Fraze23
Well-known member
@KingOvKingz09 said:
What position was he playing for Auburn?
Utai hopes for Wests Tigers lifeline
- Thread starter Black_amp_Gold
- Start date
What position was he playing for Auburn?
@KingOvKingz09 said:
Don't fool yourself into thinking that Folkes will let him take the field unless he is in peak physical condition. Folkes was a first grade coach with a premiership to his name, not just any Johnny come lately so I trust his judgement until proven otherwise.
KingOvKingz09
New member
@Fraze23 said:
winger .
KingOvKingz09
New member
@Cultured Bogan said:
yes i know that.
but im just stating what i saw from him when i saw him play thats all…
as i said he may have changed...
hammertime
Well-known member
Utai likely to take over Tuiaki's job on the wing
Chris Barrett
February 7, 2011
WESTS TIGERS will sign former Canterbury and New Zealand Test winger Matt Utai this week following the injury-forced retirement of Taniela Tuiaki.
Utai, 29, has been trialling at the club's Concord Oval base since last month, and has been picked at centre by coach Tim Sheens for the Tigers' first pre-season game against North Queensland in Townsville on Friday.
It is expected the Tigers will sign him early this week on a modest, second-tier contract with incentives built in to reward first-grade appearances. A premiership winner with the Bulldogs in 2004, Utai has impressed Tigers staff with his attitude and application to the pre-season, and the sad prognosis on Tuiaki's chronic ankle injury clears the way for him to make an impact at NRL level again.
Utai would have joined the Tigers last year after pulling out of a $130,000 contract with English Super League side Celtic Crusaders, reportedly as a result of his failure to overcome a knee injury. However, the Crusaders' subsequent demand of a transfer fee scuppered any chance of a deal, prompting Utai to spend the season playing in the NSWRL Inner City league with Auburn Warriors.
Tigers strength and conditioning guru Steve Folkes was key to getting Utai to the club this year. It was Folkes's exit as head coach at the Bulldogs at the end of 2008 that coincided with a decline in fortunes for the powerful winger.
Under his replacement, Kevin Moore, Utai fell out of favour, playing only five NRL games in 2009 as the coach opted for an emerging Bryson Goodwin on the left wing.
In the previous season, he was restricted by injuries to 12 first-grade appearances.
The Tigers had Utai undergo a full medical screening, and reported there was nothing to preclude him playing in the NRL.
As revealed by The Sun-Herald yesterday, Tuiaki has been forced into retirement by an ankle injury that sidelined him after round 24 of the 2009 season. The 28-year-old had three operations but they proved ineffective.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/utai-likely-to-take-over-tuiakis-job-on-the-wing-20110206-1aigk.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Well, it wouldn't be out of character for the Tigers. We seem to do 1 majorly stupid thing each year.
Chris Barrett
February 7, 2011
WESTS TIGERS will sign former Canterbury and New Zealand Test winger Matt Utai this week following the injury-forced retirement of Taniela Tuiaki.
Utai, 29, has been trialling at the club's Concord Oval base since last month, and has been picked at centre by coach Tim Sheens for the Tigers' first pre-season game against North Queensland in Townsville on Friday.
It is expected the Tigers will sign him early this week on a modest, second-tier contract with incentives built in to reward first-grade appearances. A premiership winner with the Bulldogs in 2004, Utai has impressed Tigers staff with his attitude and application to the pre-season, and the sad prognosis on Tuiaki's chronic ankle injury clears the way for him to make an impact at NRL level again.
Utai would have joined the Tigers last year after pulling out of a $130,000 contract with English Super League side Celtic Crusaders, reportedly as a result of his failure to overcome a knee injury. However, the Crusaders' subsequent demand of a transfer fee scuppered any chance of a deal, prompting Utai to spend the season playing in the NSWRL Inner City league with Auburn Warriors.
Tigers strength and conditioning guru Steve Folkes was key to getting Utai to the club this year. It was Folkes's exit as head coach at the Bulldogs at the end of 2008 that coincided with a decline in fortunes for the powerful winger.
Under his replacement, Kevin Moore, Utai fell out of favour, playing only five NRL games in 2009 as the coach opted for an emerging Bryson Goodwin on the left wing.
In the previous season, he was restricted by injuries to 12 first-grade appearances.
The Tigers had Utai undergo a full medical screening, and reported there was nothing to preclude him playing in the NRL.
As revealed by The Sun-Herald yesterday, Tuiaki has been forced into retirement by an ankle injury that sidelined him after round 24 of the 2009 season. The 28-year-old had three operations but they proved ineffective.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/utai-likely-to-take-over-tuiakis-job-on-the-wing-20110206-1aigk.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Well, it wouldn't be out of character for the Tigers. We seem to do 1 majorly stupid thing each year.
G
Guest
Guest
It's still very speculative whether he'll play FG. Brown, Daniela and Ryan are surely ahead of him with full pre-seasons under their belt, and more form on the board so to speak.
@willow said:
Most definitely.
Utai will not get a start before any of these guys. Brown > Daniela > Ryan > Utai for mine, but only one man knows how it will pan out and that will be one T. Sheens.
S
system
Guest
He could solve the back on the bench problem if his form warrants selection.
He can pinch hit back row or slot on the wing as a replacement. We carried a back on the bench for the majority of the regular season and at the very least he offers more versatility.
Time will tell though
He can pinch hit back row or slot on the wing as a replacement. We carried a back on the bench for the majority of the regular season and at the very least he offers more versatility.
Time will tell though
@smeghead said:
Well to be honest Smeg I would prefer Utai to slot into the back row as his deficiencies aren't as apparent and can't be as easily exploited there. If as a winger, his job was to take the ball wide and charge down the sideline (i.e. no Tuqiri-esque in field running/passing,) I would have no problem with that either, but there is still the issue that he is small and questionable under the high ball.
I like your thinking though. He obviously could be brought on as a back in the event that there's an injury, but as a contingency only. You wouldn't put him on for Brown with 5 minutes to go when we are only leading by two points, they'll shell him all day.
Tigersmurf
Well-known member
I know many on here have mentioned Utai's defficiency under the high ball but I cannot remember it being much of an issue. I am nervous every time a ball is put up to Ryan and Tuquiri also - particulalry Ryan. I hope Utai is still the strong ballrunner that used to drag in three and four defenders when returning the ball. It will create space for guys like Moltzen and Benji.
I don't know whether he would or should play first grade, but if he is on minor money then I look forward to finding out how good he is or was!
I don't know whether he would or should play first grade, but if he is on minor money then I look forward to finding out how good he is or was!
Good Luck to Utai - He is a Tiger now.
I believe that there are way to many players in line in each position mentioned here to realistically see him in First Grade.
If Utai makes the field the the wheels have already fallen off and I would bet the Tigers would not be Semi Final Bound
I believe that there are way to many players in line in each position mentioned here to realistically see him in First Grade.
If Utai makes the field the the wheels have already fallen off and I would bet the Tigers would not be Semi Final Bound
I don't understand this signing. Seems somewhat of a waste even for the State Cup teams.
It wouldn't suprise me to see Ayshford pushed out to the wing this year at Ryans expense. If that is a move Sheens is considering I'd hope it would only be to squeeze Moltzen at centre and Lui at halfback.
It wouldn't suprise me to see Ayshford pushed out to the wing this year at Ryans expense. If that is a move Sheens is considering I'd hope it would only be to squeeze Moltzen at centre and Lui at halfback.
A
alien
Guest
If Utai can get back to his 2004 form then that would be awesome but 2004 was a long time ago.
@alien said:
His drop in form coincided with a couple of nasty injuries and Folkes moving on.
He was never really given that much of a chance with Bullfrog Jnr.
king_sirro
Well-known member
@smeghead said:
I think Akeripa can fill that spot a lot better
G
Guest
Guest
@king sirro said:
I agree, he's bigger, faster and from all reports has had a very good off-season.
KingOvKingz09
New member
@Danos said:
hahaha yeahh i was gonna post that earlier in the day…
... hopefully he doesnt do that when he plays for us.
Balmain_Tiger
New member
im trying to stay positive about it but i just dont see the point…
yes i suppose he is a decent depth signing but we have pleanty of YOUNG talent that can easily play centre/wing better if not just as good as Utai.
if tigers want to start building towards the future this is the kind of signing we dont want to make.
to name a few that should be infront of Utai... Ryan/Brown/Daniela/Mullaney/**Roqica/Akeripa/Latu**
Do the tiges plan on signing because they think he can play a similar role to tuiaki? the bolded players are much younger and can do a great job of it..
Tigers should be doing all they can to resign Sama Sauvao, ive heard that he may not be with the club anymore but i have huge wraps on this kid. Our money would be much better spent on him!
I hate it when we do these damn fitzhenry signings...
yes i suppose he is a decent depth signing but we have pleanty of YOUNG talent that can easily play centre/wing better if not just as good as Utai.
if tigers want to start building towards the future this is the kind of signing we dont want to make.
to name a few that should be infront of Utai... Ryan/Brown/Daniela/Mullaney/**Roqica/Akeripa/Latu**
Do the tiges plan on signing because they think he can play a similar role to tuiaki? the bolded players are much younger and can do a great job of it..
Tigers should be doing all they can to resign Sama Sauvao, ive heard that he may not be with the club anymore but i have huge wraps on this kid. Our money would be much better spent on him!
I hate it when we do these damn fitzhenry signings...
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