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This season I have been reasonably disappointed on the "return on investment" with Salesi Ma'afu. He seems like a nice chap, but (purely in my opinion) frequently fails under pressure.
On the flip side, as a first year player, I have been very impressed on the rising star of Salesi Manu.
I believe this is a player that deserves a vote of confidence by whoever it is in charge of the Squad by having a starting spot for the remainder of the 2012 season.
Thoughts?
Longbottom should be starting Tighthead. It was funny in the game against the Tahs in Perth that Ma'afu got carded in the scrum and Longbottom came in with a 7 man pack and dominated in the scrum.
Hard poll to pin one's self down on there Burgs, I agree that Ma'afu has been ok but not spectacular, but Manu has come in halfway through the match and it always seems to be easier to look good against tired bodies.
I think Manu should get some time as the starte, but to hold down a regular spot from the (re)start of the season would be a massive step up for the bloke.
i think the rotation of props through the starting/bench has worked well, keep them fit and rested.
I thought Ma'afu had started every game and Longbottom only started for Cowan for 1 or 2 games before he got injured. Since then it's been Cowan and Ma'afu every week, hasn't it?
They do rotate the props during the match, though, with Ma'afu coming off after about 25 minutes in one match!
Longbum's injured isn't he?
Sorry didn't read that properly- thought you were talking about next year. Yeah Longbottom is out.
Stick with Ma'afu. Manu looks good when he comes on and has a real impact but I am not sure how well he would do as a starter. I think most of his experience with Warringah was at loosehead.
Manu is perfect for the EPS good enough to cover others but young enough to wait a bit. Keiran HAS to be our bench prop when fit.....pushing for a start because of his versatility. With Pek and Ma'afu as well, there's not much room in the full squad, am I forgetting a fourth prop who has already been signed? Having Manu in the EPS frees up another spot to address our problem areas and keeps him available to cover for injuries.
Manu still needs a bit of experience to be a starter especially against the big boys like Du Plessis and the Beast
But in time to come he will be a really good starting tight head
Manu is good in the loose and makes some big carries but still needs some time in the quagmire that is the scrum. I am looking forward to him being the starting tight head in the next 1.5 to 2 years.
Didn't blink when he took the ball in the back of the head.
Up front isn't where the Force have struggled. The performance of the pack has been quite tidy. The set piece has been competitive, the backrow outstanding.
Maafu has gone better than I expected. I agree manu has been a real find. Two of the best young rakes in the country and some good props. A good platform up front.
I see lock as a problem going forwards
The entire backline is toilet, and so are the reserve backs, and the backline coaches are gay and the backs are gay and the backline is dysfunctional and the backline is slower than my old mum....and they are gay
Yeah...I'm starting to get closer to voting on this one. Manu is looking better every minute he gets. Just not too sure about durability yet, but that can only be proven with lots of consecutive games......
Not sure what is more telling, the 55% going for Manu or the 77% not going for Ma'afu.
A good showing against Franks today will see the 55% go up Burgs.
Well? :)
I think he did pretty well considering the op.
Hmmm... In a game of two halves like that it's hard to be decisive. He certainly showed enough around the park to put Ma'afu on the bench, but the scrum was pretty dire in the beginning. That didn't really sort itself until Pek came on, so a bit hard to call who was at fault (apart from the coach, who maybe should have played Pek from the start)
For me, youth is enough to tip the balance today. He's obviously still got some learning to do, but has plenty of time in which to do it.......
A fit and healthy Longbottom is amongst the best scrummaging props in the country.