@happy_tiger said in [2022 Pre\-Season Photos](/post/1502568) said:@tigers_wests said in [2022 Pre\-Season Photos](/post/1502282) said:@kingrobbie said in [2022 Pre\-Season Photos](/post/1502276) said:**CORRECTION...**
Apologies... thought this was Fonua Pole but is actually Christian Ma'anaima, a 20-year-old prop from Newcastle. Supposed to be the real deal and was apparently close to playing NRL in 2021.
Unsure if he's signed to join the Top-30 or is on a train-and-trial deal etc.

Took this from the Knights player profile pages:
Born in New Zealand, Ma’anaima moved to Australia at the age of 15 to enter the Knights development system.
Ma'ainama impressed so much that he was signed to a three-year NRL contract, starting with a year in the development squad in 2021.
An intimidating presence with a strong offload, the Junior Kiwis rep has a bright future as one of the NRL's brightest young forwards.
With a full pre-season alongside the likes of Daniel Saifiti and David Klemmer now under his belt, Ma'ainama will be one to watch in 2021.
..You would think if he had a 3 year NRL contract with Newcastle, that he would have been offered at the very least a development contract here to get him to make the switch.
Do we know the exact story now.....???
Development ...or train and trial ...or something else ???
Club still hasn't announced his signing but they've now listed his name on the photo gallery on the website, so they'll surely say something soon.