He’s not doing big minutes at the moment, only playing 20 minutes or so a game. Not sure if he’s getting upto speed with fitness or if it’s tactical  but my personal opinion is that we need a middle who is capable of a solid 2 Stints, like Uele, Rodwell et al. 


Think we will know more as the season goes on but he certainly puts his self about, strong in defence (caught Armstrong for a GLDO last night) and Carries really well too. He took a shot off Ipape last night that would have stunned a horse and just carried on. I like the look of him so far. Given the time, coaching and conditioning he could be  another quality addition. Seems like a good kid too to boot. 

I get what you are saying but we clearly want to leave McM and Pitts on as long as we can which means the split for the others is slightly less.
I like Atoni a lot but he isn't doing 40 minutes either but his stats are awesome.
So I'm assuming it's tactical.......but only my assumption.

Yes very true. Not sure if Faatili is capable of doing 2 stints like the other guys or he just comes on for 1 big one. Like you say it could very well potentially be tactical. Like to see him have a whirl at 13, but Pitts is playing that good and big minutes it’s not possible….. especially when we’re winning 

Fa’atili made a terrible attempted offload yesterday, one which was never on and was at a point when the game was in the balance.
I like him but as someone said, he’s still not up to the required fitness levels and he’s being used very sparingly, jury’s still out IMO

All players make mistakes that’s why tries are scored, coaches spell players and play to their strengths, I think he’s getting better every game and is a handful for the opposition, he was strong last night as were all the forwards 

Has anyone honestly seen him blowing after one of his stints? I haven’t. 


The fitness thing I think some are assuming because of the 20 minute spells but I think it’s tactical only. I’m sure he’s capable of a 30 minute stint or two shorter spells but with the others getting high minutes it makes it difficult. 


The offload was a single error in the 5? Games he’s played. He’s not even knocked on once so that’s very good for a young prop. You can forgive a little adventurous play in the oppositions half. 


We are talking about a 23 year old prop. Not sure there’s many home based options that have the same potential at that age. 


Anyway, looking forward to seeing how Faatili continues developing his game. 

Has anyone honestly seen him blowing after one of his stints? I haven’t. 


The fitness thing I think some are assuming because of the 20 minute spells but I think it’s tactical only. I’m sure he’s capable of a 30 minute stint or two shorter spells but with the others getting high minutes it makes it difficult. 


The offload was a single error in the 5? Games he’s played. He’s not even knocked on once so that’s very good for a young prop. You can forgive a little adventurous play in the oppositions half. 


We are talking about a 23 year old prop. Not sure there’s many home based options that have the same potential at that age. 


Anyway, looking forward to seeing how Faatili continues developing his game. 

That's a very good point

You don’t say, well I never!

I was responding to someone who said he was error free and yes he’s doing OK which I also said earlier but IMO the jury is still out.
What’s so difficult about that for others to comprehend

And here’s me thinking that you said he’d made an error your jury is still out, silly me 

I will make this comparison which I don’t think is too unfair. 

Isaac Shaw and Faatili are the same age I believe. 


With the best will in the world I want a homegrown prop like Shaw to succeed but Faatilli is better player in pretty much every area and has a higher ceiling. 


Talking of Shaw, is he injured again? The lad seems to pick up an unreal amount of injuries. 


 

Youd think if he wasn’t injured he’d be playing reserves and getting game time. He must be.