Stefano Utoikamanu #241

finnzo said:
A young bloke like him who hits the line as hard as he does will always have injuries to start there careers he will grow into his body and be a deadset beast
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Benji was on the possible scrap heap once as well, popping shoulders. All young, physically most can handle it, but It takes time.
 
He has scaphoid fracture. At least 6 weeks in a cast usually and then 2 weeks of rehab. Very delicate fracture, so would be better to take time with it.
 
finnzo said:
I heard Jackson talk about him in an interview saying he was an origin level second rower and had unbelievable skills that he had seen in the pre season before his injury
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Yeah.....
How many stories you heard about a player (Or team) Absolutely killing it at training but playing like a park footballer / side in your time?

I've lost count.
 
Mighty_Tiger said:
100% this

Stefano last year played his best games next to Tamou. When he played with an inexperienced prop he wasn’t the same player.

We MUST get Stefano a bash brother with experience over the next 2-3yrs
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Haven't we?

Klemmer?
ICE?
Bateman.. Ok Klemmer or ICE are really the Bash Brothers.

I actually picked Stefano leaving our side after Origin. It seemed really obvious that Dale Finucane had a huge effect on him re training and the standard that needed to be displayed. Yet he did not stump up, he accepted a contract renewal here which is great.

His training did not change.

I hope Klemmer + ICE + Bateman have a massive and positive effect on the squad. I know Klemmer was Gym Boss at the Knights and I hope he brings that here, pushing us in the Gym. Yet, we cannot import this culture, we have to foster it.

Farah is the only person in the coaching group with that right attitude and I hope he plus our new signings take it hard here.
 
crazycat said:
Haven't we?

Klemmer?
ICE?
Bateman.. Ok Klemmer or ICE are really the Bash Brothers.

I actually picked Stefano leaving our side after Origin. It seemed really obvious that Dale Finucane had a huge effect on him re training and the standard that needed to be displayed. Yet he did not stump up, he accepted a contract renewal here which is great.

His training did not change.

I hope Klemmer + ICE + Bateman have a massive and positive effect on the squad. I know Klemmer was Gym Boss at the Knights and I hope he brings that here, pushing us in the Gym. Yet, we cannot import this culture, we have to foster it.

Farah is the only person in the coaching group with that right attitude and I hope he plus our new signings take it hard here.
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We didn’t back in July when I made the comment.

We have improved the leadership quality around Stefano and if he is ever going to shine and live ip to the hype it will be over the next 2-3yrs. Klemmer & Api are the real deals and should help Stefano’s game and confidence a heap.

Excited to see what the next few years hold.
 
Papacito said:
At the end of the day, Stefano is still very much a rookie and has only played 33 matches.

He's a very long way off a leadership role and for mine, still needs time to establish himself as a first grader.

The club really needs a few experienced props to give him time to develop. Tamou is past his best and even Musgrove only has a fraction more experience than Stefano. With the exception of Twal, everyone else lacks experience.

You only need to look as far as blokes like Jamal Idris (60'ish games and an origin appearance with the dogs) to see how the weight of expectation can destroy some young fellas.
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I think he’s got more issues than that.

Arriba!
 

From ABC​

After struggling through 2022, Stefano Utoikamanu is poised to continue his rise​

Stefano Utoikamanu's path to the top, like that of most football prodigies, was supposed to be simple.

Key points:​

  • Stefano Utoikamanu will captain Wests Tigers in their trial match against the Warriors
  • The 22-year-old is counted as one of the best young forwards in rugby league
  • Utoikamanu was selected in an extended New South Wales Origin squad in 2021 before injury slowed him down last season

Three games off the bench in his rookie year? Check. A stellar sophomore campaign where he earned selection in an extended New South Wales Origin squad? Check.

In 2022, everything else that happens to players with Utoikamanu's promise was meant to keep happening.

Instead, the Tigers prop endured a high ankle sprain and a fractured wrist as he played just nine matches in the club's forgettable wooden spoon season.

Even when Utoikamanu, still counted as one of the best young forwards in the league, did take the field last season he never felt like himself.

"It was frustrating. I got injured early on, came back early then I had to take another break. I missed heaps of games and even the games I played I felt like I didn't play my best," Utoikamanu said.

"But I just want to put that behind me now.

"I was training a fair bit even before I came back, even when I was injured. I wanted to come back ready to go and I'm just keen to rip in and play."

Utoikamanu's work ethic is the stuff champions are made of – in his youth, he made a point of putting in extra training sessions on Christmas Day, just to try and find whatever edge he could.

It's part of the reason he's seen as a future leader at the Tigers and why he'll captain the side in their first trial of the year against the Warriors on Thursday night.

Even at 22, Utoikamanu wants to show the way for the Tigers pack, something he's eager to do in conjunction with star recruit David Klemmer.

"I want to stay healthy, that's the main thing. But I also want to be a leader of this pack, just like Klem is, I want to work with him to make this team better," Utoikamanu said.

"It's good to build a bit of a base for the year ahead, that's what I missed last year. I kept getting injured and it stuffed up my year but I'm really keen to start the year strong and go all the way."

Tim Sheens has chosen an inexperienced team for his first match back in charge but Utoikamanu's performance will be of particular interest for the veteran coach.

With a spot as Klemmer's front-row partner up for grabs, Utoikamanu will be looking to seize it with both hands and he knows that simple grunt work won't be enough for him to land the job.

Sheens and the Tigers have made no secret of the style they intend to play this season – there will be passes and plenty of them, regardless of who has the ball.

It's a welcome change for Utoikamanu after the bash-and-barge game he's played in the past.

"Sheensy's all about getting the basics right and everyone being able to play footy. Last year we didn't actually play too much footy if you get me, especially in the forwards – it was a lot of one-out stuff," Utoikamanu said.

"Sheensy is really trying to bring the passing into it, especially with the forwards, I need to pass a bit more myself.

"That's the footy we want to play, we want to have all options at all times."

The Tigers will also welcome back centre Tommy Taulau, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, for the match which will also mark the debut of new recruits Charlie Staines and Brandon Wakeham at fullback and halfback, respectively
 
If he stays injury free and gets some consistent games I reckon he will be a weapon this year.

We have Klemmer, IP, Pole & Stef who can all rip and tear. Then if Bateman finds form he might do the same. Joe O is a really good player as well.

I can't wait until the season starts.
 
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