Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Aceshigh]

Tigers keep handing out cash to all and sundry, we might end up like Venezuela

Wouldn’t mind investing into some of those Venezuelan women let me tell ya 😂

 

[weststigers]

Wouldn’t mind investing into some of those Venezuelan women let me tell ya 😂

They're all in the USA Ace

 

[user118245]

Faatape top 30 promotion.

Wests Tigers have further added to their outside back depth with Izaac Tu’itupou and Krystian Mapapalangi joining the club on training contracts.

 

[old_man_tiger]

Faatape added to top 30

 

[Demps]

Faatape top 30 promotion.

Wests Tigers have further added to their outside back depth with Izaac Tu’itupou and Krystian Mapapalangi joining the club on training contracts.

@weststigers2021
He was in the system at one point, wasn't he? [Krystian Mapapalangi]

Burwood boy [ @Kaito ]

Had a run at the Knights...
Centre / wing / 5/8

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

Faatape top 30 promotion.

Wests Tigers have further added to their outside back depth with Izaac Tu’itupou and Krystian Mapapalangi joining the club on training contracts.

What a bizarre move when we’re already having depth issues… why waste a valuable top 30 spot on someone who could play NRL already?

 

[hank37w]

Not exactly, because the Kumul team signings are apparently going to have a personal tax incentive to lure players over? So they won't need to pay as much for the player to keep more money in his pocket.

Not sure if it will work that way.

I can see players wanting top dollar and the tax break to go and live in compound over there.

 

[tiger_one]

Faatape top 30 promotion.

Wests Tigers have further added to their outside back depth with Izaac Tu’itupou and Krystian Mapapalangi joining the club on training contracts.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

What a bizarre move when we’re already having depth issues… why waste a valuable top 30 spot on someone who could play NRL already?

I'd say this is to create room in the Development squad for Makasini when he turns 18 in July. We were already at a max 6 dev spots when Tristan Hope was upgraded.

 

[Jimmy]

Faatape into the 30 will give us an another cheapie player to fill out the roster. Whilst not exciting it will allow us to front load some contracts allowing for more cap room in the coming years. Perhaps a Galvin extension….Or maybe front loading some of the dead weight in guys like bud.

 

[Demps]

I'd say this is to create room in the Development squad for Makasini when he turns 18 in July. We were already at a max 6 dev spots when Tristan Hope was upgraded.

Good thinking.
Makes sense when you point it out like that.

Makes me think the Taylan deal is dead in the water. The way he's been carrying himself, doesn't seem promising either.

 

[boonboon]

What a bizarre move when we’re already having depth issues… why waste a valuable top 30 spot on someone who could play NRL already?

We already have 6 development players which is the max once Hope was added. With Makasini turning 18 he will need to take up one of those spots we needed to move one of the development players somewhere - I can't imagine any of the others being moved up so Faatape who has played a lot of nrl is an obvious choice.

 

[orange&black]

Upgrading Faataape and signing 2 more outside backs on T&T deals makes me think Taylan May is not coming.

 

[hank37w]

Certainly looks to be the case.

 

[boonboon]

Upgrading Faataape and signing 2 more outside backs on T&T deals makes me think Taylan May is not coming.

Also make me think we have seen the end of Charlie Staines

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Also make me think we have seen the end of Charlie Staines

Yeah was thinking that too as I'd imagine Mapapalangi didn't sign a training contract to play at Ryde Eastwood and with Naden returning next week, we've got a lot of NSW Cup level outside backs.

 

[Ecto-1]

The upgrade would be cheap and still have currently 2 spots left plus hopefully upgrading Galvin. I’ve been waiting for an announcement like this. So now we have about 1.4 to spend on 2 players plus Galvin.

 

[Buttface]

Also make me think we have seen the end of Charlie Staines

He’s a ballsy player but not NRL standard.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Anyone have an idea where Mapapalangi has been to start season 2025? Lower grades elsewhere?

 

[liltiger]

As unfortunate as it is that Luai is out this week and possibly longer with his shoulder issue, this might be a blessing in disguise to really see how suitable Latu Fainu is in first grade. Between Galvins contract saga (I feel WTs are being taken for granted as usual) and Luai's contract clauses (same/same), we really need to see if we actually need both Galvin and Luai together. If Latu shows what he is capable of, we may be able to pull our Galvin offer and focus on a Luai/Latu combo or let Luai go after his 2nd year and focus on a Galvin/Latu halves combo. We need to secure way better centres and back rowers rather than be railroaded with halves on too much money that prevent our ability to build a rounded team across the park.

It'll just be good to see Latu string some games togeather, build some consistency then once his confidence is up we can see if he's up to it, won't happen straight away though, it'll take him a few weeks, but we will finally be able to see.