Stefano Utoikamanu #241

[ATown]

I think the red head is Cini

The real Ranga isn't Cini.

I can dig it.

 

[hsvjones]

Most of the guys look in great condition ..... Maybe they know how Madge trains and wants to get ahead of the curve...

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Most of the guys look in great condition ..... Maybe they know how Madge trains and wants to get ahead of the curve...

Wouldn’t read too much into it, Every squad in the comp would be returning the same.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Stefano makes some of our players look very small. Excited to see him play for us.

 

[rustycage]

Anyone have the copy of today's article on him in the telecrap? 'Why tigers poaching raid really hurt the eels'

Why tigers poaching raid really hurt the eels

At a Concord coffee shop last November, Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire laid out a vision for young star Stefano Utoikamanu that would lure him from Parramatta and continue the alarming trend of the Eels losing their best young juniors.

The Tigers had identified prop Utoikamanu and Penrith backrower Shawn Blore as forwards they could anchor their pack around in the next three years.

Blore got an early release from the Panthers and switched to Leichhardt this year, and could make his NRL debut against the Eels on Thursday night

Utoikamanu, at that point yet to play first grade, had a three-year deal worth $900,000 in front of him from the Tigers, and a constant reminder at home of how insecure a future can be.

His older brother, Filia, had shown even more promise than Stefano through the juniors and was expected to become an NRL star before tragedy struck in 2017. Filia suffered a serious neck injury – doctors initially feared paralysis – before he recovered to walk, but will never again play football.

With the Eels having signed props Junior Paulo from Canberra and Reagan Campbell-Gillard from Penrith, and the money and opportunity on offer from the Tigers, Utoikamanu signed with the Tigers.

“It was a tough decision, but I have to do what is best for me and my family,” Utoikamanu said.

“It was probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my life.”

But Utoikamanu was already signed by the Eels for 2020, and despite the request for an early release, Parramatta refused.

Eels coach Brad Arthur would not budge, despite the Tigers granting an early release for Ryan Matterson – their best performer last year – to join Parramatta this season.

Matterson, a Parramatta junior, has strenuously denied that he told the Tigers he wanted to leave because they weren’t capable of winning a premiership.
.
Nevertheless, the suggestion alone, and back and forth trading between the club’s players and staff – Eels assistant coach David Kidwell and general manager of football Mark O’Neill were previously employed by the Tigers – has set up a grudge match unlike any other in the NRL.

To Arthur’s credit, rather than leave Utoikamanu languishing in reserves just to spite the Tigers, he has blooded the 20-year-old this season and will throw him in against the club he’ll join next year at Bankwest Stadium on Thursday night.

“I stayed here and wanted to put my head down so I could get my debut this year, I’m grateful that Brad gave me that opportunity,” Utoikamanu said.

But his loss beyond 2020 underscores a worrying statistic — no Parramatta junior who has remained at the Eels has debuted in State of Origin in a decade.

Former skipper Tim Mannah, who played for NSW in 2010, was the last.

Blake Ferguson and Michael Jennings have since represented the Blues, but aren’t Parramatta juniors, while Tony Williams had moved to Manly when he broke through to play Origin in 2012.

Blues coach Brad Fittler named Utoikamanu as a potential Origin bolter earlier this year, comparing him to David Klemmer and Payne Haas, so it was particularly galling for Eels fans to hear of his defection to their rivals across Parramatta Road.

Alex Twal had been another Eels forward of the future. A Junior Kangaroos and NSW under-20s representative standout, Twal signed a three-year deal with the Tigers from 2018, but was released by Parramatta immediately, midway through the 2017 season, to join them.

At the time, Eels officials dismissed Twal’s departure as a blow to their forward stocks, instead talking up the emergence of then 17-year-old props Utoikamanu and his childhood friend Oregon Kaufusi.

But, having spent years investing in their stagnant nursery, to produce an Origin-calibre junior only to watch a rival swoop in and sign him, hurt the Eels.

They had only just started filling the U16, U18 and U20s Origin teams with blue and gold talent after a long, dry spell.

Now, they’ll be looking over their shoulder wondering whether rivals will try to take talented youngsters Sean Russell, Cody Parry and Will Penisini in coming years.

That path from Parramatta’s juniors to the NRL hasn’t always been clear.

Unfortunately for the Eels, amid the much-hyped arrival of Matterson in the off-season, another rising junior star – Uinitoni Mataele — became concerned about his journey to first grade.

The Newcastle Knights sensed an opportunity and poached Mataele earlier this year, infuriating the Eels.

Matterson’s controversial defection sets up a juicy showdown with the Tigers, but for Arthur – who is attempting to secure the Eels their first premiership since 1986, 14 years before Utoikamanu was born – the feud is irrelevant.

“I don’t have time to get caught up in it, it’s just about two good footy teams wanting to go out there for teammates and fans and club and doing their best,” Arthur said.

“This week’s no different to last week, or the week before.”

While Parramatta are second on the NRL ladder and undefeated at home in 2020, the Tigers cannot be dismissed as a club building for the future.

The signings of Utoikamanu and Blore, and retention of Tommy Talau paint a bright future, but Tigers veterans Benji Marshall, Chris Lawrence and Russell Packer are desperate for success in 2020.

Under then coach Ivan Cleary, the Tigers signed Russell Packer in 2018 on a $750,000-a-year deal until the end of 2021 that hasn’t yielded the results they’d hoped

It was only during last week’s 48-0 drubbing of the Broncos, after Tigers staff had identified how to treat a foot injury that had hampered the prop since last year, did Packer show his quality by running 148 metres and making 30 tackles in 52 minutes on the field.

Utoikamanu can expect a rough reception from Packer – who is keenly aware the rookie will be trying to take his starting spot in 2021.

Now seventh on the table and with the third-best attacking record in the competition, the Tigers loom as a tricky opponent not only for their foes but the rest of the NRL.

“I don’t think the boys are actually satisfied with where they’re at,” Maguire said.

“A lot of this is actually coming through the players now, that’s what I’m trying to achieve, is that they control what we’re doing and drive what we’re doing.

“The fact that we’ve done it once, they’re hungry to do it again and again.

“That’s when we can be talked about as the team on the run to where we want to get to.”

WTs should next target Eels Will Penisini and his brother Richard Penisini.

Richard Penisini is a very unfortunate name

His brother Willy is a slight improvement.

Dick and Willy Penisini.

Surely their parents were taking the pi55

 

[JC99]

Most of the guys look in great condition ..... Maybe they know how Madge trains and wants to get ahead of the curve...

You’re right, I’ve had players say that to me last pre season

 

[Speed2burn]

Most of the guys look in great condition ..... Maybe they know how Madge trains and wants to get ahead of the curve...

Wouldn’t read too much into it, Every squad in the comp would be returning the same.

Footy players look in great nick, shock horror

 

[TigerVinnie]

Most of the guys look in great condition ..... Maybe they know how Madge trains and wants to get ahead of the curve...

Wouldn’t read too much into it, Every squad in the comp would be returning the same.

True, though if you look at the shots of Blore and even BJ they looked to have lost some of that body fat. Starting off the pre season already lean is a great sign as it shows the cardio fitness is probably already there.

 

[trentrunciman]

looks like a promising group of forwards we can build on. I have been pessimistic but seeing blore and stefano it seems like we have a chacne to build on for the future

 

[hodgo]

Anyone got the stefano article from super coach and want tot pass it on

 

[tigertye]

I actually met Stef pretty randomly just before Xmas last year.

We were doing some landscaping for Parra at their new training ground at Kellyville. I remember digging post holes and it was over 40+ degrees and had that brutal smoke hanging around from the fires. It was a shocker of a day.

I didn’t actually recognise Stef until afterwards. He came over to his car near where we were working and made the effort to say g’day to a few of us. Even offered to go and grab us a drink and seemed like a really humble and genuine bloke. Absolutely huge unit in person. I really hope he kicks on for us but think he’ll take a while like most props to find his feet.

On a side note, Parra hadn’t come outside to train at all and I remember Moses came out to his car and started having a massive whinge to us about how hot it was and how crazy it was they had to come into training that day as he was waiting for his brand new Mercedes air con to kick in. I ended up asking if he wanted to come have a dig for the first time in his life and he buggered off not long after that. Can’t stand that little twerp.

 

[boonboon]

Really goid signs of the person Stefano is. That will stand him in great sted

 

[Snake]

This will be interesting watching this young fella progress, not expecting to much next season but hopefully has the attitude to knuckle down. The way he was talking the other day was interesting to say the least time will tell and of corse Madge 🤔

 

[rustycage]

I actually met Stef pretty randomly just before Xmas last year.

We were doing some landscaping for Parra at their new training ground at Kellyville. I remember digging post holes and it was over 40+ degrees and had that brutal smoke hanging around from the fires. It was a shocker of a day.

I didn’t actually recognise Stef until afterwards. He came over to his car near where we were working and made the effort to say g’day to a few of us. Even offered to go and grab us a drink and seemed like a really humble and genuine bloke. Absolutely huge unit in person. I really hope he kicks on for us but think he’ll take a while like most props to find his feet.

On a side note, Parra hadn’t come outside to train at all and I remember Moses came out to his car and started having a massive whinge to us about how hot it was and how crazy it was they had to come into training that day as he was waiting for his brand new Mercedes air con to kick in. I **ended up asking if he wanted to come have a dig for the first time in his life and he buggered off not long after that**. Can’t stand that little twerp.

:rolling_on_the_floor_laughing:

 

[diedpretty]

Wests Tigers recruit Stefano Utoikamanu opens up on tragic death of best mate Keith Titmuss

As if coping with rarely playing in 2020 wasn’t hard enough, young Wests Tigers recruit Stefano Utoikamanu has now had to deal with the loss of his best mate.
Stefano Utoikamanu will likely enter the 2021 NRL season with three fresh digits inked onto his body.

Yet it won’t be his new Wests Tigers playing number.

Nor the one he earned debuting with Parramatta this year.

No, the number Utoikamanu has already discussed getting tattooed over the Christmas break is 623 – a tribute to best mate and late Manly Sea Eagles prop Keith Titmuss.

In his first interview as a Wests Tiger, one of rugby league’s most promising forwards has revealed how his new life as ‘Generation Next’ will likely start by getting inked in memory of the late Sea Eagles young gun.

Only two years ago, Utoikamanu and Titmuss were fellow bookends at Westfields Sports High.

A pair of best mates who, even after leaving school to embark on their separate NRL careers, would still catch up daily over the phone to chat life, footy, whatever.

“Which is what I’ll miss most, just talking with him,” the Tigers recruit said.

“We always stayed in contact. Talked almost every day.

“I miss him.

“Miss just having him around.

“Everyone who knew him … we all just want to see him smile again.”

Signed from Parramatta in a shock recruitment coup, Utoikamanu was only days into Tigers pre-season when he learned his mate had tragically died following a routine Manly training session.

“So it’s been a s**t time these past few weeks,” he continued.

“But we’ve got a group of close mates and I’m trying to stick around them as much as possible. Check in with them all too as much as I can.

“When your mates are dealing with stuff like this — getting stuck in their own thoughts — it isn’t good.

“But we’re trying to stay positive. Remember all the good times we had.”

Utoikamanu confirmed many of the group – which includes the likes of Tigers centre Tommy Talau and new Sea Eagles recruit Jason Saab – were now getting tattoos in memory of their mate.

“A few of the boys have already got them done,” he explained. “Just a little tribute with Keith’s initials and his player number – 623.

“I’ve thought about getting one, too.

“It’s hard because something like this, you never think it’ll happen to guys as young as us.

“It’s just … I dunno … I’m still in shock.”

Despite his unhappy start to life as a Tiger, Utoikamanu stressed he was energised by the prospect of “making a mark” on the NRL in 2021.

After agreeing to a deal with the joint-venture club in 2019, the Eels junior had requested an early release so he could play regular NRL footy.

Instead, Parramatta kept the young prop who started the year rated a potential NSW Origin bolter, however played only three games – which included an NRL debut lasting just 10 seconds.

“It was a tough year because (with the COVID situation) if you weren’t playing first grade, you weren’t playing at all,” Utoikamanu said.

“So all you did was train.

“Which didn’t feel good.

“It’s also hard to stay motivated when you’re training and knowing you won’t play.

“I wanted to leave (Parramatta) this year and come over to Wests Tigers so I could play a few more games than I did.

“But the whole year, I tried to stay positive.

“Just kept grinding.

“I definitely didn’t want to waste the year or arrive at Wests Tigers in bad shape.

“So I tried my hardest and am grateful that I did get to debut with my junior club.”

Asked how he remembers the Round 9 match against Newcastle, which saw him come on to make the last hit up of the game, then get busted for breaching COVID protocols afterwards when he hugged family members in the crowd, Utoikamanu replied: “I just see it as a start.

“I want to be in this game for a long time, which is why I don’t look at my NRL debut too badly.

“I’m not kicking stones about it.

“For me now, I’ve started my career.”

 

[BalmainJnr]

Wests Tigers recruit Stefano Utoikamanu opens up on tragic death of best mate Keith Titmuss

As if coping with rarely playing in 2020 wasn’t hard enough, young Wests Tigers recruit Stefano Utoikamanu has now had to deal with the loss of his best mate.
Stefano Utoikamanu will likely enter the 2021 NRL season with three fresh digits inked onto his body.

Yet it won’t be his new Wests Tigers playing number.

Nor the one he earned debuting with Parramatta this year.

No, the number Utoikamanu has already discussed getting tattooed over the Christmas break is 623 – a tribute to best mate and late Manly Sea Eagles prop Keith Titmuss.

In his first interview as a Wests Tiger, one of rugby league’s most promising forwards has revealed how his new life as ‘Generation Next’ will likely start by getting inked in memory of the late Sea Eagles young gun.

Only two years ago, Utoikamanu and Titmuss were fellow bookends at Westfields Sports High.

A pair of best mates who, even after leaving school to embark on their separate NRL careers, would still catch up daily over the phone to chat life, footy, whatever.

“Which is what I’ll miss most, just talking with him,” the Tigers recruit said.

“We always stayed in contact. Talked almost every day.

“I miss him.

“Miss just having him around.

“Everyone who knew him … we all just want to see him smile again.”

Signed from Parramatta in a shock recruitment coup, Utoikamanu was only days into Tigers pre-season when he learned his mate had tragically died following a routine Manly training session.

“So it’s been a s**t time these past few weeks,” he continued.

“But we’ve got a group of close mates and I’m trying to stick around them as much as possible. Check in with them all too as much as I can.

“When your mates are dealing with stuff like this — getting stuck in their own thoughts — it isn’t good.

“But we’re trying to stay positive. Remember all the good times we had.”

Utoikamanu confirmed many of the group – which includes the likes of Tigers centre Tommy Talau and new Sea Eagles recruit Jason Saab – were now getting tattoos in memory of their mate.

“A few of the boys have already got them done,” he explained. “Just a little tribute with Keith’s initials and his player number – 623.

“I’ve thought about getting one, too.

“It’s hard because something like this, you never think it’ll happen to guys as young as us.

“It’s just … I dunno … I’m still in shock.”

Despite his unhappy start to life as a Tiger, Utoikamanu stressed he was energised by the prospect of “making a mark” on the NRL in 2021.

After agreeing to a deal with the joint-venture club in 2019, the Eels junior had requested an early release so he could play regular NRL footy.

Instead, Parramatta kept the young prop who started the year rated a potential NSW Origin bolter, however played only three games – which included an NRL debut lasting just 10 seconds.

“It was a tough year because (with the COVID situation) if you weren’t playing first grade, you weren’t playing at all,” Utoikamanu said.

“So all you did was train.

“Which didn’t feel good.

“It’s also hard to stay motivated when you’re training and knowing you won’t play.

“I wanted to leave (Parramatta) this year and come over to Wests Tigers so I could play a few more games than I did.

“But the whole year, I tried to stay positive.

“Just kept grinding.

“I definitely didn’t want to waste the year or arrive at Wests Tigers in bad shape.

“So I tried my hardest and am grateful that I did get to debut with my junior club.”

Asked how he remembers the Round 9 match against Newcastle, which saw him come on to make the last hit up of the game, then get busted for breaching COVID protocols afterwards when he hugged family members in the crowd, Utoikamanu replied: “I just see it as a start.

“I want to be in this game for a long time, which is why I don’t look at my NRL debut too badly.

“I’m not kicking stones about it.

“For me now, I’ve started my career.”

Wish him and his mates all the best in dealing with their loss. That debut game Parramatta gave him says a lot about their club for mine, glad he is with WT now and looking forward to see him get the opportunity to play and develop under our coach.

 

[tbones10]

Gotta wonder about some of our supporters, this article started on young Stefano, for all intense and purposes one our future stars and got hijacked by Moses and Matterson. Keep the fire burning by all means, have a regular Moses and Matterson dump, no problems. But give young Stefano his due and his own stage and leave those grubs seperate somewhere away from Stefano

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

Photo in the Telegraph today he's a big unit

 

[carltonleach]

Did anyone see much of his under 20s games? I can’t say I’ve seen much of him at all but he definitely looks promising from what I have seen! Recon he will be in the starting 17 most of the year?

 

[Cairnstigers]

I actually met Stef pretty randomly just before Xmas last year.

We were doing some landscaping for Parra at their new training ground at Kellyville. I remember digging post holes and it was over 40+ degrees and had that brutal smoke hanging around from the fires. It was a shocker of a day.

I didn’t actually recognise Stef until afterwards. He came over to his car near where we were working and made the effort to say g’day to a few of us. Even offered to go and grab us a drink and seemed like a really humble and genuine bloke. Absolutely huge unit in person. I really hope he kicks on for us but think he’ll take a while like most props to find his feet.

On a side note, Parra hadn’t come outside to train at all and I remember Moses came out to his car and started having a massive whinge to us about how hot it was and how crazy it was they had to come into training that day as he was waiting for his brand new Mercedes air con to kick in. I ended up asking if he wanted to come have a dig for the first time in his life and he buggered off not long after that. Can’t stand that little twerp.

Nothing's changed
Moses didn't dig in at the Tigers either