Asotasi is a bit of a question mark. The fact that he couldn't even be d to get out of the way for that drop goal set up suggests a lot.

Higham had every right to be annoyed because it seemingly typifies 'Big Roy's' commitment to the cause thus far.

Having said that, I'm not detracting from the result. The desire early doors against Saints was outstanding. You'll give yourself a chance against anyone, in any situation, with efforts like that.

Loved it. And sets us up well when you take into consideration our upcoming fixtures.

Last one ambling to the tussle in the first half as well

Exactly. Where's the desire to get your mates back and fly in? He couldn't give two fecks about Wire. It's like he thinks all this is beneath him... It's a honour and privilege to pull our colours on and he's treating it like a chore.

The jury is still out on Asotasi for me. Not turned out to be the player we expected so far, but I remember the terrible start Matt King had with us and look what happened there. Some overseas players take a bit longer to settle so I'm hoping Asotasi will come good. So far he's been under-performing in a team of under-performers. When the rest of the squad start to pull their socks up hopefully he'll be right there too.

I agree with pretty much the assessments others have made: good but not great, better but not back to our best. Looking stronger and more interested in defence and more cohesive in attack but I still believe we need a strong halfback pairing and somebody, please god somebody, stepping up and leading the team. Without Briers and Morley it seems to have lost it's backbone

At least you can see something in England, I think it's just a fitness issue, the head is willing but the body isn't.

Please baby jebus take Roy back to Australia or can we convince Koukash he'll be the ideal replacement for Morley, I mean someone managed to do that to us.

There are a couple of notable differences between Matt King and Big Roy, particularly around the settling in period.

Firstly, King was 27 when he signed, so we had time to let him settle, learn the british game and deliver his best. Big Roy is fighting old father time with every passing day and looks like he's losing the battle.

Similarly, King signed a 4-year deal so again we were taking a long term view whereas we clearly expected Asotasi to settle quickly and pick up the mantle from Morley.

Finally, King was a Kangaroo international at the time of his signing. Asotasi hasn't played top-line international rugby for 5 years.

Although Big Roy hasn't been knocking down barn doors there has been some small improvement in the last two weeks.
Last week he was okay and at magic he was talking to players and was involved more and once again was okay, solid, without busting doors down.

I will at least give credit where due and Roy doesn't deserve too much of that, but I think neither does he deserve criticism for his performance at magic as he didn't do wrong.

That said, I would still swap him for Morley. We miss his leadership and example.

Interestingly, I noticed Walsh lingering at the back of the Saints side of the tussle, too; ball in hand.

I agree with most things said about Asotasi, although he put a great hit on Soliola just before the 58th minute (however, failed to wrap up the ball and the resulting offload led to the Hohaia try...). This was the first time (that I recall) that I've seen Roy make an individual and genuine effort. Maybe, in a few weeks, we'll be wondering why Hill is starting over Big Roy...

EDIT - RD: he did cough up possession in our 10m which led to the Turner try. I will concede that this can happen to anyone, though.

And, Cat: I think Laithewaite was a little less than keen to get involved in the tussle, too. Will need to rewind when I'm done watching to see though.

Seriously folks stop comparing King to Asotasi.

King was a great player that took time to adapt.
Oz play a different game to SL, we actively get more players involved and throw it about more.
Asotasi played in a forward oriented league, some teams won't pass it more than once unless they're over the 50m mark in NRL.
Forwards don't need the settling in time, here's the game plan.
a) stand in this spot when we call this play, run in this direction hard and into the line.
or
b) stand in the middle tackle the guy with a different coloured shirt on when he runs at you with the ball.
by different colour we don't mean the blue one with grass stains, that's what happens to your shirt when you work.

Stop it and stop it now, I really should ban all on site that make that comparison between Roy and Matt.
If you can't see his distinct lack of interest by now you don't deserve an opinion on this game.

I'd have Rhys Williams ovet him YES I SAID Rhys WILLIAMS NOT EVANS.

I agree to an extent: I agree that a forward's game plan is simple when compared to a back's; I agree with what you said about the NRL being more similar to SL for forwards than backs.

With that said: he might be fully adjusted to SL, but not fully adjusted to life in England. Whether you are a top performer in your job or not, life outside of your job will affect your ability perform at work. Moving towns can be a little jarring at first, so I imagine moving across the world would be a little more jarring. Different people will cope with this at different speeds. This is what I think most comparisons with King are getting at (I know it is what Rugbychick is getting at).

Does that negate his sub sub-par performances? Does it negate his lack of interest/desire? No. Not for a second, it does not. I am not here to make excuses for Big Roy, I am as underwhelmed as any fan, but: does his potential 'homesickness' explain his overall attitude? Perhaps.

(For the record: I am inclined to say that we are not here to coddle any player. If he is, in fact, homesick then release him from his contract. If he doesn't start showing some desire soon then that is obviously best for both parties).

Homesickness is no excuse for not running into a line hard...jebus how liberal have we become in this country.

He's lazy and clueless and looks like a spare [delpri[/del part.

I too think he had not settled.
I'll tell you why.
I followed Big Roy on twitter from him arriving here.
He never once spoke anything other than all things Samoa and wanting to catch up with his Samoan pals.

Except for his latest tweet he thanks a lady for her kind remark and a big game.

It points to him not being happy but maybe that last text hints of some small adjustment?
And perhaps I'm just clutching at straws.

I get so wound up watching Asotasi trying to not play the game that he is paid handsomely to play!
Homesickness is a terrible excuse for a former New Zealand international captain.

Hill T22 MT6 C17 AG8m

Asotasi T17 MT0 C9 AG8m

England T14 MT4 C15 AG5.47m

T: Tackles MT: Missed tackles C: Carries AG: Average gain

I think looking at those you could easily assume Asotasi is a good player with a poor work ethic and would be a great player for us if he would make more tackles and carry the ball more.

(Btw on the overall stats both Monaghan brothers had storming games as did Russell and Ratchford.)