Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

All the good stuff about our huge new signing has been removed!

As a few other alluded to, if it was in the slightest way true it would need to be for 2025, no point waiting on an ageing injury proned fullback to turn 30 before signing him.
As many know I don’t believe Bula can deliver what we need as a fullback anytime soon, so I believe signing a star quality fullback would improve us dramatically as a team, but if it was not an option for 2025, I’d be very hesitant in replacing a young improving fullback in Bula, with someone who is ageing, heavily relies on their speed but slowing down etc

 

[Tigertragic83]

I trust that Luai has this skill set; however, he appears to be a high energy go forward type player as well. However, as he plays in a dominant Penrith system it may well be that we just haven't seen that side of him much.

I don't think we need to wait for Luai, this is something that can be done right now. It is not hard to find touch if you are flagging. A 40/20 or 20/40 is harder to execute; but, if it doesn't come off is always effective (with a good kick and chase) because it means the kick is not down the throat of one of the back three.

We simply don't manage the flow of the game when we have the pill; and we won't start winning until we do.

100% you only have needed to have watched parra last night, and The difference game management made there. Good kick at the end of the set where the chasers have time to bash the fullback and get back onside is a momentum changer. We look absolutely rudderless without sezer, which is terrifying because he wasnt that good prior to suspension. When we beat the sharks sezer was tormenting them with his kicking game.

 

[Tim Sheens]

He could not get back the ten metres when defending while playing SG Ball during the hotter weather earlier in the season, but has made a big improvement while playing NSW Cup recently. Not sure if he’s trimmed down and improved his stamina or it’s the cooler weather that is helping, maybe both.
I watched Royce Hunt closely last night and his aggression and impact is up there with the best props in the game, but noticed sometimes it took him 3-4 tackles to get back on side following an Eels kick chase.
The point I’m making is Miller will most likely never be someone capable of playing average to long minutes, but if he can simply get himself at the aerobic capacity good enough to not be a defensive liability, he could be a lot closer than we think to being an impact player capable of playing NRL in 15-20 minute spurts.
In addition to this Stefano is extremely fit and mobile for a big man, he is also a very strong and reliable defender.
I don’t think we can replace him if he leaves us, paying overs to hopefully keep him is our only option.

Benchie playing short stints on both sides of half-time seems Miller's best opportunity to get a crack in the top grade, but I don't see him as being nearly ready to take on that role based on my relatively limited viewing in cup.

Utoikamanu is capable of playing the other 55-60 minutes to allow for utilising a short stint impact player such as Miller if still here.

 

[balmain boy]

I'm just going off the website where it says 131kg.

If you know him personally and are sure he has already dropped weight, then I stand corrected.

The website gets updated by the NRL once a year usually in January. I don't know him no, but he looks a bit slimmer around tummy to me based on pics from training etc

 

[balmain boy]

Yep very good defender. He's not flash or elite, but he's the sort of players we should be looking at. The Bulldogs win is full of players like that. We need to build the team around players who don't give up and are strong in defence

He's actually always been known as a highly erratic player, with turnstile defence and brain snaps. Think a younger Naden.
I'd pass, unless we offload Staines and Naden and can't find anyone better.
Stronger teams can cover these errors,we historically can't

 

[king_sirro]

He's actually always been known as a highly erratic player, with turnstile defence and brain snaps. Think a younger Naden.
I'd pass, unless we offload Staines and Naden and can't find anyone better.
Stronger teams can cover these errors,we historically can't

I agree he has been like that. However I think he has put a consistent 2 years together now without all the poor stuff. He looks super committed. Not my first choice outside back signing, but wouldn't be upset of we did approach him.

 

[tigertragic]

Interesting to see Simonsson on the market. I think he'd fit us perfectly for the right money. Can play centre or wing (which we need), is one of Parra's most consistent in an underperforming team this year too. He is short though

POSITION	Winger
WEIGHT	97 kg
HEIGHT	188 cm (6' 2")
DATE OF BIRTH	18/02/1998 (26 years old)
ELIGIBILITY	New Zealand
PLACE OF BIRTH	Mona Vale, NSW

 

[Kaito]

As a few other alluded to, if it was in the slightest way true it would need to be for 2025, no point waiting on an ageing injury proned fullback to turn 30 before signing him.
As many know I don’t believe Bula can deliver what we need as a fullback anytime soon, so I believe signing a star quality fullback would improve us dramatically as a team, but if it was not an option for 2025, I’d be very hesitant in replacing a young improving fullback in Bula, with someone who is ageing, heavily relies on their speed but slowing down etc

As much as you would like 2 think it's true that we're
getting someone 2 replace Bula, its not happening
haha. The discord dweebs made it up, that's why
the posts were taken down I'd hazard a guess...

 

[Kaito]

I'd have a serious look at Jordan Petaia. Off contract

 

[weststigers]

I'd have a serious look at Jordan Petaia. Off contract

Jordan Pereira?

 

[Kaito]

Jordan Pereira?

Haha no, Petaia from rugby union. He's pretty special.
Roosters signed Nawaqanitawase. This guy has is
better than him, just had more set-backs. We would
also get salary cap dispensation for '25 if we sign him

 

[The Chad]

When you're 3/4 line reads:
Staines
Naden
Olam
Alaimalo


I know I'd feel much better with:

Cotric
Simonssen
Olam
Turuva


And I don't think it would be impossible to put together either..

 

[Kaito]

Their aren't any good outside backs off-contract...

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Haha no, Petaia from rugby union. He's pretty special.
Roosters signed Nawaqanitawase. This guy has is
better than him, just had more set-backs. We would
also get salary cap dispensation for '25 if we sign him

Was a report a couple of months ago that the Dragons were into him with Lomax leaving & he would consider NRL.

 

[weststigers]

Haha no, Petaia from rugby union. He's pretty special.
Roosters signed Nawaqanitawase. This guy has is
better than him, just had more set-backs. We would
also get salary cap dispensation for '25 if we sign him

Whatever happens between now and next season, we will see some signings.

We are heavy on centres right now, so I wouldn't be surprised if Turuva fills a wing spot until, or if, a better option comes along.

Everything depends on which players will get released from their contracts early. There's no real talent off contract that will move the dial for us.

Maybe this guy is good, but I doubt he changes much for us. Where our club is at the moment, we need an established NRL player. We are not the Storm or the Roosters where we can plug a hole with a project player and cover for him while he learns on the job.

 

[Kaito]

Was a report a couple of months ago that the Dragons were into him with Lomax leaving & he would consider NRL.

A wallaby for around 450-500k (with cap dispensation)
wouldn't be crazy. He's big only 24, 6"3 103kg and
is brutal in contact but has finesse in his game too,
great in the air, covers everywhere in the backline.
He would be a coup. Will probably go to Japan rugby
if he doesn't re-sign with QRU. Was just putting it
out there. I think Simonsson will likely go to the chooks,
the papers are saying there is a 4 way battle and
that he's waiting for a new coach to be announced,
Wouldn't be a bad replacement for Sua'ali'i at Easts

 

[weststigers]

When you're 3/4 line reads:
Staines
Naden
Olam
Alaimalo


I know I'd feel much better with:

Cotric
Simonssen
Olam
Turuva


And I don't think it would be impossible to put together either..

What do we see in Cotric?...he's kak

Big Sivo seems to be injury free again. I'd prefer him simply for yardage and finishing. Just for 2 years.

 

[weststigers]

A wallaby for around 450-500k (with cap dispensation)
wouldn't be crazy. He's big only 24, 6"3 103kg and
is brutal in contact but has finesse in his game too,
great in the air, covers everywhere in the backline.
He would be a coup. Will probably go to Japan rugby
if he doesn't re-sign with QRU. Was just putting it
out there. I think Simonsson will likely go to the chooks,
the papers are saying there is a 4 way battle and
that he's waiting for a new coach to be announced,
Wouldn't be a bad replacement for Sua'ali'i at Easts

With cap discount, he could be a good squad player like Alaimalo...if he excels, then that's a bonus I guess. What is the cap dispensation btw?

 

[tigertragic]

Watching a super league replay (catalans v st Helen’s) a commentator talked about the tigers clean out
Bateman - but not interested in coming home currently
Naden - some interest by clubs
Sullivan - would come at 180,000 pound (say 360,000-400,000), not sure if that takes into consideration of any tigers top up- but some interest by clubs

 

[Kaito]

With cap discount, he could be a good squad player like Alaimalo...if he excels, then that's a bonus I guess. What is the cap dispensation btw?

Yeah 4 sure. Would take Alaimalo's/Tupous place
he's basically a hybrid of the 2. Agree what you said
about project players though and not being in the
position as other clubs to slop them in our system
like Warbrick @ Melbourne who hit the ground running.

It could just all be posturing from V'landys, he had
beef with the ARU recently when they poached Sua'ali'i.
I don't know what the exemptions are, don't think
the NRL do either but apparent the ARL commission
met and discussed it already. There's an article
I just read from November last year, it's free here:

‘We’ve got enough talent’: Club bosses wary of NRL’s cap relief for rugby raids

Andrew Abdo insists the NRL can keep salary cap exemptions for cross-code poaching coups fair across the competition. Clubs are questioning how, and if the moves are needed at all.

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