Matt Utai

[Skitz68]

Sorry about that guys , came out twice tried to correct it and ended up four . Not that crash hot with a computer.

 

[DanOz]

Also like too add , he's a piss poor replacement for Tuiaki. Way too short for a winger the way the game is play nowdays . How's he possible going to compete under the high ball , the opposing winger wont even need to jump , just reach out and grab the ball and score . Even if he is signed i can't see him hold a spot in the team.

Maybe Sheens will play him in the back row like Lolesi - I have given up trying to predict the super coach.

 

[N.C.]

I read he's got him named in the centres for the trial match up north next weekend...

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Cant believe tigers would sign him imo.
Sam Latu is a similar type of player who is younger and might possibly have a future.

I dont rate Tagive - was average for doggies. I reckon tanqele & finau have it over him.
Havent seen koribete but now some fijians boys who played in fiji trials reckon hes pretty mean.

Although Nofoaluma must be good player to make junior kangaroos.

 

[gronkathon]

Tagive has his brothers positioning problems on kicks but with a bit of coaching should be a good pick up

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Tagive has his brothers positioning problems on kicks but with a bit of coaching should be a good pick up

But he seems smaller and slower from the games I seen him play.
But sheens must have a serious thing for fijians lol.

 

[madunit]

I want to see young Koribete getting a crack in Firsts.

By all accounts his tall, big, fast.

Three things Utai ain't

Three things you want in a winger

 

[Steve Austin]

Utai likely to take over Tuiaki's job on the wing

Chris Barrett

February 7, 2011

Wests Tigers will sign former Canterbury and New Zealand Test winger Matt Utai this week following the injury-forced retirement of Taniela Tuiaki.

Utai, 29, has been trialling at the club's Concord Oval base since last month, and has been picked at centre by coach Tim Sheens for the Tigers' first pre-season game against North Queensland in Townsville on Friday.

It is expected the Tigers will sign him early this week on a modest, second-tier contract with incentives built in to reward first-grade appearances. A premiership winner with the Bulldogs in 2004, Utai has impressed Tigers staff with his attitude and application to the pre-season, and the sad prognosis on Tuiaki's chronic ankle injury clears the way for him to make an impact at NRL level again.

Utai would have joined the Tigers last year after pulling out of a $130,000 contract with English Super League side Celtic Crusaders, reportedly as a result of his failure to overcome a knee injury. However, the Crusaders' subsequent demand of a transfer fee scuppered any chance of a deal, prompting Utai to spend the season playing in the NSWRL Inner City league with Auburn Warriors.

Tigers strength and conditioning guru Steve Folkes was key to getting Utai to the club this year. It was Folkes's exit as head coach at the Bulldogs at the end of 2008 that coincided with a decline in fortunes for the powerful winger.

Under his replacement, Kevin Moore, Utai fell out of favour, playing only five NRL games in 2009 as the coach opted for an emerging Bryson Goodwin on the left wing.

In the previous season, he was restricted by injuries to 12 first-grade appearances.

The Tigers had Utai undergo a full medical screening, and reported there was nothing to preclude him playing in the NRL.

As revealed by The Sun-Herald yesterday, Tuiaki has been forced into retirement by an ankle injury that sidelined him after round 24 of the 2009 season. The 28-year-old had three operations but they proved ineffective

 

[Marshall_magic]

Why are we following Parra's lead, signing players who were good in 2004?

 

[Skitz68]

2004 was 7 seasons ago .

 

[Bricey]

from the tigers website

http://www.weststigers.com.au/defau...=tim-moltzen-returns-for-foundation-cup-clash

Wests Tigers Head Coach Tim Sheens has named his team to play Sydney Roosters in the annual Foundation Cup clash at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday, February 26.
The match will see the long awaited return of utility Tim Moltzen who missed the majority of last season after undergoing a knee reconstruction. Moltzen has overcome an ankle injury that saw him miss last week’s trial against Parramatta.
Winger Matt Utai has been signed to a one-year second tier contract for 2011.
Wests Tigers will be looking to win the Foundation Cup for the first time since 2007. Kick-off is 7.30pm.

 

[super_coach]

Okay its only a preseason hit out but I smell a rat. The jason Moody thing all over again. Their must be a least half a dozen better options.In 2011 a winger has to be big strong and fast also being able to compete for the high ball helps. The bar fridge from Belmore is strong, but their where it all ends big time!!!!

 

[gronkathon]

I still believe Ryan will be the first choice of Sheens when fit. He is just so decidedly average that he fits the Sheens mould.

Utai on the wing under a bomb would be negated by having the height of Ayshford to either shield or jump in theory as well. It all depends on who we get the most out of on kick return sets. Brown was very good at that last season

 

[Stagger eel]

from what I saw of utai on the weekend, he'll be handy 2nd tier signing.

 

[851]

from what I saw of utai on the weekend, he'll be handy 2nd tier signing.

I bet he will at least run straight and hard,unlike our last bloke,who kept running in circles.

 

[Tiger Crazy]

i'm guessing if fit Mckinnon will be fullback So for 1 wingers spot we have as replacements Brown , Daniela , Ryan , Tagive , Latu Why sign another winger ?? Honestly we would of been better off keeping Fitzhenry then signing Utai Utai can't catch a cold can't move laterally and only plays 1 position and is a bit of a clown

 

[madunit]

he's also quite short and stocky so his jumping ability isn't very good or effective.

If he plays firsts, our opponents will pepper him with bombs all night long.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Utai was actually ok against parra. I'm not in love with the signing either but it's not as drastically bad as some are making out

 

[super_coach]

Sheens wants him for his defensive charges from dummy half,but he will get shown up out wide

 

[Bricey]

Sheens wants him for his defensive charges from dummy half,but he will get shown up out wide

Please explain a "defensive charge from dummy half"

dictionary.com defines charge as

–verb (used without object) 21. to make an onset; rush, as to an attack.

Still somewhat at a loss at to what constitutes a "defensive charge"