S
system
Guest
Wests Tigers has today announced the signings of two highly regarded forwards, a talented utility and the re-signing of one of the Club’s most exciting young backs.
The Club has secured the services of 24-year-old South Sydney back-rower Eddy Pettybourne for the next 3 years and 23-year-old Gold Coast Titans forward Bodene Thompson for the next 2 years, both from 2013.
Former Penrith utility Masada Iosefa will join Wests Tigers immediately for the remainder of this season and next year.
Current Wests Tigers NYC winger David Nofoaluma has re-signed with the Club for a further two years.
“We obviously needed to bolster the back row position with the return to England of international Gareth Ellis at the end of the season,’’ said Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys.
“With the experience of over 120 NRL matches between them, Eddy and Bodene will perfectly compliment the good group of young forwards we have coming through our ranks.
“Whilst best known as a hooker, Masada can cover a range of positions and will provide valuable depth to our roster.
“We are also very pleased to extend the contract of David Nofoaluma. He is one of the most exciting young players in the NYC and we look forward to him forcing his way into the NRL squad in the foreseeable future.”
Pettybourne said he was determined to finish the season on a high at South Sydney before heading to Wests Tigers.
“I have enjoyed my time at Souths, having come through the juniors to NRL. I am very excited about joining Wests Tigers and starting a new chapter in my career.”
South Sydney Head Coach Michael Maguire wished Pettybourne well.
“Eddy has been a big part of this Club for a number of years and is an important part of our 2012 season as well,” Maguire said.
“He’s improved his game each week but this is a big opportunity for Eddy and we wish him the best of luck with his move to the Tigers at season’s end.”
Thompson said he was grateful for the opportunity given to him by the Titans.
“I owe a lot to the Gold Coast for bringing me through my development and I want to finish the season off well,’’ he said.
“I am at the stage of my career where I feel like I am ready to play my best football and I look forward to working under Head Coach Tim Sheens and teaming up with some of my former Keebra Park High School mates at Wests Tigers.”
Eddy Pettybourne
DOB: 13/2/1988; Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ; Junior Club: Mascot Jets; Position: Second row/prop; Height: 181cm; Weight: 101kg; Rep Honours: Four Nations squad for NZ (2009); NRL debut: South Sydney v North Queensland, ANZ Stadium, Rd 19 2007; NRL career: 78 games, 12 tries, 48 points.
Bodene Thompson
DOB: 1/8/1988; Birthplace: Tauranga, NZ; Junior Club: Tauranga City Sharks; Position: Second-row/lock; Height: 185cm; Weight: 106kg; Rep Honours: NZ Maori (2010); NRL Debut: Gold Coast v Newcastle, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Rd 9 2009; NRL career: 49 games, 9 tries, 36 points.
Masada Iosefa
DOB: 26/1/1988; Birthplace: Mootootua, Samoa; Junior Club: Blacktown City, Height: 178cm; Weight: 91kg, Position: Hooker; NRL Debut: Penrith v St George Illawarra, ANZ Stadium, Rd 15 2008; Career: 2008-11 Penrith 28 games, 5 tries, 20 points; 2012 Canberra.
David Nofoaluma
DOB: 28/11/1993; Birthplace: Sydney; Height: 175 cm; Weight: 90 kg; Position:Wing; Rep. Honours:Australian Schoolboys 2010, NSW U18s 2011; Junior Clubs: Campbelltown Collegians; 2012 NYC: 10 games, 9 tries, 36 points.
The Club has secured the services of 24-year-old South Sydney back-rower Eddy Pettybourne for the next 3 years and 23-year-old Gold Coast Titans forward Bodene Thompson for the next 2 years, both from 2013.
Former Penrith utility Masada Iosefa will join Wests Tigers immediately for the remainder of this season and next year.
Current Wests Tigers NYC winger David Nofoaluma has re-signed with the Club for a further two years.
“We obviously needed to bolster the back row position with the return to England of international Gareth Ellis at the end of the season,’’ said Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys.
“With the experience of over 120 NRL matches between them, Eddy and Bodene will perfectly compliment the good group of young forwards we have coming through our ranks.
“Whilst best known as a hooker, Masada can cover a range of positions and will provide valuable depth to our roster.
“We are also very pleased to extend the contract of David Nofoaluma. He is one of the most exciting young players in the NYC and we look forward to him forcing his way into the NRL squad in the foreseeable future.”
Pettybourne said he was determined to finish the season on a high at South Sydney before heading to Wests Tigers.
“I have enjoyed my time at Souths, having come through the juniors to NRL. I am very excited about joining Wests Tigers and starting a new chapter in my career.”
South Sydney Head Coach Michael Maguire wished Pettybourne well.
“Eddy has been a big part of this Club for a number of years and is an important part of our 2012 season as well,” Maguire said.
“He’s improved his game each week but this is a big opportunity for Eddy and we wish him the best of luck with his move to the Tigers at season’s end.”
Thompson said he was grateful for the opportunity given to him by the Titans.
“I owe a lot to the Gold Coast for bringing me through my development and I want to finish the season off well,’’ he said.
“I am at the stage of my career where I feel like I am ready to play my best football and I look forward to working under Head Coach Tim Sheens and teaming up with some of my former Keebra Park High School mates at Wests Tigers.”
Eddy Pettybourne
DOB: 13/2/1988; Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ; Junior Club: Mascot Jets; Position: Second row/prop; Height: 181cm; Weight: 101kg; Rep Honours: Four Nations squad for NZ (2009); NRL debut: South Sydney v North Queensland, ANZ Stadium, Rd 19 2007; NRL career: 78 games, 12 tries, 48 points.
Bodene Thompson
DOB: 1/8/1988; Birthplace: Tauranga, NZ; Junior Club: Tauranga City Sharks; Position: Second-row/lock; Height: 185cm; Weight: 106kg; Rep Honours: NZ Maori (2010); NRL Debut: Gold Coast v Newcastle, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Rd 9 2009; NRL career: 49 games, 9 tries, 36 points.
Masada Iosefa
DOB: 26/1/1988; Birthplace: Mootootua, Samoa; Junior Club: Blacktown City, Height: 178cm; Weight: 91kg, Position: Hooker; NRL Debut: Penrith v St George Illawarra, ANZ Stadium, Rd 15 2008; Career: 2008-11 Penrith 28 games, 5 tries, 20 points; 2012 Canberra.
David Nofoaluma
DOB: 28/11/1993; Birthplace: Sydney; Height: 175 cm; Weight: 90 kg; Position:Wing; Rep. Honours:Australian Schoolboys 2010, NSW U18s 2011; Junior Clubs: Campbelltown Collegians; 2012 NYC: 10 games, 9 tries, 36 points.
