Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Tiger Tarl said:
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!
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Honestly it's even better than those four..

Luai is an Improvement on Sezer
Turuva is an improvement on Tupou
Skelton is an improvement on Alaimalo
Hunt is an Improvement on Miller
May is on par with Stefano
Tumeth for Faagutu.. who cares neither are getting gametime

If Bateman leaves then Bird is likely an improvement, albeit as a utility instead of a second rower.

That would leave us with 1 spot to try and plug the hole Papali'i leaves. If we manage it successfully then we have potentially seen an improvement with every recruit.
 
Bateman will have a lot more freedom to play his natural game .. let the big boppers blast their way through and Bateman running his niggling darts around the big guys looking for holes. Sam Fainu should be better this season as we’ll have some bigger props helping him. Hoping Klemmer lifts now that he doesn’t have to do it all. Api will be more effective as well running behind May, Hunt and Pole. Our halves look way better than last season .. here’s hoping Olam is better after an injury riddled last season. Hope Luai can find his outside backs like Skelton and Turuva .. and Bula needs to improve on last season .. like someone said earlier .. I like the look of the side this off season more than this time last season .. !!
 
FrodoTBaggin said:
Honestly it's even better than those four..

Luai is an Improvement on Sezer
Turuva is an improvement on Tupou
Skelton is an improvement on Alaimalo
Hunt is an Improvement on Miller
May is on par with Stefano
Tumeth for Faagutu.. who cares neither are getting gametime

If Bateman leaves then Bird is likely an improvement, albeit as a utility instead of a second rower.

That would leave us with 1 spot to try and plug the hole Papali'i leaves. If we manage it successfully then we have potentially seen an improvement with every recruit.
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I know Ice was good once we moved him to lock , but seriously he was atrocious on the edge for us. I actually think bird will be an improvement at 13 as he’s played a fair chunk of his career at 6 , and has creativity for days, and has improved his carry as he’s aged . The issue is how many games are you getting out of him . But a top form Bird , and top form Ice , I don’t think is that much removed . I think I’ve had suffered a lot since Vlandys ball has come in .
 
Lestronge said:
I know Ice was good once we moved him to lock , but seriously he was atrocious on the edge for us. I actually think bird will be an improvement at 13 as he’s played a fair chunk of his career at 6 , and has creativity for days, and has improved his carry as he’s aged . The issue is how many games are you getting out of him . But a top form Bird , and top form Ice , I don’t think is that much removed . I think I’ve had suffered a lot since Vlandys ball has come in .
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I don't think Bird will play 13.. not as a starter anyway. That's why I don't have him as a replacement for him

I think our pack will be this for now:

8. May
9. Api
10. Klemmer
11. Bateman ??
12. Samuela
13. Seyfarth

Bench:
14. Da Silva
15. Pole
16. Hunt
17. Bird

Then if we lose Bateman I think we will recruit either a Lock or Second Rower. Seyfarth will start in the position we don't recruit.. e.g. if we sign Hetherington then Seyfarth would start at second row.

Bird at 17 gives us adequate cover for every position but hooker. This is where Da Silva comes in at 14 for me. If no injuries then Bird comes on at lock and gives Seyfarth a break.
 
Definately an improvement. Still think bench and the centres nd. Implement. Olam should be fine if he's recovered but still get rid of another couple and add a couple decent signings and definitely be a lot better.
 
SeanT said:
Definately an improvement. Still think bench and the centres nd. Implement. Olam should be fine if he's recovered but still get rid of another couple and add a couple decent signings and definitely be a lot better.
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I think we will go for Taylan if he is eligible for 2026, they've made it very obvious they want to play together. Naden's contract is done at the end of the year so we can just use his spot and our four centres could be Taylan / Olam / Makasini / Toa with Turuva coming from the wing if there is an injury.
 
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