Hiku

[cherry_poppins]

This blokes last 5 performances have went totally unnoticed

Weak running game
Nathan Merritt like defense

Why isn't there an outcry to dump him for this week? Did nobody see him wave his hand at the ball the last few weeks? At least dropping bombs is understandable..... Hiku just waves at the ball. ... Why not try to you know, intercept? He should never play wing, maybe Centre

 

[tookey]

He looks like a Ferrari compared to Tafua

 

[Ryan]

The whole team is way out of form and disinterested. Its hard and harsh to point at players. Hey, we have the best centre in the world, and even he is dropping balls and throwing intercepts.

I think Tooves needs to change his game plan. Des stays ahead of the competition by doing that. Toovey hasnt changed our style since Des has left, and in big games, weve become predictable, soft and easy to play against.

Hiku is a talent. We have the quality. My view is that injuries have caught up with us, Toovey has lost the playing group somewhat, and the destabilizing factors have become just that.

What can we do about that? Nothing really. Its just not our year, simple as that. Support the club, see it for what it is.

Toovey will go 3 wins, 7 losses in big games since being here. He needs to change things up. Hanging off Des coat tails year after year isn't and wont work. He needs to think up something different and unique.

Perry, Warwick need to do what they are paid to do, and fix the off field debacle, and roster (we need players who want to be here, play for the club, the fans, and passionately so).

Im not having a go at Watmough, Matai, Foran. They feel what they feel, and no one can do anything about that.

I just wish I supported a team like we had only 12 months ago, where every individual left everything they had on the field. I never used to see Foran with soft defence, but again, hes not the only one playing under par.

What im saying, is there so much more to fix than a very poor Taufua, and a down on form Hiku.

There needs to be a complete cultural and attitude improvement / adjustment...and that comes from Perry, Singe, Toovey, The dysfunctional board - everyone to the players.

 

[Killer03]

I think they are both struggling.

But since this is a Hiku thread, I agree, his running game has suffered recently. To me he appears to run up to the defensive line and crouch. He usually then gets belted backwards.

Defensively we seem to be getting caught out on the right edge a lot. And to me he then gets caught in 2 minds, intercept, rush up, stay back (maybe that's 3 minds). But agree Winger is not his spot.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Don't know at all about our style not changing Ryan, we have seen many plays under Toovey that haven't been seen before and the players are playing under different instructions to play more of what they see in front of them

Also see you're back to the Tooveys record in big games thing again, I can't see how a prelim final and a grand final over his 1st 2 years can be knocked really

And on the Hiku stuff, a lot of what he is being blamed for comes back to the defensive structures but have made that point many times. Have never read a bad word against Lyon defensively on here over the last few years but whoever the winger is gets caned for letting a try in when having to mark up against the opposition centre and winger

---

Will also add that I haven't really seen a lot off us playing the past 2 weeks

 

[Ryan]

Don't know at all about our style not changing Ryan, we have seen many plays under Toovey that haven't been seen before and the players are playing under different instructions to play more of what they see in front of them

Also see you're back to the Tooveys record in big games thing again, I can't see how a prelim final and a grand final over his 1st 2 years can be knocked really

And on the Hiku stuff, a lot of what he is being blamed for comes back to the defensive structures but have made that point many times. Have never read a bad word against Lyon defensively on here over the last few years but whoever the winger is gets caned for letting a try in when having to mark up against the opposition centre and winger

---

Will also add that I haven't really seen a lot off us playing the past 2 weeks

---

What differenced defensively or offensively is there, accept maybe a drop in energy and line speed? Take Toovey completely out of it.

Also mate, the stats are the stats. If he won 7 and lost 3, I could only say that. We tend to get mowed over in the big games, starting with Leeds.

 

[Harry]

This blokes last 5 performances have went totally unnoticed

Weak running game
Nathan Merritt like defense

Why isn't there an outcry to dump him for this week? Did nobody see him wave his hand at the ball the last few weeks? At least dropping bombs is understandable..... Hiku just waves at the ball. ... Why not try to you know, intercept? He should never play wing, maybe Centre

Hiku is waiting for Brett Stewart's fullback spot, as fullback is his best position but they have to play him somewhere for the time being. Winger is definitely not for him at the moment

 

[Frank]

Don't know at all about our style not changing Ryan, we have seen many plays under Toovey that haven't been seen before and the players are playing under different instructions to play more of what they see in front of them

Also see you're back to the Tooveys record in big games thing again, I can't see how a prelim final and a grand final over his 1st 2 years can be knocked really

And on the Hiku stuff, a lot of what he is being blamed for comes back to the defensive structures but have made that point many times. Have never read a bad word against Lyon defensively on here over the last few years but whoever the winger is gets caned for letting a try in when having to mark up against the opposition centre and winger

---

Will also add that I haven't really seen a lot off us playing the past 2 weeks

---

What differenced defensively or offensively is there, accept maybe a drop in energy and line speed? Take Toovey completely out of it.

Also mate, the stats are the stats. If he won 7 and lost 3, I could only say that. We tend to get mowed over in the big games, starting with Leeds.

---

We tend to get mowed over by monster forward packs. Especially when our relatively smaller pack is decimated by injury.

 

[maxta]

Its all confidence.
If this side was winning the ruck battle, it would be controlling games & scoring plenty of points & Hiku would be most likely swimming in tries.
Problem is, unless your a world class winger, which Hiku is not...playing in a team losing the ruck, it will be a struggle.
Another way of looking at it is the lack of opportunity Lyon is getting, usually Lyon could make George Rose look like a great winger.
Defence is a similar story, most wingers will get caught out when backpeddling, which comes back to being dominated by the speed of the ruck.

 

[Fro]

This blokes last 5 performances have went totally unnoticed

Weak running game
Nathan Merritt like defense

Why isn't there an outcry to dump him for this week? Did nobody see him wave his hand at the ball the last few weeks? At least dropping bombs is understandable..... Hiku just waves at the ball. ... Why not try to you know, intercept? He should never play wing, maybe Centre

Hiku is waiting for Brett Stewart's fullback spot, as fullback is his best position but they have to play him somewhere for the time being. Winger is definitely not for him at the moment

The next long term fullback is a lot younger and has worse hair than Hiku.

Hiku will play centre or as a gap filler.

but you are right in wing is not his spot.

 

[The Who]

Why isn't there an outcry to dump him for this week?

There was. Well, it wasn't an 'outcry' but at least one of us called for our two wingers to be dropped for Blair and Gutherson.
Hiku's best match for Manly was last year's preliminary final against Easts when he deputised for Snake at fullback. He was fantastic that night. He's not a winger, although his hands and finishing skills are high quality.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Don't know at all about our style not changing Ryan, we have seen many plays under Toovey that haven't been seen before and the players are playing under different instructions to play more of what they see in front of them

Also see you're back to the Tooveys record in big games thing again, I can't see how a prelim final and a grand final over his 1st 2 years can be knocked really

And on the Hiku stuff, a lot of what he is being blamed for comes back to the defensive structures but have made that point many times. Have never read a bad word against Lyon defensively on here over the last few years but whoever the winger is gets caned for letting a try in when having to mark up against the opposition centre and winger

---

Will also add that I haven't really seen a lot off us playing the past 2 weeks

---

What differenced defensively or offensively is there, accept maybe a drop in energy and line speed? Take Toovey completely out of it.

Also mate, the stats are the stats. If he won 7 and lost 3, I could only say that. We tend to get mowed over in the big games, starting with Leeds.

---

A lot more little chips over the line for Stewart to chase, a lot of different little trick shots in attacking zones, best example being the Stewart try against the Roosters. When all hands are on deck at times we have seen Buhrer doing some work out of dummy half. If you're talking major structure overhauls then you wouldn't have seen much because most teams play a very similar style

I disregard the Leeds game. Stats are like mini skirts, what they reveal is good but what they hide is vital. Not many coaches can say they've had better than a prelim and GF in the past 2 years. Hasler for example in the same time had a GF and gone in week 1

 

[cherry_poppins]

Gutherson will be at the back, Hiku for Centre one day

 

[Harry]

This blokes last 5 performances have went totally unnoticed

Weak running game
Nathan Merritt like defense

Why isn't there an outcry to dump him for this week? Did nobody see him wave his hand at the ball the last few weeks? At least dropping bombs is understandable..... Hiku just waves at the ball. ... Why not try to you know, intercept? He should never play wing, maybe Centre

Hiku is waiting for Brett Stewart's fullback spot, as fullback is his best position but they have to play him somewhere for the time being. Winger is definitely not for him at the moment

The next long term fullback is a lot younger and has worse hair than Hiku.

Hiku will play centre or as a gap filler.

but you are right in wing is not his spot.

I think part of Hiku deal at Manly was to be the next fullback otherwise what I am hearing he would not have signed up.

 

[maxta]

This blokes last 5 performances have went totally unnoticed

Weak running game
Nathan Merritt like defense

Why isn't there an outcry to dump him for this week? Did nobody see him wave his hand at the ball the last few weeks? At least dropping bombs is understandable..... Hiku just waves at the ball. ... Why not try to you know, intercept? He should never play wing, maybe Centre

Hiku is waiting for Brett Stewart's fullback spot, as fullback is his best position but they have to play him somewhere for the time being. Winger is definitely not for him at the moment

The next long term fullback is a lot younger and has worse hair than Hiku.

Hiku will play centre or as a gap filler.

but you are right in wing is not his spot.

I think part of Hiku deal at Manly was to be the next fullback otherwise what I am hearing he would not have signed up.

Unfortunately for Hiku will be 2nd or 3rd string at the back.
Hiku's main problem is his best asset...versatility.
Not really a specialist winger or fullback though could be a solid centre & in juniors in NZ was a halfback...imo could be a good hooker, but so far from that today, a big call to expect this as an overnight success.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Hiku will play centre or as a gap filler.

New nickname could be Selleys.

 

[Harry]

This blokes last 5 performances have went totally unnoticed

Weak running game
Nathan Merritt like defense

Why isn't there an outcry to dump him for this week? Did nobody see him wave his hand at the ball the last few weeks? At least dropping bombs is understandable..... Hiku just waves at the ball. ... Why not try to you know, intercept? He should never play wing, maybe Centre

Hiku is waiting for Brett Stewart's fullback spot, as fullback is his best position but they have to play him somewhere for the time being. Winger is definitely not for him at the moment

The next long term fullback is a lot younger and has worse hair than Hiku.

Hiku will play centre or as a gap filler.

but you are right in wing is not his spot.

I think part of Hiku deal at Manly was to be the next fullback otherwise what I am hearing he would not have signed up.

Unfortunately for Hiku will be 2nd or 3rd string at the back.
Hiku's main problem is his best asset...versatility.
Not really a specialist winger or fullback though could be a solid centre & in juniors in NZ was a halfback...imo could be a good hooker, but so far from that today, a big call to expect this as an overnight success.

From good authority Hiku I have been told will be the next fullback after Stewart. He is not a forward / Hooker not a tackling machine like Balin or big enough. Hiku excels at fullback all his best games have been from there, I don't think he is tough or big enough as a centre either but at present he is better there than on the wing

 

[Go manly]

Have a quick read of never give up positive thread

It will make you all feel better and maybe help find the answer

Then again it may not but will make you feel better

 

[Ramrod]

Don't see why peeps are bagging Hiku.
He just need to pack a few pounds of muscle in the offseason and he'll be fine.
However disappointed you are, he looks awesome compared to poor Jorge.

 

[EagleFromMay1967]

Hiku is waiting for Brett Stewart's fullback spot, as fullback is his best position but they have to play him somewhere for the time being. Winger is definitely not for him at the moment

The next long term fullback is a lot younger and has worse hair than Hiku.
Hiku will play centre or as a gap filler.
but you are right in wing is not his spot.

I think part of Hiku deal at Manly was to be the next fullback otherwise what I am hearing he would not have signed up.

Unfortunately for Hiku will be 2nd or 3rd string at the back.
Hiku's main problem is his best asset...versatility.
Not really a specialist winger or fullback though could be a solid centre & in juniors in NZ was a halfback...imo could be a good hooker, but so far from that today, a big call to expect this as an overnight success.

From good authority Hiku I have been told will be the next fullback after Stewart. He is not a forward / Hooker not a tackling machine like Balin or big enough. Hiku excels at fullback all his best games have been from there, I don't think he is tough or big enough as a centre either but at present he is better there than on the wing

Yes have heard the same, but it should not be a question of whether Hiku is best at fullback: For the club it should be a question of "Who Is our Best Fullback" If it is Tom T, Gutho or whoever that is who you select.
If 2V's selections are based on some sort of loyalty reward rather than form, then the team's goals are 'out of focus'.