Stefano Utoikamanu #241

Papacito said:
At the end of the day, Stefano is still very much a rookie and has only played 33 matches.

He's a very long way off a leadership role and for mine, still needs time to establish himself as a first grader.

The club really needs a few experienced props to give him time to develop. Tamou is past his best and even Musgrove only has a fraction more experience than Stefano. With the exception of Twal, everyone else lacks experience.

You only need to look as far as blokes like Jamal Idris (60'ish games and an origin appearance with the dogs) to see how the weight of expectation can destroy some young fellas.
Click to expand...
I think he’s got more issues than that.

Arriba!
 

From ABC​

After struggling through 2022, Stefano Utoikamanu is poised to continue his rise​

Stefano Utoikamanu's path to the top, like that of most football prodigies, was supposed to be simple.

Key points:​

  • Stefano Utoikamanu will captain Wests Tigers in their trial match against the Warriors
  • The 22-year-old is counted as one of the best young forwards in rugby league
  • Utoikamanu was selected in an extended New South Wales Origin squad in 2021 before injury slowed him down last season

Three games off the bench in his rookie year? Check. A stellar sophomore campaign where he earned selection in an extended New South Wales Origin squad? Check.

In 2022, everything else that happens to players with Utoikamanu's promise was meant to keep happening.

Instead, the Tigers prop endured a high ankle sprain and a fractured wrist as he played just nine matches in the club's forgettable wooden spoon season.

Even when Utoikamanu, still counted as one of the best young forwards in the league, did take the field last season he never felt like himself.

"It was frustrating. I got injured early on, came back early then I had to take another break. I missed heaps of games and even the games I played I felt like I didn't play my best," Utoikamanu said.

"But I just want to put that behind me now.

"I was training a fair bit even before I came back, even when I was injured. I wanted to come back ready to go and I'm just keen to rip in and play."

Utoikamanu's work ethic is the stuff champions are made of – in his youth, he made a point of putting in extra training sessions on Christmas Day, just to try and find whatever edge he could.

It's part of the reason he's seen as a future leader at the Tigers and why he'll captain the side in their first trial of the year against the Warriors on Thursday night.

Even at 22, Utoikamanu wants to show the way for the Tigers pack, something he's eager to do in conjunction with star recruit David Klemmer.

"I want to stay healthy, that's the main thing. But I also want to be a leader of this pack, just like Klem is, I want to work with him to make this team better," Utoikamanu said.

"It's good to build a bit of a base for the year ahead, that's what I missed last year. I kept getting injured and it stuffed up my year but I'm really keen to start the year strong and go all the way."

Tim Sheens has chosen an inexperienced team for his first match back in charge but Utoikamanu's performance will be of particular interest for the veteran coach.

With a spot as Klemmer's front-row partner up for grabs, Utoikamanu will be looking to seize it with both hands and he knows that simple grunt work won't be enough for him to land the job.

Sheens and the Tigers have made no secret of the style they intend to play this season – there will be passes and plenty of them, regardless of who has the ball.

It's a welcome change for Utoikamanu after the bash-and-barge game he's played in the past.

"Sheensy's all about getting the basics right and everyone being able to play footy. Last year we didn't actually play too much footy if you get me, especially in the forwards – it was a lot of one-out stuff," Utoikamanu said.

"Sheensy is really trying to bring the passing into it, especially with the forwards, I need to pass a bit more myself.

"That's the footy we want to play, we want to have all options at all times."

The Tigers will also welcome back centre Tommy Taulau, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, for the match which will also mark the debut of new recruits Charlie Staines and Brandon Wakeham at fullback and halfback, respectively
 
If he stays injury free and gets some consistent games I reckon he will be a weapon this year.

We have Klemmer, IP, Pole & Stef who can all rip and tear. Then if Bateman finds form he might do the same. Joe O is a really good player as well.

I can't wait until the season starts.
 
You could tell he didn't have his match fitness in the games he did play last year, and then got a second injury just as he started stringing games together.
He's so young still and having Klemmer beside him will do wonder for his confidence and match preparation.
 
Earl said:
If he stays injury free and gets some consistent games I reckon he will be a weapon this year.

We have Klemmer, IP, Pole & Stef who can all rip and tear. Then if Bateman finds form he might do the same. Joe O is a really good player as well.

I can't wait until the season starts.
Click to expand...
Yep agree 100%. Just need a couple of backs to step up (my vote is on Tupou) and we are off to the races.
 
a fully fit Utoikamanu, Talau and Blore will go a long way towards helping us climb the ladder. the world is at Stefano's feet, delighted to see him made captain for this week. wouldn't surprise me to see him in the Blues squad again providing he remains injury free.
 
Who was the smart member who said Stefano would make a good captain 👍 I laughed...egg on my face.
NRL captain, na...but in the future, who knows.
 
Let’s just get him playing decent footy first.
He was very underwhelming last year.
 
jrtiger said:
a fully fit Utoikamanu, Talau and Blore will go a long way towards helping us climb the ladder
Click to expand...

On the field the only guy who has proven himself there is Stef. I wonder if the other two will show us something this year ? Atm to me they are both reserve graders.
 
Tigerwould said:

From ABC​

After struggling through 2022, Stefano Utoikamanu is poised to continue his rise​

Stefano Utoikamanu's path to the top, like that of most football prodigies, was supposed to be simple.

Key points:​

  • Stefano Utoikamanu will captain Wests Tigers in their trial match against the Warriors
  • The 22-year-old is counted as one of the best young forwards in rugby league
  • Utoikamanu was selected in an extended New South Wales Origin squad in 2021 before injury slowed him down last season

Three games off the bench in his rookie year? Check. A stellar sophomore campaign where he earned selection in an extended New South Wales Origin squad? Check.

In 2022, everything else that happens to players with Utoikamanu's promise was meant to keep happening.

Instead, the Tigers prop endured a high ankle sprain and a fractured wrist as he played just nine matches in the club's forgettable wooden spoon season.

Even when Utoikamanu, still counted as one of the best young forwards in the league, did take the field last season he never felt like himself.

"It was frustrating. I got injured early on, came back early then I had to take another break. I missed heaps of games and even the games I played I felt like I didn't play my best," Utoikamanu said.

"But I just want to put that behind me now.

"I was training a fair bit even before I came back, even when I was injured. I wanted to come back ready to go and I'm just keen to rip in and play."

Utoikamanu's work ethic is the stuff champions are made of – in his youth, he made a point of putting in extra training sessions on Christmas Day, just to try and find whatever edge he could.

It's part of the reason he's seen as a future leader at the Tigers and why he'll captain the side in their first trial of the year against the Warriors on Thursday night.

Even at 22, Utoikamanu wants to show the way for the Tigers pack, something he's eager to do in conjunction with star recruit David Klemmer.

"I want to stay healthy, that's the main thing. But I also want to be a leader of this pack, just like Klem is, I want to work with him to make this team better," Utoikamanu said.

"It's good to build a bit of a base for the year ahead, that's what I missed last year. I kept getting injured and it stuffed up my year but I'm really keen to start the year strong and go all the way."

Tim Sheens has chosen an inexperienced team for his first match back in charge but Utoikamanu's performance will be of particular interest for the veteran coach.

With a spot as Klemmer's front-row partner up for grabs, Utoikamanu will be looking to seize it with both hands and he knows that simple grunt work won't be enough for him to land the job.

Sheens and the Tigers have made no secret of the style they intend to play this season – there will be passes and plenty of them, regardless of who has the ball.

It's a welcome change for Utoikamanu after the bash-and-barge game he's played in the past.

"Sheensy's all about getting the basics right and everyone being able to play footy. Last year we didn't actually play too much footy if you get me, especially in the forwards – it was a lot of one-out stuff," Utoikamanu said.

"Sheensy is really trying to bring the passing into it, especially with the forwards, I need to pass a bit more myself.

"That's the footy we want to play, we want to have all options at all times."

The Tigers will also welcome back centre Tommy Taulau, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, for the match which will also mark the debut of new recruits Charlie Staines and Brandon Wakeham at fullback and halfback, respectively
Click to expand...
Well hopefully our speed men are ready to sit in our forwards hip pockets looking for offloads and lots of 2nd phase footy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 581 (members: 9, guests: 572)
Forever online: Tigergran, Geo
Back
Top