Internationals David Faiumu

[edguy_old]

ive watched the cowboys play 4 times this year , and davids side step is nearly as deadly as Benjis and Special K s ...
be great to see all 3 starting for the kiwis in the anzac test ....

also watched mr latu last nite for the sharks , and he was very good ..
looks like hes playing with more discipline these days ....killed souths out of dummy half a few times and got the sharks on a roll ..

 

[Iafeta_old]

It'll be interesting to see what combinations Bluey goes with as far as hooker goes - Faiumu and ? Hohaia, Latu perhaps... Hopefully Benji and Sonny Bill are fit to play, we could have one hell of a good side. Problem area will be halfback so perhaps it'll be Faiumu and Latu sharing hooking duties and Hohaia at halfback - unless of course they go to the darkside and allow Khunt to wear the black jersey. Sacriledge!

 

[edguy_old]

from nrl.com

Faiumu punt pays off for NRL Cowboys
Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 12:15 PM



Luckily for North Queensland coach Graham Murray, hooker David Faiumu is as persistent as they come.

Not originally named in the Cowboys line-up, the 22-year-old defied medical staff to overcome a nagging groin injury and play in Friday night's 26-18 victory away to Parramatta, with Murray admitting he took a punt on the New Zealand international.

"He was doubtful through the week, the medical staff didn't think he would play and he kept constantly convincing me he was going to play," Murray said.

"Towards the end of the week I said, 'well look, I'm willing to take a bit of a gamble with you' and he said, 'no, I'm right.'

"We took a gamble, but he was pretty good tonight."

With regular hooker Aaron Payne still sidelined with a neck injury, Faiumu was a godsend for the Cowboys. His service out of dummy half was clean and creative, and he was rewarded with a crucial try just after the break which cut the Eels' advantage to just two and gave the visitors the momentum for their come-from-behind win.

"My groin was no good, then Wednesday night I had a fitness test and it pulled up well," Faiumu said.

"I did a bit of cross-training with (conditioner) Billy Johnstone to prepare me for this game. I was ringing (Murray) up and coming in to training and doing all the rehab stuff.

"I didn't know if I was playing so I kept on asking the coach, 'what's the go, am I playing, am I not?'

"I just wanted to be in the mix. The boys have been playing well the last couple of weeks and I just wanted to be a part of it.

"It's good that he showed some faith in me, and it was good to pay him back with a pretty good game."

Faiumu said the absence of Payne had made him more determined to get back on the paddock.

"Aaron's a quality player and we missed him tonight," Faiumu said.

"We needed someone to step up at that hooker role and around the ruck and I was happy to do it, I was keen to do it."

With his NRL comeback now out of the way, Faiumu has set his sights on loftier goals, the Anzac Test in Brisbane on May 5.

Having played a part in New Zealand's victorious Tri-Nations campaign at the end of last season, Faiumu wants to continue being a part of the Kiwi revival.

"It's always in the back of your mind. If I play well here maybe I'll be considered," Faiumu said.

"There are a couple of other hookers, there's Lance Hohaia and Motu Tony there.

"I would love to chuck that black and white jersey on, I always do.

"Coming off that Tri-Nations win, it would be even more special."

 

[Iafeta_old]

The other one who may come into considerations if he's fit is Dene Halatau.

 

[tmaster_old]

i'm not a big fan of putting players out of possion but are you guys not keen on Nigel Vagana at 6. Faiumu I think should definately start and if Hunt is in I would have him in the team but not in the halves

 

[Jesbass_old]

i'm not a big fan of putting players out of possion but are you guys not keen on Nigel Vagana at 6. Famuina I think should definately start and if Hunt is in I would have him in the team but not in the halves

Where would you prefer to put Hunt, tmaster? I rate Webb as a better fullback.

 

[tmaster_old]

I'd start him off the bench as an impact free ranging player. I think he could play anywhere in the outside backs and from the team that I've picked he has never played with any other player in the Premireship so wouldn't have him as a pivot plus hes never played their before in the NRL.

In attack I'd probably use some type of system where both he and Webb attack from the fullback position one on either side of the field. Both are very dangerous when they are brought into the line outside the centers or off the halves. Hunt off Marshall on the left side sounds pretty good to me.

What would you do with him Jesbass?

 

[Jesbass_old]

Not too sure, tmaster. Perhaps at halfback? I know he isn't tested there, but I can't think of any Kiwi halfbacks in the NRL. Another option might be to shift Benji to halfback and play Vagana at five-eighth. *shrugs* We just seem to lack depth in our halves on this side of the world.

 

[tmaster_old]

I agree though mate if continues playing to his current form there should be a spot for him somewhere.

 

[warriors4life_old]

I'd have Hohaia at halfback, Marshall at five/eighth and Latu/Faiumu at hooker (one can start on the bench but they will share the duties).

 

[Swanley_old]

I agree with W4L.

Marshall/Lance have to play in their proper positions.

Faiumu for hooker, Motu as a super sub.

Good to see Faiumu's passion for the Kiwis.

 

[Jesbass_old]

I agree with W4L.

Marshall/Lance have to play in their proper positions.

Faiumu for hooker, Motu as a super sub.

Good to see Faiumu's passion for the Kiwis.

Motu would be counted out, methinks, because he's in the ESL.