Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

I suggested re-signing a guy like Saukuru to a T&T Contract yesterday with a Top 30 spot & bigger dollars for helping the club out.

I guess, in the same light...could the club sign Sione Fainu to a T&T with a guarenteed Top 30 spot in 2026 & some backloaded dollars to make it worthwhile helping the club out of it's Top 30 spot issues for now?

That way, Sione gets half a season thereabouts where he can get selected in 1st grade.
Yep, we're on the same page @The Chad, I floated the same idea a month or so back and I agree, it's an option they should be looking at.
 
Big upside both roster and salary offset
I think Kobe Hetherington would add a point of difference we are lacking with his energetic running game, ability to play as a first receiver along with his good line speed and aggressive defence.
He is a touch on the small side, but I’d say his above listed strengths overcomes that.
The other slight concern is he is an out and out 13 or middle forward, which would mean if he is signed for season 2025 we potentially have too many middles and not enough high quality edge forwards.
 
The good thing about the May pickup is that there is, genuinely, multiple ways that the rotation could be rolled out and, depending on opposition or general playing style, all could foreseeably work.

I'm probably going to change around a bit over the offseason, but I think, for now, I'm liking the look of-

*Bateman situation is obviously yet to play out..

May
Api
Klemmer
Samuela
Bateman
Bird

TDS
Hunt
Pole
Seyfarth

May to play 25/30 a stint, replaced by Hunt to maximise impact.

Klemmer, with May, have a combined efficiency of 97.1% and 105m/game. Klemmer to sub with Pole at 20min.

That'll take the sting out of the game and keep the middle pretty tight for the opening of games.

Bird to be used sparingly at lock as he is the primary backs utility and we'll need to manage his workload. Though I think people have underestimated his durability. Then have Seyfarth come on at 25 mins (ish) at lock to tighten up the middle around the likes of Pole who is notoriously poor laterally (hopefully on the improve).

TDS arrives at 25/30 mins for Api, just as we have our two wrecking balls in Hunt and Pole entering the game and the sting is out of the contest; handy for a young, undersized hooker.

In the second half, there remains a number of options, with Seyfarth able to play out the game, May can return early for a large second stint and TDS's minutes can build for a late Api flurry in the last 15/20mins.

In terms of cover, Bird gives us halves, centres and second row when starting at lock, Seyfarth ditto for edge and will actively and strategically reduce Bird's minutes if rotating primarily at lock.

But that's just one idea in a variety of approaches that can and would be effective in my opinion.
Latu instead of TDS
 
I think Kobe Hetherington would add a point of difference we are lacking with his energetic running game, ability to play as a first receiver along with his good line speed and aggressive defence.
He is a touch on the small side, but I’d say his above listed strengths overcomes that.
The other slight concern is he is an out and out 13 or middle forward, which would mean if he is signed for season 2025 we potentially have too many middles and not enough high quality edge forwards.

Way too many middles. Completely imbalanced squad if this swap happens
 
Way too many middles. Completely imbalanced squad if this swap happens
Yeah would be I agree...unless coaching staff feel Pole could do a job in the #11. Has played 2nd row before...but he is a far better prop for mine. Otherwsie we'd need to move Douihei on for a back rower...who??? No idea...
 
Yeah would be I agree...unless coaching staff feel Pole could do a job in the #11. Has played 2nd row before...but he is a far better prop for mine. Otherwsie we'd need to move Douihei on for a back rower...who??? No idea...
I know Pole looked out of his depth when tried as an edge back rower in one of last seasons trial games, but from an attacking point of view he has the explosive power running game to potentially become a weapon on the right edge. Of course defensively he would need to make improvements, but he’s young, fit and athletic no reason why it could not be done.
Similar theories being mentioned about the possibilities of Sikne Fainu or Tim Johanssen converting into edge forwards and I can see that possibly working, Johanssen in particular looks very mobile for a big man.
 
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