Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[orange&black]

Our spine is fine. Bula is here for another 3 years. Fainu is here for another 3 years and Luai another 5 years. TDS we need to focus on yes, while Api we don't need to rush to re-sign, he will be 34 by the time his next contract ends. He will be an extra 12 months at most. Our spine is fine. Adam Doueihi is a competent 'back up' half and we technically still have Jayden Sullivan on the books, so no more money needs to be tied up in the halves.

Putting some money to our forward pack is critical. We have the weakest forward depth in the NRL as a whole. We literally have no one outside the Top 17 this week who is up to stepping in.

My concerns are around Bula’s manager Moses and the possibility of him agitating. Both TDS and Api are coming off contract and could be on the market as of Nov this year. Latu is yet to show he is up for NRL week in and week out nor has he proven he is the guy we need, and we currently have no quality depth behind him. AD is no number 7.
I think these issues are key matters that require priority attention. Once we have our spine squared away for the next 3 years we can build our team and have a real shot. Obviously Richo needs to keep options open for our roster weaknesses as well.
All in all plenty of work still to do.

 

[orange&black]

Have Staggs and Cobbo re-signed with Broncs? Would love Staggs - the guy is a beast and has the competitive intent to lead your outside backs. I think Toa would improve with him around and may even reach his potential.
Bula, Toa, Skelton, Tito and Staggs would be a formidable outside backs combo.

 

[GCfan]

People seem to be excited about this potential KPP signing.
Surely there has to be better options available, i am definitely not seeing what everyone else is hoping he brings to the Tigers.

Agree. Would rather someone like Bullemore from Manly

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Agree. Would rather someone like Bullemore from Manly

Bullemore would be awesome..workaholic with a deft offlload

 

[Canadian Club]

Josiah Pahulu, prop from the Titans, Israel Leota, centre/wing and Jamal Shibasaki, backrower.

Shibasaki would be a great get. Gun backrower with a huge future.

 

[Vicious]

I think Staggs and Bullemore are both Isaac Moses clients ?

 

[Buttface]

I think Staggs and Bullemore are both Isaac Moses clients ?

Bummer.

 

[Rusty]

Josiah Pahulu... work with his uncle, ill see what I can find out.

Update.. as per Easter weekend.
Last pre season, he got his management reached out to other clubs as Des wasn't giving him a fair go and with Campbell-Gillard arriving.

The Doggies reached out but Titans for what ever reason would not release him, "for 2025" and unfortunately Des sees him a depth only, and won't come to the table to discuss, even though they have released several other players over recent weeks.
Currently playing Q Cup.

Played 19 games for the Titans last year, start prop 5 times.

The kid will go to Sydney and doesn't have an NRL contract for 2026.

 

[Aceshigh]

I think Staggs and Bullemore are both Isaac Moses clients ?

If that’s the case we can put a line through them

 

[lathami]

Agree. Would rather someone like Bullemore from Manly

No chance, he’s with pond scum!
No more of them, doesn’t matter who it is!
#Saynotopondscum

 

[Jimmy]

Update.. as per Easter weekend.
Last pre season, he got his management reached out to other clubs as Des wasn't giving him a fair go and with Campbell-Gillard arriving.

The Doggies reached out but Titans for what ever reason would not release him, "for 2025" and unfortunately Des sees him a depth only, and won't come to the table to discuss, even though they have released several other players over recent weeks.
Currently playing Q Cup.

Played 19 games for the Titans last year, start prop 5 times.

The kid will go to Sydney and doesn't have an NRL contract for 2026.

Thanks for the intel rusty, very interesting titans aren’t giving him a fair go…seems like a goer

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I agree.
I was initially keen on him potentially joining us, but his good games are few and far between.
Not sure what second rower we can sign, but I don’t think KPP is the answer.

What's going on V you were all for him 2 weeks ago, to me at the moment he is playing like someone who knows he's off to another club or the negotiations are messing with his head that could be why his manager made his presence in the media lately, he was playing better games earlier

The Knights are in a hole at the moment a lot of their talent are playing ordinary.

 

[colinbh]

Josiah Pahulu, prop from the Titans, Israel Leota, centre/wing and Jamal Shibasaki, backrower.

Never heard of them.

 

[Bones]

What's going on V you were all for him 2 weeks ago, to me at the moment he is playing like someone who knows he's off to another club or the negotiations are messing with his head that could be why his manager made his presence in the media lately, he was playing better games earlier

The Knights are in a hole at the moment a lot of their talent are playing ordinary.

Last night KPP had 13 hit ups for 138m with 62m post contact, 46 tackles and 6 missed. Ideally you’d like to see a few less misses but that is significantly better output than either of our second rowers have produced all season.

He’s averaging 112m per game compared to 63m for Seyfarth and 75m for Fainu, and his tackle efficiency is better than Fainu.

He’s a massive upgrade on Seyfarth and at this moment in better form than Fainu as well.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Last night KPP had 13 hit ups for 138m with 62m post contact, 46 tackles and 6 missed. Ideally you’d like to see a few less misses but that is significantly better output than either of our second rowers have produced all season.

He’s averaging 112m per game compared to 63m for Seyfarth and 75m for Fainu, and his tackle efficiency is better than Fainu.

He’s a massive upgrade on Seyfarth and at this moment in better form than Fainu as well.

46 tackles for a back rower isn’t the norm
Either his edge was targeted or he went looking for work

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Last night KPP had 13 hit ups for 138m with 62m post contact, 46 tackles and 6 missed. Ideally you’d like to see a few less misses but that is significantly better output than either of our second rowers have produced all season.

He’s averaging 112m per game compared to 63m for Seyfarth and 75m for Fainu, and his tackle efficiency is better than Fainu.

He’s a massive upgrade on Seyfarth and at this moment in better form than Fainu as well.

I think the culture at the Knights appears to be shot, get him into our team spirit and a big offseason in the weights room and we will see a different player in my opinion.

 

[1itiger]

Never heard of them.

We need a prop...young with plenty of upside.

 

[crazycat]

People seem to be excited about this potential KPP signing.
Surely there has to be better options available, i am definitely not seeing what everyone else is hoping he brings to the Tigers.

A lot.

1. our forward pack is severly weakened. May is carrying us and all our forwards are punching way above their weight (bar Matumua and Branton Tumeth... who deserve reserve grade). We NEED more beef badly, we go like this we will burn May.

2. KPP seems to be an above average NRL player.. not a gun but above average.

3. We need a second rower and he seems to be fitting the bill.

4. Seems to be a player we can develop. He can dent the line and make some impact.


That said, he does have weaknesses. His defense needs work. He is playing in a loosing side, which isn't always evidence of a bad player (i.e. Api playing with us) but they are loosing for a reason. I think he can improve and I even think our coaching and structure can improve him. We do need to get his tackling and defense up but we can afford it in the middle (not wing).

TLDR: He would be a good addition. So would the Brisbane players... No idea why canberra seem to be hunting him hard, they appear to have way too many forwards.

 

[crazycat]

He re-signed with the Broncs til 2027.

Which means we should hunt someone else from there.

The Broncos have been totally stupid with their signings. They have paid overs for Hunt and resigning Hetherington like they did should mean others are available.

I wonder if Staggs could be lured here? Would be a really nice Galvin replacement and IMHO someone I would rather at lock then Galvin. Ofcourse I would pay any money to get Payne Haas, but it won't happen. Paix, Wililson, Paikura would all be welcome here.

Outside idea if TDS leaves is to get Billy Walters at replacement 9. I would want TDS to stay, but getting Walters back at the club gives us a little flexibility... + Kevin could be a good backup coach if needed.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

A lot.

1. our forward pack is severly weakened. May is carrying us and all our forwards are punching way above their weight (bar Matumua and Branton Tumeth... who deserve reserve grade). We NEED more beef badly, we go like this we will burn May.

2. KPP seems to be an above average NRL player.. not a gun but above average.

3. We need a second rower and he seems to be fitting the bill.

4. Seems to be a player we can develop. He can dent the line and make some impact.


That said, he does have weaknesses. His defense needs work. He is playing in a loosing side, which isn't always evidence of a bad player (i.e. Api playing with us) but they are loosing for a reason. I think he can improve and I even think our coaching and structure can improve him. We do need to get his tackling and defense up but we can afford it in the middle (not wing).

TLDR: He would be a good addition. So would the Brisbane players... No idea why canberra seem to be hunting him hard, they appear to have way too many forwards.

Great summary. In addition, KPP has the ability to offload the ball in traffic and he does it so prolifically.