The Guru
Fred Wood (13)
In a global rugby community, highlights tapes like the one I shared above aren't just a stroking of the highlighted's ego - nor are they a symptom of low self esteem.
Aumua's highlight video is a recruitment tool designed to further a career in sport - one that I assume has worked, given his progression through the Bronco's U20s, Queensland Reds U20s and now Union Bordeaux Begles in France - incidentally, playing on the wing with teammates Adam Ashley-Cooper, Luke Braid, Ole Avei, and Sekope Kepu in 2016.
On Greene's documentary: it's designed to capture the rapid rise of a young prodigy. With McIntyre and Dalgleish in front of him, I don't expect Sam to start for the Reds in 2016 - and no one else should, either.
But in case he does, this documentary will capture the build up. It's already documents his freak upset of Nudgee. It documents his MVP nominated season for Wests in 2013. It documents his Queensland Reds debut and his shattering of Elton Flatley's most-points-in-a-match-for-Brothers record. If it captures him winning the Hospital Cup as a 20-year old and going on to start for an NRC team, I'd hazard a guess to say he's been just about the best person in Queensland Rugby there is to document!
This seems eerily similar to people knocking Cristiano Ronaldo's goals records just because he scores penalties and hat-tricks against bad teams. Do you expect him not to score them?
If Aumua wasn't a flat track bully I'd be concerned - the saving grace is that he wasn't just a flat track bully.
With regards to missing tape from ACGS, BBC etc, Aumua was injured midway through the season with a lower back injury. Grant Davies, the flyhalf, was also sidelined through that time with a shoulder injury.
BGS were undefeated right up until they played Churchie in 2011, after which they lost every game, finishing fourth. I put to you that the reason they lost those matches was because Aumua and Davies were missing.
All up, I think we mostly agree, Monday's Expert! Aumua was contact averse in that he maybe didn't hit 100% of rucks - but that's because he was a converted League centre/winger, playing eight.
well said Mr King
i dont really think this thread is for bagging players from years gone past .i personally thought that was below the belt.
Congrats for pointing out earlier this year that you had high hopes that the qld 1 fullback would be a special player after you saw him at trials and sevens matches.
that stocky build, big thighs and lightning acceleration remind me of that TGS fullback from a few years ago that left the Reds for the Rebels .
looking forward to reading your match summaries this year.