uppatigers
New member
At this point manly and tigers might aswell just merge
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
sure as eggs, .....................
LeichhardtTiger
Well-known member
2023 was the preseason for 2024. 🤣 🥃
Smart kid
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
The kids hurt the most.
Sully
Well-known member
Parramatta 38 years since they won a premiership which is even better
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
They did it in style though. 3peat.
Sully
Well-known member
No mate they won 1986. 1981, 82 and 83 was their 3 peat.
Damn it. Wishful thinking
Samoan and NSW front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu will abandon a top-eight get-out clause and pledge long-term loyalty to Wests Tigers - but has implored his embattled club to stop leaking to the media.
Utoikamanu, preparing for Saturday night’s Test match against Australia in Townsville, revealed a desire to renounce a contract clause stating he was free to leave Concord after next season if Wests Tigers failed to reach the finals.
It is a tremendous pick-me-up for the floundering club, who have commissioned a full review into another season of on-field failure.
While adamant he wanted to re-sign out of loyalty, Utoikamanu took a swipe at his club and at those divulging private club information to the media.
This masthead has been told that Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is becoming increasingly frustrated at the constant off-field dramas and headlines, fearing it may impact on recruitment and retention.
“Keeping everything in-house and not leaking will definitely help – not putting everything out to the media,” Utoikamanu said.
Wests Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu pledges loyalty to the club. Picture: NRL Photos
“We don’t help ourselves that much. Not just players but us as a club.
“It just hard – the whole thing – there’s probably too much coming out about us and it’s obviously not good.
“I feel like our club is in the media more than it would like to be. It’s not the best.
“The media bags us a bit too much – it’s not a good feeling. As players, we haven’t helped because we haven’t been getting the results everyone wants.”
Despite the constant drama at Concord, Utoikamanu – who played a game for NSW this year – wants to re-sign.
Although he has a clause, the giant prop officially comes off contract after 2025.
“No, I’ll be at the Tigers - I’ll be at the Tigers,” Utoikamanu repeated. “I want to stay there, that’s where I want to be, yeah.
“This is the club that gave me the opportunity to play rugby league at the highest level, in the NRL.
“Back at my old club (Parramatta), I didn’t get the same opportunity.
New Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty
“I just want to give back (repay Wests Tigers loyalty).”
Utoikamanu embedded his desire to stay by praising the appointment of Benji Marshall as head coach.
“It will be good for us next year to have a fresh start. It’s probably what we need,” he said.
“Bringing Benji in, and him having this year under ‘Sheensy’ (Tim Sheens) will help him too, to understand what it’s like to be a head coach. I’m pretty excited to go into next year with Benji as coach.”
Angry fans are jeopardising Benji’s debut season
Contract status of the top 50 under-23 NRL stars
Key stakeholders continue being interviewed for the club’s review with findings expected to be handed down in December.
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis and club CEO Justin Pascoe remain under pressure to retain their positions.
Utoikamanu is preparing for Samoa’s Test against Australia in Townsville this Saturday night.
Originally published as NRL 2023: Wests Tigers star warns club over in-house media leaks, shuts door on release clause
Utoikamanu, preparing for Saturday night’s Test match against Australia in Townsville, revealed a desire to renounce a contract clause stating he was free to leave Concord after next season if Wests Tigers failed to reach the finals.
It is a tremendous pick-me-up for the floundering club, who have commissioned a full review into another season of on-field failure.
While adamant he wanted to re-sign out of loyalty, Utoikamanu took a swipe at his club and at those divulging private club information to the media.
This masthead has been told that Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is becoming increasingly frustrated at the constant off-field dramas and headlines, fearing it may impact on recruitment and retention.
“Keeping everything in-house and not leaking will definitely help – not putting everything out to the media,” Utoikamanu said.
Wests Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu pledges loyalty to the club. Picture: NRL Photos
“We don’t help ourselves that much. Not just players but us as a club.
“It just hard – the whole thing – there’s probably too much coming out about us and it’s obviously not good.
“I feel like our club is in the media more than it would like to be. It’s not the best.
“The media bags us a bit too much – it’s not a good feeling. As players, we haven’t helped because we haven’t been getting the results everyone wants.”
Despite the constant drama at Concord, Utoikamanu – who played a game for NSW this year – wants to re-sign.
Although he has a clause, the giant prop officially comes off contract after 2025.
“No, I’ll be at the Tigers - I’ll be at the Tigers,” Utoikamanu repeated. “I want to stay there, that’s where I want to be, yeah.
“This is the club that gave me the opportunity to play rugby league at the highest level, in the NRL.
“Back at my old club (Parramatta), I didn’t get the same opportunity.
New Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty
“I just want to give back (repay Wests Tigers loyalty).”
Utoikamanu embedded his desire to stay by praising the appointment of Benji Marshall as head coach.
“It will be good for us next year to have a fresh start. It’s probably what we need,” he said.
“Bringing Benji in, and him having this year under ‘Sheensy’ (Tim Sheens) will help him too, to understand what it’s like to be a head coach. I’m pretty excited to go into next year with Benji as coach.”
More Coverage
Angry fans are jeopardising Benji’s debut seasonContract status of the top 50 under-23 NRL starsKey stakeholders continue being interviewed for the club’s review with findings expected to be handed down in December.
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis and club CEO Justin Pascoe remain under pressure to retain their positions.
Utoikamanu is preparing for Samoa’s Test against Australia in Townsville this Saturday night.
Originally published as NRL 2023: Wests Tigers star warns club over in-house media leaks, shuts door on release clause
Whatever else we might think of the club's prospects it's encouraging that the players we actually want to keep seem to be bought in and aren't trying to leave. Koroisau, Bula and now Utoikamanu - you could make a case that they are literally the only three players on our 2023 roster that other clubs would actually covet.
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
He's correct. We need to be united as a club and not present as a rabble where many feel they have an entitlement to speak publicly.
Tucker
Well-known member
Good to hear Steph verbally committing.
Good to hear Steph give the club a kick in the arse for always leaking dirty laundry.
Interesting that he used the media to deliver said kick up the arse.
Good to hear Steph give the club a kick in the arse for always leaking dirty laundry.
Interesting that he used the media to deliver said kick up the arse.
tigertragic
Well-known member
2022 was tanked to prepare for 2023 🤦♂️
gallagher
Well-known member
Bit if irony there hey.
tony soprano
Well-known member
He just needs some more quality players to help.
Exactly right.
Are a large portion of these players already with us, that’s the million dollar question.
The media is trying to paint us as having a toxic environment with lots of infighting, but if this is the case then why are players like Api and Stef committing to us? It's pretty clear that the players are buying into the culture of the club.
Really seems like we're turning a corner, but I know not to get my hopes up!
Really seems like we're turning a corner, but I know not to get my hopes up!
earl
Well-known member
I'm far from convinced. A player who is on big dollars and who hasn't delivered on his potential yet complaining about leaking to the media whilst whining to the media.
It sounds to me like it's Benji's team but can he coach ? Will he make the right recruitment and retention decisions.
Sheens was put off to pasture early and surely Benji was right behind that.
Benji has also been a massive sook who likes everything his way. Can you remember when he was tapped on the shoulder and was sooking when they were trying to give him a send off.
I love Benji and I like his passion but it's time to step up and be an adult. Start behaving professionally and maybe when guys re-sign they'll state they love the club and want to stay and win games and that is all they'll say.
