Official Siosifa Talakai

[Tiger Shark]

Talakai basically became a non factor and making him a bench middle won’t fix that.

It’s great he can cover these positions but significantly detracting from him just to play Iro is cutting your nose to spite your face.

If we lose our off contract 3rd best centre so be it.
Vea’ila will be ready right when we want him.

And there’s the Gabriel kid who looks promising

 

[Proud Shark]

I agree with all of the above, we'd be fine if we we lose Iro.

My only counter is that I believe there's some great value for the side that sits in getting cheaper outside backs through on early contracts. You could be looking at a 300k difference between Iro and one of our starting centres. If he could do 80-90% of the job from the get go, that sort of money can be applied elsewhere. If you managed to do this in two positions you've got cash for a pretty decent upgrade somewhere, assuming one becomes available...

 

[Wizard]

I agree with all of the above, we'd be fine if we we lose Iro.

My only counter is that I believe there's some great value for the side that sits in getting cheaper outside backs through on early contracts. You could be looking at a 300k difference between Iro and one of our starting centres. If he could do 80-90% of the job from the get go, that sort of money can be applied elsewhere. If you managed to do this in two positions you've got cash for a pretty decent upgrade somewhere, assuming one becomes available...

who would you slide on for Iro ?

Ramien or Talakai if you had to pick

 

[stormshark]

mmm tough tough question, I've never considered Talakai ( as a back) more than a Makeshift centre. I like Ramien, but i'd say that Game V Game Talakai overall has been better for us in the time theyve played together. BUT i believe in the concept of 2 "Specialist" Centres. Terribly tough decision that. Can't split for mine.

 

[Proud Shark]

who would you slide on for Iro ?

Ramien or Talakai if you had to pick

If Iro can play right probably Ramien.

 

[Jaz]

If Iro can play right probably Ramien.

Agreed

 

[Wizard]

mmm tough tough question, I've never considered Talakai ( as a back) more than a Makeshift centre. I like Ramien, but i'd say that Game V Game Talakai overall has been better for us in the time theyve played together. BUT i believe in the concept of 2 "Specialist" Centres. Terribly tough decision that. Can't split for mine.

I’m with you.

Think I would pick Ramien to leave

Talakai is better at centre and can play in the forwards too

 

[apezza]

Iro, Atkinson, Dykes. A good problem to have I suppose.

 

[SF]

Talakai happy to stay in pack to help depleted Sharks

Siosifa Talakai says he would be open to a full-time return to Cronulla's forwards, after revealing he was the one to suggest a move infield to help fix the club's injury crisis. One of the most destr...

nit.com.au

 

[Thresher]

Talakai happy to stay in pack to help depleted Sharks

Siosifa Talakai says he would be open to a full-time return to Cronulla's forwards, after revealing he was the one to suggest a move infield to help fix the club's injury crisis. One of the most destr...

nit.com.au

Contrast this with Lomax

 

[apezza]

I wouldn't mind Talakai having a couple of weeks coming off the bench to give Iro some game time. Good opportunity with all our injuries.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I wouldn't mind Talakai having a couple of weeks coming off the bench to give Iro some game time. Good opportunity with all our injuries.

I wouldn't be putting him on the bench for the sake of it. Put Iro on the bench maybe.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Contrast this with Lomax

Next minute…..

”Talakai pushing for release as doesn’t like playing in the pack”.

But with Dale Finucane (eye socket), Toby Rudolf (ankle), Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee), Royce Hunt (calf) and Nikora (suspended) all out against Canberra, Talakai made a point of telling Fitzgibbon he was happy to shift in.

"I wanted to get ahead of it, and make sure he knows I'm willing," Talakai said.

"We have a big thing about selfless acts, it's part of our culture and who we are.

"I knew there was going to be an opportunity and I wanted to give coach some confidence that I'm ready to put my hand up."

seriously though, this is great.
It’s a good attribute to have within the culture of a club.

no “one man bands” attitudes

 

[Sir Chadley]

The thing is, with Nikora returning, you won't see Sifa in the 11 or 12. It has to be centre or bench for him. And we know how damaging he is with his run metres at centre so that is where he needs to go.

While not outstanding, I thought Iro went well on Sunday night and certainly deserves to be in the 17 while we are still short of troops. Put him at 14 possibly.

 

[Western Sharkie]

The thing is, with Nikora returning, you won't see Sifa in the 11 or 12. It has to be centre or bench for him. And we know how damaging he is with his run metres at centre so that is where he needs to go.

While not outstanding, I thought Iro went well on Sunday night and certainly deserves to be in the 17 while we are still short of troops. Put him at 14 possibly.

I mentioned it before but I wouldn’t mind seeing

4 - Sifa/Iro
14 - Iro/Sifa

At least until we get some troops back.

This might actually happen

 

[Proud Shark]

I mentioned it before but I wouldn’t mind seeing

4 - Sifa/Iro
14 - Iro/Sifa

At least until we get some troops back.

This might actually happen

I thought the word was we may get BHU and Finucane back for RD 6. Add this to Nikora and it means 3 out of Atkinson, Burns, Iro and Tuks have to drop out. With Fitz's preference for a 4 forward bench, I think there's a chance Tuks holds that last spot till Toby/Hunt are back in rd 8.

I'd be quite happy to see Iro get that spot though, and agree if we were to only get 2 back for round 6 then he should definitely hold a spot.

 

[Western Sharkie]

I thought the word was we may get BHU and Finucane back for RD 6. Add this to Nikora and it means 3 out of Atkinson, Burns, Iro and Tuks have to drop out. With Fitz's preference for a 4 forward bench, I think there's a chance Tuks holds that last spot till Toby/Hunt are back in rd 8.

I'd be quite happy to see Iro get that spot though, and agree if we were to only get 2 back for round 6 then he should definitely hold a spot.

At least Fitz has “options” if BHU and or Finucane or not there yet to rest them another game or 2.

 

[apezza]

I wouldn't be putting him on the bench for the sake of it. Put Iro on the bench maybe.

Maybe we should have done it against an easy team like the tig...oh scratch that.

 

[Sparkles]

Contrast this with Lomax

I reckon it's one of the effects of backing guys with contract extensions. Talakai obviously feels like he's part of our longer terms plans

 

[bort]

Contrast this with Lomax

Talakai is 2 years older but has played less games - why? He already thought he was the bees knees and fell out of the nrl as a result. No surprise now he knows it is a team game and playing you're role for the team is more important than personal accolades.

Lomax not in danger of falling out because he's a bit more proven/established but that then poses the question, will the lesson be learnt?
Not a good look to be too important to play wing in the NRL, especially these days.