Unsigned Super Level Players

[Gnostic]

I'll start from the Randwick Club I would say that IM there are four Super Level Players who to my knowledge have not been signed to any level contract yet seem to have the good against the Super level players they have met head to head.

2 - John Fonokalafi
3 - Lotu Taukeiaho
In the last two weeks the Randwick scrum has been up against scrums with a total of 6 S14 front rowers. Both have shone in both the set piece and the loose. IMO Taukieaho in particular has been setting a bench mark for THP play in the loose whilst holding a steady set piece. Today's game he faced Robinson, Dunning and Alexander in a game where he played the full 80 and whilst he was penalised twice the Woodies loosehead position also conceded two PK/FK.
4, 6- Junior Maninoa - what a step up from a player who received an SOS from Randwick to assist late in the season (I think he has been with the squad for 5 or is it 6 weeks)
6,7,8 - Selala Lam - 88Kg plays like he weighs in at 115. Holds off other backrowers and off loads, makes at least one clean break and one turn over per game. Are the Super Rugby squads not game to sign him because he is 88Kg? He does not fail to get over the gain line and given the fact he is rarely sighted running in the backs this is impressive.

These are my four from the Wicks surely there are more from other Clubs that I'm sure their supporters can post. My point is in the extended squads required for S15 surely there should be a place for such solid consistant performers.

 

[RugbyFuture]

there where non wallabies in randwick?

 

[Gnostic]

there where non wallabies in randwick?

There were five Wallabies for Randwick

1. Kepu
2. Elsom
3. Beale
4. Valentine (from the bench)
5. Chisholm

Cummins from the Wallaby Squad

Eastwood
1. Robinson
2. Alexander
3. Dunning
4. Turner

So honours even there really so that isn't the purpose of this thread.

 

[DPK]

3. Dunning

: Surely you jest.

 

[Gnostic]

Like it or not he has 45 Wallabies caps. That is 45 more than Taukeiaho or Fonokalafi.

My point is for all the moaning about lack of depth in Oz rugby there are a few players in club land who have shown IMO the ability to match it with regular Super Rugby starters but aren't signed to a pro or semi pro contract. Maybe our super Rugby selectors need to broaden their horizons a bit.

 

[cyclopath]

I actually reckon Dunning would have been OK if there had been more application to scrummaging over his time in the Wallabies. He had the strength, but poor technique. He was skillful enough to make a pretty decent prop.
I'm sure plenty will laugh, but let's face it, if Ma'afu can be improved, I reckon Tucky could have been.
BUT, back on topic, Gnostic makes a good point.

 

[DPK]

I agree with both of you Re: Dunning.

I actually kind of feel sorry for him and Giteau. Dunning was brought in in difficult circumstances and was most certainly underdone. Giteau got moved around and recieved the Wallaby 10. jersey post Larkham but I never felt he showed the same zest in it as he does/did in the 12 jersey.

Aaaaaanyway, I think there is a lot behind the performances on the field we dont see that dictates selections. Like, how hard does a player train, are they considered a leader in the team, what's their general attitude to the game. How do they fit in with the team, how well do they communicate with their fellow players and with the coaching staff.

It's all very important stuff and I prefer that they do consider more than the skills of a player when choosing who to sign up; character and spirit are as important as skill.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Unfortunately with the addition of a fifth team, I think there are more players contracted to Super teams that shouldn't be than the other way around. Nonetheless I will throw in Ben Batger, Hugh Perrett (Eastwood); Anton Lavin, Will Brock (Easts); Nathan Trist (Uni), Chris Alcock (Gordon). Gnostic, I agree with you on Lotu but not John F (made to look good by Kepu and Lotu) and Lala Lam (just too small to match up with Palu, Spies, Burger & co). Is Maninoa eligible?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Will Brock should definitely get a crack at it. I've been impressed with him this year. And is there no room for Beau Robinson in a squad somewhere?

 

[topo]

Unfortunately with the addition of a fifth team, I think there are more players contracted to Super teams that shouldn't be than the other way around. Nonetheless I will throw in Ben Batger, Hugh Perrett (Eastwood); Anton Lavin, Will Brock (Easts); Nathan Trist (Uni), Chris Alcock (Gordon). Gnostic, I agree with you on Lotu but not John F (made to look good by Kepu and Lotu) and Lala Lam (just too small to match up with Palu, Spies, Burger & co). Is Maninoa eligible?

Agree about Trist being S14 quality but unfortunately a second ACL recon on the same knee in 2 years means no one will be looking at him now. It's a shame because he has skill, a bit of size and an uncanny ability to sniff out a try. A top shelf player and a top bloke.

 

[Slim 293]

Unfortunately with the addition of a fifth team, I think there are more players contracted to Super teams that shouldn't be than the other way around. Nonetheless I will throw in Ben Batger, Hugh Perrett (Eastwood); Anton Lavin, Will Brock (Easts); Nathan Trist (Uni), Chris Alcock (Gordon). Gnostic, I agree with you on Lotu but not John F (made to look good by Kepu and Lotu) and Lala Lam (just too small to match up with Palu, Spies, Burger & co). Is Maninoa eligible?

Ben Batger has played Super rugby with the Brumbies... he didn't cut it...

And despite his size I'm surprised Lam hasn't gone further...

 

[fatprop]

Junior Maninoa has already played for Samoa? So he wouldn't get a run

Others
Dylan Sigg
Afusipa Taumoepeau looks healthy again

 

[topo]

Ben Batger has played Super rugby with the Brumbies... he didn't cut it...

And despite his size I'm surprised Lam hasn't gone further...

I think Lam has had his opportunities. He had an academy gig at the Brumbies a year or 2 ago and was called in to the Force squad when they were decimated this year. He is playing the best footy of his career at the moment, though, and at 22, he has been around long enough to learn a thing or two. He would be a good signing.

 

[topo]

Afusipa Taumoepeau looks healthy again

Sipa has had a fair crack at it over the last couple of years and hasn't really established himself. He's hardly one of those players who has been toiling away in club land for years without getting noticed.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Others
Afusipa Taumoepeau looks healthy again

Sipa was great last weekend v Uni - and I think he has been retained by the Brumbies.

 

[RugbyFuture]

Maybe our super Rugby selectors need to broaden their horizons a bit.

yeh, they should start looking at clubs such as Randwick and USyd and Eastwood....

 

[fatprop]

Sipa has had a fair crack at it over the last couple of years and hasn't really established himself. He's hardly one of those players who has been toiling away in club land for years without getting noticed.

He has been perennially wounded, but has the ability. He showed against Uni what he can do fit.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

6,7,8 - Selala Lam - 88Kg plays like he weighs in at 115. Holds off other backrowers and off loads, makes at least one clean break and one turn over per game. Are the Super Rugby squads not game to sign him because he is 88Kg? He does not fail to get over the gain line and given the fact he is rarely sighted running in the backs this is impressive

I really don't think that weight is an issue with Lam. When he was with the Brumbies Acadamy, and up until last year, he was a 100+kg backrower. It has only been this year with the Wicks that he has put a great deal of effort into trimming down and trying to be more mobile. He still plays as if he was 100kg that's for sure. He's only 21 and he's time will come, and if needed he will not have any troubles getting some weight on.

 

[Lindommer]

Afusipa Taumoepeau looks healthy again

Anybody know what Pauliasi's doing these days?

 

[RugbyReg]

he's on twitter. Possibly going to pay in Japan I believe. Getting lots of treatment for injuries.