Wests Tigers captain James Tamou rates young NRL prop Stefano Utoikamanu so highly he says he wouldn't swap him for anyone - not even Brandon Smith.
Melbourne hooker Smith has endured an eventful fortnight after a podcast interview in which he discussed the Storm's drinking culture and his desire to join their arch rivals the Sydney Roosters for 2023.
The comments have irked the Storm, who last week reportedly tried to shift the reigning Dally M hooker of the year to another NRL club for the final year of his contract.
It was claimed the Tigers were sounded out over a possible swap deal for Smith, on the proviso Utoikamanu went the other way for 12 months before returning to Concord.
Tamou, though, said he wouldn't trade the 21-year-old for anyone after his breakout NRL season in 2021.
"(Utoikamanu) is an up and comer and every team would love to have him," Tamou, who was speaking at the club's Christmas toy drive at Campbelltown Hospital, said.
"He's ours for the moment and he was a standout for us last year.
"Even if it's (a swap) for one of the best players in the league at the moment, he (Utoikamanu) is still young and has a lot to learn and can get better and better.
"It was an obvious decision but the Tigers made the right decision.
"He's still a kid too and as a front-rower he's got a lot of maturing to do.
"After the year he had, he's going to get better but fingers crossed he'll stay at the club for a long time."
Utoikamanu is expected to be the cornerstone of the Tigers pack for the next decade and the club are already discussing an extension to his contract.
By 2023, he will be joined by Parramatta's Isaiah Papali'i and Penrith's Api Koroisau, after they both agreed terms to work under Maguire.
The knock on Maguire's reign has been his inability to attract big names to the club, but with the help of new football boss Tim Sheens the Tigers have now added two bona fide draw cards to their roster.
"It gives me confidence that the club is in a great place," Tamou said.
"Some of the signings that the club has taken on are the best, Api and Isaiah.
"For him (Api) to come here, and the way the game is going you need a quick, decisive hooker like that to create.
"He's the best in the business after winning the grand final with the Panthers.
"He's a great signing for us and an indicator of where this club's heading."
https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-league/tamou-laughs-off-storms-nrl-trade-bid-c-4848548.amp
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Does anyone really care what Tamou thinks anymore? Sheens said he’s not going, end of story.
@mike I hadn’t seen Tamou in the training pics and was hoping he’d retired
I think he was just trolling you @avo
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@mike I hadn’t seen Tamou in the training pics and was hoping he’d retired
No such luck.
Seems a common theme atm around Tamou. I know I’ve lost heaps of respect for him. Doesn’t play decent minutes, has zero impact on the field, not an inspiring captain and seemingly is more interested in Penrith’s journey. He has a lot of work to do imo to win back fans. Not sure he is capable of doing that
@tigersteve He was a poor signing. Brought on to be a solid middle whilst also providing leadership to the team and he failed badly on both counts. Then the instagram posts congratulating Penrith and Cleary was poor form. It would be a very poor move for him to retain the captaincy, and i'm struggling to see how he makes the 17 at all purely on form.
@tigersteve He was a poor signing. Brought on to be a solid middle whilst also providing leadership to the team and he failed badly on both counts. Then the instagram posts congratulating Penrith and Cleary was poor form. It would be a very poor move for him to retain the captaincy, and i'm struggling to see how he makes the 17 at all purely on form.
Agree 100%. Who should be captain??
@tigersteve it's a good question. I would have said Doueihi but his injury rules him out unfortunately. I don't think Brooks needs the extra pressure and other than that i'm coming up blank.
@avocadoontoast yeah me too. Would it bring the best out of Nofoaluma? Not sure he has the maturity. That’s it from me….sadly
@tigersteve it's a good question. I would have said Doueihi but his injury rules him out unfortunately. I don't think Brooks needs the extra pressure and other than that i'm coming up blank.
Leadership group maybe?
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@tigersteve it's a good question. I would have said Doueihi but his injury rules him out unfortunately. I don't think Brooks needs the extra pressure and other than that i'm coming up blank.
Leadership group maybe?
You could hold the group meetings in a broom closet lol
@tigersteve I thought his attitude (and form) last year left a lot to be desired. Hastings seems to be a real talker and a bit of a winner (from what i've observed in SL) but he's just joined and who knows how he'll even go in the NRL. We are really short of leadership at the moment.
@avocadoontoast i think the captaincy is a topic we are covering on the pod tonight.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
