Wayne Bennett picked him there for Brisbane (this might have been mentioned before, but he was signed to replace Lockyer who moved from fullback to 6) and Daniel Anderson picked him there for the Warriors. He first played for NZ at fullback.

He played hooker for NZ on a few occasions because they had both no other options there and Brent Webb at fullback. He didn't play hooker for NZ until after he'd moved to Hull and already had quite a few games at fullback for us.

I'm sure I'll keep repeating this as it doesn't seem to sink in for many people, but he's always been a fullback by trade. He has the skill set to fill in in other positions, but that doesn't mean he isn't, first and foremost, a fullback.

Anyway, that'll be a waste of a post as someone will come back saying that, as he doesn't catch every kick on the full like every other fullback in the world, he isn't a fullback.



He picked up a knee injury in his second game, in the process of scoring his second try of that game, and missed much of the rest of the season. By the time he was fit again, a certain Karmichael Hunt had claimed the fullback spot as his own, and Tony wasn't needed by them any more.



To possibly be unfair, the only times his positive contributions seem to be mentioned by anyone not in his 'fan club', are when people are creating straw men by exaggerating the praise his 'fan club' offer. And he is and always has been a fullback.

That is slightly unfair, I believe. I am well aware of his good points without being in his 'fan club'. I'm sure many others are the same.



In your opinion. And in the opinion of several others who have made a living out of RL coaching, it has to be said. Others think he is better suited to another position.

Correct

Nearly as bad as letting a prop forward go round him eh

I have always rated and like Motu but I would not be offering him a new deal, think maybe the injuries have taken their toll with him and I don't think he has any confidence in his own body anymore.

Funny that really

The 23-year-old former New Zealand Warrior and Brisbane Broncos utility player joined the Tigers in mid-season and made nine appearances until picking up an injury.

Hull coach John Kear said: "I've followed Motu's career with great interest and, when it became apparent that he would be available after fulfilling his commitments to Castleford, the club was very keen to recruit him.

"One of the most appealing things about Motu is his versatility. He covers every position in the back line and can also play at hooker."


2001 Position(s):interchange

Appearances 19
Interchange 4
Tries 10
Goals 0
Field Goals 0
Points 40
Tackles 141
Tackles 1 on 1 0
Tackles Ineffective 0
Tackles Missed 30
Line Breaks 16
Line Break Assists 0
Kicks (metres)19 (0m)
40-20 Kicks 0
Runs/Hitups (metres)195 (1496m)
Kick Returns (metres)21 (240m)
Offloads 20
Try Assists 5
Bombs Caught 4
Bombs Dropped 0
Charge Downs0
Charged Down 0
Intercepts0
Intercepted 1
Steals 1-on-1 0
Stolen From 1-on-10
PenaltiesConceded 0
Errors 15
Kick Errors 0
Sin Bins / Send-offs 1/0






2002 Position(s):interchange

Appearances 18
Interchange 9
Tries 6
Goals 0
Field Goals 0
Points 24
Tackles 187
Tackles 1 on 1 20
Tackles Ineffective 0
Tackles Missed 21
Line Breaks 3
Line Break Assists 2
Kicks (metres)21 (0m)
40-20 Kicks 0
Runs/Hitups (metres) 127 (910m)
Kick Returns (metres)3 (21m)
Offloads11
Try Assists 1
Bombs Caught 0
Bombs Dropped 1
Charge Downs 0
Charged Down 0
Intercepts 2
Intercepted 0
Steals 1-on-1 0
Stolen From 1-on-1 0
penaltiesConceded 1
Errors 9
Kick Errors 0
Sin Bins / Send-offs 0/0


2003 Position(s):interchange

Appearances 18
Interchange 6
Tries 7
Goals 0/1 (0%)
Field Goals 0
Points 28
Tackles 153
Tackles 1 on 1 27
Tackles Ineffective 0
Tackles Missed 30
Line Breaks 9
Line Break Assists 2
Kicks (metres) 17 (0m)
40-20 Kicks 0
Runs/Hitups (metres) 165 (1146m)
Kick Returns (metres) 30 (295m)
Offloads 17
Try Assists 4
Bombs Caught 4
Bombs Dropped 2
Charge Downs 0
Charged Down 0
Intercepts 1
Intercepted 0
Steals 1-on-1
0 Stolen From 1-on-1
0 PenaltiesConceded 2
Errors 11
Kick Errors 0
Sin Bins / Send-offs 0/0


Just to be fair to everyone and give you some facts these are all his stats before playing in Super League.

As shaw says his kick returns on paper look ok hit ups look good apart from one season

But his Missed tackles, errors dont make good reading on the other side of the coin.

Not Once in his 4 seasons in the NRL has he been first choice fullback
If you look at the stats both his teams have someone else named as first choice fullback and Motu as Interchange.

Interchange player is our utility player.
So make of them above what you will.

For the record the Brisbane Broncos also had him at interchange as well.

As I've stated a few times I would let Motu go at the end of the season and move R.Horne to FB allowing us to sign a new SO.

Echo that. A real shame as I think he's a consummate professional and has never given less than 100% for the club.

Yep.

The intention was for him to be first choice at Brisbane. His injury and Karmichael Hunt's emergence stopped that from happening.

At the Warriors he was behind Webb.

None of which has any bearing on whether or not his first choice position is fullback. It is and it's where he's played most of his career. Again, just because he has the ability to play in other positions and has been picked in them before doesn't mean he isn't, first and foremost, a fullback.

If he is first and foremost a fullback then we definitely have to get rid. Our only hope left was that he'd be better in other positions.