Utai hopes for Wests Tigers lifeline

[hooker]

"He would have signed with the Wests Tigers but Welsh Super League club Crusaders demanded a compensation fee of $130,000."

Wikipedia is never wrong

 

[underdog]

Its got to be the Sheens/Folkes Factor. The key is going to be motivation and fitness - two things Sheens and Folkes can bring to a player in spades.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

"He would have signed with the Wests Tigers but Welsh Super League club Crusaders demanded a compensation fee of $130,000."

Wikipedia is never wrong

I read that as for the 2010 season he was contracted for.

 

[hammertime]

"He would have signed with the Wests Tigers but Welsh Super League club Crusaders demanded a compensation fee of $130,000."

Wikipedia is never wrong

I read that as for the 2010 season he was contracted for.

Yep, that was last year.

 

[hammertime]

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…)

Agreed. Fitzy had character and loyalty. Much better option for our state cup sides.

How about letting a bloke like Gower go if we had room in the 2nd tier? It must be that he could get some 1st grade time with the Saints.

 

[system]

Gower, like many before, got tired of being dicked around. They only want a chance and a full time position so they can concentrate on football and giving themselves the best shot at the NRL possible. Dragons offered him that and WT did not

 

[redemption]

Gower, like many before, got tired of being d*** around. They only want a chance and a full time position so they can concentrate on football and giving themselves the best shot at the NRL possible. Dragons offered him that and WT did not

Smeg you are again 100% correct!

Gower left for a chance at a top-25 contract - that was not on offer here with the likes of Fifita, Moors, Wood, Murdoch-Masilla and Dwyer ahead of him!

The likes of Al Schirnack - Matt Davidson - Eloni Vunakece - Josh Davis have stayed at the club on 2nd-tier coin as they have not been offered top-25 contracts elsewhere!

 

[fergiefurr]

Utai actually played some hooker when he was dropped to reserve grade aswell smeg, could even b e looking at him for that.

 

[clontarfkid]

Hmm…the good news is that its an admission of sorts that Ryan isnt up to 1st grade(and never has been),so we need a contingency plan for the wing position given TNTs plight.
The bad news,& it more than outweighs this positive,is that Utai hasnt been a 1st grade winger for yonks,with serious deficiencies under the high ball & ball handling generally.
Its also another aging outside back with chronic injury problems.They dont get any faster as the get older,& we need speed on the wings ,not battering rams
Appreciate we had to give TNT every opportunity ,but a real shame we couldnt sign someone who cld add real value like that kid from Cronulla who went to Raiders.Youd think most wingers in the NRL wld kill to be on the end of the WT backline these days

 

[system]

Utai actually played some hooker when he was dropped to reserve grade aswell smeg, could even b e looking at him for that.

Quite possible Nick. There are alot of options in that area.

egardless if he is signed and pulls on a jersey he will have my support until he does something to not deserve that support in terms of off field behaviour or not putting in.

Side not the BRET main jersey this season is set to be the Balmain heritage strip from 2009

 

[jadtiger]

never been keen on him as a player,total waste of money

 

[alien]

If it's only a 2nd tier contract then who cares? He will probably just play with Balmain Ryde Eastwood or Western Suburbs in the NSW Cup anyway.

 

[redemption]

And the Voice of Reason Award amazingly goes to alien!

But Utai is still a questionable 2nd tier recruit!

 

[alien]

And the Voice of Reason Award amazingly goes to alien!

But Utai is still a questionable 2nd tier recruit!

What do you mean amazingly???


 

[Guest]

If it's only a 2nd tier contract then who cares? He will probably just play with Balmain Ryde Eastwood or Western Suburbs in the NSW Cup anyway.

Also unlikely to play wing given his lack of pace these days. If he signs on, and I don't believe it's set in stone quite yet, the forward pack is where he will most likely end up.

 

[Spartan117]

Isnt he little to play in the forwards

 

[redemption]

Isnt he too little to play in the forwards

Not by width!!!!!

 

[Nathan_Black]

Apparently Utai is training with us and is hoping for a contract:

http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/01/28/utai-hopes-for-west-tigers-lifeline/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

FORMER premiership winning winger Matt Utai has spent the last week training with the Wests Tigers in hopes of receiving a career lifeline.

Sportsnewsfirst.com.au can reveal just months after being linked with the Parramatta Eels the 29-year-old former Bulldog who spent 2010 playing park football for the Auburn Warriors, where he captain-coached approached the club in search of a deal.

Wests Tigers chief cxecutive Stephen Humphries confirmed the approach, but said Utai has not signed a contract with the club - with a decision to be made next week.

“He was keen to come in and train with us,” Humphries told Sportsnewsfirst.com.au.

“He approached us and said he’d liked to restart his NRL career with us.

“So far we are impressed and whilst we are comfortable with our depth, he has given us something to think about.

“I would hope to have a decision on his future made by the end of next week.”

A year ago, the Tigers offered the Kiwi international a deal after he decided against a $130,000 deal to play in the English Super League with Celtic Crusaders.

It’s understood Utai’s former first grade coach at the Bulldogs Steve Folkes, the strength and conditioning coach for the Tigers, aided in brokering the deal to have him train with the club.

If he is to sign with the club, Sportsnewsfirst.com.au understands Utai will have to meet a number of fitness and physical credentials to obtain a second-tier deal with some clouds remaining over his fitness.

Do we really need him??

 

[Guest]

Hoping is all he'll do. I don't think the Tigers will sign him.

 

[westTAHger]

if he is not offered a deal with wests-tigers, I won't be concerned in the slightest.
rather have the coaching staffpromote more youth into the team