Player Tuimoala Lolohea

[Miket12]

Tuimoala Lolohea

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I know he's just pretty much starting in his career and he's really young, but what are people's thoughts about developing him into a hooker over the next few years when he starts to bulk up?

 

[warriors4eva]

The last month or so he has been on fire! Very exciting to watch

 

[Sup42]

I don't know that much about him other than he scores tries.

Hell yeah I say , we seriously need to covert a bunch of backs into Hooker options. We're lacking depth , it is hardly a career killer to be a hooking prospect in NZ / the NRL

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Not sure what his best position will be, but one thing he does have is speed...and plenty of it. That's a good starting point right there.

 

[mt.wellington]

Not sure what his best position will be, but one thing he does have is speed...and plenty of it. That's a good starting point right there.

Havent seen him at hooker yet. Played a lot of 5/8 and seen him at FB a couple of times. He would need to bulk up quite a bit for the role.

Any thoughts on the current hooker Michael Sio? Good work rate and gets through a ton of tackles.

Personally prefer to develop David Bhana in the hooker role...

 

[Jordan G]

I don't really see it tbh. For me fullback, wing, or halves are where I'd be looking to put him. He's a very gifted runner and I don't think the hooking role is one that would suit his strengths.

Whatever they do, I hope they make a decision soon and stick with it. I hate seeing kids shifted around constantly without any apparent plan in mind.

 

[Sup42]

I don't really see it tbh. For me fullback, wing, or halves are where I'd be looking to put him. He's a very gifted runner and I don't think the hooking role is one that would suit his strengths.

Whatever they do, I hope they make a decision soon and stick with it. I hate seeing kids shifted around constantly without any apparent plan in mind.

This is where having a look at what Wigan do with their juniors can't do us any harm. They've been around a lot longer and have a pretty good record / one of the best clubs in the World in either Hemisphere

 

[Jordan G]

Definitely. Our record for playing players in a single position and attempting to develop them there is pretty questionable.

Our NYC fullback position seems to be a rotational names out of the hat. Last years winger/centre always ends up playing there at some point. Yes it's an important position, but if someone is supposed to be there then put them there. Hukatai is a good example of it. A promising wing and centre thrown to fullback for whatever reason. Hiku was similar. It seems like anybody who shows some form at wing or centre and isn't a hulking beast (Hurrell, Laumape, Niko etc) is earmarked for fullback. Several wingers/centres are needed for a first grade squad/Vulcans, but no we need fullbacks, dozens of them.

And the less said about Toka Likiliki on the wing the better.

 

[Hitman82]

Hitman82 submitted a new Showcase Item:

Tuimoala Lolohea

• NZRL Under 16s 2011
• NZRL Under 18s 2012

Read more about this showcase item here...

 

[Hitman82]

Hitman82 updated Tuimoala Lolohea

• NZRL Under 16s 2011
• NZRL Under 18s 2012

View updates to this showcase item...

 

[mt.wellington]

Just going to come out with it now. This kid is going to be a superstar! I honestly believe he has more potential then Shaun Johnson. More of a team player, has a great natural feel for the game, great footy brain and he has a grubber kick too. Be really interesting to see how he goes in the Nines. The perfect format for him.

Hope the Warriors dont lose him. He's keen to get a proper contract and start getting some coin. He comes from a humble background and I reckon he'll jump on the first ticket out of Avondale.

Also Hitman82:

NZRL Junior Kiwis 2013...

 

[Hitman82]

Hitman82 updated Tuimoala Lolohea

• NZRL Under 16s 2011
• NZRL Under 18s 2012
• NZRL Junior Kiwis 2013

View updates to this showcase item...

Just going to come out with it now. This kid is going to be a superstar! I honestly believe he has more potential then Shaun Johnson. More of a team player, has a great natural feel for the game, great footy brain and he has a grubber kick too. Be really interesting to see how he goes in the Nines. The perfect format for him.

Hope the Warriors dont lose him. He's keen to get a proper contract and start getting some coin. He comes from a humble background and I reckon he'll jump on the first ticket out of Avondale.

Also Hitman82:

NZRL Junior Kiwis 2013...

Wow you really rate the guy! I must admit I didn't follow the juniors as closely as usual last season. I guess I was a bit disillusioned with the see-sawing scorelines and ratshit defense.
But this season I'm really excited about the Pommy lads and a couple of new Kiwis, so will be watching closely.

You rate his creativity and grubber better than Johnson? What are his overall strengths in your opinion?

 

[mt.wellington]

2013 Tuimoala Lolohea match worn Away jersey...


2013 Tuimoala Lolohea match worn NYC Grand Final jersey…

 

[Sup42]

Just going to come out with it now. This kid is going to be a superstar! I honestly believe he has more potential then Shaun Johnson. More of a team player, has a great natural feel for the game, great footy brain and he has a grubber kick too. Be really interesting to see how he goes in the Nines. The perfect format for him.

Hope the Warriors dont lose him. He's keen to get a proper contract and start getting some coin. He comes from a humble background and I reckon he'll jump on the first ticket out of Avondale.

Also Hitman82:

NZRL Junior Kiwis 2013...

Tomkins talking about his electric feet already....Tomkins has been here five minutes and has electric feet himself.

I'm hoping those two are put together a lot by the Warriors in Lolohea's formative years. Throwing them into the Nines team together is a dream start.

That Kind of experience for Lolohea will keep him here more readily than Big Offer too soon I hope. BTW are those Jerseys in your collection Mt Wellington ?

 

[Wombraider]

Hitman82 updated Tuimoala Lolohea



View updates to this showcase item...



Wow you really rate the guy! I must admit I didn't follow the juniors as closely as usual last season. I guess I was a bit disillusioned with the see-sawing scorelines and ratshit defense.
But this season I'm really excited about the Pommy lads and a couple of new Kiwis, so will be watching closely.

You rate his creativity and grubber better than Johnson? What are his overall strengths in your opinion?

Totally concur with MW. This kid is special. Golden boy of the West.

 

[Paleaaesina2the20]

My two cents from watching every u20s game last year:
He has a nack for being around the ball, he gets a lot of what some might call 'oppertunist' tries like intercepts, and scooping up loose balls and racing away to score. But this is a result of his ability to read the game, which is very difficult to teach. He isn't as dangerous in the open field with ball in hand as Johnson is, but he is close, and doesn't have the big boot Johnson has. But Tui's defence is superior.

I agree with Mt W, and would go on to say that he is a more complete League player than Johnson was at the same stage of his career. I would cite general play kicking and passing vision (which is difficult to judge because most u20 centres/ 2nd rowers just wanna be given it and then run over someone rather than be put into a gap) as the areas in most need of improvement.

 

[ryno]

What positions can he play? Just in the halves or could go alright at hooker?

 

[mt.wellington]

BTW are those Jerseys in your collection Mt Wellington ?

Yep. Really stoked to have Tui's stuff...

 

[pompower]

Super impressed with this kid. Huge future.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Electric feet all right. I think if he makes the big time, it'll be as a fullback.