Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[mtd#2]

It is a bad thing. They’re all in on an average coach. And it peaks everyone’s anxiety that there will be a mass exodus if he was to get sacked. So the alternative is having to persist.

As always, it comes back to the same mob and the circumstances around how a rookie coach landed a 5 year contract that pays him in full if he gets sacked.

 

[wstigers11]

I think people are just speculating why Samuela Fainu’s contract is only 2 years and not longer

It’s smart by his management, keeps both player & club accountable

 

[Speed2burn]

It’s smart by his management, keeps both player & club accountable

There’s also the new broadcast deal which kicks in 2028… players probably waiting for that before they sign the long term contracts.

 

[Betterdays22]

No. I’m annoyed at peoples double standards

You have created situation in your mind where it would play out in the worst way possible and then getting annoyed "double standards" of fans based on your creation of these events. Multiple people have pointed out how the situations really aren't comparable.

Cannot believe how much attention the Manase thing gets on here

 

[GNR4LIFE]

You have created situation in your mind where it would play out in the worst way possible and then getting annoyed "double standards" of fans based on your creation of these events. Multiple people have pointed out how the situations really aren't comparable.

Cannot believe how much attention the Manase thing gets on here

People endorsing the potential signing of Manase to appease his brothers is not a situation I created.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Anyone know when the next board meeting is?

Surely there is sign off on a new Assistant Coach & Pathways Coaching Director at that one.

Pre-season training for NRL & pathways is just around the corner and we don't want to start on the back foot.

 

[Tom Shines]

Considering it’s probably linked to a 2 yr deal for Latu as well …I got no problem with it only being 2 years ….

Let’s see if Latu can play some time injury free ….

 

[Roar_Power]

Interested to know why it’s only a 2 year extension. With these sorts of players, you generally see 3-4 year extensions. Seems a little short…..

Great though!

 

[hammertime]

Interested to know why it’s only a 2 year extension. With these sorts of players, you generally see 3-4 year extensions. Seems a little short…..

Great though!

I'd say he thinks he can earn more in 2 years time - which is a fair call.

But amazing news!! I think another strong backup centre and middle forward and we have a squad.

 

[davey_farrell]

Anyone know when the next board meeting is?

Surely there is sign off on a new Assistant Coach & Pathways Coaching Director at that one.

Pre-season training for NRL & pathways is just around the corner and we don't want to start on the back foot.

Hey BWG we have not even been told who is leaving the club yet ...why I have no idea

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

Wonder if we should defend latu in the centres to protect him from himself?

It's all sorted, mate. His new Kit allows for multiple sponsor logos, which will be used to upgrade Samuela's $$$.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Hey BWG we have not even been told who is leaving the club yet ...why I have no idea

Mate we are waiting on numerous announcements.

I can only assume that we haven't done this because 1 or 2 off contract players may still be in negotiations with the club (i.e. Sukkar, Bunty & Mason) and Shaun wants to do a THANKS announcement in one go, perhaps just before 1-November when new season contracts kick in.

We also haven't seen the male junior reps summer squads announced yet. Girls were announced 2 weeks ago. Be good to see which 16-19yos we have retained.

 

[achilles]

It's all sorted, mate. His new Kit allows for multiple sponsor logos, which will be used to upgrade Samuela's $$$.
View attachment 45526

Astute suggestion

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Thoughts on Blake Mozer? Plays hooker, was earmarked as the next big thing a few years back, but has been on an injury run. Has been told by the Broncos he can look elsewhere.

 

[88]

Interested to know why it’s only a 2 year extension. With these sorts of players, you generally see 3-4 year extensions. Seems a little short…..

Great though!

Aligns with the end of Sione’s contract I think.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Thoughts on Blake Mozer? Plays hooker, was earmarked as the next big thing a few years back, but has been on an injury run. Has been told by the Broncos he can look elsewhere.

Don’t we have enough?

 

[Lionheartj]

Thoughts on Blake Mozer? Plays hooker, was earmarked as the next big thing a few years back, but has been on an injury run. Has been told by the Broncos he can look elsewhere.

He has talent,a real goer but unfortunately is only light in structure and has been knocked out alot

 

[Lionheartj]

Aligns with the end of Sione’s contract I think.

I’m ok with it,means he’s here for 3yrs now

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

‘I want to stay with my brothers’: Fainu family eyeing Tigers reunion as Samuela nears big-money extension

As Samuela Fainu nears a $1.6m Tigers extension, his brother Manase’s prison release has created an intriguing situation for the family, who wish to all don the Wests jersey at the same time.

Tyson Jackson - October 21, 2026 - 2:31PM

The Fainus are set to welcome back oldest brother Manase from prison next week, as the family look to secure their long-term future in the NRL.

Former Manly hooker Manase has been exiled from the game after being jailed in 2022, when he was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He will now prepare to take his first steps as a free man following his four-year imprisonment, and will be at Sunday week’s World Cup blockbuster between Tonga and Samoa in Sydney.

“It’s actually really exciting,” Latu said of having his brother leave prison.

“We’ve been waiting for a long time for him to come out.”

The clash between Tonga and Samoa could be the first time Manase, 28, gets to see his brother Latu play a professional game in person.

Tonga five-eighth and Wests Tigers playmaker Latu was still playing SG Ball (under-19s) when Manase was convicted in August 2022, with the Fainu family preparing a party following the game.

“He’s actually going to come to the Tonga game when he comes out,” Latu said.

“After the game we’ll go out, just have some dinner, have a barbecue with all the friends together.”

Once Manase is settled back into a regular routine, Latu, Samuela and Sione will all start to help their brother make his way back to the NRL for the first time since 2019.

“He will come out and we will all start training together, hopefully he’s at the Tigers too,” Latu said.

The contracts of three of the four Fainu brothers are still not finalised at the Tigers.

Sione extended with the club last season on a three-year deal, keeping him at the Tigers until the end of the 2029 season.

Samuela is believed to have agreed to a $1.6 million extension, as revealed by this masthead, which will also keep him at the club until the end of 2029.

Latu has revealed he is yet to open contract talks, despite the young half being earmarked to replace Jarome Luai in the No.6 jersey to start next year.

“Not yet. Hopefully the club starts talking to me soon,” Latu said.

“I want to stay with my brothers. I’ve always wanted to play with them since I was young and we got the chance to do that at Tigers, so hopefully stay there.”

Despite wanting a new contract with the club, Latu admits his injury history has hindered his chances of becoming a full-time playmaker.

Injuries haunt him to this day—just a week ago, he believed he had torn his pec after aggravating an old niggle.

Now, he’s ready to put that behind him to ensure he gets the chance to become the Tigers’ long-term five-eighth.

“I’m definitely interested,” Latu said on replacing Luai in the halves.

“First I need to get myself ready, make sure I’m fit, make sure I’m injury-free, and if I do that, then I’ll definitely go for the chance to play in the six jersey.

“I think being honest with myself, holding myself accountable, making sure I’m doing my rehab right, injuries, stretching, all those little extras, making sure I’m ready to go out there on the field and do what I can do.”

Latu was cleared of any major injuries with his pec and will line up off the bench for Tonga this weekend.

“I sort of felt it go, but it was just more a recovery response, and physios here, they’ve been training us, so it actually feels pretty good,” he said.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/tigers-on-brink-of-16m-coup-to-keep-rising-star-from-hitting-open-market/news-story/9496ae17aaea8e1fe14764f3113544c7

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Latu Fainu quotes today:

On Manase: “He (Manase) will come out and we will all start training together, hopefully he’s at the Tigers too.”

On contract talks yet to take place: “I want to stay with my brothers. I’ve always wanted to play with them since I was young and we got the chance to do that at Tigers, so hopefully stay there.”

On injury set backs: “First I need to get myself ready, make sure I’m fit, make sure I’m injury-free, and if I do that, then I’ll definitely go for the chance to play in the six jersey. “I think being honest with myself, holding myself accountable, making sure I’m doing my rehab right, injuries, stretching, all those little extras, making sure I’m ready to go out there on the field and do what I can do.”