Player Kepu Twins

[defensivebomb]

Both Kepu's are 188cm & are listed at 110/112kg.
A peer that he could be compared to is Davey Moale at Souths. Pretty much identical in physicality, Moale is slightly younger, debuted in 2021 & got through 12 NRL games (off the bench), 9 NSW Cup & 3 World Cup games in '22.

I don't know if anyone has said this before Cces, but your attention to detail and stats (particularly so outside of FG) is really appreciated

 

[Fonzie]

Is there any decent video of the Kepus available from last year or before? They're the future that's for certain but you do have to have reservations about them in 1st grade this year... Ale has shown he can hold an end up in the environment, so great he's there - who was the last young front rower (or lock) who made any sort of sustained impact in the league ? Of all positions it requires discipline and consistent strength which really only comes with ageing into the role, or that's the regular understanding anyway.

I watched them very closely in one Cup game late last year. Physically imposing, strong, good potential etc. but I thought they lacked technique/ awareness - eg in D first contact was solid but didn’t always stick, positioning a little bit off, not managing the ruck speed well. All the usual things that you learn with a bit more experience and that gets easier as your motor improves with a couple more pre seasons.

 

[Fonzie]

I watched them very closely in one Cup game late last year. Physically imposing, strong, good potential etc. but I thought they lacked technique/ awareness - eg in D first contact was solid but didn’t always stick, positioning a little bit off, not managing the ruck speed well. All the usual things that you learn with a bit more experience and that gets easier as your motor improves with a couple more pre seasons.

Edit - it was the Colts GF, thread was here

General - Redcliffe Dolphins/Warriors

These commentators really like Cody Hunter don’t they…

nzwarriors.com

 

[Noitall]

I watched them very closely in one Cup game late last year. Physically imposing, strong, good potential etc. but I thought they lacked technique/ awareness - eg in D first contact was solid but didn’t always stick, positioning a little bit off, not managing the ruck speed well. All the usual things that you learn with a bit more experience and that gets easier as your motor improves with a couple more pre seasons.

Been watching them just in the instagram videos and look to be sponging up from Addin Fonua-Blake, to do with the game hopefully. Also one I noticed of Niukore since he’s joined the squad, one Kepu in the background watching intently. These guys are huge for them in the way they train. Reading that story of Reggie Bush that’s on this forum, it’s crazy to think Paleaaesina was 22 when he went to super league with his impact on memory for some damaging runs. While it might be hopeful they can provide such impact, there’s some they start to be able to handle first grade and put up acceptable numbers. Think there would be Hope one becomes a good starting prop or takes over Bunty’s spot at the least.

 

[mt.wellington]

Hard to discuss twins in two separate player threads so here we go. A twin thread till we are ready to discuss them individually...

To discuss Otukinekina (Kina) Kepu please go to the follwing thread.

Player - Otukinekina/Kina Kepu

Otukinekina/Kina Kepu Extended deals for Kepu twins Richard Becht & warriors.kiwi & photosport.nz Fri 12 Nov 2021, 01:38 PM Imposing twins Otukinekina and Valingi Kepu will join the Vodafone Warriors’ fulltime NRL squad in 2023 after securing extended contracts with the club. The 19-year-old...

nzwarriors.com

To discuss Valingi (Lingi) Kepu please to the following thread...

General - Valingi/Lingi Kepu

Valingi/Lingi Kepu Extended deals for Kepu twins Richard Becht & warriors.kiwi & photosport.nz Fri 12 Nov 2021, 01:38 PM Imposing twins Otukinekina and Valingi Kepu will join the Vodafone Warriors’ fulltime NRL squad in 2023 after securing extended contracts with the club. The 19-year-old...

nzwarriors.com

 

[The Falcon]

I 100% share your view and think the Liu deal will go through. I have no inside info or anything but just think the club knows exactly where this squad is at.

Signs for 3 and then gets ‘ an opportunity to experience a new culture’ by signing with Catalan’s after year 2 when the young’s guys coming through have had 2 tough years in NSW Cup and are ready to step onto the dance floor proper. 🥂

 

[The Falcon]

I watched them very closely in one Cup game late last year. Physically imposing, strong, good potential etc. but I thought they lacked technique/ awareness - eg in D first contact was solid but didn’t always stick, positioning a little bit off, not managing the ruck speed well. All the usual things that you learn with a bit more experience and that gets easier as your motor improves with a couple more pre seasons.

I agree with you Fonzie, and importantly their development should be positive as all teams will be both training together and training to play the same way so although the voices are different depending on grade, the message and expectations are the same 👍🏾

 

[mt.wellington]

When it comes to the Kepu twins, I'll believe when I see it. Still a long way to go by the sounds of it. They are turning 21 this year. Payne Haas debuted at 18 and was playing Origin at 19 which was exactly the same for David Fifita so I hope people are hyping themselves up too much.

Not discounting them or their potential. Not at all. Just seen it all before. They'll either be the Rapira brothers or the Lousi brothers...

 

[TeetsNRL]

When it comes to the Kepu twins, I'll believe when I see it. Still a long way to go by the sounds of it. They are turning 21 this year. Payne Haas debuted at 18 and was playing Origin at 19 which was exactly the same for David Fifita so I hope people are hyping themselves up too much.

Not discounting them or their potential. Not at all. Just seen it all before. They'll either be the Rapira brothers or the Lousi brothers...

Getting one Sam Rapira out of the two of them would make it worth the investment we’ve put in imo.

I agree though, they’re biggish, but they’re not Addin Fonua-Blake, Paulo, Klemmer, Haas type top of their class sure-thing specimens.

 

[Noitall]

When it comes to the Kepu twins, I'll believe when I see it. Still a long way to go by the sounds of it. They are turning 21 this year. Payne Haas debuted at 18 and was playing Origin at 19 which was exactly the same for David Fifita so I hope people are hyping themselves up too much.

Not discounting them or their potential. Not at all. Just seen it all before. They'll either be the Rapira brothers or the Lousi brothers...

When you’re comparing the Kepu’s to such players it should be considered their preparation for a first grade career has been hampered much more than a majority of other players due to losing nsw cup and flegg teams. Those guys would have had week in week out games in grades relative to where they were at. Not saying either that they’ll reach those heights, but they might just take a little longer.

 

[The Falcon]

When you’re comparing the Kepu’s to such players it should be considered their preparation for a first grade career has been hampered much more than a majority of other players due to losing nsw cup and flegg teams. Those guys would have had week in week out games in grades relative to where they were at. Not saying either that they’ll reach those heights, but they might just take a little longer.

Nailed it.
If we manage our expectations then it might just help their development. Gut feeling says 2 seasons of development to get them mentally and physically in condition to dip their toes into first grade.
Fonzie mentioned he was watching them last season in Hastings Derring Colts - under 19’s, in which they both played in the final, one coming off the bench from memory.
Next test is against older and more developed guys and the intensity this brings.
Excited about the potential of both these guys and looking forward to seeing them with our other highly touted juniors in action this season.

 

[mt.wellington]

When you’re comparing the Kepu’s to such players it should be considered their preparation for a first grade career has been hampered much more than a majority of other players due to losing nsw cup and flegg teams. Those guys would have had week in week out games in grades relative to where they were at. Not saying either that they’ll reach those heights, but they might just take a little longer.

The flipside is they have spent the last 2 years training full time with the squad whereas if they were based in NZ they would have been training part time and working or studying full time as per NRL rules...

 

[mt.wellington]

Guess we don't need this thread anymore. If you believe it still has merit being opened please reach out.

To discuss Otukinekina (Kina) Kepu who was released please go to the following thread.

Player - Otukinekina/Kina Kepu

Otukinekina/Kina Kepu Extended deals for Kepu twins Richard Becht & warriors.kiwi & photosport.nz Fri 12 Nov 2021, 01:38 PM Imposing twins Otukinekina and Valingi Kepu will join the Vodafone Warriors’ fulltime NRL squad in 2023 after securing extended contracts with the club. The 19-year-old...

nzwarriors.com

To discuss Valingi (Lingi) Kepu who is still at the club go to the following thread...

General - Valingi/Lingi Kepu

Valingi/Lingi Kepu Extended deals for Kepu twins Richard Becht & warriors.kiwi & photosport.nz Fri 12 Nov 2021, 01:38 PM Imposing twins Otukinekina and Valingi Kepu will join the Vodafone Warriors’ fulltime NRL squad in 2023 after securing extended contracts with the club. The 19-year-old...

nzwarriors.com