Round 25 Head to Head: Vatuvei v Morris

Two of the best wingers in the business have a date this Saturday in Wollongong, how will the unstoppable force that is Manu Vatuvei fare against the fleet-footed Brett Morris in Round 25?

Check out the Vodafone Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons Game Preview here

Winger Elite

Manu Vatuvei - Scouting Report

Passed the 100 try mark a couple of weeks ago and The Beast is no doubt hungry for more before a disappointing 2012 ends for the Vodafone Warriors.

An absolute weapon on the left edge - either running through defenders or finishing tries off like the best wingers know how to do.

Manu can create try scoring opportunities in many different ways, he can go over a player - Watch Manu get above the Manly defenders to gift wrap a try for Lewis Brown, around a player - Watch Manu’s expert finish against the Broncos and his favourite: going right through a player - Watch Manu score a try of this variety last year.

His work-rate out of his own half is also a great asset for the Vodafone Warriors and he was given the captaincy when Simon Mannering injured his ankle - such is his standing in the team.

For the season, Vatuvei is averaging 11.9 runs for 113.3 metres and 5.8 tackles per game, with 10 tries, 8 line breaks, 3 try assists, 13 offloads and 69 tackle breaks in 18 games.

Dream Team Scoop:
A little hit and miss if he’s going to earn a spot in your Dream Team. The quality is quality but like most wingers you need as many tries as possible for him to be a valid week in week out pick. His season high of only 49 makes it hard to recommend him as a late season pickup. Maybe next year.

Brett Morris - Scouting Report

Forced his way back into the NSW Origin team on the back of stunning form for the Dragons at fullback. He has now been moved back to the left wing but he is just as important to his team on the flank as he was in the custodian’s role.

Almost single-handedly beat the Storm in Round 21, scoring 3 tries, setting up another and running for a lazy 278 metres with 6 tackle breaks.

Morris has always been known for his pure speed - Watch Morris take an intercept against Melbourne... shut the gate, but since moving to fullback he rediscovered his ability to break tackles with the best of them - Watch Morris beat a thousand tackles to score in the same game.

He has a long standing potent combination with Matt Cooper on the left, and as you’ve seen above - there are few better finishers in the game today.

For the season, Morris is averaging 15.8 runs for 164 metres and 4.9 tackles per game, with 13 tries, 14 line breaks, 6 try assists, 2 line break assists, 34 offloads and 102 tackle breaks in 21 games.

Dream Team Scoop:
Has been more diamonds than rocks this season but his big games have made him a great pickup in DT. Averages 42.8 DT ppg in 21 games with a season high of 67 and four scores over 60.

Who will make the bigger contribution on Saturday? Let us know what you think of Vatuvei v Morris in the comments below.