November 10, 2025 6:53 pm
This was the basis of my last post re Luai.Not saying NAS wouldn’t add something to any team, just that his impact on results over 27 weeks might not be as great as what might be hoped for. But he could be the difference in winning another 2 or 3 games a season if he plays enough games.
November 11, 2025 6:47 am
He was certainly the best middle on the ground. Here’s a question, who is the better middle right now, Tapine or Tino?for me Tapine was the difference between the two packs.That’s the issue Joel. For a club trying to climb back into the finals after being unsuccessful for a long time he would be a point of difference off the bench. But you need the guys who start to lead the way & they’re the ones who will play the majority of minutes. It was interesting to hear Kieran Foran say post the Kiwis’ Pac’ Championship win that the middles for them were so agile they paved the way. Big guys with good leg speed who can maintain it for lengthy periods are the ones who seem to be having the greatest impact on results. Not saying NAS wouldn’t add something to any team, just that his impact on results over 27 weeks might not be as great as what might be hoped for. But he could be the difference in winning another 2 or 3 games a season if he plays enough games.
this is the one we need
Hmm yes, I just worry he’s not athletic enough any longer and the price tag.
November 11, 2025 1:18 pm
If you asked me of the two who I would take for the Tigers to win a premiership in the next 3 years...It would be Tapine.He was certainly the best middle on the ground. Here’s a question, who is the better middle right now, Tapine or Tino?for me Tapine was the difference between the two packs.That’s the issue Joel. For a club trying to climb back into the finals after being unsuccessful for a long time he would be a point of difference off the bench. But you need the guys who start to lead the way & they’re the ones who will play the majority of minutes. It was interesting to hear Kieran Foran say post the Kiwis’ Pac’ Championship win that the middles for them were so agile they paved the way. Big guys with good leg speed who can maintain it for lengthy periods are the ones who seem to be having the greatest impact on results. Not saying NAS wouldn’t add something to any team, just that his impact on results over 27 weeks might not be as great as what might be hoped for. But he could be the difference in winning another 2 or 3 games a season if he plays enough games.
this is the one we need
Hmm yes, I just worry he’s not athletic enough any longer and the price tag.
1
November 11, 2025 3:10 pm
He’s had a huge year hasn’t he. Thing is he’s 32 next year & if you include rep games has played 250+ games. Full credit to him, he could go another 100 games the way he’s going. The Raiders have been very lucky with him, was talk of him looking around a few years ago but Ricky talked him around.If you asked me of the two who I would take for the Tigers to win a premiership in the next 3 years...It would be Tapine.He was certainly the best middle on the ground. Here’s a question, who is the better middle right now, Tapine or Tino?for me Tapine was the difference between the two packs.That’s the issue Joel. For a club trying to climb back into the finals after being unsuccessful for a long time he would be a point of difference off the bench. But you need the guys who start to lead the way & they’re the ones who will play the majority of minutes. It was interesting to hear Kieran Foran say post the Kiwis’ Pac’ Championship win that the middles for them were so agile they paved the way. Big guys with good leg speed who can maintain it for lengthy periods are the ones who seem to be having the greatest impact on results. Not saying NAS wouldn’t add something to any team, just that his impact on results over 27 weeks might not be as great as what might be hoped for. But he could be the difference in winning another 2 or 3 games a season if he plays enough games.
this is the one we need
Hmm yes, I just worry he’s not athletic enough any longer and the price tag.
And another guy who started his career in the back row. I wonder who of the backrowers in the comp’ now would make a good, mobile middle?
This post was modified 5 days ago by Russtutty63
November 11, 2025 4:18 pm
I would probably go for Tino if it was a long term (5yr) contract, however Tapine seems to be getting better and smarter with age so likely has 2 more years at this level. Tino still has a bit to learn, his ceiling may exceed Tapine's.He’s had a huge year hasn’t he. Thing is he’s 32 next year & if you include rep games has played 250+ games. Full credit to him, he could go another 100 games the way he’s going. The Raiders have been very lucky with him, was talk of him looking around a few years ago but Ricky talked him around.If you asked me of the two who I would take for the Tigers to win a premiership in the next 3 years...It would be Tapine.He was certainly the best middle on the ground. Here’s a question, who is the better middle right now, Tapine or Tino?for me Tapine was the difference between the two packs.That’s the issue Joel. For a club trying to climb back into the finals after being unsuccessful for a long time he would be a point of difference off the bench. But you need the guys who start to lead the way & they’re the ones who will play the majority of minutes. It was interesting to hear Kieran Foran say post the Kiwis’ Pac’ Championship win that the middles for them were so agile they paved the way. Big guys with good leg speed who can maintain it for lengthy periods are the ones who seem to be having the greatest impact on results. Not saying NAS wouldn’t add something to any team, just that his impact on results over 27 weeks might not be as great as what might be hoped for. But he could be the difference in winning another 2 or 3 games a season if he plays enough games.
this is the one we need
Hmm yes, I just worry he’s not athletic enough any longer and the price tag.
And another guy who started his career in the back row. I wonder who of the backrowers in the comp’ now would make a good, mobile middle?
November 11, 2025 4:48 pm
Yes, agree with all that. I think Tino is about 120 games behind Joe so the next 100-150 should be his best. Whatever club he goes to will be very lucky should he stay fit.I would probably go for Tino if it was a long term (5yr) contract, however Tapine seems to be getting better and smarter with age so likely has 2 more years at this level. Tino still has a bit to learn, his ceiling may exceed Tapine's.He’s had a huge year hasn’t he. Thing is he’s 32 next year & if you include rep games has played 250+ games. Full credit to him, he could go another 100 games the way he’s going. The Raiders have been very lucky with him, was talk of him looking around a few years ago but Ricky talked him around.If you asked me of the two who I would take for the Tigers to win a premiership in the next 3 years...It would be Tapine.He was certainly the best middle on the ground. Here’s a question, who is the better middle right now, Tapine or Tino?for me Tapine was the difference between the two packs.That’s the issue Joel. For a club trying to climb back into the finals after being unsuccessful for a long time he would be a point of difference off the bench. But you need the guys who start to lead the way & they’re the ones who will play the majority of minutes. It was interesting to hear Kieran Foran say post the Kiwis’ Pac’ Championship win that the middles for them were so agile they paved the way. Big guys with good leg speed who can maintain it for lengthy periods are the ones who seem to be having the greatest impact on results. Not saying NAS wouldn’t add something to any team, just that his impact on results over 27 weeks might not be as great as what might be hoped for. But he could be the difference in winning another 2 or 3 games a season if he plays enough games.
this is the one we need
Hmm yes, I just worry he’s not athletic enough any longer and the price tag.
And another guy who started his career in the back row. I wonder who of the backrowers in the comp’ now would make a good, mobile middle?
I haven’t seen a lot of Ethan Roberts, just a little of Flegg highlights. He has the size to convert to the middle so he could be one of those players who thrive with the change if it happens. Apparently the Roosters saw him as a potential middle so can see it happening at our club especially as we have Samuela, KPP & younger guys like Tony Sukkar (who could also convert to a middle), Sol Saukuru & Phoenix Godinet coming through the system.
This post was modified 5 days ago by Russtutty63
November 11, 2025 5:04 pm
NAS is apparently being targeted by the Warriors, that’s according to the Tele.
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