Current forward pack next year

It’s what cup is for, when he plays cup put him on the bench as a rotation prop with the aim for him to get used to the position and build stamina, and eventually he will be able to start and do 30 before being rotated which is about average for normal props anyway.

If you get a jumpstart on it now and get him to train it now and during the off and pre-season than by the start of next year he should be able to do it.

Stamina is 1000% a thing you can change and that’s really Manu’s only issue at the moment but even than he is already getting better at it.

McEwen and Lucas look to be our second rower partnership for the next 5+ years (knock on wood) so Manu needs to adapt because we have a lot of good second rowers coming through.

It’s either he changes or we will be forced to let him go
 
I love McEwen on the edge. Reminds me a bit of Finefuaki at the Phins. Insane leg speed, is a serious threat on a change of angle run. Has also shown some silky skills for a big boy ie. tip on passes and draw and pass. Always thought he was going to be better than KPP, when he isn't offloading he is far from an impactful player.
 
frankLauda said:
Manu seems like he could be gun second rower also. But according to there bios he is 110kg. McEwen is 106kg. ESL 100kg.

I really think we should have Manu in the 17. So to fit him in he plays in middle. Would have that nullify his impact as he has some speed for a big unit.
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We are blessed with 3 gun backrowers, Manu is almost a guilty pleasure will be way to good for NSW cup, wasted on bench and probably nullified as a middle, and McEwen and Lucas are just better than him and 80 minute players.

Just randomly Manu seems like a roided up version of Talaki right?
 
It’s sad about Manu because he would walk into a lot of teams starting 13s, I haven’t seen McEwen, Lucas or really most second rowers toy with defences like Manu has in cup, where he can just turn it on and win games.

I’d at least test him as a prop in cup before just getting rid of him because we aren’t sure if it will nullify him, I knew many that said the same about Frizell when he started playing prop and it hasn’t hurt him at all and now he is easily top 2 best props in the club

If I was Penrith I’d be looking to bring him home, but a lot of teams could do with a genetic freak like him.
 
Yes Manu Is good, is very good when he puts his mind to it but not as consistently good as Lucas and McEwen, hasn’t got that full 80min at this stage.
Like the idea of trialling him at Prop in Cup to see how he goes, think he will make a very handy bench next season especially covering 2nd row and Prop and of course injuries etc
 
Throwing passes and bamboozling defenders in Cup is great but it's a lot harder to 1: have the bottle to try it in the NRL and 2: deal with the scrutiny if and when it doesn't come off. That's where development and experience come into play. There is the athleticism and skill in Manu to be very good player for us but as always development, luck with injuries and heaps of hard work are still ahead.
 
BlackbuttOG said:
Throwing passes and bamboozling defenders in Cup is great but it's a lot harder to 1: have the bottle to try it in the NRL and 2: deal with the scrutiny if and when it doesn't come off. That's where development and experience come into play. There is the athleticism and skill in Manu to be very good player for us but as always development, luck with injuries and heaps of hard work are still ahead.
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Many has to be given bench time at least for the rest of the season. A big off season prep and confidence will ensure he has a big 2027 for us.
He has a high ceiling and is tough to go with it. We need him to make a big impact when he comes on in first grade going forward.
 
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