Manu Tuilagi

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Just wondered what peoples thoughts were on Mr M Tuilagi in respect to him improving.

Over the summer he played a battering ram 13 role (who passed twice!) and then a battering ram 12 role (who didn't actually pass once!).

I know he has pace and can break a tackle sometimes BUT we need more out af an England centre. I know he is only 21 but will he improve quick enough or will Joseph. Daily, Walduck, Trinder over take him?

It just seems that players can get stronger and faster but they don't really ever get better at passing and being more aware when to offload when to not.

Just really want england to ahev a decent 12, 13 channel for once!

 

[04perryo]

Nah hes amazing end of

 

[Teh Mite]

He can't pass and he can't punch.


Or, Tindall mk 2.

 

[Draggs]

He can swim though.

 

[big ginger 8]

Of course he can learn to pass and gain spatial awareness just like players can gain pace and bulk. It's another question whether he's willing to put the work in. Also Leicester might not be the place to develop these skills.

 

[04perryo]

He can't pass and he can't punch.


Or, Tindall mk 2.

Id like to see you receive a punch from manu tuilagi haha im sure its not a pleasant experience

 

[TRF_Olyy]

To suggest a pro rugby player can't pass is ridiculous.
It's not a massive part of his game, but of course he can pass

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[j-dawg]

Arguable. Skills like 'spatial awareness' are alot more difficult to gain than athletic abilities such as 'pace and bulk'. Bulk is a case of eating. I've seen players train and play for years without actually getting any better, but as you say it could be down to where they are developed, but then again it could be genetics.

 

[big ginger 8]

Arguable. Skills like 'spatial awareness' are alot more difficult to gain than athletic abilities such as 'pace and bulk'. Bulk is a case of eating. I've seen players train and play for years without actually getting any better, but as you say it could be down to where they are developed, but then again it could be genetics.

You can improve those skills with the right type of drills I know I'm a lot better at them now compared to last year or two years ago. As my team switched focus on the way we play.

 

[04perryo]

Arguable. Skills like 'spatial awareness' are alot more difficult to gain than athletic abilities such as 'pace and bulk'. Bulk is a case of eating. I've seen players train and play for years without actually getting any better, but as you say it could be down to where they are developed, but then again it could be genetics.

In some cases thats true however you cant just put bulk by eating a lot its a lot harder for pros to put on weight then you would expect it takes years to put on muscle it requires lots of intense gym sessions as well as eating more obviously though tuilagi doesnt really get this problem of finding it difficult to put on weight due to his genetics however this is why he is special because other players would find bulking up very difficult

 

[j-dawg]

Yeah you can train as hard as you want but if you're not eating enough you won't get bigger, especially with all the calories lost in rugby sessions.

 

[Teh Mite]

To suggest a pro rugby player can't pass is ridiculous.
It's not a massive part of his game, but of course he can pass

*Drumroll*

(That's Harry Ellis, he can chuck a player though)

Bored now.

 

[04perryo]

Goodey is pinpoint with his pass... sometimes

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Won't pass =\= can't pass.
Each and everyone of those will have a far better pass than any/everyone of this forum.

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[Teh Mite]

Wrong.

I posted a picture of Johnny Howard.

 

[dullonien]

Being able to pass is not always the problem (although I seriously question whether some pro players can pass off their left hand), but whether or not they have the awareness and vision to pass. Game awareness is something difficult to develop, and something some players simply don't have the capacity to learn. No amount of training will change that, although in a lot of cases I'm sure it's possible to improve it somewhat. I think it is very similar to kicking from a tee, some players, no matter how much practice they do, will never be a reliable kicker. What the pressure of a game situation get's put on their shoulders, they bottle it and automatically revert to what they know, this in Tuilagi's case is to put his head down and charge forwards. He's exceptionally good at doing this, and will have a good future in front of him regardless of if he can develop his distribution, but I question whether he'll really reach the very top of the game (i.e. Lions and legend status).

 

[Draggs]

Take Jonathan Davies, for example.
He can pass, quite well at times; the issue is that he usually won't. He has blown a few tries this trying to go it alone.

 

[Peat]

I was going to post, but then I noticed dullonien said everything, so I'm just going to +1 him.

 

[Tony Manx]

Being able to pass is not always the problem (although I seriously question whether some pro players can pass off their left hand), but whether or not they have the awareness and vision to pass. Game awareness is something difficult to develop, and something some players simply don't have the capacity to learn. No amount of training will change that, although in a lot of cases I'm sure it's possible to improve it somewhat. I think it is very similar to kicking from a tee, some players, no matter how much practice they do, will never be a reliable kicker. What the pressure of a game situation get's put on their shoulders, they bottle it and automatically revert to what they know, this in Tuilagi's case is to put his head down and charge forwards. He's exceptionally good at doing this, and will have a good future in front of him regardless of if he can develop his distribution, but I question whether he'll really reach the very top of the game (i.e. Lions and legend status).

I always though that about Nonu and wonder if that is why he spent such long periods on the bench in his early days..................not a huge fan but do feel he has learnt all that and is not a bad player now!!

 

[Sam Owen]

Won't pass =\= can't pass.
Each and everyone of those will have a far better pass than any/everyone of this forum.

Mate Ive got a good pass. The call me ATM 'cos I deliver money balls.