OFFICIAL Bunty Afoa - Welcome to the JUNGLE!

[Vicious]

Competition is good. The gap between our top 17 and the rest has been too big. Too many are too comfortable. Bunty also tackles at 95% apparently which is better than nearly all of our props

That’s 95% when he’s in front of them and they don’t run straight past him.
Stats don’t show when forwards such as Royce cannot get back to marker or in the defensive line after making a tackle or when they do not even touch an opposition player who makes a clean line break where they should be defending.
As I’ve said I’m happy with his signing and agree he creates better depth than what we had in 2025, but we cannot get carried away thinking he’s the messiah we have been looking for.

 

[upthetigers]

That’s 95% when he’s in front of them and they don’t run straight past him.
Stats don’t show when forwards such as Royce cannot get back to marker or intensive line after making a tackle or when they do not even touch an opposition player who makes a clean line break where they should be defending.
As I’ve said I’m happy with his signing and agree he creates better depth than what we had in 2025, but we cannot get carried away thinking he’s the messiah we have been looking for.

I know the warriors made the nsw cup grand final. Did they win? Was he a big part of their success this year?

 

[tigahhh]

I know the warriors made the nsw cup grand final. Did they win? Was he a big part of their success this year?

they won, he’s also loved by Wahs fans so that’s a good indicator.

 

[rozelle_rudy]

I'm sceptical. Bunty is a reserve grader now. We may need forward depth, but do we need another ageing forward playing reserve grade, like Hunt and Bird? And Nathan Brown, if he comes?

 

[upthetigers]

they won, he’s also loved by Wahs fans so that’s a good indicator.

the deal just makes sense mate, onwards and upwards we go

 

[rozelle_rudy]

Surprised at how many WTs fans that watch the Warriors reserve grade side every week

I watched the reserve grade GF. Bunty was OK, not outstanding.

 

[rozelle_rudy]

Our bench will actually be pretty decent and won't lose much when they come on.

Improved bench, no Galvin distractions, gotta be optimistic about next season.

As for the 1-17 I want to see more from Pole otherwise bench him.

Bench Latu-Hunt-Bunty-Brown

Latu needs to be eased into first grade off the bench.

Latu won't be available early season. Madden 14, probably.

 

[upthetigers]

they won, he’s also loved by Wahs fans so that’s a good indicator.

Bro we have a connection to warriors their second favourite team is tigers because of benji

 

[rozelle_rudy]

Our recruitment the last two years has been targeted and well done overall. Bunty is a hard nosed no nonsense prop. Some depth in the front row which was much needed.May, Pole, Twal, Bunty, Sione Fainu, Hunt is plenty in the middle. If Benji can get the best out of Bunty and Royce they would be ideal off the bench.

Has our recruitment over the past 2 years been well done? Apart from the May brothers, who has come into the club or is about to, that impresses you?

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

From what I've read from Warriors fans, he's not really an impact prop any more. He is more of a worker especially in defence and busts his ass.

 

[tigahhh]

Bro we have a connection to warriors their second favourite team is tigers because of benji

Wahs fans 🤝 tigers fans

they haven’t forgotten us moving our home game to NZ during covid.

 

[upthetigers]

Has our recruitment over the past 2 years been well done? Apart from the May brothers, who has come into the club or is about to, that impresses you?

I'm hoping KPP impresses you know the laughs we will get from opponent fans if he is going piss poor haha he is an athlete hoping for the best and that he wasn't utilised correctly at knights. coaching will address this. we need edge threat skelton and turuva will score tries I am predicting Samuela to have an even bigger season in 2026 he was threatening the late part of 2025

 

[tigahhh]

Has our recruitment over the past 2 years been well done? Apart from the May brothers, who has come into the club or is about to, that impresses you?

cmon man our roster has been in the best state since i was a kid

 

[Vicious]

I watched the reserve grade GF. Bunty was OK, not outstanding.

Their spine were the standouts Tanah Boyd, Taine Tuapiki, Luke Hanson and Sam Healey.
Kalani Going also very good often playing 1st receiver and engaging the defence before laying his halves with Tuakki sweeping both sides.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Wahs fans 🤝 tigers fans

they haven’t forgotten us moving our home game to NZ during covid.

We were the only team to do something for NZ. I don't think people understand the full implications of them and covid's impact on the competition.

 

[TYGA]

Has our recruitment over the past 2 years been well done? Apart from the May brothers, who has come into the club or is about to, that impresses you?

Turuva, Luai, May x 2. I like KPP also. Fainus a few years back also wise.

 

[tigahhh]

Their spine were the standouts Tanah Boyd, Taine Tuapiki, Luke Hanson and Sam Healey.
Kalani Going also very good often playing 1st receiver and engaging the defence before laying his halves with Tuakki sweeping both sides.

wouldn’t be surprised if tuapiki starts pushing for the fullback spot next year. absolute X factor.

 

[Vicious]

wouldn’t be surprised if tuapiki starts pushing for the fullback spot next year. absolute X factor.

Very underrated.
I know it was against inferior opposition, but watching the GF live his combination with Tanah Boyd was slick and very impressive.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

cmon man our roster has been in the best state since i was a kid

Absolutely mate!

The most impressive thing is that we are actually identifying areas of need and targeting players for a specific purpose when signing them.

For example, last year our yardage from our outside backs was poor...so we go and get Skelton and Turuva. This year we clearly lacked depth in the 2nd row, so we went and got:
- (KPP) the current English 2nd rower who jumps straight into a starting position.
- (Geyer) A potential bench option/2nd rower who can compete with the likes of Sukkar, Saukuru and Seyfarth for next man up rights in 2026.
- (Roberts) a quality young up and comer in the position. Chance to try and develop him along with Pheonix Godinet in that position and not need to rush them into NRL until ready.

Not every player will turn out as well as we want...but that is at every single club across the NRL.

As far as middles go, Richo and Benji are clearly backing May, Twal, Pole and Sione to be the main 4 middles for us moving forward over the next couple of years. Now they are trying to support them with experience and depth when signing a player like Bunty on a 1 year deal. I dont imagine we will be going to sign any more big names soon. Players like Bunty for 2026 make a lot of sense. Should also lift Royce's game along with getting more out of Kit and Seyfarth due to competition of spots.

I can't fault the logic behind Richo and Benji's recruitment drive and it is starting to show with a much more improved and balanced NRL 30 man squad (plus development players).

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I'm sceptical. Bunty is a reserve grader now. We may need forward depth, but do we need another ageing forward playing reserve grade, like Hunt and Bird? And Nathan Brown, if he comes?

He will do a job and at the very least provide depth, did we not need another middle.

What are you expecting a pack as good as the grand finalists, you cannot get to that overnight it will be a slow process plugging the roster holes until junior strength comes through.

Some young forward talent there now but you wouldn't call it stacked and years off.