How could we not afford to keep Joffa?
Especially considering the salary cap going up and all the money put aside for Moses.
We can afford to keep Joffa, it’s just that we have a starting 8,10,11,12 who are all already on long term contracts or about to be extended (Steph) and we have pole, matamua, twal at least who will be looking for contract upgrades/extensions. And there is only so much money you want to invest in your pack. We probably have one spare spot for a up and coming prop to come into our team, having a guy who is paid starting prop play off the bench isn’t good use of your cap space. It’s a bit like the Hastings call ie short term we would have been better off keeping him but medium term he wasn’t (in the coaches view) fit for purpose at that contract price. We are going to have upgrade Bula, Toa and Tupou as well. Then we have to spend on a key half signing. The roster rebuild is happening faster that I expected with the fact that our top 17 week to week is becoming a very predictable lineup which is fantastic. This however means we will need to upgrade in order to extend the guys we want to keep. Our roster management/balance at this point is really incredible. It’s hard to argue anyone except noffa is on a deal for 2024 or beyond that is overs
Per DT
The Tigers intend to use money saved from releasing Ofahengaue to target key recruits. The club has been linked to Knights forward Tyson Frizell, while re-signing Luke Brooks has also been discussed.
Frizell doesn't make sense as per earlier discussions. And we shouldn't need to free up cap space to re-sign Brooks on a reduced deal.
Unless we're hiding something big, this doesn't make sense to me. We re-signed him less than a year ago, and are pushing him out the door less than one sixth of the way into the contract.
Very disappointed with the club’s decision on Joffa. Our best player last year and a key component of our pack this year. I don’t buy the argument that this is about the cap. Just plain disrespectful from the club.
Just catching up after a busy day.
Devastated to see Joffa is gone and pretty disappointed in the press release
We talk about installing WT DNA - but does that only refer to people who were here in 05? Why shouldn't WT DNA refer to people with the right character and attributes at our club TODAY.
I felt joffa loved the club and showed exactly the right charterer and leadership we need - WT DNA
Respect and thank you Joffa
Top 8 2023
MARKET MOVER: JUNIOR TUPOU
Rugby Australia is paying Sydney Roosters teenager Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii $1.6 million a season on potential, when they could have had Wests Tigers winger Junior Tupou on actual output, and on a cheaper deal.
Like Suaalii, Tupou has a rugby union background. He played in the Brumbies pathways and was selected in the junior Wallabies squad.
Recently, the softly spoken powerhouse outside back was asked if he would consider switching codes after news of Suaalii’s monster deal, and indicated would consider it if Rugby Australia came knocking.
Tupou, who has been a shining light for the Tigers, is making a name for himself as a metre-eating, tackle-busting outside back.
The 20-year-old goes on the market in November and will undoubtedly have NRL suitors lining up for his services.
But will rugby bosses have the nous to chase Tupou rather than blow big bucks on superstar NRL players for the sake of a code war?
Top 8 2023
MARKET MOVER: JUNIOR TUPOU
Rugby Australia is paying Sydney Roosters teenager Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii $1.6 million a season on potential, when they could have had Wests Tigers winger Junior Tupou on actual output, and on a cheaper deal.
Like Suaalii, Tupou has a rugby union background. He played in the Brumbies pathways and was selected in the junior Wallabies squad.
Recently, the softly spoken powerhouse outside back was asked if he would consider switching codes after news of Suaalii’s monster deal, and indicated would consider it if Rugby Australia came knocking.
Tupou, who has been a shining light for the Tigers, is making a name for himself as a metre-eating, tackle-busting outside back.
The 20-year-old goes on the market in November and will undoubtedly have NRL suitors lining up for his services.
But will rugby bosses have the nous to chase Tupou rather than blow big bucks on superstar NRL players for the sake of a code war?
we should be re-signing/upgrading Tupou, Bula, Stef and To’a immediately. I know Bula is signed until ‘25 but I want him locked down for much longer.
MARKET MOVER: JUNIOR TUPOU
Rugby Australia is paying Sydney Roosters teenager Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii $1.6 million a season on potential, when they could have had Wests Tigers winger Junior Tupou on actual output, and on a cheaper deal.
Like Suaalii, Tupou has a rugby union background. He played in the Brumbies pathways and was selected in the junior Wallabies squad.
Recently, the softly spoken powerhouse outside back was asked if he would consider switching codes after news of Suaalii’s monster deal, and indicated would consider it if Rugby Australia came knocking.
Tupou, who has been a shining light for the Tigers, is making a name for himself as a metre-eating, tackle-busting outside back.
The 20-year-old goes on the market in November and will undoubtedly have NRL suitors lining up for his services.
But will rugby bosses have the nous to chase Tupou rather than blow big bucks on superstar NRL players for the sake of a code war?
we should be re-signing/upgrading Tupou, Bula, Stef and To’a immediately. I know Bula is signed until ‘25 but I want him locked down for much longer.
Agreed, hopefully those wheels are in motion
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
we should be re-signing/upgrading Tupou, Bula, Stef and To’a immediately. I know Bula is signed until ‘25 but I want him locked down for much longer.
Amen
We need a core group of players that will be long term WT clubmen
Bula, Tupou, Stef, Toa, Pole are all capable of playing for at least 8 or more years for us.
Not sure what's going on with Blore, but if love to add him to that list
Top 8 2023
@frullens you don’t know what’s gone down mate . I’m not defending them , but there’s a real high likelihood that he sat down with benji , and was told “mate we can’t keep these kids back much longer” . “I’m going to have to blood a few, and your spot isn’t guaranteed” .
Maybe the ball was put in Joffas court, or even Joffas management were approached by the eels , and they came to the tigers asking for a guaranteed in the day spot . And we’re told no for the above reasons .
I mean the reason we got Joffa was a very very similar situation at the broncos. He had to make way for younger guys .
For me , outside of Blore , every other kid pushing through , could very easily have seen out the year in Reggie’s , so I don’t understand the urgency . But I do very much understand the sentiment , and this tap on the shoulder was always going to come .
And maybe just playing devils advocate for a second , a team offering to take the full brunt of the next couple of years , and the roster spot being opened up to , say , a half , like metcalfe , was too many irresistible reasons not to do it .
Yo be honest , just say he hypothetically stays here, plays off the bench for 2023, does a whole preseason , great glue guy, but Matamua makes a leap . Tumeth makes a leap , the lock from SG ball comes from the clouds.
Now we have a great glue guy who can’t get a run , on 600k captaining Reggie’s .
Geez that scenario sounds familiar. Cough McQueen, cough Ohara , cough Cayless cough Packer cough .
By the way this whole theory is blown out of the water if seyfarth comes into the 17 and we are all wondering have these guys lost thier mind . Not to mention the risk to torpedo this resurgence .
We will have to wait and see now .
I must be one of the few who thinks the decision to left Joffa go is a very prudent piece of football business.
In terms of performance, Joffa is a very mediocre middle forward. He rarely makes an impact with runs. Yes, he can pass the ball but so can any middle forward (see Seyfarth and Twal).
He is not a particularly strong defender.
The question is, if you were recruiting him from as a strong team, would you (a) actually recruit him and (b) pay him what we were. I suspect honest people would answer no to both questions.
Joffa’s best quality is that he seems like a champion person. A leader etc. 18 months that would have been valuable to us With Klem, Api, Ice and JB, it is no longer as valuable as it was.
Added to this, we are stacked with middle forwards (Blore, Matamua, James, Seyfarth) all who can come and do the same stint as Joffa off the bench without any drop in quality. Further, we are stacked at a junior level (Miller, Lauilii, Faagutu, A Saukuru).
We can now use this money to recruit in positions we are lack (halves, a strike centre) or use it to retain our key juniors.
This is a very smart decision IMHO.
@southerntiger i agree totally. Joffa is not big enough to play prop and not mobile enough to play on an edge.
The timing of his release is still pretty bizarre especially as he had just re-signed with WT last Sept
Possible scenarios
- WT keen to cleanse the club of Isaac Moses players because the club fell out with him over the Mitch Moses deal
- Scott Fulton has identified someone he can bring to the club right now and he needed to clear roster space
- Someone at the club has identified that Blore and Matamua are being held back because of our forward heavy roster. Moving Joe O gives them more game time.
- We needed the cap room to upgrade other players whose contracts are expiring. e.g Twal & Seyfarth (Of those two I hope only Twal gets a new deal)
By the way this whole theory is blown out of the water if seyfarth comes into the 17 and we are all wondering have these guys lost thier mind . Not to mention the risk to torpedo this resurgence .
We will have to wait and see now .
Highly likely I'm sorry to say. Seyfarth straight into the run on side 🙁
@mickb Dont forget that decision was made before we signed both Klem and JB. There was also still some uncertaity around Ice. Those signings made a massive difference to the makeup of our pack and Joffa’s role.
I was sad on Sat night watching Joffa score. But, Im glad the club isnt letting emotion dictate decisions.
