News: Des Hasler praises Manly young gun Will Hopoate

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A three try hero of 08.  The only try in the first game for us this year, and one in the third.  I'd qualify that as a 'falling' grade Shane.  I'd think that Robbo is still the finest finishing winger in the game, and his defense is very sound, unlike Wolfie.  Hoppa is excellent as a centre.  I can see Lyon and Matai being injured or suspended this year and he'll do fine filling in.  He's only 18 and I wouldn't be putting him in to the full line-up yet.  Maybe Robbo will want a season or two in the ESL so that would assist us, but next year.     
 
He must be close to holding the record for most consecutive games without being dropped/injured. What's he up to now ? 130 something ?
 
Suggestions at dropping wangman are astounding to me.

First, and most importantly imo; Hoppa jnr is still so young. He has put in amazing performances, but as Des has already said young players need a lot more time to recover - if we put Hoppa in full time week to week it's not sustainable. Killer will most likely play origin, we always have a backline injury so Hoppa will still get plenty of chances in first grade throughout the year.

Secondly, and as DSM5 has mentioned earlier - Wangman is a total hero. He is ABSOLUTELY the finest finisher in the game (and personally, the best i have ever seen - totally underrated in this respect). He stood by our club when times weren't so great, and has now played 137+ games for us in succession.

No way we should be dropping him. From memory he's on contract until the end of next year, so he should be first picked winger until that point.
 
Robbo is great. Safe in defence, safe under the high ball and scores tries! Tick tick tick for a winger.
 
Agree that talk of Robbo's demise is premature. Experience and positional know-how in his specialist position is priceless. He is a class finisher, can't think of too many players who would be better value on the left wing than him.
 
ads link said:
Robbo is great. Safe in defence, safe under the high ball and scores tries! Tick tick tick for a winger.

Robbo has outstanding ball control (so to speak), finishing ability, attitude and fortitude.

He's only 27 guys. Lets think of him leaving in 2-3 years time to soak up some good ol' English Pounds, if that's what he wants.

He and Matai are an awesome combination, and I don't see why that couldn't continue with Matai a wide running backrower.

Whare needs to prove he can stay on the paddock. Same with Rodney. I personally believe:-

Watmough
Matai
Stewart

would be one of the best backrows around - mobile, aggressive, powerful and would have an off load.
 
ads link said:
How do people think Matai will go with the higher defence role of a backrower?

How do you think two of the below four will go languishing in reserve grade?:-

Whare / Hoppa / Lyon / Matai.

There's only so many spots. You chuck Hoppa in reserve grade, and he'll join up with his buddies Hargreaves and Tasi.
 
outside the Morris brothers  Nightinggale and maybe Yeow Ye there are not many I would have in front of Robbo as a pure finisher.Hoppa is only 18 and I guarantee injuries and origin will give him his chanc this year.Shoulders is one tackle away from oblivion with the judiciary as well.People also forget the Hoppa family are like furniture around brooky.He will stay.Even his old man has said he doesnt want the kid rushed.

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throw in Uate as well but you get my drift.Robbo is still a top class winger.
 
Robbo is,but at his age its a bit expensive to keep him to lose Hopoate
whos 10 years his junior and will eventually wear the #1 for Manly

I hate to say it,but he is the one who almost must get the tap on the shoulder.....Matai is a national rep shoe in everytime he is fit,NZ was willing to give him his suspension time off,thats how much he means to NZ,his shoulders cannot take the rigors of the backrow but at the end of his new current contract he might have to leave to

Our young talent in the backs is such a bright future,the problem will be having to say goodbye to the guys we know and love,if we dont we face the risk of becoming the new titans,Dads Army
 
Chip & Chase link said:
He must be close to holding the record for most consecutive games without being dropped/injured. What's he up to now ? 130 something ?

Jason Taylor holds the record with 194 consecutive games between 1992 and 2000 (this ended when he was dropped by Peter Sharp). Robertson has played 132 consecutive matches - he needs to play 16 more consecutive matches to overtake Swain and Kimmorley's record of 147 and move into 3rd on the list (El Mazri is 2nd with 174).
 
ads link said:
How do people think Matai will go with the higher defence role of a backrower?
Not sure - maybe could handle it off the bench - 1 certainty - the attacking team would be looking for him all day creating dropped balls & breakdowns. The things to weigh up - maybe these massive hits would take their toll with 3-4 times the workload & he is an international centre. Doubt he will be moved - can see both sides here but i have believed this as an option since our fowards lost aggression in 2009....
 

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