Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Vicious said:
It is highly likely Richo and Benji are coming to the realisation we have given an early release to Ice who is now showing he would have clearly been our best 13 option moving forward. That compounded by Stef heading elsewhere and the realisation that Bateman has not been providing us with anywhere near the value of his price tag.
Then realising the only players available to replace them are high priced ageing props or players that would be high risk signings due to their erratic nature or limited time they spend on the field.
It’s a similar story in the backs.
So do we go with a conservative approach and not overpay anyone for 2025 with the emphasis on a couple of marquee signings for 2026 ?
The issue with that is we would be risking another dismal season in 2025 which could mean we lose Galvin and possibly Pole due to them not seeing any improvement in our on field results.
It’s certainly a catch 22.
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I actually think the attack looks way crisper with Fainu at lock . His footwork around the ruck , and deception with the ball , create enough confusion / doubt in the defence to offer N extra yard of space once the shift happens . The issue is defence and contact . Which is the same issue across the board .
 
Lestronge said:
I actually think the attack looks way crisper with Fainu at lock . His footwork around the ruck , and deception with the ball , create enough confusion / doubt in the defence to offer N extra yard of space once the shift happens . The issue is defence and contact . Which is the same issue across the board .
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Personally I think Latu could evolve into a great modern-day lock.

Attack, he can bite into the line and offer an exceptional passing game (right to left), ??? on his left to right. Plus once he's got full confidence in his hamstrings, he's deceptively quick with short, fast strides that could open a team up not knowing whether he's going to pass or run.

Defence, he has great tackling technique & apparently pound-for-pound is one of our best on the wrestling mat. He often goes waist/legs height so another middle can go higher in the tackle.

Talk, he doesn't have a great voice yet on-the-field so this isn't such an issue at lock.

Someone like Latu could create massive width for us on set plays with long, fast link-passing creating space for Luai & Galvin to work their magic.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Personally I think Latu could evolve into a great modern-day lock.

Attack, he can bite into the line and offer an exceptional passing game (right to left), ??? on his left to right. Plus once he's got full confidence in his hamstrings, he's deceptively quick with short, fast strides that could open a team up not knowing whether he's going to pass or run.

Defence, he has great tackling technique & apparently pound-for-pound is one of our best on the wrestling mat. He often goes waist/legs height so another middle can go higher in the tackle.

Talk, he doesn't have a great voice yet on-the-field so this isn't such an issue at lock.

Someone like Latu could create massive width for us on set plays with long, fast link-passing creating space for Luai & Galvin to work their magic.
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It’s perfect from an attacking sense, but as we know a 13 is generally required to make a minimum of 30 tackles per game, I can’t see Latu’s young body being up to that at this stage, nor do I think he would be too happy about it.
However if we have someone who defends like an animal to share the 13 role with him, that could work.
 
Blocker1963 said:
The Narven Willett loss will come back to haunt, cant believe they let him go.
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Doubt so, only thing going for him was his height and even that he couldn’t fully use to his advantage having been out jumped by Taine Tuapiki. If developed correctly he could definitely be one of the better backs of the comp but what we don’t need anymore of is kids taking up contract spots.

Yes we are a development club but what we are not is a Jersey Flegg squad. We don’t need or want a team full of kids, what we need is a team that is well balanced in juniors/kids, seniors and toilers. What’s most likely happened is while yes we have brought through a lot of juniors, we now have too many young kids in the squad which is also blocking further junior retainment/recruitment.

The club must prioritise standout juniors not just any juniors. From what I hear the club is close to signing Heamasi Makasini and as for Onitoni and Ashton there has been no real indication that they are leaving but also their futures here do remain in question. For me at least these three must be priority signings, Ashton Large I believe is the most underrated of the three and is extremely similar to our very own Api. But I’ve said it before Onitoni (with no Hyperbole but also just an opinion) is the best junior IVE ever seen.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Personally I think Latu could evolve into a great modern-day lock.

Attack, he can bite into the line and offer an exceptional passing game (right to left), ??? on his left to right. Plus once he's got full confidence in his hamstrings, he's deceptively quick with short, fast strides that could open a team up not knowing whether he's going to pass or run.

Defence, he has great tackling technique & apparently pound-for-pound is one of our best on the wrestling mat. He often goes waist/legs height so another middle can go higher in the tackle.

Talk, he doesn't have a great voice yet on-the-field so this isn't such an issue at lock.

Someone like Latu could create massive width for us on set plays with long, fast link-passing creating space for Luai & Galvin to work their magic.
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Could play a role similar to Bailey Hayward from the Dogs when he comes on, assuming Latu starts from the bench.
 
jrtiger said:
what I will say, similar to the Jack Bird links, is that Turuva and Skelton were done completely on the quiet. even Luai didn’t break until he told his teammates.

Bird and Horsburgh have both been reported in the media. it may be telling if neither of them sign with us that we only do our business in the dark. I guess we’ll see.
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weststigerman said:
You want both Hetherington and Horsburgh to join the reigning sin bin champions?

Playing at WT makes you do some stupid things as we've seen this year from Sezer who I never thought of as a dirty player before 2024. Need players with mature heads on their shoulders.
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What do you get with a bird,
A bloody lot of shit.

A whole heap Of it.

Especially with a Jack Bird.
 
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