Utai hopes for Wests Tigers lifeline

[Black_amp_Gold]

Hi All,
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This hasnt been announced yet but I can say with a great deal of confidence that Matt Utai will be in our colours for 2011\. His best yearshave come and gone, yes, but with TNT's future still not yet certain, Utai's signing will simply add to our depth if Beau is to get injured. Although Utai is extremely shaky under the high ball, nobody can question his ability to run the ball up with venom using those tree trunk legs. Im sure we will get value out of him.

Not a bad little pick up by the Tigers.

Nothing offical or announced yet. I can tell you that its a done deal and unless something happens and the offer is retracted for whatever reason, the club will announce in their own time.

Regards,

B & G

 

[Kul]

would rather latu or brown on the wing over Beau or Utai
oh well, depth is depth and you can't argue with that

 

[system]

In his latter days with the Bulldogs reserve grade side Utai played predominantly bench back rower and filled in at wing for injury

 

[Guest]

Unless Folkes can get Utai incredibly fit and motivated I fail to see how the Tigers will get any value out of him. Certainly 3-4 wingers in front of him at least, unless he's going to be used as a backrow option as Smeg mentioned.

 

[redemption]

In his latter days with the Bulldogs reserve grade side Utai played predominantly bench back rower and filled in at wing for injury

100% correct smeg!!!

And that is my primary concern with the signing!! We have such a depth of quality young back-rowers who already struggle for a place in first grade - and if Utai is to usurp them & stunt their development I will be extremely unhappy!!

 

[hammertime]

In his latter days with the Bulldogs reserve grade side Utai played predominantly bench back rower and filled in at wing for injury

100% correct smeg!!!

And that is my primary concern with the signing!! We have such a depth of quality young back-rowers who already struggle for a place in first grade - and if Utai is to usurp them & stunt their development I will be extremely unhappy!!

x2

 

[Yossarian]

I think it would be a disaster if he played NRL on the wing. We have enough problems with bombs as it is. I do see one of our State Cup teams benefiting from him though.

 

[Spartan117]

Not happy here. Save the $$$$

 

[redemption]

Unless Folkes can get Utai incredibly fit and motivated I fail to see how the Tigers will get any value out of him. Certainly 3-4 wingers in front of him at least, unless he's going to be used as a backrow option as Smeg mentioned.

If he has 3-4 wingers ahead of him - how many fringe back-rowers (at WT, BRET & Wests) are better than him???

Schirnack
Murdoch-Masilla
Flanagan
Akeripa
Farlow
Davis
Hyland
Curran
Trimarchi
Achurch
Mataka (if back at the Magpies as reported)
Ryan
Vunakece

And that is without mentioning Gaz, Heighno, Fults & Dwyer!! Making a grand total of 17!!!

 

[Sabre]

im almost certain he will come off the bench in State Cup, probably the magpies

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

Just a larger and slower version of Fitzhenry, but worse.

 

[Yossarian]

Just a larger and slower version of Fitzhenry, but worse.

Shorter too. I'll overlook the predictable Fitzy bashing…

 

[redemption]

Just a larger and slower version of Fitzhenry, but worse.

Shorter too. I'll overlook the predictable Fitzy bashing…

As a back-rower I'd compare him to another ex-Bulldogs waste of space named Trent Runciman!!!

 

[supercoach]

Every year we make one, that is an over the hill,past their used by date signing and here we go again. I just dont get,although if he is used as a last resort, when all other options are shot he maybe okay just on experience alone, but really we have the likes of Brown,Ryan,Danelia,Latu,Aysford and many others who could step up to the plate if required.

 

[Leroy_The_Tigers_Fan]

Why, why waste money on a has been.

p.s. FOR REDEMPTION Rocky Trimarchi played 2010 for the Crusaders in the ESL, is he back from Wales?.

 

[redemption]

Why, why waste money on a has been.

p.s. FOR REDEMPTION Rocky Trimarchi played 2010 for the Crusaders in the ESL, is he back from Wales?.

Trimarchi is back mate - at the Maggies though - not on a WT contract!! (Just like Mitch Achurch has returned to Balmain from two years at the Cowboys!!)

That was confirmed months ago!

 

[stryker]

This is a truly baffling signing…..he must be cheap

For gods sakes why are we still chasing wingers and fringe players?

Save the dollars and lock up Lawrence and Ellis, then Farah and Marshal for life.

 

[redemption]

This is a truly baffling signing…..he must be cheap

For gods sakes why are we still chasing wingers and fringe players?

Save the dollars and lock up Lawrence and Ellis, then Farah and Marshal for life.

Ellis signed a two year extension in early 2010 stryker - so we have him for three more years (until the end of 2013) by which time he will be 32 going on 33 in May 2014!

Locking a bloke of his stature in for 5-years has been a great coup - but that will probably be his last contract!

Marshall is contracted until the end of 2015 and Farah 2013!!

I don't think the club needs to avoid signing second-tier players so as to maintain a war chest for retention of top graders - but I do question the wisdom of this particular signing!

 

[system]

It will be interesting to see if it does come off how it is handled.

It would not hurt a fellow like Sam Latu to learn from Utais running style in some cases, just in the directness he can play with as they are similar players in some ways

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I'd have rather kept Fitzy on. At least Fitzy he has always tried his guts out in our jersey and is a Tiger through and through, even if he is maligned and a little out of his depth at NRL level. Also, Fitzy never smacked anyone in the head with a swinging arm like Utai did to Stuart Flanagan in 2006 (I think…)