Jarome Luai

[GNR4LIFE]

Assuming Luai does arrive at WT, as now seems likely, his on field talent, as good as it is, may actually prove less significant than the bonus of our finally losing the "can't sign a marquee player" stigma and being able to attract other class players to the club.

For sure. I think the way Api played this year played a big role in showing other players that coming here isn’t a career death trap. He played Origin and was monumental for our club. And then he re-signed for three more years. Richo gives the club instant credibility as well. Club is in a good spot atm.

 

[rugbygoated]

Depends how we as a club rate the value he brings. If it's just on field results on his own he won't live up to the price tag. If we rate his value in terms of his leadership, playing ability, drive, determination and his ability to recreate our clubs culture then at 1.2 million its a bargain imo. There would be players in the future who will sign with the Tigers just yo play alongside Luai. We havnt had that in ages.

if he can change our club which has been rock bottom for a while culturally internally (staff and players), externally (fans, general public and media perception), as well as great onfield performances then he will be more than worth the 1.2 million

 

[bradexl]

For sure. I think the way Api played this year played a big role in showing other players that coming here isn’t a career death trap. He played Origin and was monumental for our club. And then he re-signed for three more years. Richo gives the club instant credibility as well. Club is in a good spot atm.

Richo coming in gave instant hope. He is well respected and a good operator. Immediately placed us in good stead going forward.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Richo coming in gave instant hope. He is well respected and a good operator. Immediately placed us in good stead going forward.

Commands respect in the media as well, I notice nothing been said about how long the club has drawn the Luai saga out.

 

[Halbrowne61]

I believe the squad we have now even without Luai are capable of so much more if they are coached well, structurally, mentally and physically. I reckon Benji can do this, he’s a great man manager, like Bennett, which is something we haven‘t had in a very long time. Part of the battle is believing in yourself and your abilities. The team we have now does have the collective ability to be a far better team than they’ve shown over the past 2 seasons.

Tim was great in his day, but he’s been well past it for a good while now. His second appointment at head coach was never going to work, but at least it gave Benji the chance to learn coaching skills without being under the pump as head coach. I hope he learned enough to hit the ground running, he’s certainly not short on confidence.

I’m looking forward to what our new buys can do as well. Sezer I believe will bring better stability and structure to the halves. Brooks wasnt a bad guy but anyone with half a brain could see he was as stale as mouldy old dough about 5 years ago!! Sullivan and Fainu have xfactor and could be anything given the right environment. It’s a bonus that all the Fainus are together in one team also, imo. The big rugby winger is a mystery, but if he makes the code transition well he could turn out to be a great buy! His rugby form has been impressive. Still, I think we’re one centre short of a good backline. It’s getting there, but gee I wish we could bag even Olam at this stage, just for the experience and defensive structure he can bring. Hoping Benji can transform Toa into a game breaker, with the righ service out of the halves anything is possible. Only downside for me is losing Tupou for 2025, he should’ve been a keeper.

Not sure we can say Benji is a great man manager, as yet. Think it will take a little while, and a few hiccups along the way, to show that quality.
I hope you’re right but think Bennett has earned his stripes over many years and Benji is still very much a rookie coach..

 

[Mistymuzzle]

2 posts?
There were about 30 posts in the 2 pages preceding this post of yours😂

But only 2 in the scenario I provided.....no?

 

[Halbrowne61]

Curtis Rona anyone?

Curtis Rona anyone?

For who, Wests Rugby ? At 31 not for me.

 

[upthetigers]

For who, Wests Rugby ? At 31 not for me.

Not to sign, thinking he will come only to miss out on him.

 

[426Tlgerland]

For sure. I think the way Api played this year played a big role in showing other players that coming here isn’t a career death trap. He played Origin and was monumental for our club. And then he re-signed for three more years. Richo gives the club instant credibility as well. Club is in a good spot atm.

GRN you are spot on mate , Appi shows what can be done and if other are will come , it’s not always a knock back but it could be what we can aford cap wise , Luai will be a massive step for us if he comes to us , players will see the up,fit in the team , uplift in position on the will come , 25 will be interesting more so then 24

 

[Tiger001]

2024 is about credibility that were moving forward

 

[Fade.To.Black]

But only 2 in the scenario I provided.....no?

No.
If someone is insistent on posting 30 posts in 2 or 3 pages of thread then people's responses will add up to plenty pretty quickly.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

No.
If someone is insistent on posting 30 posts in 2 or 3 pages of thread then people's responses will add up to plenty pretty quickly.

When you have to respond to several posters, the posts tend to add up.

 

[240z]

For who, Wests Rugby ? At 31 not for me.

Sorry
No place for him in the Pirates backline

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Sorry
No place for him in the Pirates backline

I thought for sure the piss was being taken when someone said he’s 31. Thought he was at least 5 years older.

 

[Buttface]

Same as player X supported the club as a kid.

Umless you're a local jnr you've been playing against that club all through jnr reps... It wouldn't be a factor by the time nrl recruitment was a factor in their careers

That’s a fair call. Never thought of it like that, maybe bcoz I never made the rep teams. You look at someone like Api, he played for multiple teams and it wasn’t till he signed with us that I found out he was a Tigers fan growing up. I love his passion for us since he’s been here too.

 

[innsaneink]

Hope everyone had a great Christmas 🎄 🎅

Apologies for the belated message, been a bit crook for a few days now, but finally starting to feel a bit better thanks to some appropriate medicine. Sadly Christmas Day was the worst of it, spent most of the day in hospital lol. God bless the incredible staff at these places, who give up their Christmases with their families to look after people who are suffering with all sorts and they do it all with smile. Hats off to you!

what a crap way to spend christmas though I know how you feel, was in hosp for my b/day last year
Hope youre on the mend Flip and get to enjoy NYE

 

[Jux]

if he can change our club which has been rock bottom for a while culturally internally (staff and players), externally (fans, general public and media perception), as well as great onfield performances then he will be more than worth the 1.2 million

This is all still very subjective. You say you don’t think he’ll justify his 1.2 million dollar price tag, but how would you quantify this ?
Number of wins, position on the ladder at seasons end, Dally M points he receives ? Or off field, the increase in memberships, value of sponsorships, net positive articles on the club ?
Even then it would be hard to separate his contribution too these metrics as opposed to that of his teammates, coach, CEO ? It would have to be one heck of an algorithm to determine if he was really worth only 1 or 1.1 million dollars (although I’m sure Zuck could come up with one 😉).

 

[Mistymuzzle]

No.
If someone is insistent on posting 30 posts in 2 or 3 pages of thread then people's responses will add up to plenty pretty quickly.

Mate, i posted a scenario, completely independent of what is happening in these pages, and in my scenario, there are 2 posts.

Doesnt matter that you dont like what I post, the truth is the truth, not what you imagine.

 

[TieDye]

Mate, i posted a scenario, completely independent of what is happening in these pages, and in my scenario, there are 2 posts.

Doesnt matter that you dont like what I post, the truth is the truth, not what you imagine.

Please, discreetly quieten your vocal cords. He’s on the way 👍🏽

 

[Mistymuzzle]

Please, discreetly quieten your vocal cords. He’s on the way 👍🏽

If people didnt make up fantasies about my posts 4 days after i posted them, i wouldnt have the need to post