WRECKING BALL SAMI ON THE UP
THERE are shades of the old Samui Latu beginning to emerge, the same powerhouse running and relentless play that thrust him into the NRL more than a decade ago.
But according to Tugun coach Clint Berands, the veteran winger’s two-try heroics against Mudgeeraba was simply “his standard” performance.
Latu was near unstoppable in the Seahawks 22-20 nailbiter against the Redbacks.
His brace of tries came from a combination of finesse on the flank and nothing more than a damaging mentality that seemed to say “get in my way at your own risk”.
The 33-year-old has not featured in the NRL since 2011, lining up for Wests Tigers as injury cover for Lote Tuqiri after sustaining a knee concern in his club debut the year before.
However, Berands revealed Latu had undergone an impressive transformation throughout the off-season, giving up alcohol for the past six months and becoming the fittest he had been throughout his time in the Tugun colours.
Now with a forthcoming clash against the defending Gold Coast champions, the Burleigh Bears, ahead of him the barnstorming flyer’s influence is set to be even more crucial.
“Blokes just come off (the field) and talk about him, and he’s much fitter this year, Sami,” Berands said.
“He’s done a lot of work in the preseason and shed a couple of kilos. He’s great, obviously the boys love playing with him but this year in particular he’s been in the gym since before November to shed some kilos.
“Sami will come from everywhere, so he’s not really our go-to man in attack. Sometimes he has two runs in a set, coming from the right then down the left.
“We let Sami go wherever he wants to fit in, particularly coming out of trouble.”
The Seahawks are set to be boosted by the return of four key men against the Bears, with middles Josh Harvey and James Ryan, along with outside backs Tuli Talanoa and Tim Cassidy, set to make their first appearances of 2022.
Berands went as far as to say Cassidy was “probably the best centre in the competition”, and will inject an “explosive” threat into the Seahawks’ attack after serving a suspension in round one.
However, it was the emergence of new fullback Zac Beecher on Sunday which perhaps gave the Tugun coach the most cause for delight.
The Ballina product was lauded by Berands as one of the players to watch out for this season before a ball had been kicked, having made the transition from hooker as a junior and centres in his debut campaign for the club last year.
Working alongside Tugun reserve grade coach, and former Melbourne Storm fullback Paul Sheedy, the 22year-old made an immediate impression at the back, and will set up a palpable battle with Bears number one, Kurtis Rowe.
“His dummy half running out of trouble and his commitment to the tough carries in particular is right up there. He’ll take those c--p runs you need to, the ones where you know you’ll get belted,” Berands said.
“(Sheedy) has taken Zac under his wing and they’re doing a fair few extras. It’s a work in progress but it’s great to have Paul there and Zac is really enjoying it.”