Danoz Direct
NRL Captain
- Oct 12, 2013
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- 1,285
- Thread starter
- #1,783
Hopefully someone like Issako or Shibasaki can step up and take that centre spot if Kahu can't fix up his defence.
Kahu has big concerns defensively and Opacic has big concerns offensively. I'm not sold on either of them being a long-term fixture at centre for us.
Kahu has all the skill required to be a great centre, but he's always seemed extremely frail, constantly getting injured and absolutely beasted on hit-ups, in defence and attack.
Opacic has potential to be a very good centre defensively, but has major issues when it comes to speed and quickness off the mark, he was slower than Jack Reed last I saw him, which is a MAJOR concern at his age.
Tbf, he is a lot better than he showed last season in attack. The shoulder operations will free up his movement quite a lot. Its not easy to run or pass when you have very little movement in your shoulder. You are right though when you say he isnt quick off the mark. He isnt slow, but he doesn't have great acceleration, which can be an issue at times.
I dont know if it is just me, but in the nines and against Warrington, i thought Roberts looked slower than normal. I was shocked to see how that Warrington player got so close to him from so far away.
It didn't look like Roberts was slowing down, he just looks slower. He really isn't offering anything to the team, I hope he pulls something out.
It didn't look like Roberts was slowing down, he just looks slower. He really isn't offering anything to the team, I hope he pulls something out.
Tbf, he is a lot better than he showed last season in attack. The shoulder operations will free up his movement quite a lot. Its not easy to run or pass when you have very little movement in your shoulder. You are right though when you say he isnt quick off the mark. He isnt slow, but he doesn't have great acceleration, which can be an issue at times.
It was a wet field and from what I've heard the fields are different over there.
But even in the 9's, he looked slower and bigger.
I highly disagree. Opacic isn't just slow, he's really slow. Even with non-injured shoulders.
I previously mentioned how clear it is to see in the following youtube clip:
It honestly looks like he's at full flight with no shoulder impediment. He gets burned by every other back in that clip, even by a forward like Guerra. A few weeks ago, someone here mentioned Copley was slow. I don't know if that was sarcasm, but he destroys Opacic in that sprint.
Opacic does have some positive points, but his lack of speed and acceleration are major detractions and may prevent him from ever being a regular fixture in the backs - it's just that bad imo. Especially considering how young he is. He's only going to get slower.
True, Hodgo's defence is often pretty under rated. I loved his one arm over the side line tackle, Jennings copped it a fair bit.
Definitely need to try and get back to '15 standards for defence.
That's ridiculous, are you basing your opinion off of that footage? The whole team is a mile behind Oates because they're stuffed, including Opacic. I think you're over reacting - he isn't really slow. He's probably around Reed's level if not faster.