Wests Tigers sign Junior Kiwi...

Geo

Geo

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Wests Tigers sign Junior Kiwi

Wests Tigers Media

Wed 11th November, 02:00PM

Wests Tigers have secured the services of promising young forward Josh Aloiai for the 2016 season. Aloiai is a former Junior Kiwis representative and joins Wests Tigers after two seasons with the Parramatta Eels in both Under 20's and NSW Cup.

The talented backrower, who celebrates his 20th birthday today, is renowned for his bruising defence and strong carries.

Aloiai expressed his excitement about joining Wests Tigers for the upcoming season.

“It’s really exciting for me and I’m settling in really well,” Aloiai said.

“I get along with all the boys and the coaching staff so I’m really enjoying it so far. “I enjoyed my time at Parramatta but I believe that Wests Tigers is a step in the right direction for me.”

Aloiai was part of the 2014 Junior Kiwis side that included current Wests Tigers’ NRL squad members Lamar Liolevave, Chance Peni, Watson Heleta and Manaia Cherrington.

“I played with a few of the boys in that Junior Kiwis team and I’ve been hanging out with them again this week which is really good.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Cherro (Manaia Cherrington) when he gets back to training because he’s a good friend of mine too.

“Having those guys around definitely has helped me fit in at Wests Tigers.”

After a stellar debut Under 20s season, the Glenora Bears junior’s 2015 campaign was interrupted by injury – however, he managed to make the step-up into NSW Cup on a number of occasions throughout the year.

“In 2015 I had a couple of setbacks due to injury but I managed to play a handful of games in both the NSW Cup and Under 20s for the Eels," he said. “I felt like when I was on the field, things were going really well but some injuries you just can’t prevent.

“I found the step up into NSW Cup really good and a real confidence booster for me - it made me feel like I’m ready to compete at that senior level.”

Aloiai has joined Wests Tigers full-time extended NRL squad at training with a host of other new faces including Matt Ballin, Joel Edwards, Justin Hunt, Jack Littlejohn, Jordan Rankin, Josh Addo-Carr and Michael Chee Kam.
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Player Profile: Josh Aloiai
Date of Birth: 11th November, 1995

Position: Second Row/Lock

Rep. Honours: Junior Kiwis (2014)

Junior Clubs: Glenora Bears

http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/11/11/wests_tigers_sign_ju.html
 
Date of Birth:11-11-1995
Height:185 cm
Weight:105 kg
Position:Second Row, Prop, Lock
Rep. Honours:Junior Kiwis
Junior Clubs:Glenora Bears

http://www.parraeels.com.au/team/profiles/josh_aloiai.html
 
could he possibly play in the first grade time.
we are low on forwards so i think he should go in to first grade :sign:
 
We're light in the front row. I am hoping Dallas Graham has a big preseason as I think he could step up.
 
@Geo. said:
“I enjoyed my time at Parramatta but I believe that Wests Tigers is a step in the right direction for me.”
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It does seem like a natural progression: 20s, reserve grade, first grade… and then, he must hope, first grade for someone good.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.
 
Once again, the policy against signing players until 2017 is ignored in order to sign a fringe player. I just don't get it. If you're going to break your word then at least do it for someone that the fans are going to be excited about.

It's like what Liverpool did when they lost Suarez; used all the money to buy heaps of mediocre players instead of getting one or two class players. Dumb. And it cost them.

The guys we call first graders are what other teams call depth; Buchanan, Lovett, Chee-Kam, Santi, Graham, Joel Edwards etc etc etc (In fact I don't even rate Buchanan as "depth").

I hope Aloiai turns out to be awesome but alas it is another unproven signing and I just can't get pumped up about another signing for depth. If there's one thing we've got it's depth, it's proper first-graders we are missing.
 
@bigsiro said:
Once again, the policy against signing players until 2017 is ignored in order to sign a fringe player. I just don't get it. If you're going to break your word then at least do it for someone that the fans are going to be excited about.

It's like what Liverpool did when they lost Suarez; used all the money to buy heaps of mediocre players instead of getting one or two class players. Dumb. And it cost them.

The guys we call first graders are what other teams call depth; Buchanan, Lovett, Chee-Kam, Santi, Graham, Joel Edwards etc etc etc (In fact I don't even rate Buchanan as "depth").

I hope Aloiai turns out to be awesome but alas it is another unproven signing and I just can't get pumped up about another signing for depth. If there's one thing we've got it's depth, it's proper first-graders we are missing.
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If we haven't the money due to past silly long term back ended contract signings we can't buy the cattle. Simple as that I'm afraid.
 
Anyone that's upset by the buying policy at the Tigers is being a little unrealistic.

Given that the club has limited resources, the signings we've made are pretty astute. Here we have a junior Kiwi international. Chee Kam is a junior Australian international. Joel Edwards is one of those fringe 1st graders looking for a shot. The list goes on- either rep juniors, or guys on the fringes at other teams. All what are realistically cheap boom or bust options. Either they are cheap depth, or they are the next Taupau, you get the picture.

Which 'established' 1st grade players could we have realistically signed that makes this squad better?
 
@bigsiro said:
but it seems we have enough money to buy heaps of depth…go figure....
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You do understand we field a NSW Cup side and we have to have enough players to fill it or were you expecting we would forfeit that grade
 
@Boonboon2 said:
@bigsiro said:
but it seems we have enough money to buy heaps of depth…go figure....

You do understand we field a NSW Cup side and we have to have enough players to fill it or were you expecting we would forfeit that grade
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I understand that the players we currently have playing first grade should be in NSW Cup. Are you suggesting that Buchanan, Lovett, Chee-Kam, Edwards, Luani, Santi, etc should be in first grade? Puh-lease.
 
@bathursttiger said:
@innsaneink said:
I gave up on expecting marquee signings long long ago

Our last marquee signing was Adam Blair!!!!!!!
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Exactly. I think budget signings often work out better. Taupau is an interesting one. He was a budget signing for us but for Manly he is a marquee signing. It'll be interesting how it turns out for Manly.
 
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