I know BD. I think he was re-signed earlier this year. Obviously I have been disappointed with his form.

Anyone who sees him as a replacement for Matai is dreaming. He's just not in that class.

In my opinion he's ahead of where Matai was at the same age. People forget Hiku is only 21 and still finding his feet after a season and a half of NRL. Will he turn out to be as good as Matai in 3/4 years time? I hope so but let's wait and see.

Losing Matai would be a huge loss to our current roster. Hiku developing into a world class centre in 3-4 years time doesn't help us if we lose Matai sometime over the next 12 months. Not sure how long we have before Lyon retires but that will also leave a huge hole.

Hiku has 1-2 seasons tops. He really needs to work on his defence.

 

[hairylittlehobbit]

Hiku is a different style to Matai, not really the super-direct crash-tackling type, he is more of a resourceful all-action type in attack who is not shown to best advantage having to stay out on the wing. I think he'll be very successful, at either fullback, centre or 5/8.

Fair point SER8.

But what chance does he have with Snake at 1, Skivvy and Killer at 3 and 4 and Foz at 6.

He's no chance of ousting any of these guys.

He was a very good replacement for Snake in last years finals and showed his worth I thought.

LOL he might even fill out like Joe G and be a wide running backrower with footwork and the ability to pass.

A funny man too. You really are a multi-talented individual.

Joe started his career as a fullback

 

[Technical Coach]

I was being serious, probably needs better leg drive to make it as a backrower though.

---

Hiku is a different style to Matai, not really the super-direct crash-tackling type, he is more of a resourceful all-action type in attack who is not shown to best advantage having to stay out on the wing. I think he'll be very successful, at either fullback, centre or 5/8.

Fair point SER8.

But what chance does he have with Snake at 1, Skivvy and Killer at 3 and 4 and Foz at 6.

He's no chance of ousting any of these guys.

He was a very good replacement for Snake in last years finals and showed his worth I thought.

LOL he might even fill out like Joe G and be a wide running backrower with footwork and the ability to pass.

A funny man too. You really are a multi-talented individual.

Joe started his career as a fullback

That is why I mentioned it, with Hiku's background a big chance he will fill out.