wstigers11
Well-known member
Yep I’m a very bullish on Latu. Injuries has hurt his development but I’ve got faith he’ll get there once he strings games together
Latu Fainu #282
- Thread starter ancient_magpie
- Start date
clontarfkid
Well-known member
Just a glimpse between injuries wld be mildly encouraging ...
Havent seen it just yet
But nor have we given up
Tucker
Well-known member
Yes we have to stop being so impatient as a club and let him fully recover AND develop.
It seems everytime as soon as he is nearly ready we rush him back
king_sirro
Well-known member
You haven't seen that glimpse? Your not looking closely enough
clontarfkid
Well-known member
He's on $500 k/yr...!!It's yr 3 of a 4 yr contract....
I'd like glimpses at a minimum,but prefer sustainable and consistent contributions to our results at those $$
Yep just aint seeing it
We mite have to make choices between him and Madden soon
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king_sirro
Well-known member
He isnt on 500k. Thats false information. Besides, price didnt come into it, you said you haven't seen glimpses of his talent.
How much is he on then? SMH is a pretty good source
king_sirro
Well-known member
His contract started at around 200 to 250k and rose each year. Not sure where it lands in the final year, I wpuld say say close to that 500k. But certainly not 500k 4 year deal that keeps being spoken about. My estimate is about 1.2 to 1.3 over 4 years, rather than the 2mil often referenced on here.
clontarfkid
Well-known member
$$ are clearly contetious,with different opinions..think SMH was my source.(which is not the key point if he performs)
...but Madden showed more in one game than Ive seen from Latu
Still got time,but I wanna see the kid who pushed Galvin into the NSW U20s back row..
So do we all but I don’t think it’s a question of ability just consistency and resilience. He will get there. Benji had shoulder issues which kept him out for extended periods early in his career.
wstigers11
Well-known member
Madden is 26. Perfect age for a half. Latu’s got time
Red88_Tiger
Well-known member
He fills all positions he’s played without losing much as a young player with very few games under his belt.( no one is worried on the forum about his deficiencies pregame like mason at fullback for example)When he sees himself as a senior player you will see more because he does a lot of things naturally. Hopefully his injuries fade now and we get to see him on the paddock more.
I don’t mind jock but he needs to string some games together against strong opposition before I’ll jump on his bandwagon. Barely gets a pass mark in his games for Brisbane imo
I don’t mind jock but he needs to string some games together against strong opposition before I’ll jump on his bandwagon. Barely gets a pass mark in his games for Brisbane imo
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
agree contracts reported in media is guesswork and bs
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Key pars ...
Fainu, who is able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, has started a transition into the forwards, setting his sights on being a ball-playing lock.
“I don’t mind what position I play. I love being here, and I’ll always say that because it’s true. Benji’s done a lot for me, so I’m giving anything, and putting everything together just to give back to him,” Fainu said.
Part of Fainu’s thinking around a positional change is the success he can have in the middle of the field as a link man, something which Walker has become an expert at during the back end of his career.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...e/news-story/ef3f7018540e1e642c7d73a396b3d225
Full story ...
Tyson Jackson
April 6, 2026 - 7:45AM
He was brought to the club to be the long-term starting No.7, but Latu Fainu is willing to give up the dream of playing halfback to stay at the Wests Tigers for the rest of his career.
Since joining the club from Manly in 2024, Fainu has been hindered by injuries, falling behind the likes of Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Aidan Sezer and Lachlan Galvin in the halves pecking order, and missing a mountain of game time.
The 20-year-old Fainu will again come off the bench for the Tigers against Parramatta in the Easter Monday clash at CommBank Stadium after coach Benji Marshall stuck with his winning halves combination of Jock Madden and Doueihi from the win over Warriors in Round 4.
Fainu, who made his return from an off-season shoulder reconstruction against the Warriors in Auckland, has made it clear it’s more important for him to stay at the club than it is to play halfback, even if it means continuing as a utility off the bench or transitioning to lock.
Wests Tigers youngster Latu Fainu is content not being in the No.7, if it means remaining at the club. Picture: Tigers Digital
Latu Fainu getting ready to face Parramatta on Easter Monday. Picture: Tigers Digital
“I don’t mind what position I play. I love being here, and I’ll always say that because it’s true. Benji’s done a lot for me, so I’m giving anything, and putting everything together just to give back to him,” Fainu said.
He credits Marshall for not just helping him on the field but off it too, revealing he thought about giving the game away due to injury setbacks.
Since debuting for the Tigers in 2024, Fainu has had ongoing hamstring issues, broken thumbs and various shoulder problems.
Latu Fainu owes a lot to Benji Marshall. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
It was the guidance of Marshall which gave Fainu the confidence to continue playing.
“There were times I was thinking like that, and the more I thought like that, the more I didn’t want to come and play,” Fainu said.
“I’m lucky enough I have Benji by my side, talking with me throughout the whole season making sure I’m ready and doing extras.”
Fainu, who is able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, has started a transition into the forwards, setting his sights on being a ball-playing lock.
Making his return against the Warriors in the middle of the field, Fainu realised he needs to put on some size to fit into the position.
But, Fainu knows there is a fine line between weight gain and getting too heavy.
Latu Fainu is looking ot bulk up to handle the lock role. Picture: NRL Photos
“I want to gain the weight so I can handle the lock position,” Fainu said.
“I actually gained a lot of kilos (while injured), I was 96 first day of pre-season, I was too heavy.
Sitting at 89kg, Fainu wants to shoot towards the 92 mark as he settles back into the Tigers side.
Fainu is looking forward to Monday’s clash with Parramatta and coming up against a player he wants to model his game around in Eels lock Dylan Walker.
Part of Fainu’s thinking around a positional change is the success he can have in the middle of the field as a link man, something which Walker has become an expert at during the back end of his career.
“Their middles are really agile, especially with Dylan in the middle,” Fainu said.
“It’s going to be actually really hard for us to compete against, but for us it’s about what we are trying to focus on and accomplish.
“I’m not too worried about myself because I know the boys will be backing me and what I can do.”
Fainu, who is able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, has started a transition into the forwards, setting his sights on being a ball-playing lock.
“I don’t mind what position I play. I love being here, and I’ll always say that because it’s true. Benji’s done a lot for me, so I’m giving anything, and putting everything together just to give back to him,” Fainu said.
Part of Fainu’s thinking around a positional change is the success he can have in the middle of the field as a link man, something which Walker has become an expert at during the back end of his career.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...e/news-story/ef3f7018540e1e642c7d73a396b3d225
Full story ...
Latu Fainu makes ultimate sacrifice to secure long-term Wests Tigers future
Latu Fainu was brought to the Tigers to solve their halfback woes, but the young star is willing to play a surprise new position if it means remaining at the club he calls home.Tyson Jackson
April 6, 2026 - 7:45AM
He was brought to the club to be the long-term starting No.7, but Latu Fainu is willing to give up the dream of playing halfback to stay at the Wests Tigers for the rest of his career.
Since joining the club from Manly in 2024, Fainu has been hindered by injuries, falling behind the likes of Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Aidan Sezer and Lachlan Galvin in the halves pecking order, and missing a mountain of game time.
The 20-year-old Fainu will again come off the bench for the Tigers against Parramatta in the Easter Monday clash at CommBank Stadium after coach Benji Marshall stuck with his winning halves combination of Jock Madden and Doueihi from the win over Warriors in Round 4.
Fainu, who made his return from an off-season shoulder reconstruction against the Warriors in Auckland, has made it clear it’s more important for him to stay at the club than it is to play halfback, even if it means continuing as a utility off the bench or transitioning to lock.
Wests Tigers youngster Latu Fainu is content not being in the No.7, if it means remaining at the club. Picture: Tigers Digital
Latu Fainu getting ready to face Parramatta on Easter Monday. Picture: Tigers Digital
“I don’t mind what position I play. I love being here, and I’ll always say that because it’s true. Benji’s done a lot for me, so I’m giving anything, and putting everything together just to give back to him,” Fainu said.
He credits Marshall for not just helping him on the field but off it too, revealing he thought about giving the game away due to injury setbacks.
Since debuting for the Tigers in 2024, Fainu has had ongoing hamstring issues, broken thumbs and various shoulder problems.
Latu Fainu owes a lot to Benji Marshall. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
It was the guidance of Marshall which gave Fainu the confidence to continue playing.
“There were times I was thinking like that, and the more I thought like that, the more I didn’t want to come and play,” Fainu said.
“I’m lucky enough I have Benji by my side, talking with me throughout the whole season making sure I’m ready and doing extras.”
Fainu, who is able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, has started a transition into the forwards, setting his sights on being a ball-playing lock.
Making his return against the Warriors in the middle of the field, Fainu realised he needs to put on some size to fit into the position.
But, Fainu knows there is a fine line between weight gain and getting too heavy.
Latu Fainu is looking ot bulk up to handle the lock role. Picture: NRL Photos
“I want to gain the weight so I can handle the lock position,” Fainu said.
“I actually gained a lot of kilos (while injured), I was 96 first day of pre-season, I was too heavy.
Sitting at 89kg, Fainu wants to shoot towards the 92 mark as he settles back into the Tigers side.
Fainu is looking forward to Monday’s clash with Parramatta and coming up against a player he wants to model his game around in Eels lock Dylan Walker.
Part of Fainu’s thinking around a positional change is the success he can have in the middle of the field as a link man, something which Walker has become an expert at during the back end of his career.
“Their middles are really agile, especially with Dylan in the middle,” Fainu said.
“It’s going to be actually really hard for us to compete against, but for us it’s about what we are trying to focus on and accomplish.
“I’m not too worried about myself because I know the boys will be backing me and what I can do.”
hank37w
Well-known member
Great kid, wish him good health and success and a future where we see all 3 Fainu's playing together on a regular basis.
orange&black
Well-known member
I think he could handle the 13 position but it still begs the question where AD then fits in with Luai and Jock.
I can see a hybrid style of play where we have a genuine 7 and two 5/8s one on the left and one playing on the right side (so AD playing like a 5/8 but slotting in as the right centre) then we have Madden and Latu sharing the 7 and 14 depending on what skill set best suits on the day.
I can see a hybrid style of play where we have a genuine 7 and two 5/8s one on the left and one playing on the right side (so AD playing like a 5/8 but slotting in as the right centre) then we have Madden and Latu sharing the 7 and 14 depending on what skill set best suits on the day.
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
if you were his manager you would sit him down and say son 7 is the spot they are as rare as rocking horse poop. Take offers from other clubs at least as a 7. Make cash while you can
Adam Doobie
Well-known member
He's young enough that I think staying here for at least one more contract would be in his best interest. Halves don't normally develop until mid 20s, so he has heaps of time on his side. Until then, it's best that he just tries to string a 20+-game season together.
