Solomon Alaimalo #283

First game gitters
Broncos first up
give him a couple more games we can’t keep changing players , we need to work as a unit
 
Buttface said:
Did you see him shy away from the footy in case it hit him in the face in reggies? He looked scared of the ball.
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nope, only seen him play in the trials, was pretty decent in that limited time he had, i recall everyone sucking him off in the comments after the trials. Remember he was tall and looked better then any other winger weve played this year. Maybe hes shit, maybe he isnt but weve played plenty of crap on the wing before. At least give him a crack, got zero at stake, seasons over now.
 

Tigers' Super Rugby convert finds balance on NRL path​

By George Clarke
Updated May 3 2024 - 10:05am, first published 10:00am
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Solomon Alaimalo has faced far bigger battles than adjusting from Super Rugby to the NRL. (Brett Costello/AAP PHOTOS)

Solomon Alaimalo has faced far bigger battles than adjusting from Super Rugby to the NRL. (Brett Costello/AAP PHOTOS)

The challenge of switching from Super Rugby to the NRL is nothing compared to the battle with anxiety and depression new Wests Tigers winger Solomon Alaimalo has had to overcome.
Alaimalo made his NRL debut for the Tigers against Brisbane last week and has retained his spot for Saturday's meeting with Canterbury.
Prior to 2024, the 28-year-old, who played Super Rugby with the Chiefs and Highlanders, had only featured in one game of league, turning out in an amateur game back in his hometown of Christchurch.

But adapting to the NRL seems small fry when compared to the internal struggles Alaimalo had to overcome earlier on in his professional career.
The winger went public with his diagnosis in 2021, revealing how poor performances would lead to suicidal thoughts.
"That was probably a low point and I realised I had to get the help I needed," Alaimalo told AAP.

"I had so much on my mind, I wanted to share how I was feeling.
"I didn't know how to express my feelings, but I've found something that works.
"In the early stage of my career I'd take a lot of my baggage home and I've come to realise footy is a big part of my life, but not my whole life."
Alaimalo says he has received psychological help and believes it has helped him understand how to find a balance in life.

"That brought up some stuff from my childhood that had a big impact on why I was the way I was," Alaimalo explained.
The winger took those steps before doors began to open for him in the NRL.
The New Zealander was an avid follower of both codes, singling out Tigers coach Benji Marshall and former Warriors fullback Brent Webb as his earliest idols.
"My old man loved State of Origin, he loved Joey Johns and had a NSW jersey and from there ... I started supporting Queensland," Alaimalo said.
"When I hang up the boots I didn't want to be sat there with any regrets for not taking an opportunity like this one.
"I caught up with a few of my old Super Rugby mates and they are asking, 'What's it like to be coached by Benji?'

"I knew it was going to be challenging but you've got to make sure you're patient and soak everything in."
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Australian Associated Press
www.canberratimes.com.au

Tigers' Super Rugby convert finds balance on NRL path

Ex-Super Rugby winger Solomon Alaimalo has overcome struggles with his mental health to turn his hand to the...
www.canberratimes.com.au www.canberratimes.com.au
 
Still not sure what to make of this guy…

Terrible early against the Cowboys … good try finish in the first half …has some size which they desperately need…

He seems to lack confidence at times over the course of the game …im a little surprised at that given his age and prior Super Rugby experience …

I would still expect more than what he has shown ..but may as well give him a few more games and see if he can improve…
 
Worth persevering with, i know he dropped a bomb he made kyle felt look like Xavier Coates. Los cost high reward
 
Needs to learn to switch the ball from his right to his left as he's running. He was lucky Drinkwater made such a feeble attempt.

Some fine tuning, hardening his body with another preseason and more experience he will be good.
 
king_sirro said:
Needs to learn to switch the ball from his right to his left as he's running. He was lucky Drinkwater made such a feeble attempt.

Some fine tuning, hardening his body with another preseason and more experience he will be good.
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Agreed. Didn't join till late in the preseason right?
 
jadtiger said:
He had an awful first 15-20 minutes but to his credit he did a lot of good stuff after that,persevere with him for the rest of the year.He may just turn out decent
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Although much younger, Will Warbrick had some similar deficiencies early on in his league career.
With Tupou departing and the likelihood we will offload Naden due to poor performances, we desperately need some height in our outside backs, therefore we are desperately needing Alsimalo to iron out the deficiencies in his game and/or sign one or two other players with height and very good attacking and defending the high ball.
 
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Tom Shines said:
He seems to lack confidence at times over the course of the game …im a little surprised at that given his age and prior Super Rugby experience …
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He may be finding that his rugby experience cannot be relied upon for the NRL and those old instincts are more hinderance than help.
 
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