The fact Aitken was an option in the first place makes me laugh. We need better simple as that.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Tiger_Fanatic3
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2021
- Messages
- 5,612
Wounded_magpie
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2017
- Messages
- 402
Jackson Hastings has urged Michael Maguire to ‘pull some strings’ and poach Cronulla’s Briton Nikora after missing out on Jack Bird, as the resurgent playmaker declares he wants to play under the Tigers coach for the rest of his career.
The Tigers have hit the market in a bid to add depth to their backrow stocks with Luke Garner, Luciano Leilua and Kelma Tuilagi departing Concord at season’s end and had expressed interest in Nikora and Bird.
But despite holding a trump card in Hastings’ life-long friendship with Bird, the Tigers have missed out on their target after the 27-year old committed to St George Illawarra for a further three seasons.
The club’s attention now moves to Sharks backrower and New Zealand international Nikora, who is uncontracted for 2023.
Maguire already has a relationship with Nikora as the Kiwis head coach. Hastings hopes that connection can help get Nikora over the line and into Tigers colours.
“I had to mark him when he played for the Kiwis and I played for Great Britain. He’s a bit of a nightmare, he runs a really good line. He is athletic and he is fast,” Hastings said.
“You’d be silly not to look at people like that. He obviously has a connection with Madge. It would be nice if Madge could pull a few strings to get him over the line.
“It would be nice to have him running off me instead of over me. He‘ll be a great addition because we probably need some depth in the backrow.”
But even if the Tigers miss out on Bird and Nikora, Hastings has urged Tigers fans not to panic.
Parramatta’s Isaiah Papali‘i will join the Tigers next year and is likely to form a starting backrow combination with Shawn Blore.
Blore has had an unfortunate run with injury and is recovering from an ACL injury but fully fit is a State of Origin contender, according to Hastings.
“I think he can play State of Origin in the next couple of years. Hopefully his body holds up and he comes back from this ACL and gets a bit of luck,” Hastings said.
“In the pre-season, what he was doing is freakish and I have trained and played with some good backrowers. He’s top shelf.”
Luke Brooks has also backed rising second row forward Henry O’Kane, a Holy Cross Rhinos junior, to come into contention for a NRL debut in 2023.
“There are a few boys coming through, we’re losing three backrowers but there is young Henry O’Kane, he has played a little bit of NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg for us. He’s a tough young kid and there is an opportunity for him to get a go,” Brooks said.
Hastings is contracted until the end of season 2023 but is set to hit the open market on November 1.
The playmaker told The Daily Telegraph he is open to extending at the Tigers long-term with Maguire at the club alongside him.
Maguire and the Tigers offered Hastings an NRL lifeline after being exiled to England, where he was crowned the Super League’s best player in 2019, following ill-fated stints at the Sydney Roosters and Manly.
Hastings wants to repay Maguire with a show of loyalty.
“I’d love to play for Madge for the rest of my career. Ideally that would be at Tigers with him coaching here for a number of years and me playing under him,” Hastings said.
“He’s taught me a lot both on and off the field. He holds a special place in my heart, so does this club.
“I’m fiercely loyal to people loyal to me. I’ve learned over time that people that give you time, respect and effort, you have to pay that back.
“And Madge is one of those people and this club is one of those organisations. I’ll definitely do the right thing by the club, I’ll listen to offers. It would be ideal to stay here and build combinations.”
Hastings wants to show loyalty to coach Michael Maguire (R). Picture: Toby Zerna
The future of Maguire, who is contracted until the end of 2023, has been the subject of constant speculation with the coach on borrowed time up until the Tigers turned around their on-field fortunes with a win against Parramatta on Easter Monday.
While the win helped ease pressure on the coach, Hastings’ own future at Concord could depend on how the Maguire situation plays out at season’s end.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Tigers are also looking to shore up its outside back stocks.
The club is unlikely to retain former NSW speedster James Roberts but is hopeful rising back Tommy Talau can make a successful comeback from an ACL injury in 2023.
Boom Penrith Taylan May is still without a contract for next season, while star backs Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton are free to field offers from rivals from November 1.
While Hastings believes making a play for the likes of May, To’o and Crichton would be a huge coup for the club, the 26-year old wants the Tigers to commit to its own crop of youngsters.
“I don’t think Penrith will lose any of them. What they have going is fantastic, Penrith have built the precedent of being able to bring kids through and keep them. For a club like ours, if we can keep Stefano Stefano Utoikamanu, Adam Doueihi, Talau, Dane Laurie and Jake Simpkin that’s going to benefit our club too.”
The Tigers have hit the market in a bid to add depth to their backrow stocks with Luke Garner, Luciano Leilua and Kelma Tuilagi departing Concord at season’s end and had expressed interest in Nikora and Bird.
But despite holding a trump card in Hastings’ life-long friendship with Bird, the Tigers have missed out on their target after the 27-year old committed to St George Illawarra for a further three seasons.
The club’s attention now moves to Sharks backrower and New Zealand international Nikora, who is uncontracted for 2023.
Maguire already has a relationship with Nikora as the Kiwis head coach. Hastings hopes that connection can help get Nikora over the line and into Tigers colours.
“I had to mark him when he played for the Kiwis and I played for Great Britain. He’s a bit of a nightmare, he runs a really good line. He is athletic and he is fast,” Hastings said.
“You’d be silly not to look at people like that. He obviously has a connection with Madge. It would be nice if Madge could pull a few strings to get him over the line.
“It would be nice to have him running off me instead of over me. He‘ll be a great addition because we probably need some depth in the backrow.”
But even if the Tigers miss out on Bird and Nikora, Hastings has urged Tigers fans not to panic.
Parramatta’s Isaiah Papali‘i will join the Tigers next year and is likely to form a starting backrow combination with Shawn Blore.
Blore has had an unfortunate run with injury and is recovering from an ACL injury but fully fit is a State of Origin contender, according to Hastings.
“I think he can play State of Origin in the next couple of years. Hopefully his body holds up and he comes back from this ACL and gets a bit of luck,” Hastings said.
“In the pre-season, what he was doing is freakish and I have trained and played with some good backrowers. He’s top shelf.”
Luke Brooks has also backed rising second row forward Henry O’Kane, a Holy Cross Rhinos junior, to come into contention for a NRL debut in 2023.
“There are a few boys coming through, we’re losing three backrowers but there is young Henry O’Kane, he has played a little bit of NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg for us. He’s a tough young kid and there is an opportunity for him to get a go,” Brooks said.
Hastings is contracted until the end of season 2023 but is set to hit the open market on November 1.
The playmaker told The Daily Telegraph he is open to extending at the Tigers long-term with Maguire at the club alongside him.
Maguire and the Tigers offered Hastings an NRL lifeline after being exiled to England, where he was crowned the Super League’s best player in 2019, following ill-fated stints at the Sydney Roosters and Manly.
Hastings wants to repay Maguire with a show of loyalty.
“I’d love to play for Madge for the rest of my career. Ideally that would be at Tigers with him coaching here for a number of years and me playing under him,” Hastings said.
“He’s taught me a lot both on and off the field. He holds a special place in my heart, so does this club.
“I’m fiercely loyal to people loyal to me. I’ve learned over time that people that give you time, respect and effort, you have to pay that back.
“And Madge is one of those people and this club is one of those organisations. I’ll definitely do the right thing by the club, I’ll listen to offers. It would be ideal to stay here and build combinations.”
Hastings wants to show loyalty to coach Michael Maguire (R). Picture: Toby Zerna
The future of Maguire, who is contracted until the end of 2023, has been the subject of constant speculation with the coach on borrowed time up until the Tigers turned around their on-field fortunes with a win against Parramatta on Easter Monday.
While the win helped ease pressure on the coach, Hastings’ own future at Concord could depend on how the Maguire situation plays out at season’s end.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Tigers are also looking to shore up its outside back stocks.
The club is unlikely to retain former NSW speedster James Roberts but is hopeful rising back Tommy Talau can make a successful comeback from an ACL injury in 2023.
Boom Penrith Taylan May is still without a contract for next season, while star backs Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton are free to field offers from rivals from November 1.
While Hastings believes making a play for the likes of May, To’o and Crichton would be a huge coup for the club, the 26-year old wants the Tigers to commit to its own crop of youngsters.
“I don’t think Penrith will lose any of them. What they have going is fantastic, Penrith have built the precedent of being able to bring kids through and keep them. For a club like ours, if we can keep Stefano Stefano Utoikamanu, Adam Doueihi, Talau, Dane Laurie and Jake Simpkin that’s going to benefit our club too.”
Last edited by a moderator:
Lee's fedora
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2021
- Messages
- 1,168
Nikora is meeting with madge and sheens this weekend
He has already said no to the WT...what are they meeting up for?...check on the post season holiday plans...
jirskyr
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2009
- Messages
- 13,885
Good lad Jacko, good confident comments and backing the club 101%.
Tiger_Fanatic3
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2021
- Messages
- 5,612
👑👑👑
Long Term Fan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2020
- Messages
- 353
When back in 2023 where do they play Tommy Talau?
So Proud of this, Well Done Tigers.
The Tigers, Eels and Dolphins all reportedly showed interest in Bird however the Tigers were reluctant to offer the three years he was seeking, while the Eels backed out of the chase in April after coach Brad Arthur met with him in February.
Show that were getting the players we want for the right price.
The Tigers, Eels and Dolphins all reportedly showed interest in Bird however the Tigers were reluctant to offer the three years he was seeking, while the Eels backed out of the chase in April after coach Brad Arthur met with him in February.
Show that were getting the players we want for the right price.
Haha an extra month off every year sounds alright to me. Where do I sign?
Eyeofthetiger 0
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2021
- Messages
- 1,012
Your info is wrong.
Tiger4life43
Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2022
- Messages
- 61
Or getting no players, running 13th and then blaming it on the fact that there’s nobody good on the market 😂
Odessa
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2021
- Messages
- 2,339
Maybe that is something they can add to the sales pitch
Not sure how long you've been watching the Tigers for mate but we have a bit of a track record of not getting our man. Seems wise to have a few irons in the fire, no?
Oh for sure - just a comment on the value for money.
Mighty_Tiger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2009
- Messages
- 6,429
Small observation on our forward targets:
Papa plays right side
Nikora plays right side
Aitken plays right side
Lucy plays right side
More I look at the recruitment more I can see if we could snare Nikora then Papa is in the middle as a starting partner for Stefano.
That then leaves us with a left edge backrower shortage.
Angus plays on the left and is the best left backrower on the market. Hope we go hard for him.
With only Blore our Left edge backrower who will need time to come back from injury (takes forwards a good 12-18mths to get back to fitness levels)
If we did that would make our forward pack very mouth watering:
Stefano
Api
Papa
Angus
Nikora
Joffa
Bench
Simpkin
Musgrove
Twal
Blore
Papa plays right side
Nikora plays right side
Aitken plays right side
Lucy plays right side
More I look at the recruitment more I can see if we could snare Nikora then Papa is in the middle as a starting partner for Stefano.
That then leaves us with a left edge backrower shortage.
Angus plays on the left and is the best left backrower on the market. Hope we go hard for him.
With only Blore our Left edge backrower who will need time to come back from injury (takes forwards a good 12-18mths to get back to fitness levels)
If we did that would make our forward pack very mouth watering:
Stefano
Api
Papa
Angus
Nikora
Joffa
Bench
Simpkin
Musgrove
Twal
Blore
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2014
- Messages
- 10,692
Frizell with Papali and Joffa at lock is pretty solid
Up front Lodge and Stef
Bench Twal and Musgrove
Up front Lodge and Stef
Bench Twal and Musgrove
Hasn't Blore been out injured longer than Doehi?
Staff online
-
DempsModerator