Rua Ngatikaura
- Thread starter Geo
- Start date
He is a year older than Simpkin, same age as Jock 22 this year
Bus 2 Terrigal
Well-known member
Hearty congrats to Rua.👍👍👍Rua Ngatikaura joins Wests Tigers top squad
AuthorWests TigersTimestampFri 8 Apr 2022, 02:10 PM
Wests Tigers are pleased to confirm that Rua Ngatikaura has signed a contract to join our 30-man roster for season’s 2023 and 2024.
The 21 year old hooker captained Wests Tigers’ Jersey Flegg Cup side in 2021 and was subsequently named Player of the Year.
Following his first full pre-season with the Wests Tigers, the young dummy half says he’s delighted to be rewarded with a place in the top squad, “It’s great to get a place in the thirty having come through the lower grades.”
“It’s a big step up and training is just so intense. But I do love the professionalism.”
Rua had a taste of top-flight footy in the pre-season trials, crossing for a try which was overturned against Manly.
His efforts sparked plenty of interest among Wests Tigers fans but he says the attention is not something he thinks too much about, “I’m glad I made a good impression, but I don’t really buy in too much to that kind of stuff. I just want to focus on footy, and improve every day.”
Coach Michael Maguire expects Ngatikaura to make the most of his opportunity, ”He’s obviously a talented player. Now it’s about Rua committing to what’s required to play at the highest level in the game.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe congratulated Ngatikaura on his new deal,
“It’s so pleasing to see yet another player come through our lower grades and be added to our top squad
“On behalf of all at Wests Tigers, well done.”
The article doesn’t mention that Rua also captained Wests Magpies at the Matt’s & SG Ball Cup grade.
I could be wrong, but is he the first Magpie junior to make the WT top grade squad since Teddy & Noffa? If so, it further illustrates the neglect shown by the club toward the south-west corridor over the last decade.
C
Cobarcats
Guest
That's revealing and if true it's worrying.
Let's hope Sheens and the COE can help.
What is our problem in securing this nursery.
Where does it start Geo.
One would think it's having the right resources and support from the first age group to flegg.
Something is not working.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
How were we supposed to do that trying to re-sign Tedesco?
Fitness is very low.
I've seen a fair few games of him and he always seems to go 100 miles an hour then come off with some kind of injury.
A lot to work on but hoping he works out well, I rate him and he seems a good player and person.
Bus 2 Terrigal
Well-known member
This years Wests Matt’s Cup side has so much talent running through it ... we surely manage to hang on to one or two of them 🥴
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
He has Liddle and Simpkin in front of him and what has been posted is they are contracted until 2023 and 2024 respectively. I have also read that Simpkin is actually younger than him so that is a good indication of Simpkin's ability.
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
Remember the Balmain SG Ball team with Papenhuyzen, Seyfarth, Doueihi and Suli? A club not overrun with young talent at the time could only manage to hold onto two of them. I really believe things have changed under Sheens so I hope these young players are signed.
Gazman
Well-known member
I would not thought that his pay packet would have broken us to at least look at options till we knew how Teddys contract would pan out . Right now we have API coming and we still are securing this kid
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
It takes two. He had an offer from Melbourne. Why would he choose to be Teddy’s back up here when he could play for the Storm
$$$
Have you heard him speak?
He’s smarter than our entire squad combined…
He went to Melbourne to be the best he could be - no amount of money would have kept him…
He wouldn’t be the player his is now, staying here… I’m glad to see him kick in like he has. Steady head on his shoulders
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
How much are you going to invest in a reserve grade fullback? Bottom line is he came along at the wrong time for us. If he emerged a year later, we’d have been a better chance to retain him. His path was blocked here with our focus on Tedesco. He did the right thing for himself. And we were unlucky yet again.
Bus 2 Terrigal
Well-known member
Pap did exactly what Ryan Hoffman had done a decade earlier.
Hoffman starred in Wests winning SG Ball Cup team of 2002 and was smart enough to say “yes” when Melbourne came knocking.
Remember Melbourne were shopping him at one point too... before he came good.
He was a reserve grader there, essentially but he backed himself and got an opportunity.
We didn't even bother, said he's too small and let him go.
Probably could've wrapped him up for minimum wage to be a reserve grader...
Hindsight eh? Oh well.
earl
Well-known member
He was desperate to stay.
You're a good poster mate.
Appreciate your input.
Hindsight eh?
Papz went onto to prove to be one of the best fullbacks in the game (currently)
He's top 3 of recent tines with Teddy and Turbs, has his own unique style too.
I remember him in 20s and he looked crazy good despite being very skinny, light, small.
Mighty_Tiger
Well-known member
This is my biggest worry. I actually think he is struggling this year with NSW Cup atm.
He absolutely has potential but my observation is his body is struggling with endurance & body contact of NSW Cup. NRL level it's miles faster and tougher.
I think alot of people are desperate for some positive this year and are banking his 10mins of trial form as cool lets go.
