Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Ice say's he staying


Wests Tigers forward Isaiah Papali'i has shut down rumours of a potential return to Parramatta, reaffirming his commitment to the struggling club for 2024 and beyond.

The back-rower moved to Concord on a lucrative deal at the beginning of this season, coming from a grand final team in the Eels to a side likely to finish with the dreaded NRL wooden spoon.

Papali'i has been regarded as one of the best edge forwards in the competition in recent years, but the nature of the Tigers' struggles has stopped the Kiwi star from making any significant impact.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a reunion with Brad Arthur and company next year, despite having two years remaining on his deal with the Tigers.

MORE: JWH cops seven-game NRL suspension | Cleary opens up on potential code switch

Tigers star Isaiah Papali'i shuts down Eels return rumours​

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the explosive second-rower addressed the speculation regarding his NRL future and admitted any potential walkout wouldn't sit well with him.

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“I’ve been hearing about the rumours… I heard it through social media and people sending it to me," Papali'i said.

"I just told them those are rumours for a reason, I want to finish this season here and leave that stuff to all those people in the media talking about it. That’s rumours and not coming from me.

"I don’t want to be the guy that’s only been here for a year and kind of cops out on it after a tough season. I’m really looking forward to 2024 and hopefully we can turn this club around.

“It’s not fair on anyone… I haven’t even given myself a proper opportunity to make a statement at this club and that’s something I want to do. I believe we are heading in the right direction.

"Obviously it’s been a rollercoaster of a season. You need to go through those dark times to come out and obviously learn from it - we’re definitely gonna grow."

Papali'i has crossed for two tries in 22 appearances this year, while his output in both attack and defence has been down from last season with the Eels.

With the Tigers staring down the barrel of a second-straight wooden spoon, Papali'i admitted the transition from success to a long-term rebuild approach hasn't all been smooth sailing.

“I guess the transition was hard, but I knew the challenge was there when I signed up," he said.

"I knew when I was coming here that it wasn’t the same team that I had there, and I had to rebuild the chemistry, whether it was with my halves or the middles.

"We struggled throughout the year, but I’ve had an opportunity to get comfortable around this club and hopefully I can take another step forward in my own game and contribute a bit more to the team."

Isaiah Papali'i 2023 NRL stats​

Games22
Tries2
Linebreaks3
Linebreak Assists2
Tackle Breaks65
Offloads19
Avg. Run Metres116m
Avg. Tackles32
Tackle Efficiency94%
 
Lee & Pascoe's #1 Hater said:
What is our hooker depth looking like if Simpkin leaves after this season? Api historically has one injury a year but is otherwise durable. Ngatikaura doesn't look to be FG standard. Da Silva is still a kid and we will be putting a lot of pressure on him if Simpkin goes.
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Wouldn't be surprised if next season our hooker plan is #1 Api , #2 Da Silva & #3 an external recruit utility like Kurt Falls or Jayden Nikorima who can play hooker & halves.
 
851 said:
Ice say's he staying


Wests Tigers forward Isaiah Papali'i has shut down rumours of a potential return to Parramatta, reaffirming his commitment to the struggling club for 2024 and beyond.

The back-rower moved to Concord on a lucrative deal at the beginning of this season, coming from a grand final team in the Eels to a side likely to finish with the dreaded NRL wooden spoon.

Papali'i has been regarded as one of the best edge forwards in the competition in recent years, but the nature of the Tigers' struggles has stopped the Kiwi star from making any significant impact.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a reunion with Brad Arthur and company next year, despite having two years remaining on his deal with the Tigers.

MORE: JWH cops seven-game NRL suspension | Cleary opens up on potential code switch

Tigers star Isaiah Papali'i shuts down Eels return rumours​

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the explosive second-rower addressed the speculation regarding his NRL future and admitted any potential walkout wouldn't sit well with him.

500KG Loading Motorcycle Scissor Lifter Motorbike Jack Lift Hoist Platform
Ad
Amazon AU
“I’ve been hearing about the rumours… I heard it through social media and people sending it to me," Papali'i said.

"I just told them those are rumours for a reason, I want to finish this season here and leave that stuff to all those people in the media talking about it. That’s rumours and not coming from me.

"I don’t want to be the guy that’s only been here for a year and kind of cops out on it after a tough season. I’m really looking forward to 2024 and hopefully we can turn this club around.

“It’s not fair on anyone… I haven’t even given myself a proper opportunity to make a statement at this club and that’s something I want to do. I believe we are heading in the right direction.

"Obviously it’s been a rollercoaster of a season. You need to go through those dark times to come out and obviously learn from it - we’re definitely gonna grow."

Papali'i has crossed for two tries in 22 appearances this year, while his output in both attack and defence has been down from last season with the Eels.

With the Tigers staring down the barrel of a second-straight wooden spoon, Papali'i admitted the transition from success to a long-term rebuild approach hasn't all been smooth sailing.

“I guess the transition was hard, but I knew the challenge was there when I signed up," he said.

"I knew when I was coming here that it wasn’t the same team that I had there, and I had to rebuild the chemistry, whether it was with my halves or the middles.

"We struggled throughout the year, but I’ve had an opportunity to get comfortable around this club and hopefully I can take another step forward in my own game and contribute a bit more to the team."

Isaiah Papali'i 2023 NRL stats​

Games22
Tries2
Linebreaks3
Linebreak Assists2
Tackle Breaks65
Offloads19
Avg. Run Metres116m
Avg. Tackles32
Tackle Efficiency94%
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Papali'i will play better with better halves. The effort was there this season. What he missed was the space that Moses gave him.
 
Roar_Power said:
All the guys you listed are better than Toa.
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Give me To'a any day over the overrated and lazy Suli.

To'a is quite underrated by some here. All of our outside backs and second rowers look like rubbish with our current attacking style and halves.

We need to find a way to unlock Tupou, Bula, To'a and Papali'i. They can all attack well, but are being underused.
 
weststigerman said:
Give me To'a any day over the overrated and lazy Suli.

To'a is quite underrated by some here. All of our outside backs and second rowers look like rubbish with our current attacking style and halves.

We need to find a way to unlock Tupou, Bula, To'a and Papali'i. They can all attack well, but are being underused.
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Spot on..hopefully decent halves next year will do that
 
weststigerman said:
Give me To'a any day over the overrated and lazy Suli.

To'a is quite underrated by some here. All of our outside backs and second rowers look like rubbish with our current attacking style and halves.

We need to find a way to unlock Tupou, Bula, To'a and Papali'i. They can all attack well, but are being underused.
Click to expand...

Yea I'm surprised how badly rated Toa is on here. I have certainly been critical of his effort at times. He really needs to fix his attitude to hard work in a game, but at the same time I always acknowledge he has the ability to be one of the best centres in the game. We have no one that can break the line like he can.

We have to find a way that switches him on mentally. Definite keeper for now.
 
king_sirro said:
Yea I'm surprised how badly rated Toa is on here. I have certainly been critical of his effort at times. He really needs to fix his attitude to hard work in a game, but at the same time I always acknowledge he has the ability to be one of the best centres in the game. We have no one that can break the line like he can.

We have to find a way that switches him on mentally. Definite keeper for now.
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The only player in our squad who can consistently beat defenders one on one.
 
I think reason Justin Olam is many weeks in ressies is because he originally got injured and that gave Marion Seve his chance and he's been killing it ,in great form and with Smith and Warbrick and Coates all regular 1st graders there is no spot .Now with Papenhausen back and they will never drop their fullback Meaney .Its hard for Olam to get back
Albeit this week is exception with their top 4 locked up and half the team rested he's back this week but only for one game
IMO he's a powerful center and going thru Storm system knows defensive structures
If he's surplus to Storms needs then why can't we do a deal . I assume Jimmy Ngatlik will be right for 2024 and this guy has speed .I would love us to have a PNG edge Olam and Ngatlik ! IMO Toa is the only half decent center we have .Naden is a crock and Reilly is so so ! Although would love it if Feledy makes it in the big time .Douehi recuperation is so long don't expect him before 2025 .
 
weststigerman said:
Give me To'a any day over the overrated and lazy Suli.

To'a is quite underrated by some here. All of our outside backs and second rowers look like rubbish with our current attacking style and halves.

We need to find a way to unlock Tupou, Bula, To'a and Papali'i. They can all attack well, but are being underused.
Click to expand...
To'a and Tupou both have x factor. Than can turn an ounce of space into chaos for opposing defences. Again, it all comes back to our lackluster halves. All we can do is pray that Sezer/Sullivan/Fainu can bring these guys into the game more.
 
Lee & Pascoe's #1 Hater said:
To'a and Tupou both have x factor. Than can turn an ounce of space into chaos for opposing defences. Again, it all comes back to our lackluster halves. All we can do is pray that Sezer/Sullivan/Fainu can bring these guys into the game more.
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It doesn’t all come down to the halves in regard to those two.
They both have enormous deficiencies in their games. The very occasional X-factor attacking play keeps them in first grade…wrongfully.
Both are reserve graders at this stage of their careers.
 
Tiger-ferret said:
weststigerman said:
Give me To'a any day over the overrated and lazy Suli.

To'a is quite underrated by some here. All of our outside backs and second rowers look like rubbish with our current attacking style and halves.

We need to find a way to unlock Tupou, Bula, To'a and Papali'i. They can all attack well, but are being underused.
Click to expand...
I am sorry to disagree about TOA! He has had one good game against the Cowboys. They had players that night who were SOO players protecting themselves from injury and didn't put their bodies on the line. For me TOA is a bit of a myth and if we can get OLAM then sign him up ASAP.
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Ok
 
Olam is in reggies because his defence has been down this year. Going by NRL website 105 tackles made 32 missed, tackle efficiency 76%.

As a comparison Toa is 238 tackles made 36 missed, efficiency 86%. Naden 80%, Kepaoa 85%, Talau 77%

(I know he brings more to the table in the way of attack)
 
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