Ava Seumanufagai

[Guest]

Groat is due back in round 7 too. He'll need a few weeks in State Cup to get some match fitness up, but at least there's another option in a couple of months.

 

[Guest]

Courtesy of the official Wests Tigers website:

John Skandalis confident Seumanufagi can handle NRL

John Skandalis is confident Ava Seumanufagi can handle the pressure of first grade should he make his NRL debut at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.

Seumanufagi has been named on the interchange bench in Mick Potter’s 19-man squad for the home clash against Parramatta.

Talented young forward Sauaso Sue has also been named in the extended squad. Potter will finalise his team an hour before kick-off.

Skandalis, the Wests Tigers NRL High Performance Manager and former premiership winning prop, says both boys would not let anyone down should they both get their opportunity.

“This is a just reward for both players for the amount of hard work they have put in over the off season. This is an opportunity for them to show they want to stay in first grade,’’ Skandalis said.

“I can’t fault their efforts in the gym or on the field. They do the little one per centres. Any young kid coming through who wants a tip on what it takes to make first grade should watch Ava and Sauaso.

“Ava’s goal for the year was to lose a little bit of weight. I think he was tipping 117kg and we gave him a goal of getting to 110-112 kg mark. He did that.

“Sauaso has the best skin fold on any athlete I’ve seen. His challenge was to actually put on a bit of muscle on, put a bit of fat on, to get some protection there.

“Both boys ask a lot of questions and whatever advice we gave them, they did it. No questions asked.

“I don’t they will be overawed against the big Parramatta pack. Any player who makes his NRL debut runs off adrenalin and it keeps you going.

“You want to make your mark and an opportunity to cement a spot. Just like Jack Buchanan has done.

“I think they will be fine and hopefully they will add some spark to the team and help us win.”

It will be the first time Parramatta has played in a premiership match at Leichhardt Oval since 2004.

 

[MacDougall]

Sounds like Skando knows both of them are playing. Who misses out?

 

[palms]

Interesting point you make mate, the way he is quoted definitely suggests both are playing. The only way that would be happening is if Bell dropped of the bench but I can't see Potter running with two debutantes on the bench plus a kid with two games under his belt starting at prop as well…

 

[Peaches]

Yeah either Skando knows they're both playing or Potter isn't sure what he is going to do with the bench. Good luck to the guys if they get a go. Either way, I'm sure injury aside they'll both see some first grade.

 

[Plato]

Just a thought re the pec injuries, when shoulder charges were in vogue tackler's chests could be protected, but now tackler's are expected to approach opponents zombie-style with arms outstretched, thereby exposing their chests to injuries. We might see a few more broken ribs too unless common sense prevails and the shoulder charge is once again allowed. There is a big difference between legitimate shoulder charges, and intention to harm or attacking the head. Just my opinion anyway….

 

[FARANGALANG]

Great to see another young prop get his chance. Impressed me last year and has worked very hard in the offseason!

I'm sure Ava will seize this opportunity the way Jack did. Both are awesome prospects for the club.

PL

If he does turn out to be a good one like buchanan seems our future in the space of 3 games is suddenly looking a lot rosier.Woods,buchanan and Ava.throw in Teddy,Koro, Sirro,BMM and brooks as we continue to blood these players and get rid of dead weight like blair and Anasta (and possibly benji :astonished: ) we can really start to look like premiership contenders in another couple of years.

 

[everett]

Competition for spots makes me happy.

We finally appear to have depth and if Groat is fine after round 7 then more depth.

Every week no player should be guaranteed a spot in the NRL top 17.

We all talk about a light weight second row combination but if Ava and Buchanan continue to develop we may be able to use a bigger pack in the future.

Imagine this as our starting side and bench. Size and mobility. Anasta has not be considered

Blair
Bell
Pettybourne
Galloway
Legend
Woods

BMM
Fulton
Seumanufagai
Buchanan
Thompson
Gavet
Groat
Sue

 

[Easy_Tiger]

Cant wait to see Ava get a run tonight hope he goes good against his old club he played under 20s for parra.

 

[fergiefurr]

Sue was unlucky not to get MOTM in the 20s grand final IMO

However unless he has really stacked it on over the off season, I think he will get monstered in first grade

 

[innsaneink]

I just wanna know how his name is pronounced so I can tell if rabbs balls' it up or not.

Is it sue-manna-fah-guy?

 

[pHyR3]

Sue was unlucky not to get MOTM in the 20s grand final IMO

However unless he has really stacked it on over the off season, I think he will get monstered in first grade

he slimmed down to 110…pettybourne is 101, so i think ava will be alright in terms of size. Pritchard's only got a few kgs on him.

 

[king_sirro]

He did well. Deserved more time but that will come

 

[innsaneink]

I just wanna know how his name is pronounced so I can tell if rabbs balls' it up or not.

Is it sue-manna-fah-guy?

Rabs well and truely ballsed it up
\
\
His call tonite was bordering on racism….definitely insulting to Ava whose family wouldve all been watching proudly and had to put up with this old fart making light of thier heritage.
the guys a senile amateur, a pro wouldve done research, maybe ring the club, practise.
Get rid of him....it was cringeworthy

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

Rabs well and truely ballsed it up
His call tonite was bordering on racism….definitely insulting to Ava whose family wouldve all been watching proudly and had to put up with this old fart making light of thier heritage.
the guys a senile amateur, a pro wouldve done research, maybe ring the club, practise.
Get rid of him....it was cringeworthy

It is not brain surgery (maybe it is for him :frowning🙂 It was embarrassing, and he should apologise to Ava and his family (wishful thinking, unfortunately :frowning: )

 

[happy_tiger]

Pretty handy debut imo . he get another shot v Manly

Is it me or is Buchanan struggling with the week to week grind already he seemed to be really struggling tonight Bloke was giving his all don't get me wrong , but defensively he was getting dominated

I hope they can work on his legs in the off season he lacks some strength and drive

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

Warren wasn't just racist he was making fun of Ava's surname with the sexual innuendo clumsiness of Benny Hill. We used to laugh along with Billy Birmingham's mispronunciations of Pakistani cricketer's surnames but we've moved on from that. Yes Warren should have been more professional and he should now apologise. Ava was terrific and it gave his team mates confidence. Buchanen was Ok and finished strong.

 

[innsaneink]

Pretty handy debut imo . he get another shot v Manly

**Is it me or is Buchanan struggling with the week to week grind already he seemed to be really struggling tonight Bloke was giving his all don't get me wrong , but defensively he was getting dominated**

I hope they can work on his legs in the off season he lacks some strength and drive

Are you surprised?
He's going well but boy he's been thrown into the deep end very early….its catching up to him already. Not unexpected.
As blocker said ''I hope they buy an experienced fornt rower"

 

[LaT]

Yep, not surprising to see young Jack hit the wall so to speak. Still a good game for his 3rd match at this level though. He will probably be a little up and down while he adjusts.

 

[supercoach]

Pretty handy debut imo . he get another shot v Manly

Is it me or is Buchanan struggling with the week to week grind already he seemed to be really struggling tonight Bloke was giving his all don't get me wrong , but defensively he was getting dominated

I hope they can work on his legs in the off season he lacks some strength and drive

Coming out of the ground I said the same thing to my mates,he started off on fire but the grind is getting to him, all the short turn arounds would not help. Maybe he needs to come off the bench for a while