2026 rumoured and confirmed signings

[Aliceinwonderland]

Most fans Penrith or otherwise have agreed on Tago's defensive issues for at least 2 seasons. It's mostly this forum that gets strangely defensive over it.

He had it in him to be the best centre in the game and just stalled.

Justin Horros's comments on Levels podcast I found quite profound. It comes back (I believe) to that chest injury he had some years ago. Horro believes it is probably still giving him grief. Linking into his personal views about medical treatment too.

 

[Chins]

Justin Horros's comments on Levels podcast I found quite profound. It comes back (I believe) to that chest injury he had some years ago. Horro believes it is probably still giving him grief. Linking into his personal views about medical treatment too.

This is where he lost his tackle breaking ability I believe.
The defence stuff is another issue because it's rarely poor contact, it an inability to read plays infront of him.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

This is where he lost his tackle breaking ability I believe.
The defence stuff is another issue because it's rarely poor contact, it an inability to read plays infront of him.

Have a listen to the podcast I found his views quite interesting and informative. Willie also (when you get past his bluster) has good information too.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

This is where he lost his tackle breaking ability I believe.
The defence stuff is another issue because it's rarely poor contact, it an inability to read plays infront of him.

I understand. So his ability to read the play in defense has not improved it's regressed.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Most fans Penrith or otherwise have agreed on Tago's defensive issues for at least 2 seasons. It's mostly this forum that gets strangely defensive over it.

He had it in him to be the best centre in the game and just stalled.

Who are these fans outside this forum talking about Tago’s defensive issues?

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Who are these fans outside this forum talking about Tago’s defensive issues?

Bloke in a bar, Justin Horro have both mentioned his defensive issues in last week.

 

[Chins]

Bloke in a bar, Justin Horro have both mentioned his defensive issues in last week.

Basically every in depth footy podcast for the last 5 years

 

[snickers007]

Who are these fans outside this forum talking about Tago’s defensive issues?

Cooper Cronk has been extremely vocal about Tago's defense for the last couple of years.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Cooper Cronk has been extremely vocal about Tago's defense for the last couple of years.

I watch the Matty and Cronk television show on a weekly basis and I have heard him talk about the right edge once. Admittidelt on that occasion Tago got his fair share of blame.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Bloke in a bar, Justin Horro have both mentioned his defensive issues in last week.

I started listening to Bloke in a Bar at the start of 2025; largely listen to the Monday wrap-up. I find it really good (albeit it is sometimes repetitive given how much content they look to create every week, which thankfully is largely focused on the 8 games played). I haven’t heard much from Tago on their show, but maybe it was prior to last year or on the other shows during the week. Over the past 12 months they have been talking almost exclusively about the right edge, and Talagi and McLean.

I have never listened to Justin Horro (not a negative view, just never come across his content) so can’t really comment. It does sound like given the description above that he has been more critical of Tago than other commentators).

I wouldn’t classify these guys as fans though. They are content creators. Very few fans are lamenting Penrith’s defensive woes, or devising Monday Morning Quarterback games plans that pull Tago out of position.

I think the fan discussions of Tago are largely on this sub-forum. I don’t see other teams discussing it or on other places (like the old Roar forums).

personally, I back Tago to be in the team and killing it when the big games come up.

 

[BxTom]

Tago is the only one I've wanted directly booted. The others needed dropping at points.

And Martin is cap related you dribbler, f**k me you're a dense merkin.

Showing your level of intelligence by name calling. Poor diddums.

 

[hindy111]

It is YOUR opinion and the opinion of a few others. NOT the whole rugby league world - a claim you use to give your opinion weight. Your opinion needs weight, but it doesn't fool anyone. He has not been useless for four years. He has his highs and lows. You wanted Dylan booted, Kenny booted, Martin booted and others. If we listened to you we'd have a much poorer team. Thank god most people ignore you.

I remember when people wanted Nathan to go to hooker many years ago

 

[hindy111]

Tago is an NRL level player. He is miles to good for NSW cup. He just isn't a superstar. I dont think there is much between him and PA or Jenkins bar attitude. On their day all are better then each other. All 3 are NRL players but not Origin level. I reckon many thought Tago would be. Right now PA looks the best chance of the 3 but I dont think any of them quite reach that level. Id give them all 7/10

Mclean and Too are a class above.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Strong running fast lock is what we are after in the middle or should be. For that little spell Yeonis having now

It's pretty obvious Ivan wants ball playing though. Right or wrong i don't know. We'll see in a few weeks. Cogger will be out with the concussion they could try tago.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Justin Horros's comments on Levels podcast I found quite profound. It comes back (I believe) to that chest injury he had some years ago. Horro believes it is probably still giving him grief. Linking into his personal views about medical treatment too.

Thats probably it. Like we've always said the guy is a gun but players always say how preparation and recovery is the most important thing. All the talent in the world won't overcome ignoring medical advice.

 

[Oldpanther86]

I started listening to Bloke in a Bar at the start of 2025; largely listen to the Monday wrap-up. I find it really good (albeit it is sometimes repetitive given how much content they look to create every week, which thankfully is largely focused on the 8 games played). I haven’t heard much from Tago on their show, but maybe it was prior to last year or on the other shows during the week. Over the past 12 months they have been talking almost exclusively about the right edge, and Talagi and McLean.

I have never listened to Justin Horro (not a negative view, just never come across his content) so can’t really comment. It does sound like given the description above that he has been more critical of Tago than other commentators).

I wouldn’t classify these guys as fans though. They are content creators. Very few fans are lamenting Penrith’s defensive woes, or devising Monday Morning Quarterback games plans that pull Tago out of position.

I think the fan discussions of Tago are largely on this sub-forum. I don’t see other teams discussing it or on other places (like the old Roar forums).

personally, I back Tago to be in the team and killing it when the big games come up.

Go on nrl reddit and twitter and have a chat to other Penrith fans.

 

[BxTom]

I remember when people wanted Nathan to go to hooker many years ago

I admit I probably supported that back then. Happy to admit I was wrong. A few more games and he'll probably be a good player

 

[age.s]

Tago clearly has defensive issues, I just think Chins overplays them. Bombastic figures often do that. For example, "Tago struggles defensively at times" is the reasonable/true take, "every mistake ever made by a player on the right is due to Tago being shit" is the nonsense version of a take with a kernel of truth at the center. People then seem to take reactionary positions purely against the nonsense take and deny the kernel of truth at the core of the matter, often making what ends up being nonsense takes themselves. The place enshittens for a time as people throw nonsense arguments back and forth, often liberally sprinkled with insults and other non footy related silliness.

So in that sense Chins is very much like Trump, but there are people (both here and in the real world) who should do more to reflect on how they react to him.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Everyone is catching up to me, as is the general trend.

I get some wrong but no one else on this forum routinely puts their balls on the line like me.

Tago can play but when your best season was your debut season and that was 5 years ago......you have f**king issues.

What’s actually happened is that PA and Milky have out played him.

PA is on a different level this year and forced his way in. Obviously been working hard on his game.

 

[soc123_au]

I admit I probably supported that back then. Happy to admit I was wrong. A few more games and he'll probably be a good player

I still stand by he would have been a gun 9. He goes alright at 7, so it's worked out ok.