Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tony Taco]

I think NAS is perfect. Big impact, scary and takes the pressure off TDM. He could be what we wanted hunt to be. Long shot but if we got him and hunt back to decent form that would turn our pack around. I know its a big if. NAS for 20 hunt for 20 then fill the rest with our workers like twal pole and big red

I like it, if NAS comes with a friendly contract... Hes tortured us for years be nice if it was the other way around. Can bend the line.

 

[Tom Shines]

I think Latu could make an excellent fist of hooker if he had to, Tommy, and if he ends up starting at 14 early, I'd assume he may be required to do some of that work.

But I'd say that would be more a testament to Latu's versatility, rather than something I'd prefer, especially if they're considering moving their halves/lock/utility roles around mid-games as a specific plan, like they have at times this year.

Those types of game plans make me want to headbutt a fork.

I’m a little concerned about hooker next season the way things stand…I can’t say I’m too wrapped in Hope taking up a bench spot…also with limited Top 30 spots still available, I don’t want them to sign someone else …on the other hand , I don’t want Api playing 80 mins every week …don’t see a lot of other options if not Latu to be honest

 

[weststigerman]

It's probably the likely outcome from what we know @Kelce68 .

But jeez I can see so much potential for Latu at lock and becoming one of the NRL's best in this spot. Whilst I do want him to succeed in the halves, I just see so much lock forward in him.

... his deft ball skills as 1st receiver & ability to push our halves wider.
... ability to put the defence in two minds with his explosive running game off the mark & power in his little legs to break tackles.
... but probably more than anything, his defence & strength in the tackle/wrestle is exceptional.
... and he atm lacks a very good long & short kicking game which he will need as a half. That may come but I just haven't seen it.

Just an opinion and probably the unlikely plan.

I’ve been thinking the same. Benji needs to work out before the players get back for preseason which one is half and which is lock and get as many reps there as possible

 

[Tom Shines]

I think it’s looking likely we would need to offload Sullivan and also potentially Bird, Hunt and maybe To’a to allow us to add some more NRL quality to our current playing roster,

Every year you seem to suggest moving on players like it’s easy as pie… It’s looking like Bud will be moved on again … who else is interested in taking Hunt and Bird off their hands ?

 

[Demps]

To'a leaving? surely not.

I think if this isn't his last season with us. Next year will be...

Watch this space, I guess.

 

[Tom Shines]

Putting two and two together, I reckon Benji knows that’s the best option for Latu and for Wests Tigers moving forward,

Except Benji has only said the opposite — Latu is the clubs starting 7 apparently

 

[weststigerman]

I’m a little concerned about hooker next season the way things stand…I can’t say I’m too wrapped in Hope taking up a bench spot…also with limited Top 30 spots still available, I don’t want them to sign someone else …on the other hand , I don’t want Api playing 80 mins every week …don’t see a lot of other options if not Latu to be honest

Same. If Api injured I don’t know what we do.

Haywood is about 12 months away and Hope doesn’t have the defence for NRL.

Someone like Havili for a year would be good but I don’t think we have the top 30 spots.

 

[Tom Shines]

Same. If Api injured I don’t know what we do.

Haywood is about 12 months away and Hope doesn’t have the defence for NRL.

Someone like Havili for a year would be good but I don’t think we have the top 30 spots.

I think the club has painted itself into a corner to have Hope as the starting hooker if Api is out … I don’t think another makeshift solution for the full 80 mins is currently available at the club

 

[Demps]

Same. If Api injured I don’t know what we do.

Haywood is about 12 months away and Hope doesn’t have the defence for NRL.

Someone like Havili for a year would be good but I don’t think we have the top 30 spots.

Having a back up hooker that can play elsewhere would be very beneficial to the top 30.

Latu is probably the closest we have, being able to play in the halves, at hooker and at 13 but Benjis saying he's the long term 7.

With our squad filling, I'm not sure how we could land such a player and who it'd be.

Perhaps Jock could play some 9 if needed !?

 

[Tony Taco]

Same. If Api injured I don’t know what we do.

Haywood is about 12 months away and Hope doesn’t have the defence for NRL.

Someone like Havili for a year would be good but I don’t think we have the top 30 spots.

If they can find another quality Prop I think that makes Hopeys job a hell of a lot easier at 9 when Api is subbed.

 

[Ecto-1]

I like it, if NAS comes with a friendly contract... Hes tortured us for years be nice if it was the other way around. Can bend the line.

It’s rumoured NAS has signed a letter of intent to join the Rugby 360 comp. He won’t be an option for us unless the comp doesn’t happen.

 

[jrtiger]

Having a back up hooker that can play elsewhere would be very beneficial to the top 30.

Latu is probably the closest we have, being able to play in the halves, at hooker and at 13 but Benjis saying he's the long term 7.

With our squad filling, I'm not sure how we could land such a player and who it'd be.

Perhaps Jock could play some 9 if needed !?

club showed their hand with giving Hope a Top 30 deal. I don't think you'll see anything else on the hooking front unless we're shopping players.

we don't have the space in the roster now to bring Havili or someone else in when there's other areas of higher priority that need addressing. everyone knows we still need an enforcer in the middle, and we're now skinny in the outside backs with Faataape, Staines, Feledy, Olam and seemingly Naden gone, plus Saukuru converting to the backrow.

 

[hodgo]

May was like the best player in the team for around the first 10 games of the season …people have pretty short memories

and it was daylight 2nd

 

[Enmore_Tiger]

Rare Roosters juniors who played junior reps for Souths 🥴
https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/s...s/news-story/287cf2e7f7daa0b4679b588bccdae13d

You know what they say about Roosters juniors, rare as hens teeth.

 

[balmain boy]

Andrews is top 30. If it was development, then the club would have just said it like they have with our 5 other dev players. We only get 6 dev spots, the club would also announce that theyre now full if he took the last one.

The announcement said Andrews joins Benjis squad in 2026.. no mention of dev. Same as Madden and Geyers announcements.

Roberts is also top 30 at Roosters next yet, I dont imagine he leaves for less

We couldn't even spell Mavriks name correctly in the image from his signing announcement email.
We have the worst media and comms team in the comp, I take what they write with a grain of salt. They wouldn't even know what a development player is. We probably spend the least on this area too though to be fair.

 

[Tito Santana]

Staines off to Catalans.

Another jobber off the books.

 

[balmain boy]

With our current squad we're still a quality prop short, and our back line is still the slowest in the comp by a country mile.
We don't really have any outside backs coming through the ranks. Tavana the only maybe.
I can see the Mack truck playing left centre/wing. Which either means Skelton goes to the right or May does.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

club showed their hand with giving Hope a Top 30 deal. I don't think you'll see anything else on the hooking front unless we're shopping players.

we don't have the space in the roster now to bring Havili or someone else in when there's other areas of higher priority that need addressing. everyone knows we still need an enforcer in the middle, and we're now skinny in the outside backs with Faataape, Staines, Feledy, Olam and seemingly Naden gone, plus Saukuru converting to the backrow.

Nervous we are a bit skinny on the dummy half front next season too JR.

I 'hope' Hope can have a big pre-season to take his game to another level but aside from him, Latu is not a dummy half, Haywood is at least 12 months away to be ready physically & defensively, Murray would be ok for the odd 10-15 min cameo if absolutely necessary & Mason hasn't even be developed there yet to add to his utility value.

Maybe Josese Lanyon (22 next year) who is contracted next season (not sure what type of contract, maybe T&T) is one who could jump out of the ground as an option.

 

[Strider]

We couldn't even spell Mavriks name correctly in the image from his signing announcement email.
We have the worst media and comms team in the comp, I take what they write with a grain of salt. They wouldn't even know what a development player is. We probably spend the least on this area too though to be fair.

To be fair, what kinda name is Mavrik? Who are his parents that would name someone that 😆

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Putting two and two together, I reckon Benji knows that’s the best option for Latu and for Wests Tigers moving forward,
I would guess having Latu agree to it and keeping he and his brothers happy in the meantime is the hard part.

And manager Mario who will know halves warrant more $$$. But in this day and age, a top lock is just as valuable imo.