Where does Hiku play??

[maxta]

Whats his position - does he make the top 17??
Proven as a tough & reliable fullback who defends with aggression, also reliable under the high ball & has a power running game with a neat step, 2013 was exceptional considering it was his first real gig & he had the massive boots to fill of Brett Stewart.
Some have him on the wing but imo he lacks the genuine speed of a finisher in todays game, though his impact of making the tough yards in traffic cannot be argued.
The fact is, he is almost the ultimate utility player who could fill in anywhere from 1 - 7 & could fill in most positions on the field including hooker with the strength to play backrow at a stretch, though not ideal.
The fact is, if he gets no game time in 2014 he will most likely go elsewhere for opportunity & theres a big chance other clubs will more than match the financial offer from Manly, as the kid has a definate future at NRL level.
Rarely does a player leave Manly & go onto haunt us down the track, but this youngster will only get better over the next few years & theres no doubt the opposition will come knocking.
With our best 1-13 would prefer him off the bench but really hope he gets a shot to cement a top 17 spot.

 

[HappilyManly]

Look at the MWSE site, the gallery of Saturday's Mall event, and see how Hiku has grown about a foot since he started.

He could end up a great utility filling in from lock to fullback 🙂

Hope his family will move across from NZ and he nests at Manly long term.

 

[manlyfan76]

Brookvale Oval.

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Look at the MWSE site, the gallery of Saturday's Mall event, and see how Hiku has grown about a foot since he started.

He could end up a great utility filling in from lock to fullback 🙂

Hope his family will move across from NZ and he nests at Manly long term.

At the moment I see him as a fullback or 5/8 (similar skill set in the modern game) but as he grows and bulks up I see him as a Centre of Excellence....

 

[The Who]

He certainly should be in the 17, covering any backline position. We can get by with three forwards on the bench. Gee, DCE has even played lock for Australia. These players are versatile, and can play in many positions.

 

[Killer03]

Hiku to me is an absolute must for us going forward. I would have him on the bench, but also as a backup for our 1-7.

Looking at our team, Snake is unlikely to play 28 games in a season, and having a valuable person like Hiku will allow him to be nurtured through the season. (remember 2011?? Snake took time to recover because we had Hoppa).

There is also the likelihood of losing DCE to Origin for 3 games (plus fatigue). Killer to Halves, Hiku to centre.

Taufau is also a possibility for origin.

Then there is also the fact our two centres are not spring chickens, ie Killer and Stevie. A little injury here or there for a week or two, and what a fantastic cover we have in Hiku.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Hard to carry a back on the bench these days. Having said that we do have a history of under-utilising our 4th bench spot (eg the Grand Final this year) so maybe we can get by with 3 forwards and a specialist reserve.

I think Hiku will get games this year, he'll be first picked as cover for any injury / rep duty in the backline, from 1-7.

 

[Shoe1]

He looked great at centre in the one match he played there. I agree, he is more likely to be our next great centre. Gutherson more suited to fullback / wing given his size.

 

[mosto]

TBH, I can't see where he fits into the top 17. Don't get me wrong, he's a sensational player and we're going to need him plenty of times this year, but if he's on the bench, it's at the expense of Ferris or T-Red, or we go with one prop on the bench, and I can't see any of those things happening. The other thing is, if he does come in at origin time, or for an extended injury, wouldn't it be better if he's been playing 80 min each week, albeit at a lower level, than 5 or 10 min here and there, particularly if he comes in at half.

For me, Ferris and T-Red can cover backline injuries during the game. If the injury lasts into the next week then he's straight in.

Between origin, injuries and suspensions, he'll get plenty of first grade.

 

[mozgrame]

I've been away for a little while. Just so I'm up to date, Maxta is MK Eagle right?

 

[Killer03]

TBH, I can't see where he fits into the top 17. Don't get me wrong, he's a sensational player and we're going to need him plenty of times this year, but if he's on the bench, it's at the expense of Ferris or T-Red, or we go with one prop on the bench, and I can't see any of those things happening. The other thing is, if he does come in at origin time, or for an extended injury, wouldn't it be better if he's been playing 80 min each week, albeit at a lower level, than 5 or 10 min here and there, particularly if he comes in at half.

For me, Ferris and T-Red can cover backline injuries during the game. If the injury lasts into the next week then he's straight in.

Between origin, injuries and suspensions, he'll get plenty of first grade.

Can see your point, but to me it depends if T-Red sees much game time. And if he's only being used for 10mins I'd prefer Hiku. If T-Red starts seeing 30-40mins that's a different issue.

 

[maxta]

Would be super to have an injury free run but Snake will likely be (rested) for part of the season with Hiku & gutherson very good options at the back.
Not convinced the King dog will be there every week also opening up an extra bench spot with 1 bench prop moving into the starting 13.
Shows how strong the side is when its tough for a player of Hiku's standard to get a top 17 spot.
The 2014 signings may not be marquee, but with the players in key positions world class, its a matter of building a team around them.
Many NRL teams would find a starting position for Hiku, but its his utility value that can earn him a 14-17 shot in 2014.
Its not just his ability, but the competitive nature of Hiku, giving 100% on every play.

 

[Killer03]

What I like about Hiku is he's already a good player, but still very raw. If he can develop his passing game and just overall positional play.....and I mean could you have better mentors in that in Killer and Snake?? Then he could be an outstanding player for us.

Plus the other attribute people have mentioned, toughness. He's got that in spades.

 

[bob dylan]

Wests Tigers?

 

[Disco]

Not in the 17 imo

But that's ok, he will still get 12+ games next year as our backline cover

 

[DSM5]

I think the issue is the bench rotation. As we only have three bench players, iI can't see a spot for him.

 

[Top End Eagle]

He plays outside Jamie Lyon every game that snake is fit for. David Williams goes back to reserves and gets occasional runs in the top squad when injury occurs. Hiku is a better player now and will be much better than the wolfman after some solid first grade time in 2014.

 

[Daddycool08]

All in all, it's a wonderful "problem" to have isn't it?

Where do we fit in all our great players?

These are the type of headaches 2V would like to have constantly I believe.

 

[The Indian]

He plays outside Jamie Lyon every game that snake is fit for. David Williams goes back to reserves and gets occasional runs in the top squad when injury occurs. Hiku is a better player now and will be much better than the wolfman after some solid first grade time in 2014.

I don't disagree at all..... huge Hiku fan.....but Tooves has shown himself to be very similar to Dessie in this sense in that they almost never dump an experienced player for an up and comer during a season. And to be fair they have been extremely successful in doing it.

Wolfy has been re-signed so you will bet he will be given an extended crack at it again this year - otherwise he would have been allowed to leave.

 

[PONTIAN SEA EAGLE]

On the wing i reckon at least his good in the air.Hiku in woolfie out.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

Where does Hiku see himself ?