Kelma Tuilagi

[TIGERPOWER]

He's ahead of Amone in the pecking order.

Amone is an imposter.

Who was he posing as in your opinion?

A first grader

His leg speed and drive in reserves was amazing. When we played him in 1st grade, he became a cat. So he was posing as a 1st grader and got found out.

 

[PabloX]

Why did we only extend him one year?! Need to sort that out before Nov 1

 

[TrueTiger]

He's ahead of Amone in the pecking order.

Amone is an imposter.

Who was he posing as in your opinion?

A first grader

His leg speed and drive in reserves was amazing. When we played him in 1st grade, he became a cat. So he was posing as a 1st grader and got found out.

He was also getting over an injury I think,so watching him improve his game in ressies then stepping up to NRL is a different level again...he will get better in NRL as his fitness and confidence increases...

 

[Guest]

He's ahead of Amone in the pecking order.

Amone is an imposter.

Who was he posing as in your opinion?

A first grader

His leg speed and drive in reserves was amazing. When we played him in 1st grade, he became a cat. So he was posing as a 1st grader and got found out.

It's simply the difference between KOE and FG - we've got a few players like him who usually perform strongly in KOE, but FG is a massive step up. Cini is no different, regularly runs for more than 200 metres in KOE and breaks tackles, but there's nowhere near the urgency in defensive line speed and controlling the ruck.

 

[jirskyr]

How was this bloke not given a chance earlier?

One word for you mate....Development....

Not really.

If you had been watching reserve grade you'd know he's been a standout since week 1 in the KOE yet had to watch Tuki , Amone, and Chee Kam get a run.
It's a recurring lack of ability to recognise talent in players that allows him to be overlooked while the coaches favourites like Mbye are untouchable.

I don't think it's like-for-like comparison.

For starters you mention Tuki - does anyone think he doesn't deserve his run in FG and isn't worth persevering with? Tuki is an example of the recruitment and promotion process working.

But specific to the players you mention, Chee Kam is a rangy backrower with backline coverage. Tom Amone is 100% a prop. Tuki is a ball-playing prop with an offload, though they could theoretically use him on an edge. Mbye has nothing to do with pack rotation at all.

Kelma is an out-and-out edge power backrower. So he doesn't get an automatic run when Luciano and Garner both basically play 80 minutes all year, with Blore as the benchie. Garner gets injured, Blore gets promoted and Tuilagi gets called up. Pretty straightforward. They didn't call up Kelma to replace props.

I personally think it's a silly comment to speak about "recurring lack of ability to recognise talent", with Kelma as an example, when Tigers scouted Tuilagi from Melbourne starting this season, and he's already made his debut. You may not agree on the pecking order with which they promoted reserve grade kids, but I frankly don't think they are getting it wrong with their forward promotion decisions at all. And now they've extended Kelma - he's definitely in the plans.

 

[barra]

Kelma has a pretty high ceiling I reckon. His energy and efforts were a big factor in his on-field KOE success and as he finds his groove in NRL that will again play a big part for him. He's already showing he can handle the level.

 

[Roar_Power]

I see he is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Anyone have any intel on the nature of this injury?

 

[BalmainJnr]

I see he is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Anyone have any intel on the nature of this injury?

AC joint mate

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

That is shame, thought his stints were improving and finally we have a edge backrower who is damaging and big. Look forward to seeing his progression next year. Would like to see Blore running better lines but glad he is getting longer minutes. LL needs a break, he is not an 80 min and personally the last few games he has been very average especially in defense.

 

[Lee's fedora]

All I know is we need to keep kelma cause hes gonna be a gun

 

[tony soprano]

Is ac joint a bad injury what's recovery time, does he need surgery

Annoying part is he didn't need to reach out for the second effort he'd already scored

 

[JC99]

Really enjoy how he plays, hopefully the shoulder issue can be resolved before pre season so he doesn't miss out on too much

 

[Geo]

Is ac joint a bad injury what's recovery time, does he need surgery

Annoying part is he didn't need to reach out for the second effort he'd already scored

Depends on the severity.. you can play with it.. it can heal without surgery with a 2-4week recovery..with surgery 4-6 weeks

 

[jrtiger]

I'd have him starting on the right edge next season with Luch on the bench in a Liam Martin-style role. Madge needs to forget about trying to turn him into an 80 minute player. Tuilagi has the motor and Luch can change a game going full tilt for 25 minutes

 

[Madge]

I'd have him starting on the right edge next season with Luch on the bench in a Liam Martin-style role. Madge needs to forget about trying to turn him into an 80 minute player. Tuilagi has the motor and Luch can change a game going full tilt for 25 minutes

I don't know why Luciano wasn't benched this year. You are spot on thought, I'd do that as well.

 

[rihannafan1]

I'd have him starting on the right edge next season with Luch on the bench in a Liam Martin-style role. Madge needs to forget about trying to turn him into an 80 minute player. Tuilagi has the motor and Luch can change a game going full tilt for 25 minutes

Sounds good.

 

[mike]

“Playing footy and having an NRL contract is not about me — it’s for my family … When I get paid, I send money back to my parents to go towards the family because they were the ones who supported me when I was growing up.” — Kelma Tuilagi 🙌

 

[Demps]

“Playing footy and having an NRL contract is not about me — it’s for my family … When I get paid, I send money back to my parents to go towards the family because they were the ones who supported me when I was growing up.” — Kelma Tuilagi 🙌

💯👑

 

[pedrolaurie]

Kelma is class on and off the field. Forget signing more 2nd rowers when you've got Kelma Blore and Luciano already.

 

[Geo]

“Playing footy and having an NRL contract is not about me — it’s for my family … When I get paid, I send money back to my parents to go towards the family because they were the ones who supported me when I was growing up.” — Kelma Tuilagi 🙌

Now that’s Life’s Good… no sitting on a sun lounge for thisfella