OFFICIAL: Ben Matulino to join Wests Tigers

**WARRIORS DENY PLAYER SWAP**

The Warriors have brushed off talk of a potential player swap involving Wests Tigers captain Aaron Woods and Kiwi prop Ben Matulino.

Channel Seven recently reported that the Tigers were keen on reuniting Matulino with former Warriors mentor Ivan Cleary, should he take over as coach of the embattled club.

Woods, who is off contract, has maintained he won’t put pen to paper until he knows who will be coaching the Tigers beyond this season.

But Warriors recruitment boss Tony Iro denied anything had been mentioned about Woods.

“They are two quality players, still unsigned for next season, and I suppose people have put two and two together, and come up with five,” Iro toldherald.co.nz.

“I know Ivan has a high opinion of Ben and Aaron Woods is a quality prop I think most clubs would be interested in, but there has been no discussion on our part about that event happening.”

Matulino is currently sidelined with a knee injury and isn’t expected back for another two to four weeks.
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http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/warriors-deny-player-swap-wests-tigers-interim-coachs-bikie-link-media-watch/news-story/d1c813cfe1aad0d1447f33058e4985c1
 
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https://au.sports.yahoo.com/league/a/34840134/7th-tackle-shock-contender-to-sign-aaron-woods/#page1

7th Tackle: Shock contender to sign Aaron Woods

Josh Massoud and Liam Cox - 7Sport on March 30, 2017, 6:00 am

The New Zealand Warriors are emerging as a shock candidate for off-contract Tigers skipper Aaron Woods, after talks to re-sign Ben Matulino stalled recently.

And in an even bigger twist the Tigers have already made contact with Matulino's management - an enquiry that's expected to escalate when Ivan Cleary is appointed coach.

The former Warriors mentor gave Matulino his first NRL start in 2008 and has remained a fan.

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Looks like this might have legs

The report from 7 NEWS( theres a link in this thread) said that Ballin ,and the other players that Jt brought into the club were upset that the other players didnt support Taylor as they thought they should have.
According to the report, Ballin gave the rest of the players a spray about it,
Coming from a player who has only had a passing connection with the club , and has less than 2 games under his belt its a bit of a joke.
Maybe Edwards,Grant,Et,and Ballin , may be worried that now theyll have to produce something to get a game after Cleary arrives.
Athough, I dont think Et wouldve been too unhappy to see that Cleary is coming , especially as he is pretty much the only member of the 4 that earns his money week after week
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Yeah what would a dual premiership winner know about professionalism? I'm sure the young guys that have never played in a final series known much better than him. If they did find it "a bit of a joke" as you did it might help to explain some of the problems with the results this club is delivering on the field. Ignore the coach because he once got bashed and is small and pasty faced. Ignore the old bloke that was signed from Manly because he happens to have been injured for most of his time here (he probably did it to himself deliberately, right?). Don't give respect to anyone or recognise their past achievements or what their experience might bring. Awesome, well done.
 
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https://au.sports.yahoo.com/league/a/34840134/7th-tackle-shock-contender-to-sign-aaron-woods/#page1

7th Tackle: Shock contender to sign Aaron Woods

Josh Massoud and Liam Cox - 7Sport on March 30, 2017, 6:00 am

The New Zealand Warriors are emerging as a shock candidate for off-contract Tigers skipper Aaron Woods, after talks to re-sign Ben Matulino stalled recently.

And in an even bigger twist the Tigers have already made contact with Matulino's management - an enquiry that's expected to escalate when Ivan Cleary is appointed coach.

The former Warriors mentor gave Matulino his first NRL start in 2008 and has remained a fan.

–----------

Looks like this might have legs

The report from 7 NEWS( theres a link in this thread) said that Ballin ,and the other players that Jt brought into the club were upset that the other players didnt support Taylor as they thought they should have.
According to the report, Ballin gave the rest of the players a spray about it,
Coming from a player who has only had a passing connection with the club , and has less than 2 games under his belt its a bit of a joke.
Maybe Edwards,Grant,Et,and Ballin , may be worried that now theyll have to produce something to get a game after Cleary arrives.
Athough, I dont think Et wouldve been too unhappy to see that Cleary is coming , especially as he is pretty much the only member of the 4 that earns his money week after week

Yeah what would a dual premiership winner know about professionalism? I'm sure the young guys that have never played in a final series known much better than him. If they did find it "a bit of a joke" as you did it might help to explain some of the problems with the results this club is delivering on the field. Ignore the coach because he once got bashed and is small and pasty faced. Ignore the old bloke that was signed from Manly because he happens to have been injured for most of his time here (he probably did it to himself deliberately, right?). Don't give respect to anyone or recognise their past achievements or what their experience might bring. Awesome, well done.
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Nowhere did I see that they ignored any one. I stand by what I said. He should be worrying about getting some time on the field and repay whichever coach is Coaching at the time, different if he was putting in the big games for the club.but he's not.
If he's got so much sympathy for Taylor,he knows where the door is, and he wouldn't have a great deal of baggage to take with him.
 
Matulino is a quality prop, one who has size, is good with the ball and has some aggression.

Would be a quality buy for the Wts.
 
I always thought that Charlie Gubb would be a good pick up, he was on the outer last year but with a new coach in Kearney has made it back into the top Grade, Cleary knows the Warriors Psyche, recruit well Ivan, our last couple of coaches haven't had too much of a say who they got.
 
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If Ballin felt so strongly about the issue, he should have sought a release. I couldn't imagine the club would be too disappointed if he left.

And the club would be poorer for it. It shows leadership qualities we are obviously sorely lacking to take such a stand. Ballin is highly regarded throughout the league as a consumate professional, and even though injury plagued since being with us, I would put alot more weight to his opinions than to those who have come through our system. He understands success and what it takes, the muppets he addressed couldnt say the same.
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Well said
 
Yes Kent seemed to confirm the Wts signing of Matulino but for me his last comment of the night was the most interesting

"That virtually the whole Bulldogs side is available and that NO one was off limits, interesting !..
 
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He is a class above WOODS when fit and it's not even close.
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Rubbish. Woods has him covered but he's still a very good signing if we can get him.
 
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He is a class above WOODS when fit and it's not even close.

Rubbish. Woods has him covered but he's still a very good signing if we can get him.
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Woods is good but way overrated. Matulino was a beast whether he gets his form back is another's question. At his peak I still rate him higher than Woods.
 
Woods makes metres. That's about it. His defence and leadership are average. He is very dependable though on consistently making 150m a game.
 
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He is a class above WOODS when fit and it's not even close.

Massive statement and i cant agree but i would love to have him as part of our squad
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I'm turning already probably biased with the disrespect shown to the club. Seriously WT have released so many good players Tapau, Farah, Austin, TMM, JAC, Koro, Paseka and others to manage their cap and offer these players huge coin and they are walking out the door.
We even sacked Taylor most likely for them also.

I really want Cleary to et rid of them all.
 
Ben Matulino to join Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers are pleased to announce the signing of New Zealand International Ben Matulino for the coming three seasons.

The new deal will see Matulino join Wests Tigers until at least the end of the 2020 NRL season.

Matulino has played 196 games for the New Zealand Warriors since making his debut in 2008 and has represented his county on 23 occasions.

The 28 year old front rower will join Wests Tigers at the end of the current season.

Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary said he was looking forward to welcoming Matulino to the club.

“Ben has proven himself as an elite front rower in both the NRL and International arena,” said Cleary. “We welcome Ben as an integral part of Wests Tigers’ future.”

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said that Matulino will be a great addition to the playing squad.

“Ben has been a part of the Warriors and Kiwi squads for a number of years and has shown himself to be a leader both on and off the field,” said Pascoe. “We look forward to him bringing his experience to Wests Tigers for the coming three seasons.

“It’s great to have a player of Ben’s experience, both in the NRL and International arenas, decide to commit his future to Wests Tigers,” he said.

PLAYER PROFILE: BEN MATULINO
Date of Birth — 3rd, January 1989 (28 years old)
Place of Birth — Wellington, New Zealand
Position — Front Row
Rep. Honours — 23 games for New Zealand
FG Debut — Sharks v Warriors, Round 14, 2008, Endeavour Field (14/6/08)
 
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