Manu class as usual. Thought Moa was terrific, found his knees and elbows every time as well as making healthy yards. Still a little underwhelmed by Lauaki, think a bloke his size could punch a few more holes (the David Mills syndrome).

i dont mind a bulldozing run, i like to see the defence hanging off him. I think manu will have a brilliant season playing alongside longy.

Carrying 3 men is also more tiring that running through a gap untouched. We use Manu all wrong imo.

yeah you got a point

Plan A last season = Give it to Manu, even in hopeless positions, and hope he conjures something out of nothing. With no Plan B. I'm sure Long recognises what Manu gives and will unlock some of this potential.

The only 7 ive seen use Manu correctly was Matthew Head. Hope we look back at some old vidoes and learn because we have the potential to use Manu, Burnett, Tickle all better than we currently do as wide running 2nd rows. Lauaki into a gap would be devastating too but we seem to opt for the battering ram approach. See how it goes i guess.

Agree with that. Some real quality in the second row and indeed the pivots, but it's joining it all up with a gameplan that's the concern IMO.

Give it time, lots of new players will mean it will take a little time for it all to come together. We have the option of fighting it up the middle with big forwards and also have the option of having big men running out wide.

I always think it must be easier to concoct a decent game plan when you have a player on the field capable of carrying it out. Preferably more than one but one is better than none. If you dont have that player then simpler more direct game plans are probably all you've got to work with.

I want to see Manu running at the opposition with players either side in support. Defenders either commit themselves to the tackle which gives the supporting players an opportunity to break if they receive the money ball from Manu or stand off him which gives Manu a chance of making a break.
The away game at Catalans a few seasons ago ,He got the ball from his own half and the defenders were hesitant . Before they defenders decided to commit themselves , Manu had run between two and thrown a peach of a ball to the supporting Tommy Lee. for a cracking try. Manu at his best.

Manu and Yeamo are lethal together when they get early ball.