NSW Cup 2026

Manu must have impressed fitness wise to make the bench for Vegas in front of a couple of other blokes who were ahead of him at the end of last year. Thats not to say it isn't just a new regime looking at him differently to the last. My favourite bit of play was the selective pass to the winger. That wasn't a fluke, I've seen him do it more then once before.
 
Manu looks stronger and more agile and a bit smaller, but I was taking a lot of notice of his workrate in this game and he started the game really looking like he was gassed in 5 minutes and struggling to get into the game. He was well behind the line and not even trying to get in position at times and once he got the ball and you could see he had no defenders in front of him and had a chance to make a massive run, and he just passed to Kyle McCarthy and got him to run.
After halftime he put in as good a 30 minutes as I've seen from him. Turned the game on it's head by ripping into them in fact.
My theory is he was looking after himself a bit in the first half because he wants to get a shot at firstgrade next week, but was told at halftime that he needed to earn that chance, so he ripped in.
 
Few more I liked the look of today to add to the above:
Kepaoa, must’ve been the most capped first grader out there and looked like it. Just seemed to make smart decisions. Think he’s a good pick up for the reggies as he’ll help improve the youngins but should be able to step into first grade if required.
Kane Graham, ran a hard line. Did the dirty work. Picked up a meaty for his trouble.
 
I haven’t watched enough of him, but those that have would Francis Manulelua be a candidate to convert to a middle. With his athleticism seems like he could really add some punch off the bench and unless there’s an injury or two he doesn’t really have a spot in firsts.
 
I think he possibly could, but his stamina is extremely bad, so he will need to fix that if he plays in the middle, and I’d rather him not because his talent as a second rower is actually stupid, he is so good and has the potential to be much better, if anything if he can live up to it he should eclipse the likes of Cant, ESL and McEwen, though he does seriously need to fix his stamina issue, because in first grade he will get punished hard for it.
 
Stats are in for the game.
ESL topped the fantasy points with 82 - Manuleleua second with 73 - McCarthy and Votano 3rd with 55 - but Votano got 24 fantasy points for goals and tries.
McCarthy topped the metres run with 190.
Arthur topped the tackles with 32, ahead of ESL on 25.
DeCourcey and Manuleleua both had 6 tackle breaks.
Votano got 2 try assists and 2 line break assists and ran well over 100 meters.

Probably career best stats for Votano - 14 runs for 138 meters, 2 try assists, 2 line break assists, 2 tackle breaks, 1 try, 8 goals from 9 attempts, 55 fantasy points.

Five players got over 50 fantasy points - ESL, Manuleleua, McCarthy, Votano, Henderson.
 
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KPGreatness said:
I think he possibly could, but his stamina is extremely bad, so he will need to fix that if he plays in the middle, and I’d rather him not because his talent as a second rower is actually stupid, he is so good and has the potential to be much better, if anything if he can live up to it he should eclipse the likes of Cant, ESL and McEwen, though he does seriously need to fix his stamina issue, because in first grade he will get punished hard for it.
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Despite playing 67 mins and making 12 runs for 135m, he only managed 12 tackles. Granted, we dominated possession, but that's still particularly uninvolved for playing 13 mins shy of a full game of footy.

Would be interested to see what his offensive output looks like if he was asked for 20 mins of intense defensive work in the middle in FG.

That said, clearly the club wants him on an edge. McEwen hasnt been bad at all, but we need someone pressing him for that spot ready to step up for injuries etc
 
If Manu could play with the impact he has for 60 minutes, he'd be the next Payne Haas.
I think the best we can hope for is a Tevita Pangai - big impact, but only for 20 or maybe 30 minutes.
We used Hetho for short minutes and a bit of impact and he was **** at it. I'd take Manu in the same role every day of the week.
 
Billy said:
If Manu could play with the impact he has for 60 minutes, he'd be the next Payne Haas.
I think the best we can hope for is a Tevita Pangai - big impact, but only for 20 or maybe 30 minutes.
We used Hetho for short minutes and a bit of impact and he was **** at it. I'd take Manu in the same role every day of the week.
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I honestly think Elijah is the impact in the middle we're looking for. He was superb against a poor Rabbits team with his footwork at the line and post contact meters. Manu took the highlights, But I thinkElijah has the motor your looking for. He hasn't looked out of place in FG in even his first season last year.

Manu to stay on the edge to be impact for sure still, but I'd love to see Elijah a regular on bench soon, even if it's a plan to have him replace Frizell's role in the middle.
 
BTP said:
I honestly think Elijah is the impact in the middle we're looking for. He was superb against a poor Rabbits team with his footwork at the line and post contact meters. Manu took the highlights, But I thinkElijah has the motor your looking for. He hasn't looked out of place in FG in even his first season last year.

Manu to stay on the edge to be impact for sure still, but I'd love to see Elijah a regular on bench soon, even if it's a plan to have him replace Frizell's role in the middle.
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True - I think Elijah should be next man up right now.
Kyle McCarthy had his best game in a long time too, but will still be behind Hunt and all our starting backs.
 
1. Connor Votano
2. Logan Aoake
3. Wilson De Courcey
4. Kyle McCarthy
5. James Schiller
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Matthew Hunter
8. Cody Hopwood
9. Matt Arthur
10. Peter Hola
11. Jacob Taulani
12. Asu Kepaoa
13. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana (C)

14. Mitch Henderson
15. Blake Woodford
16. Kane Graham
17. Tamakaimoana Whareaorere

20. Jacob Davis
21. Siteni Taukamo
 
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