Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[jrtiger]

Soon enough we will be looking at how we fit Samuela Fainu, Kai Pearce-Paul & Phoenix Godinet into the backrow. Not in 2026 but very possible for 2027.

My left-field prediction is an evolution of Kai Pearce-Paul into the middle in the future. His height, ungainly running style, offloading ability, and strength in the hold and wrestle could wreak havoc in the middle.

Pearce-Paul is a right side backrower atm which is Godinet's preferential side. I'd rather lave Samuela Fainu on an edge with his tackle-busting ability and to forge that combo with Luai & Taylan.

So 2027, KPP to the middle, you've heard it here first & maybe last lol

going to be really interesting to see how we handle Godinet's rise. I think there's a fair chance he plays as a forward utility for a few years before he supplants one of Sammy or Kai. he'd run riot in the middle on both sides of the footy and he passes better than most junior halves, so he won't have an issue.

when the time comes though I do wonder what we'll do. my thought was always that Sam would move back to the middle but your take on KPP is just as intriguing. for once though it's just nice to have options and some solid depth beneath with Geyer and Roberts plus Sukkar and Seyfarth already and Laupepa coming along nicely underneath.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Latu seems to me to be our Conor Watson

Seems likely that's the role for him with all the injury interruption until his body toughens up, expect him to play off the bench when he's fit, same as coming back from injury previously.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

going to be really interesting to see how we handle Godinet's rise. I think there's a fair chance he plays as a forward utility for a few years before he supplants one of Sammy or Kai. he'd run riot in the middle on both sides of the footy and he passes better than most junior halves, so he won't have an issue.

when the time comes though I do wonder what we'll do. my thought was always that Sam would move back to the middle but your take on KPP is just as intriguing. for once though it's just nice to have options and some solid depth beneath with Geyer and Roberts plus Sukkar and Seyfarth already and Laupepa coming along nicely underneath.

It will be very exciting to watch the progress of Godinet, firstly in Cup then how quickly he warrants an NRL bench spot. Then there is Saukuru as well if he can realise his undoubted talent. A little further down the track Siotame Havea Jr as your lock & club captain 😉

Maybe just maybe we don't need to recruit for another middle if Benji has similar thoughts to us re Sam Fainu and/or KPP to the middle in 2-3 seasons and Pole comes on. Someone like Adam Elliott who can do a job for 1-2 seasons as a viable NRL or depth option may be all we need.

 

[jrtiger]

It will be very exciting to watch the progress of Godinet, firstly in Cup then how quickly he warrants an NRL bench spot. Then there is Saukuru as well if he can realise his undoubted talent. A little further down the track Siotame Havea Jr as your lock & club captain 😉

Maybe just maybe we don't need to recruit for another middle if Benji has similar thoughts to us re Sam Fainu and/or KPP to the middle in 2-3 seasons and Pole comes on. Someone like Adam Elliott who can do a job for 1-2 seasons as a viable NRL or depth option may be all we need.

definitely a lot to like in the pathways but I hope no one's rushed. Saukuru is the rough diamond but he needs at least two years in Cup to get used to dominating against grown men.

Moors, Godinet and Havea are the most exciting for mine but again I hope we take our time. I do still think we'll push for an experienced middle or two though. time will tell.

 

[tigahhh]

probably going to get shot down in flames, but if he buys into their system 100%, he will be in Origin conversations. he is a genuine genetic freak. his testing numbers are off the charts. he's quicker than a lot of outside backs.

no totally agreed. it’s a signing you want to flame but if melbourne have shown us anything he’ll be the real deal.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

definitely a lot to like in the pathways but I hope no one's rushed. Saukuru is the rough diamond but he needs at least two years in Cup to get used to dominating against grown men.

Moors, Godinet and Havea are the most exciting for mine but again I hope we take our time. I do still think we'll push for an experienced middle or two though. time will tell.

Agree on those 3 with Saukuru as the rough diamond and another I'll throw in who had a breakout year in '25 as our Flegg POY is Josese Lanyon.

When he & his brother came to the WT pathways early this season, his management posted that Josese was an initial 2-year deal so he is definitely in the squad somewhere. Given we haven't seen him in NRL training pics, can only assume he has a NSW Cup contract for '26.

 

[jrtiger]

Agree on those 3 with Saukuru as the rough diamond and another I'll throw in who had a breakout year in '25 as our Flegg POY is Josese Lanyon.

When he & his brother came to the WT pathways early this season, his management posted that Josese was an initial 2-year deal so he is definitely in the squad somewhere. Given we haven't seen him in NRL training pics, can only assume he has a NSW Cup contract for '26.

Josese reminds me of an Erin Clark / Jazz Tevaga type. he's the ideal hooker-lock hybrid for the modern game but he's gotta get used to the contact against grown men. I'm hopeful he can handle that transition and put himself in the frame for a Development deal.

going to be interesting to see who gets the remaining Development contracts for 27. Havea, Attard, Godinet and Moors is some sort of list.

 

[tigahhh]

Josese reminds me of an Erin Clark / Jazz Tevaga type. he's the ideal hooker-lock hybrid for the modern game but he's gotta get used to the contact against grown men. I'm hopeful he can handle that transition and put himself in the frame for a Development deal.

going to be interesting to see who gets the remaining Development contracts for 27. Havea, Attard, Godinet and Moors is some sort of list.

any idea what’s happened to broederlow ? he’s not training rn yet is he

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

any idea what’s happened to broederlow ? he’s not training rn yet is he

Yeah he has been training in the NRL squad since it resumed a fortnight ago. Has been in a few of the photos & reels.

Needs to improve significantly in defence if wants to be retained beyond next season, was often a liability on the right edge in Flegg. Then was moved to the middle when Godinet was brought up and was fairly meh ... Elijah Mataale was much better on both sides of the ball.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

A nice story on the South West and Eagle Vale High School. Richardson mentions we are paying for a coach at the school. Can someone assist with who it is? Let's hope we maintain our service to the inner west as well.

DNA above finances: Tigers' latest Campbelltown boost​

MSN

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

A nice story on the South West and Eagle Vale High School. Richardson mentions we are paying for a coach at the school. Can someone assist with who it is? Let's hope we maintain our service to the inner west as well.

DNA above finances: Tigers' latest Campbelltown boost​

MSN

Alec Bush

Rugby League

Learn more about the Rugby League Program at Eagle Vale High School.

eaglevale-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

 

[Tom Shines]

Lussick going to the Panthers apparently…. At least a couple of guys here can now move on from him 😎

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Alec Bush

Rugby League

Learn more about the Rugby League Program at Eagle Vale High School.

eaglevale-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

So we will direct our scholarship holders to Eagle Vale HS?

 

[jrtiger]

So we will direct our scholarship holders to Eagle Vale HS?

yes. it is effectively Wests Tigers High School. keeps our kids away from dipshits like Luke Vella.

 

[tigahhh]

Yeah he has been training in the NRL squad since it resumed a fortnight ago. Has been in a few of the photos & reels.

Needs to improve significantly in defence if wants to be retained beyond next season, was often a liability on the right edge in Flegg. Then was moved to the middle when Godinet was brought up and was fairly meh ... Elijah Mataale was much better on both sides of the ball.

thanks mate

 

[tigahhh]

Wests Tigers bosses have held talks with Jahream Bula about a new long-term deal. The longer contract would come instead of current mutual option for 2027.

He has told them he wants to stay, and Shane Richardson confident they’ll keep him.

On AAP

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Josese reminds me of an Erin Clark / Jazz Tevaga type. he's the ideal hooker-lock hybrid for the modern game but he's gotta get used to the contact against grown men. I'm hopeful he can handle that transition and put himself in the frame for a Development deal.

going to be interesting to see who gets the remaining Development contracts for 27. Havea, Attard, Godinet and Moors is some sort of list.

By far the most promising and exciting Development list we have put together. Although, wouldn't surprise me to see Godinet upgraded and extended by the start of the 27 season.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

yes. it is effectively Wests Tigers High School. keeps our kids away from dipshits like Luke Vella.

Thanks. It is exciting news for WTS and the boys and girls living in the SW plus regional areas of NSW. I'd say it is far easier for kids from the country to live in Camden or surrounding areas than the inner city.

 

[Canadian Club]

It will be very exciting to watch the progress of Godinet, firstly in Cup then how quickly he warrants an NRL bench spot. Then there is Saukuru as well if he can realise his undoubted talent. A little further down the track Siotame Havea Jr as your lock & club captain 😉

Maybe just maybe we don't need to recruit for another middle if Benji has similar thoughts to us re Sam Fainu and/or KPP to the middle in 2-3 seasons and Pole comes on. Someone like Adam Elliott who can do a job for 1-2 seasons as a viable NRL or depth option may be all we need.

You would also hope/assume Sione and Pole make significant progress over the next year given their age and experience level. They’re getting into the years where props start to make that jump to the next level.

Assuming this happens Terrell, Pole and Sione have the potential to be a top level prop rotation. Royce and Twal around to fill in that last prop spot on the bench (Bunty, Seyfarth and Kit in Cup)

What we really need is a 13 so none of those guys have to play out of position and impact our prop rotation and depth.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Wests Tigers bosses have held talks with Jahream Bula about a new long-term deal. The longer contract would come instead of current mutual option for 2027.

He has told them he wants to stay, and Shane Richardson confident they’ll keep him.

On AAP

https://au.news.yahoo.com/tigers-confident-bula-stay-long-020000445.html

Re. Bula: "I don't want to do a pick-up of the option, I want to do an extension long term," Tigers CEO Shane Richardson.

Re. future recruitment: "We're locked in virtually then until the end of 2028. We have a team together with maybe one or two changes to it," Richardson said. "We are locked in against Papua New Guinea's (2028) entry, secured against the Bears (2027 arrival) and we're in a good demographic and age of the players."