Kitione Kautoga #261

So we have 20 year old backrowers coming throw , but there not ready to play 1st grade or even nsw cup on a full time basis , NOW luck at other clubs they bring throw 18 - 19 year olds and they play like 1st graders , what are we doing wrong 😑
Need to bring them into a solid FG side where they have the luxury of winning without making a massive contribution. Confidence grows, they feel like they belong. WT is a frying pan.
 
Ultimately kiti is the closest thing we have to Nanai.

If we can't sign star players we have to develop them. He's had his injury issues, hopefully just niggles and nothing more serious and long term. He may be our Nanai, or maybe not. Hopefully the former.
 
You do realise he's done the past two NRL preseasons with us, and been training with the first grade squad for the past 2 years, right?

He's already better than Tuilagi and will have more impact than Seyfarth. He should play against the dragons to give him a taste for next season.
 
Could have a bit of strike/power in the forwards next year if everyone can stay healthy. IP, Stefano, Blore, Pole, Kautoga. If we could add Spencer Leniu that would be amazing.

There were a couple of times last year when we were coming out of our own end and Stefano and Blore would have successive carries. You could see their power and the momentum they were generating and they were only 21. Hopefully a sign of things to come.
 
But why did he leave the sharks? Surely there was opportunity there with some of their aging roster?
Or was he not valued there.
Agree with the comments mentioned earlier.
There are 18 year olds debuting for clubs and we are here hanging our hat on a couple of 20 year olds that have trained with the top team for two seasons but are yet to debut for the team coming last.
Perspective.
 
But why did he leave the sharks? Surely there was opportunity there with some of their aging roster?
Or was he not valued there.
Agree with the comments mentioned earlier.
There are 18 year olds debuting for clubs and we are here hanging our hat on a couple of 20 year olds that have trained with the top team for two seasons but are yet to debut for the team coming last.
Perspective.

The Sharks mainly played him as a winger/centre in their jnr rep sides. Maybe he didnt perform in those positions. Either way the kid oozes potential and should be on a development contract next year. The comparison to Kikau is an easy one however they're fairly different players, I'd compare him more Ryan Matterson when he played on the edge for us.
 
The Sharks mainly played him as a winger/centre in their jnr rep sides. Maybe he didnt perform in those positions. Either way the kid oozes potential and should be on a development contract next year. The comparison to Kikau is an easy one however they're fairly different players, I'd compare him more Ryan Matterson when he played on the edge for us.

Also have plenty of young kids coming through in OB's and 2nd row.
Maybe he didn't like the coach - Or got injured....
Happens.

You're right though - The kid clearly has something, Hopefully the kid has something from the club in front of him.... The fact he's done a couple pre-seasons with the top squad makes you think he would have.
 
The Sharks mainly played him as a winger/centre in their jnr rep sides. Maybe he didnt perform in those positions. Either way the kid oozes potential and should be on a development contract next year. The comparison to Kikau is an easy one however they're fairly different players, I'd compare him more Ryan Matterson when he played on the edge for us.
What was his injury history like back then? He has hardly been on the field much with us it seems.
 
But why did he leave the sharks? Surely there was opportunity there with some of their aging roster?
Or was he not valued there.
Agree with the comments mentioned earlier.
There are 18 year olds debuting for clubs and we are here hanging our hat on a couple of 20 year olds that have trained with the top team for two seasons but are yet to debut for the team coming last.
Perspective.
We head hunted him. Same as Pole.

He was a good player surrounded by other good players at the Sharks, came here as a standout. Though to be fair he was joint players of the season in Harold Matts for the Sharks. Plus maybe he didn't want to commute to Cronulla every day if he's not from that area?

There aren't many 18 year olds debuting these days, those that do tend to be freaks and are still often eased into grade off the bench. Suallii for all the talk didn't play a lot last year.
 
We head hunted him. Same as Pole.

He was a good player surrounded by other good players at the Sharks, came here as a standout. Though to be fair he was joint players of the season in Harold Matts for the Sharks. Plus maybe he didn't want to commute to Cronulla every day if he's not from that area?

There aren't many 18 year olds debuting these days, those that do tend to be freaks and are still often eased into grade off the bench. Suallii for all the talk didn't play a lot last year.
BB, what do you think of Cayne Nicholas? I think he is pretty good providing impact from the interchange.
 
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