Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Roar_Power said:
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!
Click to expand...
I think this will be more common from younger players now with the addition of new teams and the increased cap. 3 new teams means and extra 36-40mil of money in the competition. Thats before factoring in cap increases from the tv deal.

Sam will be 26 when off contract next which is prime age for a backrower and will probably be the Nov 1 before the 20th team comes in. Market demand for players will never be higher than in 2029.

It’s an incredibly smart play by him and his management.
 
GNR4LIFE said:
People endorsing the potential signing of Manase to appease his brothers is not a situation I created.
Click to expand...
Define "potential signing:?

My understanding of the situation is that he would start at a Ron Massey level and have to work his way up.

There would be no Wests Tigers contract.

But there would be a pathway to the NRL if he does the work and is good enough.

I dont see the problem?
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
‘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.

Click to expand...
Interesting injury management felt it go doesn't sound good
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
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.

Click to expand...
Once again, latu reinforces that he understands his injury situation and how that has impacted his ability to be a starting half.

A number of folks on here try and paint a picture that he is ready to walk out on the club for lack of opportunity.

In saying that, he needs a bit of dog in him.. I want to hear him say that he wants to make that jersey his own..
 
GNR4LIFE said:
Nope. I’ve said several times we don’t know that for sure. I’m pointing out the hypocrisy of people if that were the case. Learn the difference.
Click to expand...
You are annoyed because you are anticipating people being hypocritical over something that hasn't happened and is very unlikely to happen? Lifes too short my friend
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
Good news about the Fainu's, Sam would've been a devastating loss, guess that leaves Pole to extend now.

This leaves the crap season in the rear-view mirror now, signings and extension news give you a better feeling.

To top it off, wait for the classic we've had the hardest off season ever through the summer.
Click to expand...
Yep, can't wait for the next edition of "I'm a Weststiger, Get Me Outta Here, Mud My Day, Celebrity Challenge."

The only problem is that the players involved in the RLWC will have a limited pre-season. I mean, Api & Twal are experienced enough to hit the ground running. Frizell, likewise, but won't have gelled with his new comrades until later. KPP was great while it lasted early on, but he will also need to reconnect with the Right Edge, whoever they might be. Turuva saw no ball at all once KPP was Gonski. Latu has never had a full pre-season, says it all and Saukuru, whilst he looked good in the Cookie crusher game, needs plenty of defensive work. Sukkar, Lanyon & Glassie Glassie are still bit players, so they are less of a concern in terms of playing NRL.

So looking forward to the Pre-Season Mud, the blood and the Beer - which I will crack open later today when they announce that the Fainu Bros have resgned along with Bro Manase who has been offered a gig selling hot dogs on the Wayne Pearce Hill. From little things, big things grow.
 
Betterdays22 said:
You are annoyed because you are anticipating people being hypocritical over something that hasn't happened and is very unlikely to happen? Lifes too short my friend
Click to expand...
It has happened. People have already excused the idea that they dictate that their brother is signed.
 
Last edited:
LeichhardtTiger said:
Yep, can't wait for the next edition of "I'm a Weststiger, Get Me Outta Here, Mud My Day, Celebrity Challenge."

The only problem is that the players involved in the RLWC will have a limited pre-season. I mean, Api & Twal are experienced enough to hit the ground running. Frizell, likewise, but won't have gelled with his new comrades until later. KPP was great while it lasted early on, but he will also need to reconnect with the Right Edge, whoever they might be. Turuva saw no ball at all once KPP was Gonski. Latu has never had a full pre-season, says it all and Saukuru, whilst he looked good in the Cookie crusher game, needs plenty of defensive work. Sukkar, Lanyon & Glassie Glassie are still bit players, so they are less of a concern in terms of playing NRL.

So looking forward to the Pre-Season Mud, the blood and the Beer - which I will crack open later today when they announce that the Fainu Bros have resgned along with Bro Manase who has been offered a gig selling hot dogs on the Wayne Pearce Hill. From little things, big things grow.
Click to expand...
If it's any comfort, we seem to have the summer interruptions with the staggered return of players to off season training every year, as do most teams, we should be used to it by now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Staff online

Members online

Total: 11,036 (members: 25, guests: 11,011)
Back
Top