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Some reports said that his child needs hospital support that does not exist in Auckland. Wonder what that is. If it doesnt exist in Auckland, good chance it wont exist in Newcastle either, so Brisbane would seem a likely option as they have very good children's hospital (outside of Sydney Metro areas).

Genuinely best wishes for him and his whanau. He came here as an OK signing and leaves here as one of our best. Will be sorely missed.

Lovely story in News Corp paywall hidden about Setu Tu
He’s playing first grade for the Drags this week after grinding away for years
Good luck to him a determined young fella

At the end of the day it's always going to be family first no matter what profession you work in. Sydney and South East Queensland will always have an advantage, but when you think about it for every Chad, Reece, Euan, Addin and Mitch there's always been a Tohu, Fish, Blair, Luke, SJ, TMM that has come back to NZ for the same reasons.

Damo said:

32 years old, coming off an ACL, could be a blessing in disguise. (This is copium )

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Both can be true. Barnett is a legend, stiffened up our defence and really upped his and our game. But he is also 32, a few serious injuries in his career and is coming to the crunch time.

We may actually win out here, we get the absolute best out of a player at the back end of their career, plenty of notice, great back ups in place and get to have a clean break.

The King is dead, long live the King.

I truly believe Mitch wanted to stay until the end and loves it here. I don't think this was easy for him and isn't the classic compassionate release we normally see.

Fair.

I heard Whyte really misses his family in West Auckland ?????I don't think Aussie clubs give compassionate releases as easy as the Wahs

Let's go get Jospeh Tapine.

Wahs_Ultras said:

Shit news. He was the one player I was expecting to retire at the club after turning his career around here. Another player better be coming our way in return

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Shit for us as fans but I think the club is doing the right thing in letting players go for compassionate reasons. Obviously needed in Barnett’s situation but no good having an unhappy player and can only bode well for recruitment that we aren’t a stubborn club to deal with

I posted this in the wrong thread before.

Whispers Laban has won an edge spot with Capewell. Leka to be a bench weapon.

If true, love it.

There are whispers that Laban has won a starting edge spot alongside Capewell.

Laban I feel has the highest ceiling in terms of leadership. I've said before he has Tohu like aura.

Big year for him. Someone said he had a bit of Kikau about him, I can see it.

Leka likely to be a bench weapon.

Thought that first 40 when both first grade teams were on were very encouraging and the blueprint of how we'll try to play.

It was Webby ball 101, play for position and i thought Boyd controlled things pretty well.
Egan for me was the standout. His fingerprints all over Ford's and his own try where he went to the line and put Gannon into space. The Ford try a perfect example of his nuanced play of how to get someone 1 on 1 around the ruck and close to the line......something Healy has yet to learn. Its bizarre some still malign him.
Ford is 100 percent locked into the prop rotation, His engine and workrate is too valueable. Needs a bit of self awareness about his discipline tho and how far he pushes the line.
Leiataua showed nice tip ons on attack and will probably start soley due to Injuries but geez his lack of urgency off the ball is pretty dire.
Like the promise and skills of Jack Thompson but there's no way in hell he's ready for first grade, The[r obviously still developing him physically, the dude would get rag dolled and a turnstile target......Cappy and co wouldnt let that happen.

Overall get Fish and a few others back for round 1.....i think we're capable of giving the Chooks a decent shake up

WAH MAN said:

TSS was somewhat maligned as not big enough to bend the line etc but he is growing into himself and has shown definite growth and progress. I'm on the TSS train.

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Easy to forget he is very young even though he looks 35. A Sam Rapira 2.0 with his speedy play the balls. Best yet to come from TSS.

BangBro's (still banging) said:

I would be Stoked with Fish and Smith starting! TSS has been great so far!

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TSS was somewhat maligned as not big enough to bend the line etc but he is growing into himself and has shown definite growth and progress. I'm on the TSS train.

Leon Black said:

Fuck I hope Ford does an ACL

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Wishing an injury on anyone is pretty average. Do better mate.

Jahrome Hughes has come out and said even if he’s eligible he won’t play origin.

Doesnt have the same connection to the jersey. Respect that

MrFrankWhite said:

Good to see TSS start at 8. Bit of recognition, hope his last trial form carries through.

Laban getting the start at 12 too is another strong plus. Hope he plays Marata into cup

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It’s funny. I’ve been watching replays of last years games to pass the time. Watching without emotion is a very different lease.
Marta was a mixed bag, but produced a lot of good moments. We actually scored quite a lot of points off of his play the balls. He would get to his feet quickly on the right, allowing a shift to the left. I think if he is playing g off the bench for 40 minutes a game he will provide some quality.
To put CHT in the same bracket as Hanson is just crazy. CHT is definitely NRL standard, and quite brilliant at making defensive decisions. He does lack that zip to make the break but he would work well if pared with a quick fullback

Good to see TSS start at 8. Bit of recognition, hope his last trial form carries through.

Laban getting the start at 12 too is another strong plus. Hope he plays Marata into cup