Manu Tuilagi

[j-dawg]

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

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk 2

For the record I beat Tom Croft, Julian White and Tom Youngs in a passing challenge to win free Tigers tickets

but your point is correct. These guys are passing about all day, every day.

 

[Teh Mite]

1st prize was a tigers ticket.



2nd prize was 2 tigers tickets.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I didn't really mean he can't pass at all, more he can't pass in a pressure situation, there is a big difference there. i can pass really well in training drills but in a game under pressure i always end up just sticking my head down and running (i am a lock).

I think he is a very talented indevidual but just don't really know if his passing under pressure/ knowing when to pass was going to get much better.

 

[nickdnz]

dullonien said it well. To use another analogy, I've done Hapkido for many years, however my biggest criticism has always been that being 6'2'' and over 100kg, that I've often relied on strength rather than technique in my throws and joint manipulation. Which is true, even at competitive level if I don't get the right positioning I'll still execute the move poorly but succeed due to being bigger and stronger. Some players, like dullonien pointed out, stick to what they know rather than risking failing. Say Manu Tuilagi risks a pass and it doesn't find his man, in the same situation he'll next time do what is tried and tested, which means he'll have trouble developing but not risk failing as well.

Nonu is an example of a guy who learned how to distribute well. He's actually now got a very good pass on him and uses it to good effect, which makes him more valuable than he was from 2003-2007 (despite probably being quicker, stronger and better at breaking the line).

 

[Zed]

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!

I compare myself at 20 as a player to now (30) and I have learned so much in those 10 years. A lot of what you pick up is from other more senior players who have been playing top level for 10+ years. When I was playing U19 I thought I knew it all, then you play open grade and you realise how little you do know. You do get players who are world class at 17/18, others take time to develop as players. I think with MT he can become world class and his passing game doesn't necessarily have to improve. Obviously that would be a plus if he had the skills to go with his size & pace, but his physical attributes alone are enough to ensure he will at the very least have a lengthy international career. What England do need is a creative 12 who has the ability to put MT into gaps. You can get away with having a 13 who isn't the best distributor, a lot of the time he's throwing shortish passes to the wing/fb as opposed to 20m cut out passes from the 10/12. What you can't get away with is having a lump at 12 such as Tindall. Great defender, but so poor with his basic passing skills, reading of the game and just very predictable. Coaches love good defenders, it makes them sleep well at night, but you could see with England how limited their back play was during the World Cup and how a lot of it was really down to Tindall. You can't just blame one player, but 12 is almost as critical a position as 10. We are struggling at the moment with creativity in the centres, Mcbain is pretty much another Tindall. Incidently I think MT would walk into the Wallabies side and with him and Coopers passing he would be pretty devastating!

 

[willrobinson]

I think manu is perfect at 13. crash balls getting over the game line is what he does best he could ideally work on not distribution but offloading in the tackles. Cause if manu gets through the line he is against the fullback and a winger they are both going to be looking to team up and take him down cause most backs i don't think will be 100% happy with a full pace tuilagi running at him 1 on 1. and chris ashton is known for scoring most of his tries off running the support line's. if manu worked on offloading there would be loads of tries by the wingers i reckon. you wouldn't ask a no 8 who does crash balls to work on his passing and reading of the game would you its not needed they need a basic grasp but you want to focus on there main attributes. ideal English back line Care. Flood/ hodgson Farrel tuilagi ashton outside him

 

[j'nuh]

Tuilagi is the best crash ball center that England have. Even if he doesn't touch the ball all game, he can draw defenders and run dummy lines to create chances. Use him in the right way, and he doesn't really need to pass, although I think a good offload would help him. Crash him over the gainline, recycle quickly and he won't be in the next phase of play anyway. That said, having Farrell and Barritt to play alongside him is a mistake. I think they're too slow to react to the opportunities he creates, whereas he offers nothing to the game style they would employ. Players who attack the line better and exploit the space that opens up are ideal. Care, Burns and Joseph imo.

 

[Ozzay]

I think Manus decent but like someone have said, you can learn if you want but at Leicester they like him like that