OFFICIAL Junior Tupou #254

[mtd#2]

I dont understand the outrage by some..

He is a like for like replacement for Luke who we were already losing.

The difference being Junior now has experience playing under bennett and robbo. At 23, it could be his time to kick on.

I assume we got him on the cheap, so all in all, its a potential astute signing for the future (like schuster).

Sure better than signing izzy (although he would have been good for 2026).

 

[TheEnz]

I'm not too fussed about the signing, looks like we got him cheap (maybe even for free) he knows it is the last chance saloon and he will be in what is a familiar environment...maybe he is just a westie that didn't fit in at redcliffe or bondi. Anyway, good luck to him and i hope he does well. If he doesn't than next season will be his last in the NRL.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Twice..under world class coaches
We keep hunting proven failures because theyre cheap

I’m taking bets there will be meltdowns about him in the live game thread before the season is out if he manages to play a game.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I dont understand the outrage by some..

Define outrage? Cursing? Throwing stuff at walls? Expressing that a signing is pointless does not automatically equate to outrage.

 

[lathami]

That's it

Roster building
18 - 30 is important on the chart, as we've seen this year.

Hopefully we continue making upgrades / smart moves.

Yes I get it, but what about some players that can tackle, that would help!

 

[tiges69]

Twice..under world class coaches
We keep hunting proven failures because theyre cheap

Bit the same as others on this thread about Junior. Was disappointed when he left as i liked what i saw even allowing for some poor ball control. Thinking back to his last season with us he was going well and i think he broke his foot against Penrith early on in the season was out for about 10 weeks and returned for a few games at the back end of the season. It was those few games that he was well down on form and really looked disinterested. Thought it might have been the fact that he was moving on the following season. As we know now has shown nothing at 2 different clubs and maybe not the player we thought he might be. Have not kept up with what Junior had been doing so after the announcement i went looking for a game he played recently that being for the Roosters against Norths. Not interested in the game as such only watching Junior. Played Centre was strong defensively in the first half didn't see a lot of ball and really didn't go looking for work. In the 2nd half defended well but put down a simple pass and catch movement. Then goes into dummy half , goes himself knocking blokes out of his way on a 50 metre run that led to a try on the next play the ball. Did it again a few minutes later off a passing movement showing strength getting rid of players on another long run to the line tackled just short of the line this time. I know its reserve grade , but those 2 runs reminded me of the old Junior. Looking at him he looks fit . Hope spring eternal as you know, so i say, welcome back junior .Sorry about the short story.

 

[Blooey]

I dont understand the outrage by some..

He is a like for like replacement for Luke who we were already losing.

The difference being Junior now has experience playing under bennett and robbo. At 23, it could be his time to kick on.

I assume we got him on the cheap, so all in all, its a potential astute signing for the future (like schuster).

Sure better than signing izzy (although he would have been good for 2026).

I think people are still holding a grudge from when he left for a pay day.
I'm happy to have him back, solid depth, cheap and still has huge potential at 23.

 

[clontarfkid]

I’m taking bets there will be meltdowns about him in the live game thread before the season is out if he manages to play a game.

The option at this stage is an 18yo Makasini,who is seriously the worst defender Ive ever seen in outside backs at any club.Thats the bald truth
That missed tackle last week on Knoghts winger in 76th minute was a disgrace..left Luai exposed between players,which is maybe why he has the "delayed concussion" this week.Was totally pissed..and not for the first time with Makasini
Yep..saw the trials...watched the movie..read the book..but Makasini has cost us at least 4 competition points this year,which is our gap to the top 8...maybe more
If hes injured he shdnt be playing.
If hes not injured he shdnt be playing
So at least Junior can tackle and play centre,albeit with dodgy hands

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Some over the top reactions.

He is a fringe contract, cost on our cap is next to nothing and if he does the basics right could add value if ever needed. We didn’t sign him to be 1st choice nrl team. Only upside for us in my view.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Just another body that’s it… doesn’t really add anything positive or negative, not going to get us into the 8

 

[mtd#2]

Define outrage? Cursing? Throwing stuff at walls? Expressing that a signing is pointless does not automatically equate to outrage.

UNO REVERSE!

Define pointless?

- We are replacing a player we were losing in 2027 anyway.
- Luke will be paid far more at the Bears than Junior will be paid at the Tigers.

Outcome: Tigers retain a similar type of player whilst saving $$ in the process.

Doesn't seem pointless to me.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

UNO REVERSE!

Define pointless?

- We are replacing a player we were losing in 2027 anyway.
- Luke will be paid far more at the Bears than Junior will be paid at the Tigers.

Outcome: Tigers retain a similar type of player whilst saving $$ in the process.

Doesn't seem pointless to me.

We’ll continue this discussion in the live game thread.

 

[mtd#2]

We’ll continue this discussion in the live game thread.

Maybe, maybe not... because it looks like he is a nsw cup top 30 signing.. which is the whole point.. he isnt a bad depth signing who has upside as a 23 year old.. so we may not see much of him at all..

 

[hodgo]

i reckon he is in first grade next week or the week after

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Maybe, maybe not... because it looks like he is a nsw cup top 30 signing.. which is the whole point.. he isnt a bad depth signing who has upside as a 23 year old.. so we may not see much of him at all..

Top 30 next year though.

 

[mtd#2]

Top 30 next year though.

Top30 doesnt mean NRL...
Who else could we have picked up on what is probably a minimum wage contract with the potential of toupu?

Im not hailing him as the saviour of our club, but you have called him a failure at the age of 23.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Top30 doesnt mean NRL...
Who else could we have picked up on what is probably a minimum wage contract with the potential of toupu?

Im not hailing him as the saviour of our club, but you have called him a failure at the age of 23.

Heath Mason is 21. A lot would consider him a failure too. Sometimes age doesn’t matter.

 

[mtd#2]

Heath Mason is 21. A lot would consider him a failure too. Sometimes age doesn’t matter.

Well they are incredibly short sighted.

Mason was 19 when he debuted and is not a failure by any means. I liken his situation to sending a first year plumbing apprentice to an accountants office to do tax returns. We brought him in too early and played him out of position because the club had little to no depth. He has done the best he can given his age and experience. He was found out and he wasn't ready. We can only hope that he is strong mentally and the experience will set him up for success in the future.

An example of a failure at the WesTS tigers would be adam Blair, russell packer or moses mbye. Not a 19 year old brought into soon and played out of position because the club had a dogsheet roster.

 

[Odessa]

i reckon he is in first grade next week or the week after

Play him asap Big Mak has done his AC

 

[Odessa]

UNO REVERSE!

Define pointless?

- We are replacing a player we were losing in 2027 anyway.
- Luke will be paid far more at the Bears than Junior will be paid at the Tigers.

Outcome: Tigers retain a similar type of player whilst saving $$ in the process.

Doesn't seem pointless to me.

Luke said he's only leaving for a pay day to help his family I don't have a problem with a young kid wanting to help his family good luck to him