Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Tigers really need 2...maybe 3....players that can make a difference, in their top 18 or so players.

Taylan May is probably one of those guys.

I'd really like to add Fifita- as he appears to be available- to play either at #13 or in the second row- he has that ability to change the game around him.

Cobbo is another.

Both those guys come with risk- so one or the other is probably the go.

Gagai for a year or two might be worth a look- still plays at a high level.

Or it could be someone up front that leads the line in defence, causing momentum shifts through intimidation.

To be honest- Papali'i or even Corey Jensen probably wouldn't be bad adds in the middle.

I think Fifita would be a massive addition, particularly at #13. Sam Fainu & KPP in the second row. Latu at #7 or #6.

Then you get Taylan May & say, Gagai, into the outside backs & we look pretty sharp.
 
Demps said:
@pawsandclaws1 favourite player, Deine Mariner played Queensland cup this weekend for Burleigh bears.
Fantastic player... adding Grant Anderson to their backline next year, maybe he doesn't make the cut? 100% would be a great signing.

Josiah Karipani, filled in a few games for the Broncos and is currently off contract. Looks quite a prospect at wing or centre.

Israel Leota, played u19s for QLD last year. Had a high ceiling and we were rumoured to be interested before, I think @tigerballs said.

Dion Teaupa - currently playing Q cup for the Ipswich Jets. Local lad that we lost to Souths and has moved onto Queensland. Handy back up option that would look good in the magpies jersey, for us.

Lazarus Vaalepu - big lump of lad, floating between Melbourne's bench and Q cup, very promising player who i believe would make our 17. Guy could be what we wanted from Jordan Miller or Royce Hunt, from the bench. Off contract also.

Va'a Semu - massive unit, contracted with the Broncos until 2027 but hasn't been getting a look. Playing well in Q cup... maybe we should ask and see if he could get a release. Solid prospect.
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Thought Kapripani just resigned for 2 years??
Leota is a very good prospect.
Vaalepu would be in our top 17 very under rated player
 
TheClaws said:
I don't question his commitment. He probably sees the writing on the wall and will go to market and leave. Doing us a favour not hanging around and is probably more valuable to another team, so best wishes and thanks from me. I don't see how he fits into our 2026 squad except on minimum wage as a back up and he would be worth more elsewhere.
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Fair call. No doubt he sees the writing on the wall with the arrival of May, but now he gets to play reggies on a regular basis as requested. He is doing us no favours on purpose.
 
Demps said:
@pawsandclaws1 favourite player, Deine Mariner played Queensland cup this weekend for Burleigh bears.
Fantastic player... adding Grant Anderson to their backline next year, maybe he doesn't make the cut? 100% would be a great signing.

Josiah Karipani, filled in a few games for the Broncos and is currently off contract. Looks quite a prospect at wing or centre.

Israel Leota, played u19s for QLD last year. Had a high ceiling and we were rumoured to be interested before, I think @tigerballs said.

Dion Teaupa - currently playing Q cup for the Ipswich Jets. Local lad that we lost to Souths and has moved onto Queensland. Handy back up option that would look good in the magpies jersey, for us.

Lazarus Vaalepu - big lump of lad, floating between Melbourne's bench and Q cup, very promising player who i believe would make our 17. Guy could be what we wanted from Jordan Miller or Royce Hunt, from the bench. Off contract also.

Va'a Semu - massive unit, contracted with the Broncos until 2027 but hasn't been getting a look. Playing well in Q cup... maybe we should ask and see if he could get a release. Solid prospect.
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I have had an eye on Lazurus for some time now, looks to have the size and strength to be a Tui type player, however Storm seem to be more interested in recruiting front rowers from outisde...why is this the case when they already have some younger kids like Lazurus and Pole's younger brother, they also picked up the one at the Titans that wanted to leave when he didnt get the bonus. Does Bellamy not see potential in the ones he has already? Tbh I didn't see the point in them picking up stef and the reality is Tui and NAS are having more impact then him.
 
TheClaws said:
I have had an eye on Lazurus for some time now, looks to have the size and strength to be a Tui type player, however Storm seem to be more interested in recruiting front rowers from outisde...why is this the case when they already have some younger kids like Lazurus and Pole's younger brother, they also picked up the one at the Titans that wanted to leave when he didnt get the bonus. Does Bellamy not see potential in the ones he has already? Tbh I didn't see the point in them picking up stef and the reality is Tui and NAS are having more impact then him.
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Yep, brought in the gun titans player.
Maybe no room for Lazarus.

He'd fit right in with our squad.
Get on the phone Benji
 
Nonotmeagain said:
What if you sign Da Silva and Haywood leaves because of that ?
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Haywood is like 4th out of 5 good hookers coming through in his age group. Tallyn is the best in his by a fair margin. He is easily the better player and we are nuts letting him go. I reckon if Tallyn came on against the raiders, we win. But bunji wouldn’t want that to happen, would he. Rather take the loss it seems!
U could see that api was gone the last 20 minutes of the game. Hardly any runs from dummy half, his passing was horrendous often passing it behind players. He’s just not up to 80 minutes everyone but bunji can see that…
 
TheClaws said:
I have had an eye on Lazurus for some time now, looks to have the size and strength to be a Tui type player, however Storm seem to be more interested in recruiting front rowers from outisde...why is this the case when they already have some younger kids like Lazurus and Pole's younger brother, they also picked up the one at the Titans that wanted to leave when he didnt get the bonus. Does Bellamy not see potential in the ones he has already? Tbh I didn't see the point in them picking up stef and the reality is Tui and NAS are having more impact then him.
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just on NAS and tui, I think Bellamy has realised the game has gone past these types of players. They’re too tall not mobile enough , front rowers nowadays have more skill slimmer builds . I’ve seen NAS numerous times no fault of his own get in the way of plays literally because he’s a giant .

Pole’s younger brother is only playing SG ball so he’s a while off but I hope Benji and Richo have all intentions to steal him lol
 
Its me… hi said:
I think Benji not playing TDS the other night was a big mistake, if he was gonna carry him he had to give him game time. This basically says to him I don’t trust you will perform, I can’t risk you even for 15 minutes.. we were never going to be comfortable in front that he would be happy to give Api a spell, so what was his plan?..
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I agree. The way Mason was defending, TDS could have gone to Hooker, Api to half and Luai to five eight. This might have been a better way to approach the whole game. We still would have had Faini on the bench and been able to give him a little more game time and allowed an extra forward on the bench. Benji's use of the bench and selections leaves a lot to be desired.
 
The Chad said:
Tigers really need 2...maybe 3....players that can make a difference, in their top 18 or so players.

Taylan May is probably one of those guys.

I'd really like to add Fifita- as he appears to be available- to play either at #13 or in the second row- he has that ability to change the game around him.

Cobbo is another.

Both those guys come with risk- so one or the other is probably the go.

Gagai for a year or two might be worth a look- still plays at a high level.

Or it could be someone up front that leads the line in defence, causing momentum shifts through intimidation.

To be honest- Papali'i or even Corey Jensen probably wouldn't be bad adds in the middle.

I think Fifita would be a massive addition, particularly at #13. Sam Fainu & KPP in the second row. Latu at #7 or #6.

Then you get Taylan May & say, Gagai, into the outside backs & we look pretty sharp.
Click to expand...
Dumb question...

Are the Fifita's related?

Could we get Andrew to work with David if there is a family connection??
 
tigahhh said:
interesting Joey johns sees Latu as a 7 long term , he only saw LG as a 5/8.
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Meh. He, like any of em will say anything for a click. Not saying Latu can’t make a go a 7, I reckon he will. But I’m pretty sure guys on here that give us quality lower grade info like BWG, the Boys, etc, have said he played 6 coming through the grades. I trust them more than the click baiters.
He looks good though doesn’t he, with ball in hand playing straight eyes up football. I think it’s his kicking game that needs work. I’d be getting the best kicking coach asap, and the world’s best hamstring whisperer full time. Like a bodyguard for his hamstrings, just follows him around making sure nothing happens to them. With a portable massage table strapped to his back and Voltaren at the ready. Definitely no sprint racing punters up the local mall. .
 
So as of 2026 we currently have Latu Fainu at 7 to partner Luai at 6, KPP on the right edge and Taylan May at left centre.
While myself and I assume almost every Wests Tigers supporter agrees these changes do make us slightly stronger, are they enough to turn is into a genuine top 8 team ?
I believe it’s not quite enough, we need 1 more quality outside back and 1 more quality forward as well as a quality back up halfback to compete with Heath Mason to be our next in line for our NRL halves if we have injuries or a drop in form.
Even then we need more quality added to our depth as it’s very unlikely the likes of Adam Doueihi and Charlie Staines will hang around as purely depth players.
Do we have enough speed and attacking threat in our backs and do we have enough tackle busting ability in our forwards, the short answer is no, that’s what we need to add if we are being serious about finally cracking the top 8 with Benji in charge.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you cannot challenge to win a competition with a team full of hard working grafters with very limited attacking threat.
Latu Fainu looks like he’s a player who can definitely help with this, but he won’t be able to do it consistently without some extra help of 1-2 more quality attacking players.
 
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Vicious said:
So as of 2026 we currently have Latu Fainu at 7 to partner Luai at 6, KPP on the right edge and Taylan May at left centre.
While myself and I assume almost every Wests Tigers supporter agrees these changes do make us slightly stronger, are they enough to turn is into a genuine top 8 team ?
I believe it’s not quite enough, we need 1 more quality outside back and 1 more quality forward as well as a quality back up halfback to compete with Heath Mason to be our next in line for our NRL halves if we have injuries or a drop in form.
Even then we need more quality added to our depth as it’s very unlikely the likes of Adam Doueihi and Charlie Staines will hang around as purely depth players.
Do we have enough speed and attacking threat in our backs and do we have enough tackle busting ability in our forwards, the short answer is no, that’s what we need to add if we are being serious about finally cracking the top 8 with Benji in charge.
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a 13 and another big middle with some legspeed on top of those boys and we're ready to run top 6.
 
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