Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[batboy]

No one saw Asitasi james making grade last year . Even though he was very raw . I’d say if Miller makes the jump , as I’m sure everyone at the club is hoping he can , then that’s plenty of depth really . Twal, Klem, Stef, Pole , Seyfarth ( I know people don’t rate him because he can plod , but he really does a lot of clean up work , and provides energy off the bench . A perfect player 18-30 front rower. Do a job , but if he’s in your top 17 week to week , you’re in trouble) , Matamua ( Grab that 13 jersey Matamua !! Everyone in and around the club wants you too) , Lualiii, Faagatu at a pinch . That’s 8 players not including Miller , who’s top 30. So 9 really . A huge chunk of the squad allocated to the middle there . But you’re right , there’s a real drop off after the top 4 . It’s why Matamua grabbing that 13 jersey will go a huge way to Easing that angst .. Do it Matamua !!!

Anyone who says they’ve seen anything in Matamua to suggest he’s a starting NRL player (especially at Lock) is flat out
lying to themselves…

 

[Camel2281]

Sounds exactly like BJ Leilua when we signed him.

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

 

[Camel2281]

Probably saw how Valynce Te Whare was playing for the Dolphins in 2023

And he got picked ahead of Aiken who someone on here suggested we sign

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

We have far less forward depth than some may think.

Agree
I think we are a starting lock & backrow depth short currently

The depth in front row & hooker is ok.

Guess it’s time for kids to step up & see what they are made of.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

He is also somewhat as stubborn as BJ though.

 

[Roar_Power]

Its almost offensive to put Olam in the BJ Leilua category of has-beens

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

And he got picked ahead of Aiken who someone on here suggested we sign

Not as a top 13 starter but as a cheap experienced utility to cover centre & backrow.

Brings experience, generally good defence & reportedly very good work ethic. I liked his performances in the backrow at the Warriors in '22.

We have to manage the cap & experience in the squad and I reckon Aiken can provide value (more than AJ).

 

[Bula]

Really poor analogy

Cantona won 4 EPL titles out of the 5 seasons he was at ManU.

Before he joined them they hadn’t won it in 24 seasons .

The fly kick came at the end of the 5 seasons .

Blore isn’t in the same universe .

Cantona - the shit that hit the fan.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

You can imagine Olam having a beer or two with Munster.

 

[AL The Tiger]

Really poor analogy

Cantona won 4 EPL titles out of the 5 seasons he was at ManU.

Before he joined them they hadn’t won it in 24 seasons .

The fly kick came at the end of the 5 seasons .

Blore isn’t in the same universe .

Honestly couldn't believe what I was reading re Cantona...

 

[loklok]

Anyone who says they’ve seen anything in Matamua to suggest he’s a starting NRL player (especially at Lock) is flat out
lying to themselves…

He really needs to show something this year .

 

[Juice]

Olams defensive reads last year were awful, hopefully he can get back to his best… don’t think Bellamy would be trying so hard to get him off the books if he thought he could tho

 

[weststigerman]

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

Not comparing personalities, I'm comparing the scenarios.

No one deserves to have their personality compared with BJ.

 

[CornerPost]

Think Olam will only end up being here for 2 out of the 3 years. So a subsidised first 2 years could work well.

Rumour is PNG team to be announced this year for 2026 entry. Olam would be a lock to be signed as an inaugural player and I'm sure we'll be happy to release him for 2026 with 1 year left on the contract.

Great point..

 

[Tito Santana]

Honestly couldn't believe what I was reading re Cantona...

Case in point. I only remember him for fly kicking someone. Same way as I only remember Blore for tackling Brown…and it wasn’t even that good.

Pathetic.

Long live King Olam. Hey that sounds like a goer for merchandise.

Tito - you’ve done it again! Marketing genius!

 

[gregjm87]

And he got picked ahead of Aiken who someone on here suggested we sign

No he didn't. I'm not in favour of signing Aitken but at no stage was Te Whare picked ahead of him.

 

[innsaneink]

Not as a top 13 starter but as a cheap experienced utility to cover centre & backrow.

Brings experience, generally good defence & reportedly very good work ethic. I liked his performances in the backrow at the Warriors in '22.

We have to manage the cap & experience in the squad and I reckon Aiken can provide value (more than AJ).

Yeah hes not that bad
He cops Anasta style criticism for why I dunno
He wouldnt be my first choice but theres plenty worse
Hes inconsistent and has been throughout his carreer for whatever reason, but
Ive seen some really tough play from him at times

 

[gregjm87]

Yeah hes not that bad
He cops Anasta style criticism for why I dunno
He wouldnt be my first choice but theres plenty worse
Hes inconsistent and has been throughout his carreer for whatever reason, but
Ive seen some really tough play from him at times

Good defender and often does a lot of tough carries but just offers no attacking threat at all. Not quick, not a power runner, can't step, can't pass.
I don't hate him as a depth signing but there would have to be better options.

 

[Buttface]

I also like Blore and think he's a really good prop off the bench who can also play longer minutes. Disappointed we lost him but still think he's in our top 17 for next season and helps with the depth of our squad. Strange to me that we want seyfarth and have let blore go.

Bcoz nobody wants Sayfart.
Bellend can see Blore has a higher ceiling if he can stay on the park and probably reckon his mob can do that better than ours, and he’s a hard worker and Bellend will love that

 

[tigerman 0]

Since last season when we signed all those forwards and it was apparent our backs were crap, we have gone from Brooks, Doeuhi, Wakeham to Sezer, Sullivan, Fainu.
A million times better.

Then in the outside backs i know we don’t have any superstars (apart from Bula who is great) but at least we have options.
Bula
Naden
Nofa
Lobb
Toa
Staines

At the very least it will create competition