2014 Playing Roster

[Poupou Escobar]

Geez Willie Tonga's looking skinny. Especially next to Pauli.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

The Prince of Squints, his shoulder held together with tape. How many games do youse reckon he'll last?

 

[tresurehunt]

cant believe he is still in the squad or is he just there for the younger guys ?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Yeah, sucks having a big, fast experienced bloke in the squad. His only problem is that he is injury prone.

When he's fit he's a solid first grader. But I wouldn't renew his contract beyond this year.

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

I think Tonga might surprise a few people (not just by going injury free). He's not old, has the innate class, so I'm certainly not writing him off if he can stay fit.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Smith and tonga would be in my team top 13.

Tonga apart from being injured hasnt been to bad in the few games he played. A fit tonga is close to our best centre.

Smith yeah doesn't have the best game but his experience and defence is very valuable. If smith plays edge forward you know that side of the field will be pretty good defensively. His attack aren't the best but I reckon we have enough attack in the side to cover for it.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Also while we have some players with potential that can play edge forward, I think smith is the only one that has actually played a full season in the NRL.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

True.

Smith-Sandow-Hopoate-Whomever

That's a solid enough right side defence, even allowing for Sandow.

 

[spiderdan]

Yeah, sucks having a big, fast experienced bloke in the squad. His only problem is that he is injury prone.

and not actually being fast anymore. Is a very good defender though which I wish we could say for some of the others in the top squad.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

How do you know he's not fast? He hasn't been fit since the wooden spoon grand final in 2011.

 

[Eelementary]

Yeah, sucks having a big, fast experienced bloke in the squad. His only problem is that he is injury prone.

When he's fit he's a solid first grader. But I wouldn't renew his contract beyond this year.

Fast? Is this Tonga or Penguin you're talking about?

 

[Eelementary]

I do think that Penguin should be our "Hindy clone", though.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Fast? Is this Tonga or Penguin you're talking about?

The dude that ran down Benji Marshall. The former centre.

Penguin power

 

[Eelementary]

The dude that ran down Benji Marshall. The former centre.

Penguin power

That was awesome!

I think Benny has a lot to offer if his knees hold up. Just don't let him run the ball!

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Fast? Is this Tonga or Penguin you're talking about?

Or a Tongan Penguin?

They wouldn't move too fast I suspect, but would command their section of the beach pretty forcefully. We need one.

 

[Eelementary]

Or a Tongan Penguin?

They wouldn't move too fast I suspect, but would command their section of the beach pretty forcefully. We need one.

They're aggressively territorial, too - we'd be unbeatable at home!

 

[hindy111]

I agree I think Penguin will have a very good yea-He will be trying to get one more contract somewhere.
He looked good years ago but wasn't suited to a team that lacked mobile penetrating forwards.Tanginoa-Loko do offer that and potentially Edwards.With bigger wingers(not burt) offering go forward all of a sudden a guy like penguin can suit the side.Remember he hindy and Lowrie all formed a great backrow at one stage, and none could penetrate

 

[phantom eel]

If fit, I guess Tonga has a free pass to a centre spot with Loko's continued injuries. But I'd be surprised if Smith makes the selected 17 for Round 1. And even more surprised if either of the two are still here in 2015.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I think both should play if fit but I hope we don't re-sign either of them.

Tonga is contracted for 2015.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I think both should play if fit but I hope we don't re-sign either of them.

Tonga is contracted for 2015.

What if they both play pretty decent footy in 2014 and are willing to take a below average wage compared to their ability/experience for 2015 (for example $100k smith, $150k tonga)