Don't get me wrong I like this young bloke.He is a good footballer with plenty of skill BUT he lacks the one ingredient you cant coach and that is speed.
Our backline plays are virtually the same every week and they look fantastic because Brett gets on the outside of the B defender so easily because of his pace. Tonights first half was a classic example of that.The same moves with Hiku and it inevitably ends in a flat crabbing mess because the outside defenders can stay on their man as he lacks that explosive speed.
In my opinion he is not a fullback or a winger and we need to look at other options at fullback if possible when Brett is out. Gutherson is the obvious candidate but is he ready?I don't think so quite yet.If Tooves can't solve this problem we are in a bit of strife.We have to base our planning around Stewie not playing and treat every game he does play as a bonus rather than fretting about him being missing.
On the positive side Peta's footballing nouse,size and great defence makes him a perfect utility off the bench .We underuse our 4th bench player so much we may as well have a bloke like him who can cover back row and centre as have a prop who plays 10 or 12 minutes.If Brett does play he is an absolute must on the bench but NOT in the back 3.
Our backline plays are virtually the same every week and they look fantastic because Brett gets on the outside of the B defender so easily because of his pace. Tonights first half was a classic example of that.The same moves with Hiku and it inevitably ends in a flat crabbing mess because the outside defenders can stay on their man as he lacks that explosive speed.
In my opinion he is not a fullback or a winger and we need to look at other options at fullback if possible when Brett is out. Gutherson is the obvious candidate but is he ready?I don't think so quite yet.If Tooves can't solve this problem we are in a bit of strife.We have to base our planning around Stewie not playing and treat every game he does play as a bonus rather than fretting about him being missing.
On the positive side Peta's footballing nouse,size and great defence makes him a perfect utility off the bench .We underuse our 4th bench player so much we may as well have a bloke like him who can cover back row and centre as have a prop who plays 10 or 12 minutes.If Brett does play he is an absolute must on the bench but NOT in the back 3.