NRL NRL 2025 General Recruitment Thread
- Thread starter Noitall
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Yeah but we aren't dum enough to go showing off about it.Sort of like we did with SJ…
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Id sign Hugo as our 7 if we could
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- #2,645
As someone who plays either halfback or five eighth like Metcalf, what do you see in him as opposed to Metcalf who you seem to see as a five eighth that Savala suites halfback more? Not a dig, genuinely interested
IMO He's a genuine 7 that can play 6. As opposed to LM who is a 6 that can play 7. Big body, good defensively, creative and good kicking game. I think 7 is his best spot and I think he would be great with the platform our forwards would give him.
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- Thread starter
- #2,647
All last preseason I was reading about Savala heading to titans and get the feeling he was a late decision to be retained and really made a go of it at roosters? They brought Chad Townsend in but it was Savala who made a go of it behind a decent roosters pack, though a declining Townsend isn’t a huge endorsement. They got inconsistent results but I thought Walker at 7 and Savala at 6 looked the team I thought looked best and results showed. He’s 23 so been around for a bit but has taken his opportunity. The bigger body probably bodes well for his little bit better tackle efficiency than Metcalf but over his 15 games before injury, Metcalf certainly offers the better stats on average in appearances and has a further kicking distance average than Savala, though there’s no doubt Savala kicks higher. Staying healthy is obviously an issue for Metcalf and I’ve seen articles that see Savala as the perfect foil for Metcalf, I’m not sure which way around they saw them both being able to fill halfback or five eighth?
I liked Hugo at 7 and Sandon Smith at 6. Walker is a step or two above all of them and Metcalf. Just think they would compliment each other and having Hugo at 7, which I think is his best position, takes the pressure of Metcalf to just focus on being a running 6 which I think is his best position. Just my thoughts, and we aren't getting him anyway and even if we did I doubt Cuddle's would switch LM to 6
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- #2,649
I get the feeling we want 2 runners and it’s hoped a Metcalf/Linnane pairing is what we’re aiming for? I just feel like all the players we’re recruiting in the backs have speed in common and that everything is going to get faster and faster
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Im not so sure about that. Every team that has done well has a half who can organize and set the team up. If they have a running game, even better. I think this is the part that some miss. The running game for the organizing half is a bonus.
Is Linnane confirmed as a 6? Will he get through a season?
Certainly some doubt around having two halves coming back from major injury concerns and unproven in lasting a season in grade.
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- #2,651
I personally think we’ve got that in Metcalf but the trick is keeping him healthy. I think we stay a top 4 team in 2025 if he stays healthy. Brian Fletcher was an interesting watch last year when he talked about the way Metcalf motivated the players when he watched on the sideline and that’s a 7 leading his team, the things like the kick from halfway to win the game and try savers on Taulagi are a bonus. I reckon by 2027 they will be hopeful of a Metcalf/Linnane pairing. May not ever happen and neither overcome their injury issues and Linnane hasn’t even played nsw cup but that’s only because of injuries. That’s only my view, Tanah Boyd could have gained massive confidence last year an in for a big one, he might be one of the many players that seem to be coming to the club and benefiting from a cuddle
I see Metcalf as not much of a manager but has taken a couple of key moments this season (people seem to gloss over the 4 kicks he missed against the Broncos that day, kind of lucky that Walsh somehow managed to kick it dead with a bad knee). As opposed to Boyd who I think is a good manager but currently isn't able to take any key moments.
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- #2,653
But it was the big moment that was the difference between those two players. If it’s a debate on whether Metcalf should goal kick, based on what he’s shown I’d say no. The difference is that kick was a pressure one to win the game and Boyd showed against knights that he struggles in those moments and Halasima saved his blushes
Im not arguing whether Boyd is better than Metcalf. I'm saying Metcalf would be better suited to 6 with his skill set and remove the pressure of organizing the team.
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- #2,655
I just didn’t see anything when Boyd took over as the dominant halve after Metcalf was injured to suggest he needed to be the manager compared to what Metcalf was doing as the dominant halve, both shared the same five eighth being CHT. Metcalf probably enjoyed a healthier team but I think it’s his ability to own those big moments that they see him as a leader like a halfback tends to be
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Again, I'm not arguing for Boyd at 7.
I'm simply pointing out that I think LM is better suited to 6 and I would love us to get Hugo at 7, which isn't going to happen.
I think some close wins and a couple of moments taken that we shouldn't have been in a position to need cloud things. I think next season will be a reality check and a lot will use the 'oh he is still getting up to speed from his injury' excuse. Time will tell but I think we will be borderline top 8 and probably miss the cut IMO
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- #2,659
I hope that’s not the case and personally don’t think it will be. 2024 I believe was likely a fairly negative environment and performances and the season overall certainly indicated something wasn’t good. Metcalf won’t start the season and in what is an important period to begin the season, he may not get spot easily if things are going well? Though they don’t mean much, leading dally m’s should be a real feather in his cap to come back full of confidence
