Tigers re-sign Tuiaki to incentive-based deal

[Knuckles]

Another victory for the optimists who believed all along he would stay and will come back bigger (well maybe not bigger !) but better than ever. The dream of Lote and Tui playing on the wings will come to fruition :smiley:

 

[Snake]

Giving someone the opportunity to recover and prove themselves is a trate that can only be admired thank you all at the Tigers for giving Tui that chance because he always put in for the club when on the field and seems a nice fella sometimes it's not all about money.

 

[crouching_tiger]

THE SHOW OF FAITH
ALMOST a year to the day since he suffered the injury that threatened his career, forgotten Wests Tigers winger Taniela Tuiaki has been granted a lifeline by his club.

Tuiaki, who has been unable to play for 12 months due to serious ankle problems, has signed a one-year deal, giving him a chance to resurrect his career at the Tigers next year.

The Herald understands Tuiaki has signed a heavily incentive-based contract, which will include a minimum-wage base salary with the addition of match payments - and bonuses for reaching 10- and 20-game milestones.

Despite admitting the deal was a gamble, Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys said he wanted to show faith in the Kiwis international, who suffered a shocking broken ankle in the round 24 clash between the Tigers and Parramatta last year.

''There's some risk there, but we think it's the right outcome,'' Humphreys said. ''Taniela's been working hard and, whilst he's had a few setbacks this year, we think by giving him some security about next year, he won't have the pressure on him to rush [his recovery] and prove to us and anyone else that he can play.''

It is a significant turnaround for Tuiaki, who was close to the scrap-heap only weeks ago with doubts remaining over whether he could make a full recovery after two operations on his ankle and repeated setbacks. Tuiaki scored 21 tries in 22 matches last year, only to fracture his ankle in the first half against the Eels. He has been linked with a move to the Eels, who face the Tigers on Sunday, **but he will continue his career at the club where he has had a cult following since 2006.**

''Taniela's been great for us and he's very popular for the team and the fans,'' Humphreys said. ''That's why we've erred on the side of supporting one of our own.

''We all hope for the best with Taniela. The deal is incentive-based but it gives him some security. We were quite happy to take the risk.

''I think he deserves that judgment call. He's given us his all. We've got to make decisions which are right for the club, not what is the popular thing to do, but we are quite confident that if Taniela continues to work hard, and keeps his rate of recovery going, he'll make it back.''

Just when he does is still up for debate. After there were some fears Tuiaki had played his last NRL game about two months ago, he began to improve rapidly and started training with the top squad before straining his calf.

While he will almost certainly not be able to play first grade this year, there remains a possibility he will make a return at NSW Cup level.

Asked if he felt Tuiaki could return to the sort of form that made him one of the most feared wingers in the premiership last year, Humphreys said: ''I'd like to think so, but it's hard to tell. Medical opinion would probably say no but sometimes people defy medical opinion. He's got everyone around here supporting him. We're in his corner.''

Sorry Pixie…but Tuiaki had a cult following in 2005..
Welcome back home to Balmain Bob!! :smiley:

[](http://img832.imageshack.us/i/rimg0201.jpg/)

 

[tigeress]

Great, great news- and very timely, on the eve of playing Parramatta where the injury occured this time last season. I am elated that the Tigers are sticking with Taniela, I'm sure you will be back to your very best next season. :righton:

 

[westTAHger]

great for TNT to be at wests-tigers next season.
looking forward to seeing him in 2011.
will be great to see him score a try again.

 

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

Now if only someone can do the same to Parramatta's equivalent of Tuiaki this weekend and put them out for 12 months+

Now that would mean putting the Hayne Plane in the Hanger … Out of Order!
Wont that be a break down for the eels .. :smiling_imp: just a bit like they did to TNT and our club last year but we fought hard to be in the spot we are this year.

Great news for the TNT and the club.I'm sure he will be determined to prove his worth when he returns , money wont be on his mind as the priority .
Great heads at the helm of the tigers ..

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

This is very Refreshing News…. A Tiger Favourite with the Adults and the Kids. With the off-season just around the corner, hopefully he doesnt push it too hard and finds time to relax and refresh his mind for 2011.

Really looking forward to see the big fella back in the Black & Gold.

I think all of us on the forum would prefer to see him back in the black, white and gold.

 

[cunno]

Couldn't agree more great to see TANK staying with us.

 

[Newy_Tiger]

Perfect Deal for the club really.

 

[norm]

Awesome news can't wait to see the big fella back out there.

 

[bonstonker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOTW0QNCqIo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Kul]

that almost brought a tear to the eye Bon

 

[alien]

to make sure we have a happy 25 player team environment for 2011 id gladly cop a $50,000 hit.

Yes but I wonder how much the match payments AND bonuses are. He could end up getting over $100,000.

Obviously only if he plays and so he should in such case. A fit Tui is worth 200k so it is still a bargain. Really dont understand this comment.

Well it depends. If he gets near to how he was playing in 2009 then it is good.

 

[william_rodgers]

Great to see the tank get a chance & i am sure he will let no one down, well done to all concerned.

 

[Tigerdave]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOTW0QNCqIo

awesome

loved that try against the Titans near the end there, running over Prince and Rogers…. the look on Matty Rogers face

 

[senexx]

Now if only someone can do the same to Parramatta's equivalent of Tuiaki this weekend and put them out for 12 months+

Now that would mean putting the Hayne Plane in the Hanger … Out of Order!
Wont that be a break down for the eels .. :smiling_imp: just a bit like they did to TNT and our club last year but we fought hard to be in the spot we are this year.

Great news for the TNT and the club.I'm sure he will be determined to prove his worth when he returns , money wont be on his mind as the priority .
Great heads at the helm of the tigers ..

It was Hayne was it?
If so, it was quite clear to me from the angle Hayne came in to make the tackle was deliberate.

 

[Aladinsane]

Heard the the Parramatta deal was the same as theTigers deal and he really couldn't leave the WT after how good they have been to him….hope he plays lots of games next year to help out his total payments

 

[Guest]

Heard the the Parramatta deal was the same as theTigers deal and he really couldn't leave the WT after how good they have been to him….hope he plays lots of games next year to help out his total payments

Well he's got another 6 months for the ankle to settle (if possible) and get a full pre-season under his belt. I reckon a move to the forwards would be beneficial for him, he could be used in the backrow as an impact player for 30-40 minutes a game.

 

[Aladinsane]

Heard the the Parramatta deal was the same as theTigers deal and he really couldn't leave the WT after how good they have been to him….hope he plays lots of games next year to help out his total payments

Well he's got another 6 months for the ankle to settle (if possible) and get a full pre-season under his belt. I reckon a move to the forwards would be beneficial for him, he could be used in the backrow as an impact player for 30-40 minutes a game.

That's is probably the way they will go with him

 

[T-REXX]

Heard the the Parramatta deal was the same as theTigers deal and he really couldn't leave the WT after how good they have been to him….hope he plays lots of games next year to help out his total payments

Parramatta isnt and was never in the frame of it.. as i said before ur mate is pulling ur leg..