Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[weststigers]

Adele Hague is adamant Mason is the perfect 14 on the bench, was saying that's even what Mason wants. Can cover virtually any position in the backline, once he gets a year or two under his belt can cover hooker and lock aswell as a ballplayer. Reckons he's our Connor Watson.

Once Latu is starting, it makes the most sense.

Nice that we can have hooker, backline and halves cover in the one player.

Now we need a centre to replace Doueihi and 1 more big name forward. That's job complete as far as roster overhaul goes I'd say.

 

[gregjm87]

Maybe thats why hes a Blacktown coach and not anything more. Not to mention thats when he was 18 and had different body, frame and opposition.

I will start by saying, he's 21!
He is definitely one of our best players, even at his age hes our best forward after May (not including Api).

It doesnt even take much to see that Samuelas best position is second row. Look at his frame and his running style... Hes the closest thing to Haumole in the league and we want to move away from that?

We have May and Pole who are great props. Theres to much over thinking. I can tell you now, halves HATE going up against Samuela, hes one of the toughest assignments at backrow in the league due to his body type and aggression. There isnt much more to say than that.

Just think about what you are saying for a second... You want our team to win games, as we all do. But to do that, you want someone who was our player of the year in the second row to move to a position he hasnt played in first grade.

Samuela has the potential to be a top 5 backrower in the league in 3-5 years... Why is this even a discussion?

I appreciate he is young and still developing as a player. I also think he should go on to be the best forward out of current crop (aside from May). But he is not currently our next best forward.

How do you claim a guy who hasn't broken a tackle for over a month and was not breaking many before that, hasn't thrown an offload this year and has a total of 2 linebreaks for the season is one of the toughest assignments in the backrow? Seems every team has found him easy to deal with thus far.

Yes he showed a bit last year but nothing like Olakuatu, in fact nothing like any of the better backrowers. Doesn't have the same speed, doesn't have the same footwork and doesn't have the same hands. But sure, he is a similar build so must be the same type of player.

I think he has the potential to be a very good player. I don't think he will go close to being a top 5 backrower.

"you want someone who was our player of the year in the second row to move to a position he hasnt played in first grade". Yes the same transition hundreds before him have made, not an outrageous move.
Why do I think he can/should? He seems to or at least did seem to enjoy the contact and is about our only forward able to win the collision on both sides of the ball. He seems to have enough footwork to step between defenders and find his front but not so good to beat defenders with his feet and get past them. He seems to have a bit of awareness of when to pass before the line so could help some of our lesser middles get one on one with a defender and possibly help them win some contact running the ball. He has been poor defensively (even last year) with his decision making and fairly susceptible to getting beaten by speed on an edge, I think there are plenty others around the comp who can do a better job defensively on an edge.
Finally not an argument for moving him but look how our last few Kelly Barnes medalist are going. Not sure that award should be validation for him playing on an edge.

 

[Canadian Club]

I appreciate he is young and still developing as a player. I also think he should go on to be the best forward out of current crop (aside from May). But he is not currently our next best forward.

How do you claim a guy who hasn't broken a tackle for over a month and was not breaking many before that, hasn't thrown an offload this year and has a total of 2 linebreaks for the season is one of the toughest assignments in the backrow? Seems every team has found him easy to deal with thus far.

Yes he showed a bit last year but nothing like Olakuatu, in fact nothing like any of the better backrowers. Doesn't have the same speed, doesn't have the same footwork and doesn't have the same hands. But sure, he is a similar build so must be the same type of player.

I think he has the potential to be a very good player. I don't think he will go close to being a top 5 backrower.

"you want someone who was our player of the year in the second row to move to a position he hasnt played in first grade". Yes the same transition hundreds before him have made, not an outrageous move.
Why do I think he can/should? He seems to or at least did seem to enjoy the contact and is about our only forward able to win the collision on both sides of the ball. He seems to have enough footwork to step between defenders and find his front but not so good to beat defenders with his feet and get past them. He seems to have a bit of awareness of when to pass before the line so could help some of our lesser middles get one on one with a defender and possibly help them win some contact running the ball. He has been poor defensively (even last year) with his decision making and fairly susceptible to getting beaten by speed on an edge, I think there are plenty others around the comp who can do a better job defensively on an edge.
Finally not an argument for moving him but look how our last few Kelly Barnes medalist are going. Not sure that award should be validation for him playing on an edge.

Based it off what i have heard from 2 current NRL players... They would know better than anyone. He's one of the first on the tip sheets for match ups, which is rare for a second rower. Hes in his second full year of first grade and if you know the game, service from the halves is more important than anything as a backrower. You can run the perfect line, but it doesnt mean anything if you dont get the ball at the right time. Point in case, Samuelas try against the Sharks this year. If you watch his junior tape, he scored nearly all his tries from inside or outside balls from Latu.

He is 21, no backrower is defensively sound at that age or sub 50 games into their career. Just give it time, let him develop. The Dogs, Storm and Panthers are currently the best because they give their players time to develop into their roles. Moving positions and shifting the squad doesnt help anyone other than fan egos. We want wins on the field, not the internet.

Once Sam hits 100 games in the backrow he will be an elite backrower. He's done more in his first 30 games than some of the best backrowers currently in the game in their first 30... The reason that guys like Martin, Angus, Haumole etc are at their level is that their teams gave them time and let them develop in their position. Moving Sam away would only stall his development and the teams. He's shown so much ability at back row, why would you risk that for something that isn't even likely? Not to mention we have May and Pole who we know are quality props.

I respect your opinion and i'm not attacking you or your point of view, this is purely about the betterment of our team and putting us in the best position to win games!

 

[Moh]

Once Latu is starting, it makes the most sense.

Nice that we can have hooker, backline and halves cover in the one player.

Whilst I agree Mason would make a nice 14 - what then of TDS, who we needs to split minutes with Api?

 

[weststigers]

Whilst I agree Mason would make a nice 14 - what then of TDS, who we needs to split minutes with Api?

It's interesting, particularly with Haywoods development also. Even if Api goes, Mason at 14 blocks the path for him too.

In saying that, if you have many options, then it's a good problem to have.

With the HIA rules, it's pretty important to have the versatility at 14.

I guess things become clearer once Api signs his next contract.

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Based it off what i have heard from 2 current NRL players... They would know better than anyone. He's one of the first on the tip sheets for match ups, which is rare for a second rower. Hes in his second full year of first grade and if you know the game, service from the halves is more important than anything as a backrower. You can run the perfect line, but it doesnt mean anything if you dont get the ball at the right time. Point in case, Samuelas try against the Sharks this year. If you watch his junior tape, he scored nearly all his tries from inside or outside balls from Latu.

He is 21, no backrower is defensively sound at that age or sub 50 games into their career. Just give it time, let him develop. The Dogs, Storm and Panthers are currently the best because they give their players time to develop into their roles. Moving positions and shifting the squad doesnt help anyone other than fan egos. We want wins on the field, not the internet.

Once Sam hits 100 games in the backrow he will be an elite backrower. He's done more in his first 30 games than some of the best backrowers currently in the game in their first 30... The reason that guys like Martin, Angus, Haumole etc are at their level is that their teams gave them time and let them develop in their position. Moving Sam away would only stall his development and the teams. He's shown so much ability at back row, why would you risk that for something that isn't even likely? Not to mention we have May and Pole who we know are quality props.

I respect your opinion and i'm not attacking you or your point of view, this is purely about the betterment of our team and putting us in the best position to win games!

He’s a gun already. Most forwards his age aren’t starting in first grade. IMO will be elite in 2 years time

 

[JC99]

Based it off what i have heard from 2 current NRL players... They would know better than anyone. He's one of the first on the tip sheets for match ups, which is rare for a second rower. Hes in his second full year of first grade and if you know the game, service from the halves is more important than anything as a backrower. You can run the perfect line, but it doesnt mean anything if you dont get the ball at the right time. Point in case, Samuelas try against the Sharks this year. If you watch his junior tape, he scored nearly all his tries from inside or outside balls from Latu.

He is 21, no backrower is defensively sound at that age or sub 50 games into their career. Just give it time, let him develop. The Dogs, Storm and Panthers are currently the best because they give their players time to develop into their roles. Moving positions and shifting the squad doesnt help anyone other than fan egos. We want wins on the field, not the internet.

Once Sam hits 100 games in the backrow he will be an elite backrower. He's done more in his first 30 games than some of the best backrowers currently in the game in their first 30... The reason that guys like Martin, Angus, Haumole etc are at their level is that their teams gave them time and let them develop in their position. Moving Sam away would only stall his development and the teams. He's shown so much ability at back row, why would you risk that for something that isn't even likely? Not to mention we have May and Pole who we know are quality props.

I respect your opinion and i'm not attacking you or your point of view, this is purely about the betterment of our team and putting us in the best position to win games!

Completely agree, teams clearly have done their homework on him. I also think our attack being constantly chopped and changed this year has done him no favours either

I'd argue he's one of our best defensive players though. If you watch him, he's always leading the line speed and not only making tackle, but hitting hard in defence looking to force errors

Sam needs to be kept there to develop. He is a future gun! I really hope we can settle on our halves and he can build a combo with whoever is next to him

 

[batboy]

He said that prior to last season, before he won player of the year at second row. Can't take too much from that. Samuela knows hes better suited at second row and have heard that he speaks to Haumole regularly about how he cant improve at second row.

Please, can the forum stop moving our best players from their best positions!

I keep reading (here) that he claims to be a middle? It’s like an urban myth.
He played edge mostly coming through - middle in a few rep games where he didn’t get the spot but was too good to leave out.
Even Manly had him lined up to pair with Haumole, and were spewing to lose him - but were desperate to get Latu off the books.

He’s an edge, always been an edge…
We’ll just leave him there.
(Heaven forbid we move him to the middle to take the spots of generational talents like Twal and Seyfarth)

 

[Betterdays22]

I keep reading (here) that he claims to be a middle? It’s like an urban myth.
He played edge mostly coming through - middle in a few rep games where he didn’t get the spot but was too good to leave out.
Even Manly had him lined up to pair with Haumole, and were spewing to lose him - but were desperate to get Latu off the books.

He’s an edge, always been an edge…
We’ll just leave him there.
(Heaven forbid we move him to the middle to take the spots of generational talents like Twal and Seyfarth)

I don't know this story. Why?

 

[balmain boy]

I’m guessing the Peter Taateo signing (from the Raiders) will also be announced this week.

Development contract this year and a Top 30 deal next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets an NRL game this year off the bench — maybe even in the next few weeks.

I was impressed with him yesterday in KOE. Made an impact in both attack and defence, and showed nice footwork before the line.

He's a player who's been averaging 25 mins off the bench in cup for the Raiders. Another small nuggety prop. He should most definitely be on no more than a train and trial...

 

[balmain boy]

His replacement (Makasini) is a kicker...just needs another 18months.

Makasini is not a good goal kicker. This nonsense needs to be eradicated from the forum

 

[rihannafan1]

D is backing the T's

Cool

 

[pawsandclaws1]

He's a player who's been averaging 25 mins off the bench in cup for the Raiders. Another small nuggety prop. He should most definitely be on no more than a train and trial...

According to the Raiders' profile, he is 183cm and 108kg.

Peter Taateo

The NRL profile of Peter Taateo including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.raiders.com.au

According to WTs' profile, Fonua Pole is 182cm and 108kg.

Fonua Pole

The NRL profile of Fonua Pole including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.weststigers.com.au

Size although important, is not the overriding factor in success as a prop in the NRL. Pole has spirit and the will to win, which was immediately obvious in SG and Flegg.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Whilst I agree Mason would make a nice 14 - what then of TDS, who we needs to split minutes with Api?

Given the way he is currently being handled by Benji, I think there is a big cloud over TDS’ future with us.

 

[Kelce68]

I keep reading (here) that he claims to be a middle? It’s like an urban myth.
He played edge mostly coming through - middle in a few rep games where he didn’t get the spot but was too good to leave out.
Even Manly had him lined up to pair with Haumole, and were spewing to lose him - but were desperate to get Latu off the books.

He’s an edge, always been an edge…
We’ll just leave him there.
(Heaven forbid we move him to the middle to take the spots of generational talents like Twal and Seyfarth)

Oh yeh? 😂

Desperate to get one of the best junior halves in the country off their books, with an aging DCE and potential Luke Brooks signing on the horizon, aye?

 

[Kelce68]

He's a player who's been averaging 25 mins off the bench in cup for the Raiders. Another small nuggety prop. He should most definitely be on no more than a train and trial...

You adore a stature critique 😂

 

[weststigerman]

anyone here begging for Klemmer back he is getting absolutely sliced by the phins lol

Any worse than our forwards getting sliced the last 3 weeks?

 

[innsaneink]

The report he feels he needs more time to rehab his injury? Why is that a red flag? He knows his body better then anyone.

Maybe if he spent 5 ir 6 years at uni and has a medical degree....but i somehow doubt that 🙄
Theres a reason clubs employ medicos on high salary

 

[seijai]

Looks likely Api going to bears. His TV interview pretty much said it with Meninga confirming they close to signing.

 

[davey_farrell]

Looks likely Api going to bears. His TV interview pretty much said it with Meninga confirming they close to signing.

im actually not that disappointed, i think a TDS Haywood combo in the future would be awesome..