Kitione Kautoga #261

[hank37w]

Never seen the kid before and as such will be interesting to watch him this weekend. Hope he has a relatively mundane debut, ticking the boxes in both defence and attack, along with getting through uninjured.

I hope he scores 10 tries, lets none in and we avoid the spoon.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

'Giddy' stays grounded ahead of debut​

Kautoga is set to become Wests Tigers Player #261 after being named to make his NRL debut off the interchange bench this Sunday. The Fijian-born forward is a big-bodied edge back-rower who joined Wests Tigers last year after coming through the Cronulla junior system.

‘Giddy’ moved to Australia from Fiji when he was eleven years of age and fell in love with rugby league. He says he knew before even hitting his teens that he wanted to play in the NRL.

“As soon as I arrived in Australia, I knew this was the game for me. I just love it, always have.”

Kitione will become the seventh Wests Tigers player to make his NRL debut this season. The 19-year-old says he’s excited it’s happening after a tricky run with injuries, “I’ve had ankle and hamstring injuries so that has been tough, but I’ve just been patient and trained hard.

"It’s been great seeing others make their debuts this season and now I’m going to do it as well.





"As the game gets closer I’m sure that might change but I just want to get out there and give it my best for the team.”

Kautoga has made steady progress through Wests Tigers pathways system over the past eighteen months.

He played a few games last year for Western Suburbs Magpies SG Ball side, and this season has been a big part of Wests Tigers finals bound Jersey Flegg side.

Flegg coach Scott Kenna says Kitione has been at his best over the past month or so, "He's been playing some really good football now that he's fully fit and injury free."


"We all wish him well on Sunday."

 

[jadtiger]

I know it's a fluff piece but he seems to have the right attitude and hopefully exactly what we need

 

[earl]

I know it's a fluff piece but he seems to have the right attitude and hopefully exactly what we need

He seems like a good kid but we need him to be a good kid and a gun edge backrower.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I don't think we should expect too much from him. Imagine the difference debuting with the Panthers, Roosters or Storm in comparison to WTs. I am sure he will do us proud but our expectations at this stage need to be realistic. He has a great attitude and all the attributes to have a long NRL career with the WTs.

 

[rihannafan1]

I don't think we should expect too much from him. Imagine the difference debuting with the Panthers, Roosters or Storm in comparison to WTs. I am sure he will do us proud but our expectations at this stage need to be realistic. He has a great attitude and all the attributes to have a long NRL career with the WTs.

Yeah, realistically all these very young players need to play in teams with a majority of older, experienced players. A team like St George but where they get on the field more often.

 

[earl]

Yeah, realistically all these very young players need to play in teams with a majority of older, experienced players. A team like St George but where they get on the field more often.

I don't believe this at all. If they are good enough they'll show it. Robbie, Tedesco, Benji, Fittler etc. They all looked real good early in their careers.

 

[jadtiger]

I don't believe this at all. If they are good enough they'll show it. Robbie, Tedesco, Benji, Fittler etc. They all looked real good early in their careers.

Yes they did but every one of those players had the benefit of a few hard heads to show them the way.Benji and Robbie started alongside players like Buckets and Skando to help guide them,i am fairly sure Robbie was understudy to Senter for a year as well.You can't have a team of inexperienced young blokes and expect them to develop as quickly.You do need some decent mentors alongside of them

 

[rihannafan1]

I don't believe this at all. If they are good enough they'll show it. Robbie, Tedesco, Benji, Fittler etc. They all looked real good early in their careers.

I agree with that. My point is that it will be harmful to their development if they're all thrown in at once with no experienced heads to guide them. Could be part of the reason we've not developed and/or not kept decent young players over the past decade.

 

[bathursttiger1]

Bit of Ali Lauititi about him. Footwork and skill with the ball. X factor type backrower, while Tumeth is more the reliable do his job play hard type.

I’d like to see a bit of Taniela Tuiaki about him.
The Tongan side step straight over the top of the opposition.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Christopher McKivat, another cuz of mine...dual international/coach/gold medal

Quite the athlete and see that he comes from Cumnock. A town that I've been to on numerous occasions, as my family knew people there and not far from my roots at Peak Hill.

 

[Long Term Fan]

All the best son and hopefully you take this opportunity with two hands.

Didn't Brooks years ago debut against the Dragons. Probably his best game (lol)

 

[TheDaBoss]

just a bench warmer it seems

 

[WswWt]

Dopey

 

[TheDaBoss]

Dopey

harsh mate

 

[Demps]

3 minute debut.

Poor move by the coach.

 

[Batmans Parents]

harsh mate

Very. He was put in a bad position by that complete moron, Noddy.

Who waits until the final three minutes of a tie game to debut someone??

 

[Tim Sheens]

harsh mate

The dropped ball, yeah, harsh.

Giving up on the play and letting them run good metres on the back of it, wasn't.

 

[TYGA]

Very. He was put in a bad position by that complete moron, Noddy.

Who waits until the final three minutes of a tie game to debut someone??

Completely agree

 

[Demps]

Very. He was put in a bad position by that complete moron, Noddy.

Who waits until the final three minutes of a tie game to debut someone??

Mind boggling.

Noddy is so far out of his depth.

A lot of low IQ players in this team also.