Pacific Championships 2025

[The '47ers]

How did Mafoa look?

Fijian

 

[SeaEagleSI1]

 

[Wombat Junior]

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He was good! Got his job done and looked fit given the conditions in PNG and that Manly has only given him limited minutes off the bench, if he doesn’t get a decent amount of time next year playing for us than I’ll be pissed!

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

He was good! Got his job done and looked fit given the conditions in PNG and that Manly has only given him limited minutes off the bench, if he doesn’t get a decent amount of time next year playing for us than I’ll be pissed!

This is the third year in a row I've watched him play in the Pacific Championships for Fiji. He's looked good every time. And despite the fact we have very much needed at least one forward just like him, he's seen very little time in the top grade. Fingers crossed that this year will be his year. Because if we're watching him in the Pacific Championships next year and still wondering why he hasn't got any playing time, we'll all be pissed.

 

[manlyfan76]

He's not a reserve grader.
Good hands, leg speed, tackles, keeps moving and smart.

 

[Woodsie]

He goes okay ... and will continue to improve .. but take into consideration that Cook Islands did not have one Nrl player, and only a hand full of reggies ...

 

[manly al]

Should be one of the more open positional considerations , how to best manage the 13 role .
Start with Jake initially then bring on Navale at an opportune time .
Same could apply to Hetherington starting there in rotation with Navale
Or maybe , Navale will be able to assert himself in the trials as a serious starter at 13 but probably has to first demonstrate that he can go just about the full distance without running out of puff
Leg speed is definitely in his favor , work rate and defensive requirements , again something for him to definitely get on top of to warrant a start and then big minutes at 13
Should be just about assured of at least being in a game day bench list but certainly would be encouraging for an optimum team performance level angle if he can offer more , playing and even starting at 13 , then what has been previously provided in general there for some seasons now

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

He goes okay ... and will continue to improve .. but take into consideration that Cook Islands did not have one Nrl player, and only a hand full of reggies ...

KL Iro was a standout centre for the Sharks this season (and was also the Cook Islands' Captain) and Brendan Piakura played in a winning grand final team just weeks ago. Esan Masters, Tepai Moeroa and Mason Teague have also played plenty of NRL. But yes, the standard of the opposition was definitely not high.🙂

Still, he can only do what he's asked to do. And it can only be a good thing for our younger players to get a taste of international footy.