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WINGERS
The winger in the modern day game is no longer just your fast man.
He has to not just be able to swiftly finish off backline movements or set plays, but he has to be able to ruck it out, do the donkey work and get the sets started on the right foot. In essence, the best wingers these days are built like back rowers, but can run just as fast as the traditional wingers.
Additionally, these men are expected to also be there to back up any half breaks and almost act like a second fullback – patiently waiting for any opportunity to present itself – while also possessing the ability to generate second phase play of their own.
In summary – the most effective wingers are big, fast, get over the advantage line, can pop an offload and back up their forwards – and did I forget to mention? – they have to be able to catch and field the ball in any given scenario as well!
Parramatta has a great history in not just possessing wingers of this description, but most likely in actually creating them. When Eric Grothe Snr first step foot onto the Cumberland in 1979, little did we know that we were witnessing revolution the outside flank position.
With his power metre-eater running, pace and ability to finish any set play, Eric Grothe Snr paved the way for the development of a new kind of player. It saw the emergence of other wingers of this nature. Wendell Sailor soon popped up, as did Lote Tuqiri and even Grothe’s own son, Eric Jnr.
Like his father, the International always got Eels sets started on the right foot and utilized both his strength and speed to get his way over the line, while also popping away the odd offload to generate second phase play.
Now there’s one thing all of these men have in common (and it’s not just their physical attributes) – they were all part of long term successful teams.
It also stands to highlight just how important this type of winger is in the modern game and why a player in our own squad is crucial to our success in 2017.
Best of the best: Eric Grothe Snr changed the role of wingers in rugby league
The Candidates
Semi Radradra
The best winger in the competition, bar none.
The Fijian powerhouse can do it all – and the bitter irony as your writer pens these words that the statement about his 2017 season comes out.
Nonetheless, we must make the most of what we have while we have it and Semi is one of our most crucial attacking weapons.
When you have a man who stands at 6ft 3 and over 100kg he’s always going to be difficult for the opposition to contain; but when he can run the 100m at Olympic qualifying time in conjunction with that size, you have a genuine rugby league threat.
While often recognized for his exemplary attacking and try scoring prowess, it’s the work in our red zone that will make Semi vital to the Eels chances in 2017.
Rugby league is often referred to as a game of inches and being able to ruck it out over the advantage line from your own 20 after defending a set is one of the most under-appreciated skills in modern day rugby league. Radradra and Josh Mansour are the only wingers who do this on a consistent basis week in-week out.
We can all go on for days about his extraordinary raw talent; his ability to be there at the right place, at the right time; and his knack for just scoring that try; but we wouldn’t be doing justice to the true value he offers this team.
Strengths: Size/strength, metre-eater, raw talent, genuine try scoring threat.
Areas of Development: Occasional defensive lapses, his future choice of rugby code.
Highlights: View here
This try here highlights everything great about Semi and the difference a great winger can make to an NRL side.
Number two by jersey, number one by ranking: Semi is the best winger in the NRL today
Josh Hoffman
I referenced him in the fullback post and I’m doing it again here. Josh is a shrewd acquisition on his versatility alone, but it’s in the Eels number 5 jersey where he’s most likely to make a name for himself at Parramatta.
With 18 NRL games played in the wing position, Josh comes as an experienced first grader, but relatively new to the wing. However, something must be said about a man who scores 13 tries in those appearances – he has the ability to finish off backline movements.
Additionally, in those 18 games he has played on the flank, Hoffman has averaged over 10m a run in each of those games, meaning he gets over the advantage line.
This coupled with the fact that he is likely to be playing outside Brad Takarangi will mean he’s always a chance to get over the try line.
If he can develop a timely offload as a part of his game, as well regularly diffuse the oppositions kicking game, then we will have out-and-out threat on both flanks.
Strengths: Finishing ability/ great try scoring rate in wing position, makes metres.
Areas of Development: Inexperienced on the wing relative to other positions, contesting the high ball.
Highlights: View here
Check out some of the great wing play in this clip, particularly the finishing from 50 seconds to 1 minute 20 seconds – just what you want to see from your outside men.
New Recruit: Josh Hoffman has the potential to be a great winger
George Jennings
The younger brother of fellow Eel, Michael, joins Parramatta on a one-year deal in 2017.
After a couple of years on the sideline with injury, George will be keen to not only prove himself, but to play in the top grade with his sibling this year.
A robustly built outside back, Jennings has shown in limited top grade appearances that he isn’t going to just ride the coattails of his family name.
His five games (all played on the wing) to date have yielded two tries and in those five games he has averaged close to 200 metres a match – outstanding numbers for any winger.
I dare say, should any of our likely first choice wingers go down, George will step in and make the position his own.
He has the makings and the pedigree to be an out-and-out first grader, all he needs is the opportunity.
With the 9s just around the corner, I dare say George will get his first opportunity to impress in Eels colours and should he put in a good showing, I think he’ll give the coaching staff another healthy headache.
Strengths: Strong ball runner, acceleration, metre-eater.
Areas of Development: Inexperienced, returning from major injury.
Look at the width he keeps in the first video to score a try off a great Panthers backline move at 2 minutes 35 seconds & how he does the same at 1 minute 20 seconds in the second video, both with a great turn of pace over 10 metres.
Smart recruitment: The acquisition of George Jennings could prove a shrewd investment in 2017
Bureta Faraimo
Bureta has been in the Eels system now for a couple of years.
After a strong season in the Queensland Cup and even better performances for the United States at the 2013 World Cup, Faraimo made his way out to the golden west on a second tier deal.
Debuting in the latter stages of 2014 at Shark Park, Retts has shown to date that, although he is not a first choice winger in Brad Arthur’s team, he can do a job when called upon.
A noted try scorer in the lower grades and the NSW Cup’s 2014 player of the year, Faraimo has played 15 NRL games to date and racked up 9 tries to his name.
The stocky winger is renowned for his penetrating runs (especially in the red zone) and being a second forward out on the flank and while this has proven an asset with ball in hand, it’s some slight defensive issues that have pushed him down the pecking order – most notably his turn and chase, as well as his defensive positioning and reads.
If he can iron out these kinks in his game, as well as potentially drop a couple of kilograms, there’s no reason why he couldn’t see more regular first grade, particularly given how damaging he can be with the ball in hand.
Strengths: Difficult to tackle/leg drive, good finisher, enthusiastic kick returner.
Areas of Development: Pace over the first 10 metres, defensive reads.
Highlights: View here
Check out the try at 2 minutes 37 seconds – pure determination and leg drive!
Does the job: Bureta Faraimo has always put in spirited performances for the Eels
John Folau
Near unstoppable from 10 metres out from the line, John Folau has all the potential to be one of those wingers mentioned in the introduction.
However injury and a few lapses in concentration have held back his development to date.
Like his superstar brother Israel, Folau’s big frame is his greatest asset, however in John’s case, it can also be his weakness.
If he can shed a few kilograms and get down towards the 100-102kg mark, I have no doubt he will see his career skyrocket – it’s those few extra kilograms that are currently holding him back from going to the next level – and in my opinion, affecting his pace and output.
A lean, athletic Folau could become one of the meanest propositions in the NRL, but only John can want it and if he does, watch out opposition. He will be one hell of a prospect!
With quadriceps as far as the eye can see, Folau on top of his game barges through defensive lines and brushes off would-be tacklers with his fend. If we can get John producing this regularly, in addition to the above, we might just figure out our Semi succession plan.
Strengths: Unstoppable close to the line, strong contact with and without the ball.
Areas of Development: Aerobic output, turn and chase.
Highlights: View here
Jump to 50 seconds in this highlights package, remember the power and footwork of John that night?!
Potential: John Folau has the ability to develop into a top NRL winger
Honeti Tuha
A standout performer for Wentworthville in 2016, Tuha arrived at Parramatta after a premiership winning season with the Knights NSW Cup side.
Another strongly built winger, Tuha proved his versatility in 2016 by filling in at fullback for the Magpies, proving a strong kick returner and handy link man.
With a subtle step, Honeti often bamboozles markers when rucking the ball out, as well close to the line, when a try-scoring opportunity presents itself.
From what he showed in 2016, a first grade debut doesn’t seem unlikely, as he proved to be a consistent performer in the second-tier competition.
If he can continue his current rate of progress, there’s no reason why he won’t put a good case forward for NRL selection.
Strengths: Gets highly involved, subtle footwork, often breaks the first tackle, good defensive reads.
Areas of Development: Down the pecking order, untested in NRL.
Highlights: View here
Have a look at a couple of the intercepts he takes at both 1 minute 40 seconds and 2 minutes 8 seconds. Great reads and anyone who has watched him at Wenty knows he reads the game really well defensively.
Impressive: Honeti Tuha only gained supporters with his performances for Wenty in 2016
Scott Schulte
A strong contributor to the Cowboys U/20s side which almost went all the way in 2015, Schulte came to the Eels looking for an opportunity to make a name for himself.
Averaging 111m a game in that competition and scoring 17 tries in 24 matches, Schulte’s consistent performances gave Eels fans something to look forward to in the Mackay product.
Tall and athletic, Schulte is a natural under the high ball, is always keen to ruck the ball out.
Although he remains down the pecking order for first grade experience, none should discredit him too quickly.
He has impressed the Eels coaching staff with his training ethic, sentiments echoed by many TCT’s who frequent training. If he can string some consistent performances together for Wenty, you never know what could happen, but he’ll probably have to improve his strength before it does.
Strengths: Safe under the high ball, subtle feet, keen to do the dirty work.
Areas of Development: Will have to prove himself in NSW Cup, relative strength for NRL footy.
Finding highlights for Scott was very hard, considering there’s only so many Wenty/North Queensland U/20s footage online. However, look at the try he scores in this link at 14 minutes. We see his subtle feet in action again, scoring a try for Wenty last year in the second link at 3 minutes 46 seconds.
Strong Off-season: Scott Schulte has impressed Eels coaching staff with his application at training
Over to you Eels fans, what do you think should be wearing the 2 & 5 of the blue and gold in 2017?
Clint
All images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels, NRL.com and Getty Images.
This is a superb read mate – and how timely. It’s probably too much of a rush for him to be considered this year, and I’d rate him as a centre, but Dane Aukafolau is an outside back of the future. Coming along nicely.
Hey Sixties, I cannot agree more Dane is certainly one that will shine. liked what I saw last year and at the couple of training sessions I attended and we know there are a few others as well. See you soon mate, keep well.
You took the words right out of my mouth Sixties! Dane will feature in the soon to come centres article! Could he be blooded into First Grade on the wing? We’ll have to wait an see my friend!
Well clint i will rule out baretta ,honetti ,falou as nrl quality and schulte not ready and as for semi best winger in game no way ,for every try he scores he bombs one ,hes not in the same category as a finisher as holmes and plenty ofothers who score from impossible positions ,just big strong and fast but not clever by any means , will be replaced by someone with a lot more character and brains i hope , commands no respect as a man from me !!!!!!!
Avau,nuikore ,will smith could any of these be in contention especially will smith and akafolau !
Without a doubt Chika, Kirisome Auva’a could definitely find himself on the wing at any stage this year. There were two reasons I didn’t include him in this article:
a) To date he’s played almost every NRL game exclusively at centre. On top of that, having won a premiership in that position, I think he deserves to be considered as a centre/three-quarter, rather than exclusively as a winger.
b) We have a lot of specialist wingers in our squad and in order to keep the articles relatively balanced with content, I chose to exclude him from this one.
As for Marata Niukore, I’ve only ever seen him play Under 20s at either centre or in the second row and to my knowledge, the coaching staff aren’t considering him as a winger at present (but then again I haven’t been down to training in quite some time).The same goes for Will Smith, at present he’s a back up spine player. However, I can definitely see your rationale behind throwing their names up. Nuikore has a great build for an NRL winger and Will Smith’s pace could leave its mark out on the flank if he was asked to play there.
The name missing here is Greg Leleisiuao. He is currently recovering from an injury but you heard from me first he will be our winger to take over from Semi.
I think that’s down the track Michael. He’ll play NYC I believe (at this stage).
As Sixities said Michael, but definitely one to keep an eye on for the future. Great to see so many Eels supporters knowledgeable, invested and excited by our youth players!
Clint a good read indeed. The hole that will be left by Semi’s departure certainly opens up a big opportunity for someone else albeit in perhaps 12 months time. The disadvantage for many of us is not seeing several of those you name as alternatives, so each of them are going into season 2017 with real audition plays for an NRL spot.
From my observations John Folou has enormous potential but falls short, he seems to me another Center that is playing on the wing to fill a spot, if a consideration for centers to be on the wing, what of Auva’a and the young player from the warriors Niukore both listed on the eels gallery as Centers but could they be better options on the wing?
Having read some good reports on Tuha he could be a potential being listed as winger.
As usual interesting times ahead and never a dull moment.
This is the second mention of Auva’a and Niukore Colin. I wonder if you’re onto something?
Mate, had a headache as I was thinking too much.
I always look forward to reading your considered comments Colin! As I said above re the rationale for the exclusion of Auva’a, he’s a genuine chance of playing on the wing this year. However, for the sake of balance in my articles and respect to his NRL career to date, I choose to exclude him this time – but make no mistake, he’s in there with a red hot shot!
Niukore, again as above – great build for a potential NRL winger, but at present I consider him one of those hybrid players capable of playing centre or in the backrow – but hey! As you said, never a dull moment and stranger things have happened!
Mate. my greatest desire is to see another premiership, and while I’m an amateur as far as the current squad is concerned and following the Semi thing, I simply have a read of the eels profile page, watching all the galleries and comments by others and try to form something from them combined with gut feeling.
The signings that have been done have generally been fairly astute ones and means a lot of pressure on them all, the top 17 will need to be on their toes. Even the loss of Semi I doubt will affect us that much.
Anyway, I just love reading the reports here and in there is much to gleen out of all of them, the team assembled for TCT scriptings is first class. No doubt the players would be pleased in reading genuine articles about them.
Thanks Colin. I’m proud to have a gifted rugby league author like Clint on TCT.
yet another well thought out and constructed read Clint.
Great analysis, top article.
Always enjoy your work mate
You flatter me with your kindness DK! Always one of my greatest supporters. I’m glad you enjoyed the read!
Ripper of an article as usual, Clint.
This is why TCT has become my go to site for all matters Eels
I’ll take a punt and say Semi may not see out season.
Hoff and Jennings to make the wing spots IMO. Unless injured. Of course I’d rather see Semi but will he see out season? I’m not so sure now….but I’ve taken a punt.
Great read Clint. These young fellows coming through will be good…and I while we lose a v good player in semi, he is replaceable. French has shown this so far….
Semi’s principal loyalty is to his family. His has been a very traditional upbringing. With any luck, we might just see him back in Parramatta colours before June 30, 2018. Bernie Gurr has twice stressed that the French rugby season ends in May, and that the second year of Semi’s contract is in his favour. Then again…
We would like that Achilles but would we want to pay that much for Semi? I don’t think so. Once gone I cannot see us pays for him again unless he comes back for much less….
If that scenario were to play out, then BA, Bernie and Max will know how much to pay him. In the meantime, Semi is out to make as much money as he can – while he still can – for the upkeep of family. And there is pressure on him to do that. There are parallels between Fijians who forge international careers in sport and those who become professional soldiers and serve in the British military.
Yes I see that. There has been a few who’ve stayed in league…petero for one. You either enjoy league or not…semi seems to not enjoy the game or is it the cash? He does seem to have showed his hand wiht Union, and I for one would rather play a younger guy whose committed to come through. We have a few to choose from.
Mitchy, way I am seeing things at the moment is that there is a huge amount of emotion in regards to Semi, and it shows out on the 1 eeyed site, my view on their is still the same, if Semi wants/asks for a release even now to go France and play RU I have no objections should the club release him. Those wanting him to stay believe in many/most cases that without him we have no hope with a premiership this year, but I personally do not believe that as we have a few good backups even for the #2 spot.
Much I believe will depend on what happens with the court case next month, or if he is granted permission to go to NZ for the 9’s and having his passport allowed to travel, any restriction, on his travel or non selection for the 9’s may and I stress may upset him to the point of wanting out. In that or any other situation that it is clear that he does not really want to stay with the club it would be best to allow him to leave if he asks for a release, and only to be paid for the time up until his release.
To me, if we or fans say we cannot win without a certain player, I think it is doing no more than selling the other members of the team short and realistically putting all of them down, which is unfair. They all put in at training and reading the reports here on TCT as well as the position spots and who is available reveals who is putting in, and I have yet to see any names on the opposite side of the ledger.
I’m not sure if Semi likes Union better than League. We’d have to ask him! However, Semi I view more as a migrant worker, despite him having recently acquired residency rights in Australia. His international sporting achievements, much like Fijians serving the British army, are to improve the lot of family in Fiji. Petro, on the other hand, while likely to have been schooled on aspects of the traditional culture, grew up a bona fide Queenslander. His head space is in a different place to that of Semi’s.