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Lauaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:44 pm
by TonyH
Words such as 'Nobodies' 'Not very good signings' were thrown about last year when we heard about the Flower and Lauaki signings so I ask people now what are your thoughts on these two?

Me personally I think Ben Flower has been a great asset to our team, he seems like the type of player that just gets his head down and gets on with it whilst always looking to improve and make a good impression.

Lauaki as well has been a work horse, he may not get the plaudits like Lockers and Hock do etc but he grafts and grafts and it just shows what coming to a culture like Wigan have can do for a player.

Re: Luaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:05 pm
by Kiwiseddon
The jury's still out for me. Against Hudds, Lauaki was woeful but against Leeds he was markedly better. Flower has surprised me. Seems to be a solid player but hasn't really done anything that makes me sit up and notice yet. They'll certainly improve though and you're right about the culture change. It's what will be the making of them.

Re: Lauaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:11 am
by AdamMac
Both been solid so far. Flower has been very workman like, obviously not in the same class but very much in the mould of Paul Gallen when he plays prop, that's what he should be aiming for anyway. However, in saying that I think from what he's shown so far, when Prescott comes back I would bring preccy in for Tuson and play flower at 13 when lockers moves to stand off. Flower gets through more work than tuson and has better hands. He'd do a great job for 20 mins at 13.

Lauaki has done better in each game which is all you can ask for and he's got a lot more to come. I too thought he would be more effective out wide which he probably would offensively but the negative side of that is he would be more open to getting caught out defensively as he's not the most agile.

All in all though good signings.




Re: Luaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:52 pm
by Wigan_forever1985
Flower has been solid ive no problems with his performances. However i personally dont see what more he offers to Tuson for example apart from maybe a more consistent performance week in week out which Tuson will develop with more game time.

EL was poor but is getting better, i for one was pleased with his signature he gives a bit of grunt and angst to our pack and i think given time to bed in can offer something a little different. I see him as a Lauatiti - solomona type player when we have our usual forwards back he does have good hands when he does use them

Re: Lauaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:18 pm
by ste lord
Early days really but EL looks like he can hold his own and has a decent offload ( if done at the right time). Strong runner, just hope he can maintain his discipline.

Flower for me aint a prop, Tommy can put big hits on and so can HH but they are played in their correct possitions, When Dudson is Fit or ready for the First team he's the prop IMO.Not taking anything away from Flower hes come in and seems to wear his Heart on his sleeve.

Re: Lauaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 4:32 pm
by DaveO
Well they aren't as good as Hoffman and J Tomkins and both of them are being played as props when in fact they are supposed to be back row forwards.

Flower has got the right attitude and looks to be a player who wants to make the best of the opportunity he has been given so he deserves a lot of credit for putting the effort in. Whether he can keep his place when Prescott is fit will be interesting to see as Prescott was excellent for us last season.

EL has been pretty average and looks slow on defence. Still sceptical about this signing.

Re: Lauaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:43 am
by TrueBlueWarrior
DaveO wrote:Well they aren't as good as Hoffman and J Tomkins and both of them are being played as props when in fact they are supposed to be back row forwards.

Flower has got the right attitude and looks to be a player who wants to make the best of the opportunity he has been given so he deserves a lot of credit for putting the effort in. Whether he can keep his place when Prescott is fit will be interesting to see as Prescott was excellent for us last season.

EL has been pretty average and looks slow on defence. Still sceptical about this signing.
Tomkins played Centre where Goulding is now playing really well and Hoffman played left second row where Hock is now again playing really well. So I think it is unfair to compare them to Hoffman and Tomkins in terms of performance and quality regarding them specific positions, but yes DaveO in terms of strength of squad obviously Tomkins and Hoffman made us better.

Re: Lauaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:42 pm
by Conman
Flower reminds me of a Paul Gallen type player (without the skill level of Gallen) as in he's hard as nails and has the heart of a lion. He'll play anywhere to get in the team and do a job. Hopefully he can realise his potential at Wigan.

Lauaki I used to like when he was an international a few years ago. He has a good offload and is a decent prop when he concentrates. At the moment it's a wait and see with him.

Re: Lauaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:58 pm
by weststand-rich
Flowers okay.

The jury is still out for me RE Lauaki. He was meant to be an enforcer and in the Leeds game he did stand up to Bailey's sh*thousing, but he was clumsy and crude. Result - penalty.

Re: Lauaki and Flower Impressions

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:04 pm
by michael inch stoke
IMO I think after only three games into the season its too early to pass judgement on any player whether it be positive or negative