80min+ effort. Never gave up on the game.
We play like that every week and we win more than we lose.

Wests Tigers are pleased to announce the signing of James Roberts, effective immediately.

The 27-year-old has joined the club on a two-year deal that will see him feature in Wests Tigers colours for the 2021 and 2022 NRL seasons, dependent on options in the club’s favour.

Roberts said he was excited for the opportunity to join Wests Tigers and thanked the tremendous support he had received.

“I’m very excited to be a part of a quality club which is obviously on the rise,” Roberts said.

“The opportunity to reunite with Michael Maguire is too good to pass up and I’m looking forward to working closely with him again.

“I’m also really impressed with the work Wests Tigers are doing in creating pathways for Aboriginal people and it’s something I’m really passionate about.

“I’d like to thank South Sydney for the support they’ve given me and my family over the past two years and I can’t wait to start my new chapter with Wests Tigers.”

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe welcomed Roberts to the club and commended his attitude throughout the negotiation process in recent weeks.

“On behalf of all at the club, I’d like to welcome James to Wests Tigers,” Pascoe said.

“James is a phenomenal athlete and provides another x-factor to our outside backs.

“We firmly believe that the NRL is better off having talents like James in the competition and we’re looking forward to working closely with him both on and off the field.

“James understands the responsibility he has to his teammates, the Wests Tigers Members and all those associated with the club and is extremely determined to ensure this opportunity directly contributes to the success of Wests Tigers.”

Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire echoed Pascoe’s comments in welcoming Roberts to the club.

“James is clearly an exceptional footballer who will add a lot to our side and I’m very pleased to see him continue his rugby league career with Wests Tigers,” Maguire said.

“I’ve worked closely with James before and know that he has good team around him to help get back to the player that we know he can be.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him back on the rugby league field in 2021 and displaying the talent and commitment that I know will add a lot to our team moving forward.”

Having made his first-grade debut for South Sydney in 2011, Roberts has amassed a 149-game career having previously featured for the Penrith Panthers (2013), Gold Coast Titans (2014-15), Brisbane Broncos (2016-19) and Rabbitohs (2019-20).

An Indigenous All Stars and New South Wales State of Origin representative — as well as a former Dally M Centre of the Year — Roberts possesses an exceptional attacking skillset with 74 career tries and adds an inimitable style to Wests Tigers outside backs in 2021.

Wests Tigers sign Tukimihia Simpkins

Wests Tigers have today confirmed the signing of promising young forward Tukimihia Simpkins, effective immediately, after he was granted a release from the final year of his contract with the North Queensland Cowboys.

“Tuki” Simpkins has signed a three-year contract with the club that will see him feature in Wests Tigers colours until at least the end of the 2023 NRL season.

In addition to the signing of Simpkins, Wests Tigers have confirmed that Kane Bradley has been released from the final year of his contract to join another NRL club.

Standing at 192cm and topping the scales at 105kg, the 19-year-old edge forward is viewed as a rising prospect in rugby league having transitioning from rugby union in Rotorua. Simpkins was initially spotted at the 2016 New Zealand U/15 Rugby League National Championships and has spent the last 12 months in the North Queensland system.

Wests Tigers General Manager – Football Adam Hartigan expressed his delight to secure Simpkins on a long-term contract.

“Tuki is clearly an exceptional talent and we’re very excited to see him play his football in a Wests Tigers jersey moving forward,” Hartigan said.

“Tuki will add a lot to our forward pack over the coming years, and adds to the already talented young squad we’re building for the future of Wests Tigers.”

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe welcomed Simpkins to the club and thanked Bradley for his service over the past two years.

“On behalf of all at Wests Tigers, I’d like to welcome Tuki to the club and say how pleased we are to have secured his services long-term,” Pascoe said.

“As a club, we’re all looking forward to watching him take next steps of his development in a Wests Tigers jersey.

“I’d also like to thank Kane for his efforts since joining Wests Tigers in 2019,” Pascoe said. “He is a fine young man, and we wish him all the best in the next steps of his career.”

Simpkins will join his new Wests Tigers teammates when training resumes on Thursday.

Kotoni Staggs has expressed an interest in leaving Brisbane.
Surely we approach him. I think he would be a better signing than JAC and for less money.

Congratulations to Shannon McDonnell on his return to Wests Tigers fullback next year.

The kid did well.
Very nice debut. Especially considering he played more minutes than he would have been expecting.

Also, it’s not a good look that NRL.com is posting rumour and gossip. You’d think the official website of the competition would be above that.

https://www.facebook.com/kirkbmusic/videos/386389262301350/

Garner yesterday and Twal today. Both extending with a year still to go on their contracts. So much for thinking Maguire trains them too hard. Looks like that only applies to one individual.

Madge recently spoke about having the right character of player at the club. Looks like we are going a long way to achieving that.

1 Doueihi
2 Nofoaluama
3 Leilua
4 Talau
5 Thompson

14 Mbye

@tigerwest said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@sabre said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@avocadoontoast said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@sabre said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@avocadoontoast said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@tigerwest said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@avocadoontoast said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@tiger5150 said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

I think this signing will make us as fans nostalgic for Braith anasta and Moses Mbye.

The thing i’m confused by is that we have Mbye already on the books who appears to serve the ball playing utility role very well (and played well there on the weekend). Now we’re going to pay presumably half his salary to play elsewhere next year, whilst signing someone to play the exact same role.

Sorry, I must have missed that he has signed elsewhere with us paying half of his salary?

Which club was it?

Maybe we will keep him and sell Brooks?

I think we have some pretty smart blokes running the show now, I believe they’ll get it right.

If Mbye leaves which would makes sense if Hastings is coming, how much freight do you think we’ll have to pay? If he’s on, say, $800k, do you think anyone is going to pay more than $400k for him? Unlikely.

The blokes running the show signed Joey and extended Nofo for 4 years.

I could see the Bulldogs taking him back on 400k

Possibly so, and then we’d be paying i’d imagine $400k for Hastings so we’d be net the same as if we kept Mbye. If Hastings is a heap better than Mbye, makes sense. But is he?

I’d imagine Hastings would be on much less than 400k.

I think I read, he would be on a smaller salary first year, to make sure all was good, then increase commensurate to a half’s money?

If that’s the case then hopefully it’s a similar situation to Leilua and Roberts where anything beyond that first year is a club option.

@avocadoontoast said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@sabre said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@avocadoontoast said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@tigerwest said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@avocadoontoast said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@tiger5150 said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

I think this signing will make us as fans nostalgic for Braith anasta and Moses Mbye.

The thing i’m confused by is that we have Mbye already on the books who appears to serve the ball playing utility role very well (and played well there on the weekend). Now we’re going to pay presumably half his salary to play elsewhere next year, whilst signing someone to play the exact same role.

Sorry, I must have missed that he has signed elsewhere with us paying half of his salary?

Which club was it?

Maybe we will keep him and sell Brooks?

I think we have some pretty smart blokes running the show now, I believe they’ll get it right.

If Mbye leaves which would makes sense if Hastings is coming, how much freight do you think we’ll have to pay? If he’s on, say, $800k, do you think anyone is going to pay more than $400k for him? Unlikely.

The blokes running the show signed Joey and extended Nofo for 4 years.

I could see the Bulldogs taking him back on 400k

Possibly so, and then we’d be paying i’d imagine $400k for Hastings so we’d be net the same as if we kept Mbye. If Hastings is a heap better than Mbye, makes sense. But is he?

I’d imagine Hastings would be on much less than 400k.

@avocadoontoast said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@tigerwest said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@avocadoontoast said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

@tiger5150 said in Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers:

I think this signing will make us as fans nostalgic for Braith anasta and Moses Mbye.

The thing i’m confused by is that we have Mbye already on the books who appears to serve the ball playing utility role very well (and played well there on the weekend). Now we’re going to pay presumably half his salary to play elsewhere next year, whilst signing someone to play the exact same role.

Sorry, I must have missed that he has signed elsewhere with us paying half of his salary?

Which club was it?

Maybe we will keep him and sell Brooks?

I think we have some pretty smart blokes running the show now, I believe they’ll get it right.

If Mbye leaves which would makes sense if Hastings is coming, how much freight do you think we’ll have to pay? If he’s on, say, $800k, do you think anyone is going to pay more than $400k for him? Unlikely.

The blokes running the show signed Joey and extended Nofo for 4 years.

I could see the Bulldogs taking him back on 400k

@twentyforty said in Random thoughts post game:

@hobbo1 said in Random thoughts post game:

@twentyforty said in Random thoughts post game:

Gosh the bunker went bonkers!
They missed Mitchell’s foot going dead when he caught Doueihi’s kick.
They then described Mitchell’s mule kick to the head of Garner (brilliant tackle btw) as “accidental” during the process of releasing from the tackle.
Madge was very diplomatic and kindly asked them to use the technology at their disposal.
Who are those people?

Henry Peranara was in the bunker

Ok I can understand Peter trying to save money on the bunker, but really? I realise he probably offered to do it for half price, but sticking Henry in there by himself? A recipe for disaster! I MO

I doubt he would have been completely by himself. He would have had his seeing eye dog there, unfortunately they aren’t much help when it comes to refereeing.

@inmadgewetrust said in Proud of that:

@sabre said in Proud of that:

@bigscreentv said in Proud of that:

So who replaces Kopaoa in the centres? I don’t think Talau is a winger personally, so Talau in the centres and a call-up winger?

BJ probably back. Or Mbye.

Mbye needs to stay in his current role. We’re finally getting some value out of him.

Stick Cini anywhere in the backline. He is in full beastmode at the moment!

My preference would definitely be for Mbye to stay in his current role, but I think Madge will start him. I’d like to see Cini get his chance too, he’s shown that he’d be up to it.

I was confused about the Garner no try right on half-time. Surely that was a one on one strip?

@gnr4life said in Proud of that:

@rustycage said in Proud of that:

It’s pretty sad that some can’t bring themselves to congratulate the blokes on the way they played after that display. Some of you fellas seriously need to get a life. It must really hurt to see the team improve. All your negativity & death riding is gonna eat you up in the end.

I’m tired of this forum being bipolar. Last week everyone wanted to hang them from a tree for the pitiful effort. Then last night, only 6 days later, “omg what heart”. We’ve seen it all before, so why get sucked in when we know it’s only once a month they show it, if that. How many times have we been proud and thought the heart they showed in a game was somehow a turning point, it never is. Remember last year against Parra, Blore’s debut. We took it to them, then the next week, went right back to mud. In hindsight, our performance that night was only due to the fact Parra were falling away late in the season. Feel free to keep the faith, but I’m a seasoned Wests supporter whose been around the block more than a few times with this team. They need to start doing that consistently before they earn pride.

You’ve got to give credit where it’s due. You can’t give them a mouthful last week for a poor effort then not be pleased with the way they turned it around yesterday.

@geo said in Proud of that:

The best thing was the dodgy calls that went against us in previous weeks have seen them capitulate …tonight they didn’t… can be proud of that …hope it continues…

P.S…the dope in the bunker should read the rule book…when you drag to ball forward on the ground constitutes a knock-on

Hard to read when you’re blind. How he missed Latrell standing on the sideline for that kick return is astounding.

@inmadgewetrust said in 2 point field goals:

@sabre said in 2 point field goals:

Biggest joke of a rule introduced to the game in a long time. PVL has a lot to answer for in the way he has changed the rules this year. You don’t deserve to grab 2 points off the back of a solid defensive set.

This is so true. As fans of a struggling team we have been crying out for a strong defensive display and some starch in defence.

To be huge underdogs and have the opposition on the back foot with strong defence only to have that all negated by a bloke who can kick a long range field goal is just so disheartening. I just can’t see how that improves the game.

I feel like all the other rule changes have had a very clear reason as to why they would make the game better. What is the justification for the 2 point field goal? Literally the only reason is for the losing team to have a Hail Mary play.

All comes back to PVL. Fans see right through his “tackled the orange boy at halftime” garbage. It’s clear he is out of touch and doesn’t really have much of a clue about what the fans want.
He did an amazing job with getting the season restarted last year, but he should stick to admin and keep his hands off the game itself.

@thedaboss said in Maguire press conference:

watch us get fined for that comment and latrine get nothing

Did old mate get banned tonight? What happened?