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Wiganer Ted wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 12:44 pm I think back to when Junior first took over from Willie Isa, he looked off the pace that first couple of games and wasn't playing the 80 mins.

He's improved so much that he can now play the 80 and the coaches have paid him the massive compliment of moving the club captain from his usual left side to the right in order to accommodate Nsemba on his best side the left.

His performances are staggeringly good and he's clearly the best 2nd row in SL.

I don't think moving him to the left was a compliment but more a reaction to our defensive issues on the right edge. If there's a weakness to his game it was his tendency to get caught on his heels in defence and leave the half on his outside a bit exposed.

Most teams attack better going right to left than the other way round, so the switch makes a lot of sense. It allows Nsemba to be put under less pressure defensively and has him getting the ball in more space in attacking positions. Faz is a good attacking back row forward but he's been less effective this year, so having him strengthen the right edge defence while Nsemba gets to be a bigger threat on the left is great. Essentially Faz is now playing Isa's role, but with a better work rate in attack.

I don't want to make too much of the negatives though. I've mentioned Junior's weakness in defence quite a bit this year but always in the interest of not expecting too much too soon. He's continually improving in that regard, and it should always be stressed that it's a weakness is a particular aspect of defence and one that inevitably improves with experience. When it comes to defending man to man I don't think I've ever seen a player of his age be so dominant in tackles. His strength is incredible.

When it comes to his attacking game he's just got so much power in his carries but also the footwork you'd expect from an outside back. I don't think I've ever seen a more promising back rower come through the ranks and considering we've had fantastic depth in this area that's some compliment. I just hope we get to see him playing for Wigan while he's at his best. I believe he's still good friends with Pearce-Paul and it would be a shame if he joined him in the NRL before we've been able to get the best out of him.