Hiku

[Harry]

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'.

Yes true, but the club are looking at Hiku next, then Tom ( 20s ) and I am hearing Gutho will end up in the centres. After watching all of them play, I would agree in the order. I would also have Taylor ( 20s) as well but sad he is leaving.

 

[cherry_poppins]

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.

Yeah I just love a winger with no running game and the defensive capabilities of Merritt in origin, he can catch though so yeah great

Taufua runs and makes metres, when he jams in he hits and when bombed to can't really catch

Hiku 1/3 Taufua 2/3

 

[tookey]

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'.

Yes true, but the club are looking at Hiku next, then Tom ( 20s ) and I am hearing Gutho will end up in the centres. After watching all of them play, I would agree in the order. I would also have Taylor ( 20s) as well but sad he is leaving.

I would have thought that manly would have tried hard to keep Taylor as they will need to replace Matai soon - possibly next year.

 

[Harry]

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'.

Yes true, but the club are looking at Hiku next, then Tom ( 20s ) and I am hearing Gutho will end up in the centres. After watching all of them play, I would agree in the order. I would also have Taylor ( 20s) as well but sad he is leaving.

I would have thought that manly would have tried hard to keep Taylor as they will need to replace Matai soon - possibly next year.

Disappointing, I heard a lot of clubs are after him and he couldn't reach a deal here.

 

[HoldenV8]

As a player, Peta's big problem is that he's versatile. He can play FB, wing, centre or in the halves. He can probably also play hooker if needed.

I know its only early in his career but in a lot of ways he reminds me of Kurt Gidley, Phil Blake and even Des. Can play a number of positions, but his standout possie (FB) is covered by the club. This means he gets moved elsewhere on the field, in this case onto the wing. This is the problem all utility players have.....rarely do they ever get to play in their best position.

I do think Peta's best position is FB, we saw that last year in the semis. But I feel that he is being earmarked for the centres once we no longer have Killer or Skivy or both.

 

[HappilyManly]

Jacob Gagan is wasted at the Sharks, lets get him back for a wing spot :idea:

 

[Harry]

Jacob Gagan is wasted at the Sharks, lets get him back for a wing spot :idea:

Manly didn't want him or Gower a forward that would be handy at the moment

 

[NYEagle]

His performance against Souths was Steve Mavin like.

 

[Bandit]

Hiku will play centre or as a gap filler.

New nickname could be Selleys.

That's Gold.

 

[cherry_poppins]

Well he's very media savvy too, there's an interview with him and Perrett on NRL.com and that's about as good as his defense

 

[cherry_poppins]

Great work Hacku

 

[bob dylan]

Might be 50 by half time.

 

[globaleagle]

I wish 2v, lyon amd hiku would get together and sort that 'defensive' structure out.


sigh

 

[lsz]

No hiku no levelling field goal

Not sure you can blame a winger for everything but I guess we all need our scapegoats

 

[HappilyManly]

Hiku just kept running sideways :huh:
He finally ran at the line when it was almost too late :s

 

[lsz]

Made plenty of ground - pit down the wolf blinkers and you will see he had a solid game

 

[Mal Cochrane]

yeah, no beef with Hiku tonight. He is not a winger though.

 

[Jax24]

Pretty happy and proud with the year Peta had. To score 18 tries in his 2nd season was quite an achievement, most of them as a Winger. To cement a 1st grade spot was another highlight edging Wolfie out, especially considering Peta mainly played out of position most of the year. Representing and making his debut for the Kiwis was also huge. Re-signing with Manly was a major also.

Obviously Peta still has more improvements to make. Defensively he has been exposed at times on the wing, be it due to the defensive scheme or a misread by him. At other times he has appeared to be in cruise mode. He also needs to minimise errors he makes. Probably needs to add a little more strength as well which will help with his hit ups, defence. Plenty for him to work on but I have faith he can do so.

Peta has been used as a "Mr Fix It" with injuries, so has played multiple positions this year. While I think he did a solid job filling in on the wing, I do agree with others that he isn't a full-time Wing. I still believe his best position is Fullback, however I think his future lies in the Centres here at Manly.

I must say there is alot of competition for the Back 3 spots in the next couple years so Peta will have to bring his A game. Blair showed he would not be out of place on the Wing and to an extent Gutherson also showed he can play out wide as well as at the back. Taufua had a down year and injury plagued season so he will be looking to bounce back strong next year. Also T Trbojevic is an undeniable talent on the rise as well.

All in all I would like to say well done to Peta on a good season and bring on next season. Also hope he is selected for the Kiwis team again. Look forward to catching up with him over the off season as well.

 

[cherry_poppins]

Made plenty of ground - pit down the wolf blinkers and you will see he had a solid game

Wolf blinkers? No I don't think so I'm a fan of Gutherson

On last night he let in one try but it wasn't anywhere like last week so it was his best game in 6 weeks, made a positive impact on the teams performance, I still think he's a centre tho

 

[the mauler]

Hiku just kept running sideways :huh:
He finally ran at the line when it was almost too late :s

He had a great game.