Official Niwhai Puru

[Flanno]

MOTM in the NSW cup final today

For those who watch NSW cup more than I do, how far off being a first grader is he? His path seems blocked here, with Trindall, Hynes and Atkinson all ahead of him.

Great to have depth though

 

[slide rule]

Future captain

 

[Wizard]

MOTM in the NSW cup final today

For those who watch NSW cup more than I do, how far off being a first grader is he? His path seems blocked here, with Trindall, Hynes and Atkinson all ahead of him.

Great to have depth though

But did Cleary win MOTM in this same game ?

 

[Gumby]

Think he was spoken about briefly throughout the year and was said to still be a long way from being an nrl half.

 

[Flanno]

Think he was spoken about briefly throughout the year and was said to still be a long way from being an nrl half.

Fair enough! Well today won’t hurt his chances of getting some attention. Hopefully he continues to develop, still young, especially for a half

 

[Super Impose]

The left foot kick on the left hand side is handy ..

 

[bort]

Just developing along - he’s only 22

Good showing by him and probably gave Fitz some confidence he could give him a run if needed.

Good depth for now if we keep him on.
Not sure he’s gunna get pursued by anyone - could be his best option to stay with us for another two years and reassess.

 

[SF]

I thought he got better and better as the season went on. From a fairly stock standard halfback to someone really owning the results.

I said a week or so ago I’d 100% re-sign him.

I think the only half blocking his path is Trindall, they are not dissimilar. And Pollard still years off

 

[puma1355]

Sign him. He is a future no 7

 

[Sutty]

Worst case scenario, his brother got picked as NSW Cup team of the year so we can always do a sort of changeling swap with him if Niwhai comes back next season a little tubby.

 

[Tiger Shark]

MOTM in the NSW cup final today

For those who watch NSW cup more than I do, how far off being a first grader is he? His path seems blocked here, with Trindall, Hynes and Atkinson all ahead of him.

Great to have depth though

Earlier this year I was firmly in he's a good NSW cup player and that's it. However his form has greatly improved and he was key to us making a run to the finals and winning yesterday. He's got a nice left foot kick and seems pretty relaxed out there. Decent defender too.

I still think he's not a long term first grade half but if he keeps progressing you never know. Typically you'd expect them to absolutely dominate NSW cup and he's a bit short of that level imo.

I understand he's sticking around next year as I think Pollard is a whilst off and he's not at Puru's level yet.

So I think he'll stick around next year and be depth after Atkinson in the halves, and then Pollard comes in to take his spot in 2026. That said a lot can happen between now and next year. Puru might keep developing, or Pollard might be ready earlier.

 

[bort]

I understand he's sticking around next year as I think Pollard is a whilst off and he's not at Puru's level yet.

Pollard is 19 I think, Puru 22. Puru still young enough he could have plenty of development in him.
But I do think from what I have seen (which is very little this year with change to broadcast) he's someone unlikely to lock down NRL before 24 or so, and if it happens is more likely a bit older. More a Fogarty style.
In saying that the right opportunity he could take with both hands and be a good solid budget option somewhere in the next few years.

 

[Tiger Shark]

Pollard is 19 I think, Puru 22. Puru still young enough he could have plenty of development in him.
But I do think from what I have seen (which is very little this year with change to broadcast) he's someone unlikely to lock down NRL before 24 or so, and if it happens is more likely a bit older. More a Fogarty style.
In saying that the right opportunity he could take with both hands and be a good solid budget option somewhere in the next few years.

Yeah can't argue with that. I think the fact Pollard is locked down for 4 years and has great potential makes me think they'll clear anything that slows his development. That might eventually be Puru. Taj Ford also looks pretty good.

Then again maybe he can play 5/8th, with Pollard at halfback .. but then we might play Dykes there so Ison can stay at fullback.

It's a nice problem to have.

 

[bort]

Yeah can't argue with that. I think the fact Pollard is locked down for 4 years and has great potential makes me think they'll clear anything that slows his development. That might eventually be Puru. Taj Ford also looks pretty good.

Then again maybe he can play 5/8th, with Pollard at halfback .. but then we might play Dykes there so Ison can stay at fullback.

It's a nice problem to have.

It's also interesting that Pollard grew up mostly playing hooker (feel like I read that somewhere...) and with Healey gone he could sneak onto Cup bench next year at times if he can fill in there.

Dykes Ison also interesting. Keen to see how we line them up both coming out of a healthy preseason.

 

[Tiger Shark]

It's also interesting that Pollard grew up mostly playing hooker (feel like I read that somewhere...) and with Healey gone he could sneak onto Cup bench next year at times if he can fill in there.

Dykes Ison also interesting. Keen to see how we line them up both coming out of a healthy preseason.

Good point on Pollard, good way to give him some game time. Potentially we could see Atko even move to hooker if he's starting and Pollard goes to the halves.

Yeah same re Dykes. Hard to judge on this year too.

Rd 4 vs Raiders we had Dykes at 6 and Ison at 1, but after that game Dykes went back to fullback and Ison went back to Flegg. Ison didn't go back to fullback for the Jets till Dykes was ruled out for the season.

I think part of that is developmental, ie the club liked to drip feed players up a grade , give them a taste then back they go, but also a lot was injury related.

Now that Ison will be more mature physically and mentally aswell as more experienced having won a comp you'd assume he's going to stay in NSW cup and not go back down (if he can age wise)

So Dykes to 6 imo, or centre but we have a few in that position already.

 

[bort]

Now that Ison will be more mature physically and mentally aswell as more experienced having won a comp you'd assume he's going to stay in NSW cup and not go back down (if he can age wise)

So Dykes to 6 imo, or centre but we have a few in that position already.

Ison is 20 end of this year so still Flegg eligible next season, but you're right I don't think he'd drop back
You'd probably even chuck him on a wing and bench Rodwell rather than send Ison back (if stars aligned to push him out of spine). Keeps him playing against men and gives him some different practice.

Presumably fit and available Dykes, Atkinson, Puru wouldn't last too long, and that's also assuming you wouldn't run Dykes at centre or wing instead.

 

[Proud Shark]

Ison is 20 end of this year so still Flegg eligible next season, but you're right I don't think he'd drop back
You'd probably even chuck him on a wing and bench Rodwell rather than send Ison back (if stars aligned to push him out of spine). Keeps him playing against men and gives him some different practice.

Presumably fit and available Dykes, Atkinson, Puru wouldn't last too long, and that's also assuming you wouldn't run Dykes at centre or wing instead.

Some serious depth for Newtown to work with next year if our first grade team can stay fit. Dykes, Atkinson, Ison, Puru and Berrell (if kept) would have to be one of the better contingents for cup. Alongside the extra forward depth we have it's a team that could go back to back.

 

[bort]

Some serious depth for Newtown to work with next year if our first grade team can stay fit. Dykes, Atkinson, Ison, Puru and Berrell (if kept) would have to be one of the better contingents for cup. Alongside the extra forward depth we have it's a team that could go back to back.

Surely we have to keep Berrell with Healey gone.

Forward depth shouldn't change much but TBD I guess, with someone like Williams still tied up.
Hopefully across all positions not many mid to long term injuries and we can keep relatively healthy first grade side out there - will be very well place to challenge for another GF

 

[SF]

Rising star’s contract statement as Newtown crowned NSW Cup premiers: Reserves Wrap

Rising star blows open premiership thriller in big contract statement: Reserves Wrap

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Tiger Shark]

So he’s not actually signed for next year . Interesting