NRL NRL 2025 General Recruitment Thread

[Ever Hopeful]

That Ponga to the Roosters rumour is as old as the sun.

Ponga is a far superior player to Brown. Definitely one to throw money at if there is a sniff of him moving.

I can definitely see why he'd be motivated to leave, as he is carrying that Newcastle team on his shoulders and is expected to perform miracles. He'd be keen as mustard to go somewhere where the load is shared. I think we'd truly see how good he is.

 

[Makasene]

That Ponga to the Roosters rumour is as old as the sun.

Ponga is a far superior player to Brown. Definitely one to throw money at if there is a sniff of him moving.

I can definitely see why he'd be motivated to leave, as he is carrying that Newcastle team on his shoulders and is expected to perform miracles. He'd be keen as mustard to go somewhere where the load is shared. I think we'd truly see how good he is.

What about the money aspect.?

He is surely looking at a big downgrade next deal do you reckon?

Will still be on a good wicket, maybe even still on a million but not the $1.4m he is on at the moment.

I agree he would be a great addition at fullback.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

What about the money aspect.?

He is surely looking at a big downgrade next deal do you reckon?

Will still be on a good wicket, maybe even still on a million but not the $1.4m he is on at the moment.

I agree he would be a great addition at fullback.

It is utterly fanciful to see him coming here, but if we had a player like Ponga at the back then the rest of our current cut price spine would be completely adequate.

With a player like Brown we still come up short in the spine.

On the back of good young forwards, good experienced forwards, a decent couple of hookers, and serviceable halfs, I think Ponga would be worth a big money contract to us, and I'd guess we could afford it until Metcalf's stocks rise.

As far as the man himself, he may see a slightly smaller contract to play in a more competitive side that allows him to shine keeps his value up for the long-term. I don't see it happening for anyone bar the glamour clubs though. He is young when a lot of the stars are aging. I don't see his contract falling considerably. The demand will be there.

The one thing that we do have going is that the Māori culture at the Warriors has not been this strong for a long time. That may be enticing.

 

[tajhay]

Will still be on a good wicket, maybe even still on a million but not the $1.4m he is on at the moment.

Well if someone out there pays 1.2m for Brown, surely Ponga would be looking for around 2m+. Ponga is contracted till end of 2027 anyways

They arent even in the same league ability wise.

 

[Makasene]

Apparently Herbie Farnworth is unhappy at the Dolphins and keen on a return to Brisbane. Doesn't sound immediate though.

 

[Noitall]

I’d take Ponga in a heartbeat, but would take Keano Kini over him. Previous season shows both played 16 games at a 68% tackle efficiency, Ponga with 11 try assists and Kini with 7, but the big one for me is Ponga 170 average run metres to Kini 212 average run metres. Ponga hasn’t in his career averaged 200 run metres across games played and Kini has done it in his second. This guy is going to be an absolute weapon

 

[Noitall]

Apparently Francis Molo management has reached out to souths a couple of times and are asking for $600k per season

 

[Boston Boy]

Apparently Francis Molo management has reached out to souths a couple of times and are asking for $600k per season

No way Bennet pays that. Be lucky to get $400k out of Bennet, especially if he's approaching Souths. He will need to take a financial hit wherever he goes.

 

[Noitall]

No way Bennet pays that. Be lucky to get $400k out of Bennet, especially if he's approaching Souths. He will need to take a financial hit wherever he goes.

With them in need of a middle, sharks fans are wondering if they offer souths Toby Rudolf or BHU to try and keep Hazelton

 

[Noitall]

View: https://x.com/PeterVLang/status/1892320280418406747

 

[Inruin]

I’d take Ponga in a heartbeat, but would take Keano Kini over him. Previous season shows both played 16 games at a 68% tackle efficiency, Ponga with 11 try assists and Kini with 7, but the big one for me is Ponga 170 average run metres to Kini 212 average run metres. Ponga hasn’t in his career averaged 200 run metres across games played and Kini has done it in his second. This guy is going to be an absolute weapon

Kini's height not an issue at fullback?

 

[Noitall]

Kini's height not an issue at fullback?

Tuaupiki has alleviated any concerns I had in that area

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/02/21/warriors-worries-johnson-successor-jury-out-on-prop-switch-how-to-extract-best-from-rts/

Some good little chestnuts from you and a couple of other posters here

 

[Noitall]

Over here at his brothers wedding on Waiheke island apparently

 

[Inruin]

View attachment 11853
Over here at his brothers wedding on Waiheke island apparently

Who put it out in the media.......

 

[tajhay]

Over here at his brothers wedding on Waiheke island apparently

His brother Josh lives in Sydney. Probably having the wedding in NZ as he did get engaged over a year or so ago, if it indeed is for his wedding. The only sibling he has living in NZ is his older sister. His parents also live in Syd.

They have strong ties to Whangarei so a Waiheke wedding seems a lil strange especially if the main family members are all travelling from Aus for it. Could possibly be true though - dont know where his fiance's family is from/might have older integral family members who would not make the trip to Aus.

Maybe keep an eye on any events Sir Peter Leitch attends.

 

[Worried2Death]

His brother Josh lives in Sydney. Probably having the wedding in NZ as he did get engaged over a year or so ago, if it indeed is for his wedding. The only sibling he has living in NZ is his older sister.

Are you thinking it's all merely a big coincidence

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Apparently Herbie Farnworth is unhappy at the Dolphins and keen on a return to Brisbane. Doesn't sound immediate though.

He would solve our lack of speed issues outside of that gout gout kid no?

 

[Noitall]

His brother Josh lives in Sydney. Probably having the wedding in NZ as he did get engaged over a year or so ago, if it indeed is for his wedding. The only sibling he has living in NZ is his older sister. His parents also live in Syd.

They have strong ties to Whangarei so a Waiheke wedding seems a lil strange especially if the main family members are all travelling from Aus for it. Could possibly be true though - dont know where his fiance's family is from/might have older integral family members who would not make the trip to Aus.

Maybe keep an eye on any events Sir Peter Leitch attends.

Just saw it on their forum that he’s over here for a wedding on Waiheke. Got no idea if there’s any truth to it

 

[Noitall]

February 21, 2025 at 7:36pm


Dylan is also in NZ on holidays while his mates are playing a trial. Yeh something is not right






One poster says this

 

[Noitall]

February 21, 2025 at 7:42pm

Browns at his brothers wedding on Waiheke Island that's why he's back in NZ nothing more.




Another poster says this