Burbo to lock?

[rmd]

Now this maybe just a really wild idea, however, and I am just putting it out there, given I have already suggested Arthur could be a lock, but, what about Burbo at lock?

He is faster than Yeo, same size as Yeo, his defence is good, he just may miss the ball playing skils of Yeo. Is it worth a thought?

If Burbo could transition to Lock, that would move Jake to prop, where I think he is best anyway, and allow us to field someone else quicker with ball playing skills in the back row, along with Olakau'atu.

It may be a wild and crazy idea, however, if Talau could also tranisition to the second row, @Ryan may be happy with the speed in our pack. It's just a 'wild idea', whereby you would put the big boppers in to start in the forwards and then after 20, replace them with with the speed and strength of Talau.

Just a thought.

 

[manlyfan76]

We've come up with worse ideas

 

[Eagles4Life]

Now this maybe just a really wild idea, however, and I am just putting it out there, given I have already suggested Arthur could be a lock, but, what about Burbo at lock?

He is faster than Yeo, same size as Yeo, his defence is good, he just may miss the ball playing skils of Yeo. Is it worth a thought?

If Burbo could transition to Lock, that would move Jake to prop, where I think he is best anyway, and allow us to field someone else quicker with ball playing skills in the back row, along with Olakau'atu.

It may be a wild and crazy idea, however, if Talau could also tranisition to the second row, @Ryan may be happy with the speed in our pack. It's just a 'wild idea', whereby you would put the big boppers in to start in the forwards and then after 20, replace them with with the speed and strength of Talau.

Just a thought.

Why not start Jake at lock, and bring Talau off the bench to replace him after 20 minutes? Talau is much better suited to playing a ball playing role than Burbo. This type of arrangement appears to have worked well for Dylan Walker.

Paseka
Tevaga (20 minutes only as starting hooker)
Aloiai
Olakau'atu
Burbo
Jake

Simpkin
Talau
Bullemore
Taukeiaho

Brown

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Now this maybe just a really wild idea, however, and I am just putting it out there, given I have already suggested Arthur could be a lock, but, what about Burbo at lock?

Like it but not sure he's ready. With his lanky build the main weakness in his game so far has been just dealing with the physicality of NRL. If he's physically mature enough to cope with the middle then certainly might become a candidate for lock.
(Probably could use a more intimidating haircut too)

 

[The Who]

The role of the lock has seemingly changed from a cover-defending, free-running, try-scoring link between the forwards and the backs -- ala Raper, Coote, Menzies -- to a solid "middle" brick wall.
I'm so old school that I've got no idea the attributes needed to be a lock these days. So if somebody can enlighten me/the rest of we oldies, then our opinions will be more valid.

 

[ManlyTragic]

The role of the lock has seemingly changed from a cover-defending, free-running, try-scoring link between the forwards and the backs -- ala Raper, Coote, Menzies -- to a solid "middle" brick wall.
I'm so old school that I've got no idea the attributes needed to be a lock these days. So if somebody can enlighten me/the rest of we oldies, then our opinions will be more valid.

You picked a few immortals there!

I’d like to have Jesus on our team ….. but apparently he is up in heaven playing rugby!

 

[Bearfax]

Now this maybe just a really wild idea, however, and I am just putting it out there, given I have already suggested Arthur could be a lock, but, what about Burbo at lock?

He is faster than Yeo, same size as Yeo, his defence is good, he just may miss the ball playing skils of Yeo. Is it worth a thought?

If Burbo could transition to Lock, that would move Jake to prop, where I think he is best anyway, and allow us to field someone else quicker with ball playing skills in the back row, along with Olakau'atu.

It may be a wild and crazy idea, however, if Talau could also tranisition to the second row, @Ryan may be happy with the speed in our pack. It's just a 'wild idea', whereby you would put the big boppers in to start in the forwards and then after 20, replace them with with the speed and strength of Talau.

Just a thought.

I like it Rmd. He's been developing year by year, and at 23 for a forward he is approaching his best years. The kid has speed for a forward, good defense and could cause trouble out wide given he plays centre and would effectively become an extra back. Needs to be tougher and stronger and hopefully this year we will see that. But I think the idea has merit.

 

[rmd]

If he can get some skills off his older brothers in terms of with Jake and his ball distribution and defence, and Turbo with his strong running and lateral vision, Burbo may just become another 'X' factor.

All three brothers are different, however, if Burbo can capture just a bit of both, it may not be such a stupid idea.

 

[maxta]

I don't mind it and in fact.... would like to see them give Burbo a crack for a half at 13 in Fridays trial.....attack wise very good, not sure enough steel in defence to handle it, but then again at 23, Yeo may not have been near as strong as he is today

 

[The '47ers]

Blurto is not 1st grade standard

 

[Disco]

I don't think he has the ball playing or effective enough hit ups.

But I do like his line running.

Out and out edge IMO

 

[Ryan]

I don't think he has the ball playing or effective enough hit ups.

But I do like his line running.

Out and out edge IMO

In NSW Cup !

 

[eaglebuzz]

I think he'll be better this season. But I can't see him playing lock any time soon.

 

[R3]

Burbo needs some angry pills and a mean haircut if he’s any chance of justifying his place in the 17, he’s clinging on by that surname.
I like the idea of Talau on an edge or roving lock position though

 

[Bearfax]

Granted young Burbo has a bit to do. I would suggest a couple of points though. When attention is drawn to a young player, expectations are high. This is a kid from Turbo and Jurbo stock and therefore there's a tendency to expect unrealistic wonders from the youngest. Ben is not going to be as dynamic as Tom. He's not going to be as defensively strong or dominant in the centre of the ruck as Jake. He might never reach rep standard. But I think he has the elements to be a top first grader, especially if he's fitted in the right position. He's as fast as a reasonable centre, playing in the forwards. He's 6'4" meaning like Olakau'atu he can leap above other players in attacking positions. He's already scored 10 tries in only 47 matches. Certainly he needs to beef up a tad, and toughen up his play but each time I see him he looks a little better. Year by year he improves. Injuries have slowed him down. I think by his mid 20s he'll be a top first grader and I think given his attributes, lock is his best spot..

 

[manly al]

Whole previous career has been either edge or centre and best attribute is probably his hole running ability and positioning and doubt a 13 role is going to maximize or suit his general playing style and capabilities .
Showed some good maturity and experience passing at an opportune time to Koula in that Bulldogs play off last season and have had a few back rowers [ also capable of playing in the centres ] over the years with reasonable levels of success and Burbo rates quite well in that category

 

[mosto]

If moving Jake to prop (which I'm all for), I'd be putting Navale at lock. Time to blood him IMO.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

If moving Jake to prop (which I'm all for), I'd be putting Navale at lock. Time to blood him IMO.

After only 2 NRL games on the bench?
Bring Caleb along slowly early in the year, t's a long season for any rookie.
When our 'mature' guys like Brown,TKO, Aloia & co start picking up injuries he can start getting introduced more regularly from the bench.
If he performs then the way many expect, he could well be a regular starter by the time we're pushing for our glorious finals run. 🙂

 

[mosto]

After only 2 NRL games on the bench?
Bring Caleb along slowly early in the year, t's a long season for any rookie.
When our 'mature' guys like Brown,TKO, Aloia & co start picking up injuries he can start getting introduced more regularly from the bench.
If he performs then the way many expect, he could well be a regular starter by the time we're pushing for our glorious finals run.

Happy with that approach. My post was probably more that he would be my preferred option over Burbo. I like Burbo but I think he's just that in between type player. He's not quite a first grade second rower, not quite a first grade centre, and I don't think lock is the answer either. I think you can retain him on the bench as cover for centre / second row. Jake I think would still play big minutes for a prop and Tavaga can also play middle forward if needed.

 

[Disco]

Granted young Burbo has a bit to do. I would suggest a couple of points though. When attention is drawn to a young player, expectations are high. This is a kid from Turbo and Jurbo stock and therefore there's a tendency to expect unrealistic wonders from the youngest. Ben is not going to be as dynamic as Tom. He's not going to be as defensively strong or dominant in the centre of the ruck as Jake. He might never reach rep standard. But I think he has the elements to be a top first grader, especially if he's fitted in the right position. He's as fast as a reasonable centre, playing in the forwards. He's 6'4" meaning like Olakau'atu he can leap above other players in attacking positions. He's already scored 10 tries in only 47 matches. Certainly he needs to beef up a tad, and toughen up his play but each time I see him he looks a little better. Year by year he improves. Injuries have slowed him down. I think by his mid 20s he'll be a top first grader and I think given his attributes, lock is his best spot..

100%

Said it a million times but people judge him on his surname and because of their own unrealistic expectations.

He is coming along okay. Quite decent in attack with some work to do in defence. Currently a weaker link in our 17 be at the same time still clearly our best left edge option.