Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Tom Shines said:
I would gladly take To’o … Can hardly believe Penrith would be interested in moving him on… they sign Ice but want to give up Brian ? Makes zero sense ?
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I can only think Luai wants him at Wests Tigers knowing he alone would make a massive difference and create a buzz around the whole playing group as well as the fans.
Luai has potentially spoke with Richo/Benji about it with a possible couple of hundred thousand extra per season to throw into the bargain.
Say To’o is being paid 500-600k per season at the panthers and Wests Tigers offer him 800k per season, it would certainly get his attention and make the possibility of playing for Wests Tigers alongside some of his very close mates much more attractive.
I know 800k per season for a winger is ridiculously high, but is a player like To’o worth if to a club like us trying to fight our way out of the hole we are in ?
I think he would most definitely be worth that type of money to Wests Tigers as the confidence levels and spirit within the club would massively increase instantly.
Of course it would involve the Panthers granting him a release which is unlikely, but I get the impression Ivan is at the stage where he won’t stand in the way of players who don’t want ti be there.
I commented yesterday we need another superstar and thought Val Holmes would be a great addition. I still do, but To’o would be the more logical fit with his strong Panthers connection.
 
Hopefully the To'o thing isn't a wind up.

Regardless- I believe as a group we see the most effective way to generate the metres our middles miss, and with Utoikamanu leaving, I think getting a metre eating winger for early tackle sets is vital.

If not To'o, I think Ravalawa is the next best option. Less reliable, but similar output.
 
Juice said:
how often does a ceo or someone in charge of a club say the rumours are fake news then it ends up being real. I wouldn’t believe what Penriths guy has said at all, it’s just the natural instinct to deny it & try avoid extra media attention.
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Is that the same guy that was only talking to Ivan because he was thinking about buying his house which wasn't even on the market at the time? 🤣 🤣 🤣
 
Needaname said:
an observation not stat, is noticing how many hit ups the panthers forwards make in their own half.
Be close to 0!
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I dont think you're far off. Dylan Edwards always takes the hitup before the 5th tackle because he was not going to be in the defensive line anyway so it doesn't draw a chaser out of the line for the kick chase.

Essentially, they are always chasing with 12 players, whereas if your prop took it up, he would be lingering back after the play the ball.

Then you have To'o doing loads of work, along with Edwards, Tago, Alamoti, Turuva and May contributing heavily.

Perhaps that's why their defence is so good...their bigger guys are just more fresh from a reduced workload in attack?
 
tigermate said:
Anyone know what this is?View attachment 14142
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Look away now Wests Tigers fans, the club’s best young prospect has been spotted meeting with rugby union royalty.

Wests Tigers' new recruit Heamasi Makasini could almost be mistaken for All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.

Look away Wests Tigers fans, here is the proof rugby union has its eye on the club’s best rising prospect.

This masthead has obtained a photograph of boom rookie Heamasi Makasini meeting with former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Deans, who is the head coach of Japanese rugby side Saitama Wild Knights, was spotted by an eagle eyed restaurantgoer meeting with the highly regarded 16-year-old at the Grace Hotel in Sydney’s CBD last week.

Deans is back in Australia after guiding the Wild Knights to the grand final in late May and was keen to become acquainted with the Newington schoolboy rugby star in the prestigious GPS competition.

A full-time switch to the 15-man game is a genuine option for the talented teenager who is already part of the NSW Waratahs pathways system and was selected in the Australian under-16s side last year.
Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans with Wests Tigers rookie Heamasi Makasini.

Cashed-up rugby clubs in Japan have had some success in luring rugby league talent away from the game. Earlier this year, star Roosters centre Joseph Manu agreed to join Toyota Verblitz on a one-year deal in 2025.

Makasini is also drawing plenty of interest from NRL clubs that have made inquiries about his contract status at the Tigers.
But Tigers bosses are currently locked in talks with the local junior before he officially hits the open market on November 1.

Makasini was the crowned as the club’s Harold Matthews (under-17s) player of the year after a barnstorming season from the goalkicking centre, scoring 92 points and finishing as the leading try scorer with 10 tries.

Last month, this masthead obtained footage of a rampaging Makasini dominating opponents in a schoolboy rugby clash against The King’s School. His standout performances in the 15-man game, where he routinely monsters opposition players, have already drawn comparisons to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.

The Tigers rolled out club powerbrokers NRL coach Benji Marshall and CEO Shane Richardson for a meeting with the teenager’s parents back in March, where the plans for Makasini’s development were put into place.

His parents were also given a tour of the Tigers’ newly built centre of excellence as part of the club’s efforts to retain the youngster.

Despite his tender age, there is a view Makasini is on the cusp of being promoted into NRL program with a debut on the cards within the next 18 months.

The latest development in the race to secure Makasini’s future comes just 24 hours after rising forward Stefano Utoikamanu told the club he would be departing the club at season’s end to join a rival outfit from 2025.

In a blow to the club’s retention efforts, as part of Marshall’s roster rebuild, Utoikamanu rejected a five-year extension worth $4 million to stay at Concord.
 
Vicious said:
I can only think Luai wants him at Wests Tigers knowing he alone would make a massive difference and create a buzz around the whole playing group as well as the fans.
Luai has potentially spoke with Richo/Benji about it with a possible couple of hundred thousand extra per season to throw into the bargain.
Say To’o is being paid 500-600k per season at the panthers and Wests Tigers offer him 800k per season, it would certainly get his attention and make the possibility of playing for Wests Tigers alongside some of his very close mates much more attractive.
I know 800k per season for a winger is ridiculously high, but is a player like To’o worth if to a club like us trying to fight our way out of the hole we are in ?
I think he would most definitely be worth that type of money to Wests Tigers as the confidence levels and spirit within the club would massively increase instantly.
Of course it would involve the Panthers granting him a release which is unlikely, but I get the impression Ivan is at the stage where he won’t stand in the way of players who don’t want ti be there.
I commented yesterday we need another superstar and thought Val Holmes would be a great addition. I still do, but To’o would be the more logical fit with his strong Panthers connection.
Click to expand...
Hey everyone! Come and have a look! It's Kerry Packer over here! Jeez I'm glad you don't manage our cap. $800k for any winger is ludicrous.

We still need to replace 3 forwards to a decent standard. 600k is the top end.
 
The Chad said:
Apparently Makasini meeting with Robbie Deans- coach of some Japanese rugby club.

Don't subscribe but a google search gave me that much
Click to expand...

Fatima Kdouh trawls the socials for content all the
time. That photo was posted on here in the juniors
& pathways thread from Crown's insta page. Tartak
will do a deal with us soon. Japanese rugby which
is considered a 3rd/4th division pro-league is being
disrespectful lol. That lady hasn't got a clue, honestly
 
tigermate said:
Anyone know what this is?View attachment 14142
Click to expand...
Look away Wests Tigers fans, here is the proof rugby union has its eye on the club’s best rising prospect.
This masthead has obtained a photograph of boom rookie Heamasi Makasini meeting with former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Deans, who is the head coach of Japanese rugby side Saitama Wild Knights, was spotted by an eagle eyed restaurantgoer meeting with the highly regarded 16-year-old at the Grace Hotel in Sydney’s CBD last week.

Deans is back in Australia after guiding the Wild Knights to the grand final in late May and was keen to become acquainted with the Newington schoolboy rugby star in the prestigious GPS competition.

A full-time switch to the 15-man game is a genuine option for the talented teenager who is already part of the NSW Waratahs pathways system and was selected in the Australian under-16s side last year.

Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans with Wests Tigers rookie Heamasi Makasini.

Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans with Wests Tigers rookie Heamasi Makasini.
Cashed-up rugby clubs in Japan have had some success in luring rugby league talent away from the game. Earlier this year, star Roosters centre Joseph Manu agreed to join Toyota Verblitz on a one-year deal in 2025.

Makasini is also drawing plenty of interest from NRL clubs that have made inquiries about his contract status at the Tigers.

But Tigers bosses are currently locked in talks with the local junior before he officially hits the open market on November 1.

Makasini was the crowned as the club’s Harold Matthews (under-17s) player of the year after a barnstorming season from the goalkicking centre, scoring 92 points and finishing as the leading try scorer with 10 tries.

Heamasi Makasini goes whack
Last month, this masthead obtained footage of a rampaging Makasini dominating opponents in a schoolboy rugby clash against The King’s School. His standout performances in the 15-man game, where he routinely monsters opposition players, have already drawn comparisons to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.

The Tigers rolled out club powerbrokers NRL coach Benji Marshall and CEO Shane Richardson for a meeting with the teenager’s parents back in March, where the plans for Makasini’s development were put into place.

Makasini with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall.

Makasini with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall.
His parents were also given a tour of the Tigers’ newly built centre of excellence as part of the club’s efforts to retain the youngster.

Despite his tender age, there is a view Makasini is on the cusp of being promoted into NRL program with a debut on the cards within the next 18 months.

The latest development in the race to secure Makasini’s future comes just 24 hours after rising forward Stefano Utoikamanu told the club he would be departing the club at season’s end to join a rival outfit from 2025.

In a blow to the club’s retention efforts, as part of Marshall’s roster rebuild, Utoikamanu rejected a five-year extension worth $4 million to stay at Concord.
 
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