hank37w
Well-known member
That's pretty revolutionary.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
That was my thought too
hank37w
Well-known member
I think that conversation with Royce might have been had during/after, I think it was the Cowboys game where Benji had him as a starter and hooked him after about 10 or 15 minutes.
Not seen again that day.
Not seen again that day.
orange&black
Well-known member
I’m sure that conversation was had earlier as well when Hunt was dropped to reggies for some time. I’d say the convo he’s referring to was the end of season performance assessment when the coach sits down with each player to analyse in depth performance and lays down what he expects for the future etc.
TigerNeddyK
Well-known member
They never ever do any research mate, they just spew their ignorant opinions out like it is gospel
The Chad
Well-known member
I think Afoa's addition allows the team to be creative in the use of Terrell May- maybe playing something like a #13 role at times- because we now have a number of good options for the front row.
If we play power and then shift fast it’s a massive change for us and alot of points will be scored.
Bunty & Hunt off the bench if they can play quality and most rounds should allow Pole and May to hammer it hard as well.
Bunty & Hunt off the bench if they can play quality and most rounds should allow Pole and May to hammer it hard as well.
Betterdays22
Well-known member
a "training the house down" themed article. Took until end of Jan that must be a record.
The Wests Tigers’ ‘Crash Bros’ who stripped 15kgs between them
These two Wests Tigers props have slimmed down but will be impossible to miss when launching off the back fence this year.www.smh.com.au
The Wests Tigers’ ‘Crash Bros’ who stripped 15kgs between them
Christian Nicolussi
January 31, 2026 — 4.28pm
Between them, Royce Hunt and Wests Tigers recruit Bunty Afoa say they have dropped about 15kgs. Others at the club will tell you that number sits closer to 20kgs.
Either way, Hunt and Afoa not only look fit, the unofficial “Crash Bros” are ready to launch and give the Tigers the kind of brutal one-two heavyweight punch they have lacked since Keith Galloway and Bryce Gibbs were terrorising rivals more than a decade ago.
A few things become apparent after watching a couple of Tigers training sessions this week.
Afoa will be an early contender for NRL buy of the year based on the way he moved and spoke. He looked right at home in the middle.
The 29-year-old thought he would be a New Zealand Warrior for life, only to answer an SOS from coach Benji Marshall when he was convinced he was headed to the English Super League.
“Benji wanted me to bring what I bring, which is physicality,” said Afoa, who has been easy to identify over the years when slamming into defensive lines with his long hair bobbing around.
Bunty Afoa scoring against the Tigers in his previous life as a Warrior.
Bunty Afoa scoring against the Tigers in his previous life as a Warrior.Credit:NRL Photos
“I play with aggression and try to set the tone. ‘Benj’ sees me and Royce as the ‘Crash Bros’.
“There’s so much talent here, and I’ve been trying to teach the younger boys not to be afraid of who is in front of you.”
Afoa grew up on the tough streets of south Auckland, and since relocated to Greenacre. He joked the western Sydney suburb reminded him of home, with a good sense of community and “good kebab shops around the corner”.
Kebabs and carbohydrates, and his favourite, sushi, have been kept to a minimum over the summer for Afoa who dropped to 115kg. Hunt has stripped down to 113kg after ballooning to north of 120kg.
By his own admission, Hunt fell short of expectations when he arrived from Cronulla last year, and Marshall made it clear he needed to get himself in peak physical condition for this season.
He trained nearly every day with former Cronulla teammates Sione Katoa, Oregon Kaufusi, Sifa Talakai and Perth-bound Chris Vea’ila, stopped eating after 8.30pm, spent time doing Pilates at his wife Shavaun’s studio in Blakehurst, and even completed an inflammation diet, where he gave up food for four days.
“I had a bit of hype around me coming here, but I didn’t live up to that expectation, which is on me,” Hunt said.
“I got too big. Benji and I had some good words at the end of the year, and he wanted me to reach some targets. I’ve come back in so much better shape, and you notice when you run how your knees feel better and your body feels better.
“The quality and intensity at training has been through the roof. Fonua Pole is quite strong for his age. But Bunty and I are the ones who love coming off that back fence.”
Hunt, Afoa, workhorses Terrell May and Pole, plus Alex Twal, Sione Fainu and Alex Seyfarth – another forward who thrives on the rough stuff – have given the Tigers much-needed depth.
Another recruit, Ethan Roberts, will keep Samuela Fainu and former Newcastle Knight Kai Pearce-Paul on their toes in the second-row.
supercoach
Well-known member
Been reading preseason fluff for over 60 years. Never trained harder, never been so keen etc. The only thing I take out of these articles is kick off is not far away and the roll a coaster is about to start
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
It's a feel good thing, wouldn't be a Tigers off season without one.
Betterdays22
Well-known member
Disappointed not to see a "toughest preseason ever" quote but relieved not to see a "benji is carving us up at training" quote.
The Wests Tigers’ ‘Crash Bros’ who stripped 15kgs between them
These two Wests Tigers props have slimmed down but will be impossible to miss when launching off the back fence this year.
The Wests Tigers’ ‘Crash Bros’ who stripped 15kgs between them
Christian Nicolussi
January 31, 2026 — 4.28pm
Between them, Royce Hunt and Wests Tigers recruit Bunty Afoa say they have dropped about 15kgs. Others at the club will tell you that number sits closer to 20kgs.
Either way, Hunt and Afoa not only look fit, the unofficial “Crash Bros” are ready to launch and give the Tigers the kind of brutal one-two heavyweight punch they have lacked since Keith Galloway and Bryce Gibbs were terrorising rivals more than a decade ago.
A few things become apparent after watching a couple of Tigers training sessions this week.
Afoa will be an early contender for NRL buy of the year based on the way he moved and spoke. He looked right at home in the middle.
The 29-year-old thought he would be a New Zealand Warrior for life, only to answer an SOS from coach Benji Marshall when he was convinced he was headed to the English Super League.
“Benji wanted me to bring what I bring, which is physicality,” said Afoa, who has been easy to identify over the years when slamming into defensive lines with his long hair bobbing around.
Bunty Afoa scoring against the Tigers in his previous life as a Warrior.
Bunty Afoa scoring against the Tigers in his previous life as a Warrior.Credit:NRL Photos
“I play with aggression and try to set the tone. ‘Benj’ sees me and Royce as the ‘Crash Bros’.
“There’s so much talent here, and I’ve been trying to teach the younger boys not to be afraid of who is in front of you.”
Afoa grew up on the tough streets of south Auckland, and since relocated to Greenacre. He joked the western Sydney suburb reminded him of home, with a good sense of community and “good kebab shops around the corner”.
Kebabs and carbohydrates, and his favourite, sushi, have been kept to a minimum over the summer for Afoa who dropped to 115kg. Hunt has stripped down to 113kg after ballooning to north of 120kg.
By his own admission, Hunt fell short of expectations when he arrived from Cronulla last year, and Marshall made it clear he needed to get himself in peak physical condition for this season.
He trained nearly every day with former Cronulla teammates Sione Katoa, Oregon Kaufusi, Sifa Talakai and Perth-bound Chris Vea’ila, stopped eating after 8.30pm, spent time doing Pilates at his wife Shavaun’s studio in Blakehurst, and even completed an inflammation diet, where he gave up food for four days.
“I had a bit of hype around me coming here, but I didn’t live up to that expectation, which is on me,” Hunt said.
“I got too big. Benji and I had some good words at the end of the year, and he wanted me to reach some targets. I’ve come back in so much better shape, and you notice when you run how your knees feel better and your body feels better.
“The quality and intensity at training has been through the roof. Fonua Pole is quite strong for his age. But Bunty and I are the ones who love coming off that back fence.”
Hunt, Afoa, workhorses Terrell May and Pole, plus Alex Twal, Sione Fainu and Alex Seyfarth – another forward who thrives on the rough stuff – have given the Tigers much-needed depth.
Another recruit, Ethan Roberts, will keep Samuela Fainu and former Newcastle Knight Kai Pearce-Paul on their toes in the second-row.
gallagher
Well-known member
Good take. I like the idea of May a bit wider
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Don't be disappointed, it was quoted somewhere just recently by one of the players.
Legendary trainer Ronnie 'The Cougar' Palmer has joined the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs as Head of NRLW High Performance (per The Mole)
Tiger_claws
Well-known member
Such a shame. I used to like Ronnie.
Tiger_claws
Well-known member
AD said it recently.
Tiger_claws
Well-known member
They could definitely swing momentum
