Rumor Mill

[Izz]

Tuivasa-Sheck on verge of joining Saudi-backed rebel rugby comp on $1m deal

Tuivasa-Sheck is set to join the R360 competition in 2027 as the first NRL player to jump ship on a deal worth close to $1 million a season.

www.smh.com.au

This seemed the best place for this little nugget.

As much as I love RTS, potentially losing him from ‘27 onwards probably isn’t that big a deal for us as a club. But if this R360 thing gets some legs, things might get interesting across the whole comp.

Yeah, he'll be what, 34? Good time for him to cash in.

And yeah, will be interesting to see what happens. Big money, but focus more on individuals than team? Might not prove to be a great spectacle across a season if that's the case. If it happens, i could see it taking Super League's place as where players go in the latter stages of their careers

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Yeah, he'll be what, 34? Good time for him to cash in.

And yeah, will be interesting to see what happens. Big money, but focus more on individuals than team? Might not prove to be a great spectacle across a season if that's the case. If it happens, i could see it taking Super League's place as where players go in the latter stages of their careers

Yep I’d be pretty happy for Rog if he can cash in like that but a long way for the concept to get off the ground.

From what I’ve read the national unions strongly oppose it given the proposed windows overlap with the tail of the 6N for the NH and the EOYT window for the SH teams. And the club comps are totally opposed as well for obvious reasons.

But the fact it’s even being tossed up means the NRL should keep watch closely. Leaguie journos in Australia love to see themselves as the dominant code but in reality it’s big fish / small pond stuff.

This latest idea may eventually fall over, but one day someone will get something else over the line. And if the Saudis or Qataris are involved, there’ll be enough money to bulldoze their way into the global calendar and start signing players from all corners, regardless of national union opposition. Just like the IPL has done.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

RTS can see out his contract in my opinion.
We let him walk once, dont let him go it again. Plus we need him in our 13 every week

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

RTS can see out his contract in my opinion.
We let him walk once, dont let him go it again. Plus we need him in our 13 every week

I’d be surprised if he angled for an early release. Last time was a unique situation when the govt closed the borders as he was trying to get his family over to Aus to see out the season. I know some felt he bailed on us, but I personally had no issues with it given the family stuff.

And then he honoured his NZR contract in full by playing NPC footy when he could’ve tried buggering off early as soon as he missed AB selection.

I reckon he’ll stick with us to the end.

 

[Matua]

I’d be surprised if he angled for an early release. Last time was a unique situation when the govt closed the borders as he was trying to get his family over to Aus to see out the season. I know some felt he bailed on us, but I personally had no issues with it given the family stuff.

And then he honoured his NZR contract in full by playing NPC footy when he could’ve tried buggering off early as soon as he missed AB selection.

I reckon he’ll stick with us to the end.

That fact that he keeps playing on the wing even when CNK is injured shows how committed he is to the team.

Anyway, I hope this new league goes nowhere. I'm genuinely scared the Warriors will be the only team I'll have left to support. If the planned cutting of the NPC broadcasts happens then I'm likely done with Stan (rugby here in Oz) because I don't care about Super enough to reward the rugby unions with my dollars. A new league might accelerate that.

With my general grumpy old man demeanour if the Warriors start playing too many Aussies I might completely throw my toys out of the cot, I've had to stop wearing my Warriors cap because of people saying that saying "Up the ..." annoys me so much.

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

That fact that he keeps playing on the wing even when CNK is injured shows how committed he is to the team.

Anyway, I hope this new league goes nowhere. I'm genuinely scared the Warriors will be the only team I'll have left to support. If the planned cutting of the NPC broadcasts happens then I'm likely done with Stan (rugby here in Oz) because I don't care about Super enough to reward the rugby unions with my dollars. A new league might accelerate that.

With my general grumpy old man demeanour if the Warriors start playing too many Aussies I might completely throw my toys out of the cot, I've had to stop wearing my Warriors cap because of people saying that saying "Up the ..." annoys me so much.

That's when you start regailing newbies with tales from 1999, 2000, 2004 and the like!

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Warriors looking at Khan-Pereira who the Titans want to move on

 

[Big Marn]

Warriors looking at Khan-Pereira who the Titans want to move on

Elite speed but terrible on D?

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Elite speed but terrible on D?

Havent watched him closely enough to have an opinion myself, but yea that seems to be the word on him doesnt it.

Upside is genuine pace as you've mentioned and at only 23-24ish probably at least 3-4yrs left at peak speed too. And as we've come to appreciate more recently, a winger's apparent defensive issues aren't always solely their own.

I wouldnt be upset at the right price.

 

[Izz]

Warriorholic saying it's likely Toby Crosby is off to the Panthers next season...

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Warriorholic saying it's likely Toby Crosby is off to the Panthers next season...

Ah shit. This might be karma for convincing Fatialofa to stay...

Hope we backed the right horse if that's the case. Crosby looked really promising.

 

[Izz]

Ah shit. This might be karma for convincing Fatialofa to stay...

Hope we backed the right horse if that's the case. Crosby looked really promising.

Yeah, Crosby definitely more raw than Fatialofa, so probably wouldn't be FG-ready as quick, but man he has such a massive ceiling.

There's going to be a bit of this though, I think, in coming seasons now that we have a proper pathways setup. Impossible to keep all the talent. But hopefully we choose right more often than not

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Just saw this mentioned in another rumours thread, but thought I'd add here too:

Panthers’ sights set on promising Warriors middle; Sydney club enters Ponga race — Whispers

Panthers’ sights set on promising Warriors middle; Sydney club enters Ponga race — Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

Apparently we're looking at Moale which might explain why we're seemingly willing to let Crosby explore other options.

Losing Crosby would suck given his potential ceiling, but Moale's had big raps on him for a while, still very young and already clocked up 70 games so could slot straight into the 17 if he plays like he did last year. Honestly a bit torn about this one.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

NAS shopped to us by the Storm. Apparently we baulked at $800k (via foxsports).

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Khan Pereira also apparently given permission to negotiate with us. This one is a no brainer, sign him up

 

[Penrose Warrior]

NAS shopped to us by the Storm. Apparently we baulked at $800k (via foxsports).

I said elsewhere we should baulk at $1.

Even if you don't think he's a grub (which I do), he just can't get it right. This is his 11th year and he still can't tackle properly, to stay on the field. Under Craig Bellamy. No chance he fits us.

Khan Pereira also apparently given permission to negotiate with us. This one is a no brainer, sign him up

I like speed but if he's another winger who can't defend, not sure that is a positive for us.

 

[Leber]

I like the idea of khan perera, but we already signed those two rookie wingers and we have kali and amatuanani on the books.

 

[Big Marn]

I like the idea of khan perera, but we already signed those two rookie wingers and we have kali and amatuanani on the books.

yeh i agree. I dont think NRL players do "depth in squad" as well as other codes like NFL or EPL cause they dont get paid enough. It makes sense to jump ship if they can get a better gig at an aussie club. Kali in particular shouldnt be thinking hes 3rd or 4th banana. There needs to be a path to 1st Grade.

 

[Leber]

Wingers: Roger, dwz, khan-perera, kali, amatuananai, mellars
Centres: Pompey, leataua, berry

with berry and leitaua always injured, I reckon Roger or charnze will play a bit of centre next year.

 

[Leber]

For some reason I thought marsh’s boy was a winger, but he’s a hooker. I’m surprised lussick isn’t moving in.