Latu Fainu

[jbb/james]

I'm sure we'll come back to this thread in a few years after their careers have progressed, but I'm almost certain both Samuela and Latu won't be duds. They're both still very young but are good enough to be playing NRL. Samuela has already debuted and held his own, and Latu won't be far behind.

For all his skills, the thing that impresses me most about Latu is his defence. If he doesn't make it as an NRL half, he'll make an excellent dummy half. And Samuela is a big, athletic forward with a good motor, perfect for the modern game. The bulk of our current squad will probably never be as good as these two.

As for Schuster, even though he was highly touted as a junior, there was always concern about where they'd play him at a senior level. Nobody ever quite knew if he should be a half or a forward, and I'm not sure that uncertainty will ever be resolved. Where he goes from here is anybody's guess.

sam looks the perfect modern 13. i have a feeling he will be playing that role for NSW in 4 or 5 years if injuries are kind to him
havnt seen enough of latu to comment really

good sides can carry enigma types like the shoe. i think he will come good. the jigsaw of where to play him is not helped with jakey also seemingly not a specialist anything anymore

 

[double hoops]

Putting the manager issue aside. For $500K a year, Brookes is just a much safer bet than Latu. Halves are generally like props and they only get better from maturity and experience.

 

[Jay Eagle]

Maybe , maybe not.

I give you Schuster as an example.

He was going to be the next big thing in the game as a junior , an absolute superstar.

2 years later , he’s struggling , and has been “ demoted “ from 5/8 for 2024.

The Fainu’s “ may “ go on to be superstars, but equally so may go on to be expensive duds.

Correct...

Remember Liam Knight and all the hooha about him..being the next gun forward and can't believe we let him go.. he should have been playing NRL..blah blah

Hes an average first grader.. seriously..Latu would get schooled if he was thrown into NRL now..

Remember Albert Hoppa.... need i say more...

So people take a chill pill Latu is no first grader yet and may end up an average one.


This site should be called Silver Coaches..

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Correct...

Remember Liam Knight and all the hooha about him..being the next gun forward and can't believe we let him go.. he should have been playing NRL..blah blah

Hes an average first grader.. seriously..Latu would get schooled if he was thrown into NRL now..

Remember Albert Hoppa.... need i say more...

So people take a chill pill Latu is no first grader yet and may end up an average one.


This site should be called Silver Coaches..

He “ may “ end up a superstar , but there’s no doubt, NRL is a way way different level to Jersey Flegg.

 

[z1eyedeagle]

The kid is special; should be playing first grade - if good enough, you're old enough.

Take a peek at how composed he plays with Blacktown, my concern was that his defense wouldn't be up to par, but he has a great Jake like technique.

Hopefully he & Samuela leave amicably, so when DCE & Brooks are done in a couple of years, we haven't burnt our bridges.

 

[andyvb]

Cooper Johns is also playing well composed and defending well for Blacktown workers

 

[Jay Eagle]

Cooper Johns is also playing well composed and defending well for Blacktown workers

Correct.. and many of our other players look like world beaters in the reggies, Ray on the wing,Arthur, Weekes, Sipply, Boyle and Co..but they end up very average on the NRL paddock

Latu is young..way too young ( and that tells you he's not that special or anything like Clearly, Munster Soualli, Ponga and Co who play NRL as teens.

Other than people either at Manly or formally at Manly SEE the SOPPOSED real potential, it's not like clubs where knocking down their managers door to sign them.

Anasta mentioned he's seen a bit of him, actually went to specifically check him out and walked away not getting the hype.

 

[47MVEagle]

I previously pointed out that all 10 of the Tartak-managed players that were at Manly were ALL touted to be absolute guns.

Of those 10, we’ve kept Schuster, Saab & Olakau’atu. All 3 have struggled with consistency, with Olakau’atu the best of them.

Of the other 7, 1 is in jail, 3 have gone to other clubs & have yet to play first grade, 1 has been playing first grade for Saints (Suli) for 3 seasons now & hasn’t set the world ablaze, & 2 have signed with the Tigers on a ridiculously overpriced deal based on only 2 first grade games & potential.

The law of averages is on our side in this occasion, IMO, & we’ve kept the good ones.

 

[Ryan]

I previously pointed out that all 10 of the Tartak-managed players that were at Manly were ALL touted to be absolute guns.

Of those 10, we’ve kept Schuster, Saab & Olakau’atu. All 3 have struggled with consistency, with Olakau’atu the best of them.

Of the other 7, 1 is in jail, 3 have gone to other clubs & have yet to play first grade, 1 has been playing first grade for Saints (Suli) for 3 seasons now & hasn’t set the world ablaze, & 2 have signed with the Tigers on a ridiculously overpriced deal based on only 2 first grade games & potential.

The law of averages is on our side in this occasion, IMO, & we’ve kept the good ones.

That's actually a very good and informative post mate, thank you.

 

[z1eyedeagle]

I previously pointed out that all 10 of the Tartak-managed players that were at Manly were ALL touted to be absolute guns.

Of those 10, we’ve kept Schuster, Saab & Olakau’atu. All 3 have struggled with consistency, with Olakau’atu the best of them.

Of the other 7, 1 is in jail, 3 have gone to other clubs & have yet to play first grade, 1 has been playing first grade for Saints (Suli) for 3 seasons now & hasn’t set the world ablaze, & 2 have signed with the Tigers on a ridiculously overpriced deal based on only 2 first grade games & potential.

The law of averages is on our side in this occasion, IMO, & we’ve kept the g

Despite a strong performance at Blacktown, he was dropped to Jersey Flegg this week and played against the third placed Panthers. Not sure how he played but the kid seems a winner - does anyone have statistics on the win rate over the past few months in games he's played?

I hope we let him go out the front door and that his exit is amicable because if he does fulfill his potential, we could be reaching out to him in a couple of years trying to convince him to come back - don't do him any favors, but treating him harshly is not the best solution.

 

[eagle66]

They seem to b

Despite a strong performance at Blacktown, he was dropped to Jersey Flegg this week and played against the third placed Panthers. Not sure how he played but the kid seems a winner - does anyone have statistics on the win rate over the past few months in games he's played?

I hope we let him go out the front door and that his exit is amicable because if he does fulfill his potential, we could be reaching out to him in a couple of years trying to convince him to come back - don't do him any favors, but treating him harshly is not the best solution.

They seem to be in the NRL dressing room after the matches. Seen both brothers in the rooms during the victory song. I know, I know, doesn't happen often. Doesn't seem to be bad blood with them.

 

[frank stokes]

Not disappointed with the decision to cut the Fainu boys loose but gotta admit that it really irks me that this kid, having been on a generous payroll with Manly for years, will make his NRL debut with another team… clear example of the management issues that have held us back for well over a decade…

Benji’s shock halves call to replace rookie; Broncos’ Walsh boost: Teams Chat LIVE

Benji’s shock halves call to replace rookie; Broncos’ Walsh boost: Teams Chat LIVE

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[sheridanstand78]

Not disappointed with the decision to cut the Fainu boys loose but gotta admit that it really irks me that this kid, having been on a generous payroll with Manly for years, will make his NRL debut with another team… clear example of the management issues that have held us back for well over a decade…

Benji’s shock halves call to replace rookie; Broncos’ Walsh boost: Teams Chat LIVE

Benji’s shock halves call to replace rookie; Broncos’ Walsh boost: Teams Chat LIVE

www.foxsports.com.au

I really regret that this kid was let go. I understand why? and the logic. What I dislike is the club stood by that family when everyone wanted to ditch them and they took the coin and left.

You are right that the management of the club for far too long made bad decisions in relation to recruitment and retention and this is another example of a gun kid about to make his debut for another club.

It is what it is!

 

[HK_Eagle]

I really regret that this kid was let go. I understand why? and the logic. What I dislike is the club stood by that family when everyone wanted to ditch them and they took the coin and left.

You are right that the management of the club for far too long made bad decisions in relation to recruitment and retention and this is another example of a gun kid about to make his debut for another club.

It is what it is!

IMO, the only mistake in our recruitment and retention was paying them that much so early. Can’t do that and rely on loyalty these days.

 

[ManlyTragic]

I really regret that this kid was let go. I understand why? and the logic. What I dislike is the club stood by that family when everyone wanted to ditch them and they took the coin and left.

You are right that the management of the club for far too long made bad decisions in relation to recruitment and retention and this is another example of a gun kid about to make his debut for another club.

It is what it is!

… if we didn’t support his brother … we would probably still have Api!

I think the whole family showed Manly zero loyalty.

Just sayin’

 

[frank stokes]

IMO, the only mistake in our recruitment and retention was paying them that much so early. Can’t do that and rely on loyalty these days.

My view is that the club gambled (heavily) on Manase beating the rap and lost… Paying a kid as young as Latu the figures that have been floated was next-level batsh*t crazy…

 

[frank stokes]

… if we didn’t support his brother … we would probably still have Api!

I think the whole family showed Manly zero loyalty.

Just sayin’

Api couldn’t pass… remember

Here’s one of my favourites…

Guy hasnt had a line break assist or try assist in months and when fainu comes on we look like the real Manly. Top bloke sure but i wont miss him tbh, we need that money for better players

 

[XV-1]

I hope Latu is not better than Brooks by the end of the year.

It would be another nail in the coffin of Spoonbold that can't coach young players, just goes for short term money ball.

 

[Disco]

Excited to see Latu play

 

[Eagle 1]

My view is that the club gambled (heavily) on Manase beating the rap and lost… Paying a kid as young as Latu the figures that have been floated was next-level batsh*t crazy…

Tieing up Manase came at a cost tho, in essence it was the Fainu package deal. Latu as a 16y old signed on a 3yr deal 300k a season, crazy money. Sam and Sione were looked after as well. Then they all jumped ship and all headed west. Finally the Fainu's are gone..bye bye...