Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Rock Hopper Steve]

If Hunt is moved on, IMO ------Saukuru @ 115kg, 21 yrs, could easily replace Hunts split 20 min. cameos in the second row. With the option of wing. Scores a lot of tries in both positions. Knows the way to the line.

How long has Saukuru been in the top 30 and hasn't been given a 1st grade debut, reports from reserve grade have been hot and cold over the past few seasons.

Benji has never hesitated with a player's age when he thinks they are ready/capable, makes you wonder why he hasn't been given a shot size wouldn't be the problem.

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

Averillo & Bula running off KPP with his offload has the potential to be very very dangerous

 

[wstigers11]

Averillo & Bula running off KPP with his offload has the potential to be very very dangerous

Love the combination Bula & KPP have forming

 

[kade7]

before the "we paid too much" starts , the cap goes up, there will be no ratchet clauses , in two years that deal is more like 450k current salary

also png / bears will drastically impact the player market , great deal imo

 

[clontarfkid]

Dont even think about Suli or Lulea ....both been through a thousand clubs because of their laziness and attitude ,and are being off loaded by the woodenspooners
Theres a reason for that
No thanks

 

[Chunk]

I had my doubts about Averillo and he seems overpriced but I suppose he's worth a crack, there's not many good centres around, so we don't have much of a choice and buying 'good' players will only get harder.

He has talent and plenty of potential, so lets hope.

 

[rozelle_rudy]

I never understand why NRL fans want to quibble and challenge what newly signed players may be worth.

When we sign a player with a record and a reputation like Averillo, we are generally bidding against other clubs.

It's similar to buying a house. The market dictates the price, regardless of what buyers would prefer it to be. You want a sought-after player, you have to offer the winning price.

Otherwise, you're buying unproven rookies or burnt-out oldies.

Who cares if you think the reported price for Averillo is too much? Obviously, the reported competition for his signature dictates the price.

The club determines whether he's worth it based on their plans for the squad over the next 4 years, and how the salary cap management will work.

Besides, we don't know what he will be paid apart from media reports, which can vary. We don't know exactly what other players in the squad are paid, either, and what space there'll be in the salary cap in 2027 and beyond, given recruitment and retention changes.

 

[hank37w]

Kurt Capewell would be my pick, blokes a gun.

Yeah, Capewell has been good but turning 34 mid way through next year.

How long do you want him for because the next contract will be his last and you would think he will be wanting it to be as long as possible.

 

[rex2ce]

It’s so good that Wests are finally a “ destination “ club where we can sign quality players in the open market , hats off to everyone involved

 

[Vicious]

He never said that...stop.twisting things to suit your pov

My POV should be the same as every other Wests Tigers supporters POV.
I assume every fan would like the team to win as many games as possible each season and you can’t do that without good players and good depth.

 

[davey_farrell]

Feel like thats about 100k too much a year if its true, i also don't believe the 5/8 rubbish yes he could play there but can also fill in at FB and wing.

he wont be playing 5/8 he is a centre and back up fullback, im happy with signing agree 100k too much yearly

 

[Vicious]

Nothing from the club means these grubs like Reed , Alexander , and co know nothing about who is coming , when the club makes a statement then we know , the rest is speculation and a lot of click bull shat , If we sign Alverillo it’s to play where Benji thinks he is best suited , most likely centre giving us
Left wing - Macca
Left centre - Taylan
Right centre - Jake
Right wing - Turuva
Back ups - Tavana - Herbert - Skelton
Next year if this was the case we would be also looking to how we field
Latu , AD , Luai - Madden - , Latu won’t replace Twally at lock unless coach says off-season Twally moves to front row and adds a few kg , Twally is perfect weight for a solid lock now , mobile , front row add KG and barge straight at them up the middle , as for the dragons rejects big no unless they are cheap as and reserve grade starters

If we want to challenge for the title we need to upgrade on Herbert and Tavana as our depth outside backs.
Both are too slow for their smallish size to be NRL quality outside backs.

 

[davey_farrell]

Ok … he hates the Tigers though

I listen everyday to SEN breakfast and he has never talked highly of tigers EVER!!! and he played for the magpies too..shame...embarressing the way the loves the roosters

 

[bptiger 0]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2062312596779503752

Now can we stop this playing 6 bs now

Well may source was right on the button, well to the tigers

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

My POV should be the same as every other Wests Tigers supports POV.
I assume every fan would like the team tj win as many games as possible each season and you can’t do that without good players and good depth.

The consensus so far is that we don't want Suli and Lucy V they are serial fat boys, anyway, how do you fit them in the cap with their required KFC budget.

 

[davey_farrell]

Well may source was right on the button, well to the tigers

Onya BP he certainly was, keep up the good work and letting us know

 

[Vicious]

Might be, but our issue has always been depth IMO. I hope we are budgeting for decent back up players.

Our backline looks strong for next year though

1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. May
4. Averillo
5. Makasini

Tavana, Herbert and Toa for depth

I assume that means Skelton won't be re-signed

That is terrible depth, the worst across the NRL.

 

[mtd#2]

Plenty including ours on quite a few occasions.

If i didnt know any better I'd swear you were a bot designed to send me on an infinite loop where no questions are ever answered.

List the games in 2025/2026 where Suli "destroyed" oppositions?

He doesnt offer much in the way of attack:

2017 - 2 tries
2018 - 1 try
2019 - 6 tries
2020 - 2 tries
2021 - 3 tries
2022 - 5 tries
2023 - 2 tries
2024 - 3 tries
2025 - 1 try
2026 - 2 tries

Toa scored 9 tries last year with 8 try assisrs. That's better than any season Suli has ever had.

Im not sayint Toa is the answer.

But you dont replace like for like, you upgrade.

 

[batboy]

Suli was one of them wasn’t he ?

Certainly was…
That’s why I agreed with you.
Suli plays well against us - so we think he’s a superstar.

The Bud Sullivan effect

 

[Vicious]

The consensus so far is that we don't want Suli and Lucy V they are serial fat boys, anyway, how do you fit them in the cap with their required KFC budget.

Realistically there would be no cap space for Suli even if he was wanted by us.
Averillo signing is a big relief as it at least gives us someone with decent ability playing right centre for us in 2027 and beyond.
Surely it means we can offload To’a and we still need much better than Herbert and Tavana as depth for our outside backs considering Taylan May’s ongoing shoulder issues.