So happy May is now official. Heard his price is closer to $600k a year but the media will try their best to push that up to $2M over 3 years for sensationalism. Also, not registered yet so may be others on the move or we have not yet parted ways with Miller officially yet. But our recruitment has been great:
Stefano > Terrell May (WIN)
Jerome Luai > Aiden Sezer (BIG WIN)
Jeral Skelton > Junior Tupou (ON PAR)
Royce Hunt > Papali’I (LOSS but different positions)
The only negative/net loss in recruitment is Papali’i with no direct replacement yet. If Bird plays lock then I'd chalk that up for a LOSS too but they are very different players. PLUS we got Sunia Turuva as well without losing anyone in that position so that's got to be a WIN.
I would still have Bateman in 2nd Row if we can't punt him (his deal was renegotiated so costs us $600k per year now not $750k), and possibly Twal at lock just as a tackle machine to secure the middle unless we find an out-and-out lock. But I'd still be recruiting for both those positions over the next 6 months unless a young bloke can stand up. Centre we will have Makasini (and possibly Taylan May) later in the season so just need a strong stopgap till then.
All in all, a definite net positive in recruitment for 2025. And we still have time to make that even stronger before a ball is kicked. Go TIGERS!