Kikau is a big out and will make more difference than most think imo.
Not just his ability to trample his opposite edges and make linebreaks, score tries and defensively smashes many opposition halves with pressure plays.....his most important ingredient is not involving a run or tackle....as an option runner he sucks in 2-3 defenders EVERY time time to allow that 2nd man play out the back to have an auto overlap EVERY shift to the left.
Garner is a handy replacement, but a fair way off Kikau.
The scary part about Penrith is their production line, if you seen their "Winning" NSW cup team blow every side away and the junior teams below them crammed with endless potential star players, the future out Penrith way has YEARS of success ahead.
The best chance for Manly or any other contender, is to not focus on Penrith who are light years away as the yardstick.
So forget Penrith and concentrate on our own backyard.
Manly need to to a couple of things to be even mentioned in the conversation -
Stay healthy/injury free....last few years been ridiculous
Quicker defensive line speed and control in the ruck
More attacking options out of dummy half
The Schu is integral and needs to really deliver at 6 - Foz been our best player in 2021 and 2022
These BIG forwards need to eat some raw meat and get more mongrel
Not just his ability to trample his opposite edges and make linebreaks, score tries and defensively smashes many opposition halves with pressure plays.....his most important ingredient is not involving a run or tackle....as an option runner he sucks in 2-3 defenders EVERY time time to allow that 2nd man play out the back to have an auto overlap EVERY shift to the left.
Garner is a handy replacement, but a fair way off Kikau.
The scary part about Penrith is their production line, if you seen their "Winning" NSW cup team blow every side away and the junior teams below them crammed with endless potential star players, the future out Penrith way has YEARS of success ahead.
The best chance for Manly or any other contender, is to not focus on Penrith who are light years away as the yardstick.
So forget Penrith and concentrate on our own backyard.
Manly need to to a couple of things to be even mentioned in the conversation -
Stay healthy/injury free....last few years been ridiculous
Quicker defensive line speed and control in the ruck
More attacking options out of dummy half
The Schu is integral and needs to really deliver at 6 - Foz been our best player in 2021 and 2022
These BIG forwards need to eat some raw meat and get more mongrel