Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[hank37w]

They took him off the website though. For whatever reason, he’s gone.

Did someone say that the NRL controls the Club's web sites and have done so for a while now and as he is not currently contracted to us in any capacity the NRL may have removed him as a matter of course during an update.

Not really sure what the case is, I'm pretty sure @KingRobbie would know, he's our go to guy on these matters.

 

[KingRobbie]

Did someone say that the NRL controls the Club's web sites and have done so for a while now and as he is not currently contracted to us in any capacity the NRL may have removed him as a matter of course during an update.

Not really sure what the case is, I'm pretty sure @KingRobbie would know, he's our go to guy on these matters.

No info on this one mate.

Just would’ve thought that if he’s gone, he’d have popped up in an announcement at another club by now.

Should see in the next few weeks whether he’s at training or not.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Re Staines it makes sense he isn’t on the website as of Nov 1 he isn’t a Wests Tigers player. We won’t see him on Monday either (if he isn’t contracted or on trial agreement legally he can’t train with us).

Our squad is our squad will be interesting to see if any players actually move on over the next few weeks otherwise if Staines is waiting around I can’t see that he will be come Jan when preseason really pickups.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Twist in awkward Bulldogs saga; how Roosters’ Wallabies plot exposed Rugby blunder: Hoops

Twist in awkward Bulldogs saga; how Roosters’ Wallabies plot exposed Rugby blunder: Hoops

www.foxsports.com.au

Top and bottom article in Pooper's latest piece!

 

[hsvjones]

Twist in awkward Bulldogs saga; how Roosters’ Wallabies plot exposed Rugby blunder: Hoops

Twist in awkward Bulldogs saga; how Roosters’ Wallabies plot exposed Rugby blunder: Hoops

www.foxsports.com.au

Top and bottom article in Pooper's latest piece!

Hooper is like a kid the way he writes about Tigers.
He clearly has a personal vendetta of some kind and it clearly shows.

He won't have a job if the club turns around and starts winning.

 

[rugbygoated]

Twist in awkward Bulldogs saga; how Roosters’ Wallabies plot exposed Rugby blunder: Hoops

Twist in awkward Bulldogs saga; how Roosters’ Wallabies plot exposed Rugby blunder: Hoops

www.foxsports.com.au

Top and bottom article in Pooper's latest piece!

This all but confirms Luai isn't coming. Hooper is always wrong. What I do find interesting though is people saying we have enough halves. Sullivan on 500K will get first crack. The other two guys (Large, Fainu) are huge talents but how many huge talents have turned out to be not up to scratch in first grade? Sezer is 33 next year so I doubt he plays on in 2025. If we did sign Luai, he gets one halves spot and the other halves spot goes to the player who works hardest. People acting like competition for halves positions is a bad thing. There's no way an untested and unproven combination of youngsters is the way forward. Which is why Sezer is there only for next year. Look at each halves combo in the NRL. Successful ones are ones with a veteran and a young talent. Foran has improved Titans so much. SJ at the Warriors with young Metcalf. Hynes with Moylan, Keary with Sam Walker.

 

[jrtiger]

This all but confirms Luai isn't coming. Hooper is always wrong. What I do find interesting though is people saying we have enough halves. Sullivan on 500K will get first crack. The other two guys (Large, Fainu) are huge talents but how many huge talents have turned out to be not up to scratch in first grade? Sezer is 33 next year so I doubt he plays on in 2025. If we did sign Luai, he gets one halves spot and the other halves spot goes to the player who works hardest. People acting like competition for halves positions is a bad thing. There's no way an untested and unproven combination of youngsters is the way forward. Which is why Sezer is there only for next year. Look at each halves combo in the NRL. Successful ones are ones with a veteran and a young talent. Foran has improved Titans so much. SJ at the Warriors with young Metcalf. Hynes with Moylan, Keary with Sam Walker.

Large is still ages away and will likely come into grade via the backline. Luai for 3-4 years gives him time to understand what is required in first grade. I completely agree that competition for spots is important though, will bring out the best in all potential candidates.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

There’s no breaking news in that article. We‘re going to make a play and probably be able to outbid any other club. And he‘s close to Api. Nothing I haven’t read on the forum for the last month.

 

[rugbygoated]

Large is still ages away and will likely come into grade via the backline. Luai for 3-4 years gives him time to understand what is required in first grade. I completely agree that competition for spots is important though, will bring out the best in all potential candidates.

100%. People need to look at what penrith did with their juniors. They had a heap of halves (couldn't keep them all) but still found a way to reduce weaknesses in the team. Burton (who I don't even think is a half) was moved to centre at penrith because they know what's best for the team to be successful. He won Dally M centre of the year in 2021 and scored the first try of the grand final playing off Luai. Penrith lost talented youngster Isaiya Katoa, Puru, among other halves but as a system they found a way. We have a huge talent pool and a large untapped area of Western Sydney down Campbelltown way that needs to be utilised. Penrith's reserve grade side for the past few years has been killing it as well. And when they get to top grade their rookies aren't hung out to dry because they adapt so well. We don't have that luxury, so signing someone on the market like Luai would be a bonus

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

100%. People need to look at what penrith did with their juniors. They had a heap of halves (couldn't keep them all) but still found a way to reduce weaknesses in the team. Burton (who I don't even think is a half) was moved to centre at penrith because they know what's best for the team to be successful. He won Dally M centre of the year in 2021 and scored the first try of the grand final playing off Luai. Penrith lost talented youngster Isaiya Katoa, Puru, among other halves but as a system they found a way. We have a huge talent pool and a large untapped area of Western Sydney down Campbelltown way that needs to be utilised. Penrith's reserve grade side for the past few years has been killing it as well. And when they get to top grade their rookies aren't hung out to dry because they adapt so well. We don't have that luxury, so signing someone on the market like Luai would be a bonus

Just had a quick look at how Luai progressed through the grades.

He played in Penrith's premiership NYC team of 2015 aged 18:
https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/news/2015/09/29/nyc-teamlist-grand-final/

Leota & Fisher-Harris also in that team (as well as Naden at fullback).

Played in Penrith's premiership NSW Cup team of 2017 aged 20:

Roos v Panthers

Wyong Roos versus Penrith Panthers NSW Cup match centre includes live scores and updates. Includes official live player and team stats. Run metres, fantasy points scoring.

www.nswrl.com.au

Kikau & Leota in that team.

Then debuted at 21 in 2018.

 

[Lestronge]

This all but confirms Luai isn't coming. Hooper is always wrong. What I do find interesting though is people saying we have enough halves. Sullivan on 500K will get first crack. The other two guys (Large, Fainu) are huge talents but how many huge talents have turned out to be not up to scratch in first grade? Sezer is 33 next year so I doubt he plays on in 2025. If we did sign Luai, he gets one halves spot and the other halves spot goes to the player who works hardest. People acting like competition for halves positions is a bad thing. There's no way an untested and unproven combination of youngsters is the way forward. Which is why Sezer is there only for next year. Look at each halves combo in the NRL. Successful ones are ones with a veteran and a young talent. Foran has improved Titans so much. SJ at the Warriors with young Metcalf. Hynes with Moylan, Keary with Sam Walker.

I think when people say that , they mean “we have signed all these young unproven halves, what’s the point in giving Latu Fainu 400k if we are going to give his place to Luai” which kind of makes sense . I guess he’s either the future or he’s not .
But I also think a few months is an eternity in elite sports , and I don’t think anyone thought the Panthers would prioritise Edward’s over Luai. But yea … here we are .
I personally have no idea , I’m just wary of Luai because his playing style is very reminiscent of our last major half signing in Josh Reynolds .
I honestly think we are obligated to give Fainu and Bud first crack . But it will be a very short leash I’d imagine , with one eye on Luai .

 

[rugbygoated]

I think when people say that , they mean “we have signed all these young unproven halves, what’s the point in giving Latu Fainu 400k if we are going to give his place to Luai” which kind of makes sense . I guess he’s either the future or he’s not .
But I also think a few months is an eternity in elite sports , and I don’t think anyone thought the Panthers would prioritise Edward’s over Luai. But yea … here we are .
I personally have no idea , I’m just wary of Luai because his playing style is very reminiscent of our last major half signing in Josh Reynolds .
I honestly think we are obligated to give Fainu and Bud first crack . But it will be a very short leash I’d imagine , with one eye on Luai .

That's true. Think it's a bit of a risk to sign someone on big money like that who hasn't played NRL yet. Luai is very different to Reynolds. Both niggly but Luai is more of a moments player whereas Reynolds is a hard worker. I also think Reynolds already hit his peak when he left bulldogs. Luai hasn't hit his peak as an individual player

 

[BAGNF05]

Last. They do factor in other things besides the cattle as well. 🙂

Appointing Sheens was the like asking Harold Holt to govern the country effectively after his swim.

The jury is out on Benji. I wish him every success and there are some positive reports with how he gets on with the players. I am still to be convinced.

Coaching the Tigers is like swimming out into a tsunami to find Harold.

 

[BAGNF05]

The only explanation for Staines is that he must still be struggling with that bowel injury. He’s too good of a player not to have a contract at this time of year. It’s not like he’s Brandon Wakeham.

Coaches want wingers who help out in the yardage game in the modern NRL. It’s why Bevan French is unlikely to return home.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Coaches want wingers who help out in the yardage game in the modern NRL. It’s why Bevan French is unlikely to return home.

Staines has a track record of not doing any dirty work. Tupou is heading down that track too.

 

[BAGNF05]

Hooper is like a kid the way he writes about Tigers.
He clearly has a personal vendetta of some kind and it clearly shows.

He won't have a job if the club turns around and starts winning.

He is actually a disgruntled fan. There are many thousands like him.

 

[BAGNF05]

Staines has a track record of not doing any dirty work. Tupou is heading down that track too.

Too slight, gets smashed.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

Too slight, gets smashed.

Staines had the 2nd highest meters per game last year just behind Bula. He actually does pretty well at either finding a hole or getting to ground quickly if he's going backwards.
You don't have to be massive to make meters at the back, look at Dylan Edwards, he beats the first defender everytime it's crazy.

 

[BAGNF05]

Staines had the 2nd highest meters per game last year just behind Bula. He actually does pretty well at either finding a hole or getting to ground quickly if he's going backwards.
You don't have to be massive to make meters at the back, look at Dylan Edwards, he beats the first defender everytime it's crazy.

Edwards actually weighs 94kg, he’s not that slight.

Staines submits in tackles which causes very slow PTB’s. I wouldn’t resign him on anything near what he’s been on.

 

[Leck]

The NRL dictatorship controls these pages and profiles. The clubs have very little control over their website, the NRL mandates that websites are identical. Absolute control freaks.

That's not correct. Teams do create their own content however it has to be approved by the NRL before going live.

Whilst the NRL continues to fund teams they have every right to ensure that the branding looks consistent. That's marketing 101, and it happens across all major sporting leagues around the world.