Recruitment 2023/2024 Warriors Recruitment DISCUSSION

[Noitall]

In regards to prop if we lose Addin to a long term injury we will get munted in the middle. Another NRL standard prop would be nice. I think you are spot on about centre.

Noticed Addin Fonua-Blake elbow fairly strapped up in those pictures on photosport. Agree regarding him and think we need another bookend to partner him in 2024 and to be a top middle to replace him if he picks up injuries. Think there’s too much upside not to invest the money from Lodge there, problem is who’s interested?

 

[playdaball]

Addin Fonua-Blake injury track record is not great ... we will lose him for part of this year and doesnt seem to be a real likely replacement.

C'mon Warriors, there has to be somebody out there on the outer with their current club? .

 

[Waipiro]

I suppose the other option look internally initially if there isnt a quality/value signing by week 1 and then bide our time a bit and see who has the inevitable falling out with there coach in the first couple of months. We have picked up some $value signings like this in the past.

 

[The Truth]

Let's be honest. We got bitched in the middle last year and if we don't get another first grade ready prop we are absolutely fucked in that department again if Addin Fonua-Blake goes down.

 

[Mullayo]

I thought the guy was a prop.. He scores like a fullback!

Solomon Vasuvulagi​

Born: 28 December 1998 (Auckland, New Zealand)
Junior Club: Bay Roskill Vikings

---

Under-20

Team	Years	App	T	G	GK%	FG	Pts
North Queensland	NYC 2017	8	1	–	–	–	4
Townsville	Colts 2018	19	15	–	–	–	60
Overall	2017–2018	27	16	–	–	–	64

Think this guy has a good shot of taking one of the remaining 4 spots. Props can take some time sometimes, 2018 was a demotion to Townsville colts but becoming a try scoring machine suggests he was too good to be there.

.

 

[Socrates]

Throw the wallet at big Nelson Asofa Solomona i reckon.

 

[Mullayo]

Let's be honest. We got bitched in the middle last year and if we don't get another first grade ready prop we are absolutely fucked in that department again if Addin Fonua-Blake goes down.

Don't we play Wests first game of the preseason? 6.00pm — Warriors v Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium Thursday 9th February.

They have 8 props including 5 Kiwis, - Fonua Pole, Christian Ma anaima, Tukumihia Simpkins, Joe Ofahengue, Stefan Utoikamanu.

Not all of them need to be allowed out of AKL customs... Passport complications... Same for Papalii...

Dump your girlfriends and bring an extra bag boys!

They will still have Klemmer, Twal and Sione Fainu

​

 

[Toookey]

Throw the wallet at big Nelson Asofa Solomona i reckon.

How much do we chuck at him.
Hell be in high demand. Mind you, with the increase in the cap, Shaun Johnson retiring and getting Lodges money theres automatically a good chunk in the kite, on top of what we already have for this year (Ben Murdoch-Masila, Katoa left with out is spending any) I think wed have quite the war chest. He feels like a luxury spend, but I'd take him on 8-900k

 

[Noitall]

Stefan Utoikamanu.

Really rate him, would be my pick but I think he’s in the tigers future plans. You’re right though, they seem the logical club to target with their front row depth.

 

[Five&Last]

How much do we chuck at him.
Hell be in high demand. Mind you, with the increase in the cap, Shaun Johnson retiring and getting Lodges money theres automatically a good chunk in the kite, on top of what we already have for this year (Ben Murdoch-Masila, Katoa left with out is spending any) I think wed have quite the war chest. He feels like a luxury spend, but I'd take him on 8-900k

Nah to NAS. Buying a player at the top of their value is just a recipe for disaster. Potentially storm system player and what not also.

The Tigers prop group is interesting as posted above by others. Stefan Utoikamanu is a great buy low candidate compared to his potential. He still has potential to be one of the best props in the game imo despite being dropped to the bench last year.

Justin Matamua and Fonua Pole are two other guys probably looking for a larger opportunity.

 

[Mullayo]

Yeah, he's super cheap in Supercoach/Fantasy, but I'm worried about his minutes with so many mouths to feed including Joe O who's been playing 80 at lock (now Bateman at 13) and Klemmer and Twal both good for 55mins.

They really don't need all these props. If they get bolshy just loan them for a year. Fonua Pole is the one I'd ask for, given Utoikamanu is a try scoring threat.

Really rate him, would be my pick but I think he’s in the tigers future plans. You’re right though, they seem the logical club to target with their front row depth.

 

[Mullayo]

How much do we chuck at him.
Hell be in high demand. Mind you, with the increase in the cap, Shaun Johnson retiring and getting Lodges money theres automatically a good chunk in the kite, on top of what we already have for this year (Ben Murdoch-Masila, Katoa left with out is spending any) I think wed have quite the war chest. He feels like a luxury spend, but I'd take him on 8-900k

Bloke in a Bar guys just guesstimated his value as 500k for a big club up to 650k for a chump side (like us). Lodge was 600k wasn't he? Shaun Johnson is only 300k IIRC.

He'll only be 27 next year, so technically his prime but he's coming from the Storm, which is concerning... Also I fear he's not a good trainer? Might be a second Feleti Mateo...

 

[Noitall]

How much do we chuck at him.
Hell be in high demand. Mind you, with the increase in the cap, Shaun Johnson retiring and getting Lodges money theres automatically a good chunk in the kite, on top of what we already have for this year (Ben Murdoch-Masila, Katoa left with out is spending any) I think wed have quite the war chest. He feels like a luxury spend, but I'd take him on 8-900k

He’d definitely be up there for targets for me, Kamikamika would be another option at a little bit cheaper. Think we’re one of the few clubs that could offer Spencer Leniu a starting spot with that sounding like it’s a priority for him. Would be a gamble and a signing on potential that probably needs to show he can put more minutes out but could be worth it? Luke Thompson is surely in the bulldogs sights to move on?

 

[playdaball]

The Tigers got the spoon last year and we’d be happy to have their #5 prop ???
Holy cow …

 

[Mullayo]

Nah to NAS. Buying a player at the top of their value is just a recipe for disaster. Potentially storm system player and what not also.

The Tigers prop group is interesting as posted above by others. Stefan Utoikamanu is a great buy low candidate compared to his potential. He still has potential to be one of the best props in the game imo despite being dropped to the bench last year.

Justin Matamua and Fonua Pole are two other guys probably looking for a larger opportunity.

I heard the Tigs like one of them for their future 13. Got some ball playing ability.

I think Wests have painted themselves into a corner somewhat going after too many forwards and blocking the pathway to their team. Should be a prime pickoff spot for us, with 10 of their 30 being Kiwi born and more related.

What about Joe O? Had a career year at 13 last year and now surplus to requirements with Bateman at 13.
He's not a proper prop for me, he needs that prop-ish 13 role. Waste of an asset. Also, Twal and Klemmer are 55 minute hogs.
Up coming props are likely to be pissed off with their Leniu like minutes.

 

[Mullayo]

The Tigers got the spoon last year and we’d be happy to have their #5 prop ???
Holy cow …

They have good forwards just leaky backs and Luke Brooks. Their starting four props are Klemmer, Twal, Utoikamanu and Joe O.

We'd take any of them. Pole looks quality too and will only be getting spot minutes. The Tigers, like us, have an unbalanced squad. Maybe we swap a young centre for Fonua?

 

[Noitall]

I heard the Tigs like one of them for their future 13. Got some ball playing ability.

I think Wests have painted themselves into a corner somewhat going after too many forwards and blocking the pathway to their team. Should be a prime pickoff spot for us, with 10 of their 30 being Kiwi born and more related.

What about Joe O? Had a career year at 13 last year and now surplus to requirements with Bateman at 13.
He's not a proper prop for me, he needs that prop-ish 13 role. Waste of an asset. Also, Twal and Klemmer are 55 minute hogs.
Up coming props are likely to be pissed off with their Leniu like minutes.

A lot could hinge on what Mitchell Moses does because there’s a guy on the tigers forum that reckons they’ve got him at $1.4 mil over 4-5 years, eels think they’ve got him too though. Could actually see him taking that money with tigers putting together a good roster and eels feeling like they’ve missed their window. If Moses went to tigers for that money though, you could see them freeing up some of those front rowers.

 

[Five&Last]

I heard the Tigs like one of them for their future 13. Got some ball playing ability.

I think Wests have painted themselves into a corner somewhat going after too many forwards and blocking the pathway to their team. Should be a prime pickoff spot for us, with 10 of their 30 being Kiwi born and more related.

What about Joe O? Had a career year at 13 last year and now surplus to requirements with Bateman at 13.
He's not a proper prop for me, he needs that prop-ish 13 role. Waste of an asset. Also, Twal and Klemmer are 55 minute hogs.
Up coming props are likely to be pissed off with their Leniu like minutes.

Yeah Joe O had a career year last year, clearly the best of the bunch, but again we would be buying at the top of his value. We need to get guys on the up.

If we can't get Stefano, then its Justin Matamua for me. He's a future superstar.

Pole is a Kiwi though which may help.

 

[Noitall]

Yeah, he's super cheap in Supercoach/Fantasy, but I'm worried about his minutes with so many mouths to feed including Joe O who's been playing 80 at lock (now Bateman at 13) and Klemmer and Twal both good for 55mins.

They really don't need all these props. If they get bolshy just loan them for a year. Fonua Pole is the one I'd ask for, given Utoikamanu is a try scoring threat.

PLAYER CONTRACTS​

Team	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027
Wests Tigers	$270K	✔	✔

That’s what the tigers have got Utoikamanu on, would be prepared to double that if I was Warriors. Not sure if he gets upgraded at all but can’t backend deals by too much. Fonua Pole seems a bit light?

 

[Paulo24]

Anyone remember the young centre Siave Togoiu playing for Samoa in the jnr rugby 7s? He was pretty explosive. Predictions that he would be a superstar. Now he’s playing Fox for Richmond. Anyone know the story? Would he be worth watching. I guess his play hinges on his explosive speed so if he lost that he would be in trouble.