The Serve

Vatuvei’s horror night leaves Cleary stuck

There was a car crash at Parramatta Stadium tonight. Its name was Manu Vatuvei.

Horrible to watch, yet irresistible. His night started with a fumble off a kick. It ended with a fumble off a kick. In the middle? Yep, more fumbles off kicks.

The eleventh installment of Monday night football will be known for nothing else. An easy win for Parramatta, each of their tries were scored off the boot. When they needed something, they simply hoisted the ball to Manu. Chip kicks, bombs, grubbers. He rarely let them down.

Coach Ivan Cleary will surely sit in his hotel room believing he erred by leaving Vatuvei perched on the wing. The writing was on the wall early. It was clear midway through the first half that his ability to catch the high ball was non-existent yet somehow getting worse. The coach’s rationale was obvious. If he yanked the poor sod early, there could have been long term scarring. Think Steve Mavin.

However the Warriors were only down by 6 points at the break.

With Manu retained on the wing, it didn’t take long for the Eels to continue the carnage. Their third try of the night coming when Vatuvei’s confidence was so shattered he couldn’t muster an attempt to even stop a grubber.

The game as good as over.

Vatuvei’s final effort was simply sad, even for Eels fans. A cross field kick that didn’t look particularily threatening. Manu not only dropped the sitter with his crocodile grab, he also mistimed the jump. The simplest of tasks now beyond him. He could barely look his teammates in the eye.

Away from Manu, the rest of the Warriors were poor. Uninspired and directionless, they were within range at the break strictly because of their scramble. Four losses on the trot now and a season on the same track as so many others. Manu will get all the attention this week. His teammates don’t deserve a fall guy.

Cleary gambled by putting the player’s welfare ahead of the team. It failed on both counts.

Maybe a yanking would have been better after all.