Rumours and Stuff

[King-Gutho94]

As per members email

Kitione Kautoga elevated to Parramatta Eels Top 30 squad

The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce that Kitione Kautoga has been elevated to the club's Top 30 squad for the remainder of the 2025 season and has signed a contract extension through to the end of the 2027 season.

Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill said, "Kitione came to the club looking for an opportunity and he has grabbed it with both hands. His performances so far this year have been very impressive. He has connected well with the players, the broader staff, and the coaches love working with him. We are committed to his continual growth and look forward to watching him develop as a player and person over the coming years."

Kautoga, 22, joined the Eels in December 2024 on a development contract and quickly made his mark. Since debuting in Round 2 of the 2025 season, he has played 13 matches, scoring one try and contributing significantly to the team's forward pack.

He made his representative debut last year playing for Fiji, his country of birth, at the Pacific Championships.
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fair to say the pre-June 30 signing we were pushing for is not happening, so we have upgrade KK and that finalises all our roster spots for this year

I think he has improved over the season. His handling has improved and his defence shits on Kelma's

 

[Grigor]

So we now have 30 players contracted which was a requirement for June 30 so we can assume now tds won't be an eel and has informed the club , only possible chance is if lane medically retired and perennially injured and not locatable dunster retired giving us a spot to be filled , I'm not sure how we get rid of Mon and his cronies but we are always going to be a club that has everything but has nothing till things change

 

[senior]

Would love a comparison with Iongi & Bula from the Tigers​

Would be interesting the difference between the two remembering Bula has had 2 more seasons then Iongi with experience

Iongi
14 Games
5 Tries scored
8 Try Assists
7 Linebreaks
53 Tackle Breaks
175 Average RM

Bula
13 Games
4 Tries scored
4 Try Assists
7 Linebreaks
46 Tackle Breaks
174 Average RM

fairly even

​

 

[Stevie]

So we now have 30 players contracted which was a requirement for June 30 so we can assume now tds won't be an eel and has informed the club , only possible chance is if lane medically retired and perennially injured and not locatable dunster retired giving us a spot to be filled , I'm not sure how we get rid of Mon and his cronies but we are always going to be a club that has everything but has nothing till things change

Time for a petition? I’ll sign.

 

[Gherkin]

I'd be trying to get Sanders back as a 6 if Ricky is actually looking at signing another half.
If not and Papa is the leading option for next year then he should be starting at 6 for the rest of the year

 

[TheCrowe]

I'd be trying to get Sanders back as a 6 if Ricky is actually looking at signing another half.
If not and Papa is the leading option for next year then he should be starting at 6 for the rest of the year

Is he any better then Footy Dean? Ricky is even looking at backups that would supplant him.
I think we are after a running 5/8 to compliment Moses over a second organiser.

 

[Jake the snake]

I got mail this morning that Da Silva is a done deal to Brookvale.

but but the TCT said their mail was strong and he was coming to Parra

 

[Eelementary]

Jamie Buhrer played origin.

And Daniel Wagon.

And Anthony Quinn...Steve Turner..

Ok, maybe this metric is flawed...

 

[Eelementary]

I think he has improved over the season. His handling has improved and his defence shits on Kelma's

And he's still only 22.

His ability to break the line, and offload, is pretty good.

He's raw, but there is a heap of potential there.

 

[Eelementary]

Iongi
14 Games
5 Tries scored
8 Try Assists
7 Linebreaks
53 Tackle Breaks
175 Average RM

Bula
13 Games
4 Tries scored
4 Try Assists
7 Linebreaks
46 Tackle Breaks
174 Average RM

fairly even

​

I think the most important stat to compare is:

NRL games played

Bula - 52
Iongi - 15

If Isaiah is putting up numbers similar to a player with 50 games under his belt, imagine how good he will be when he himself has 50 games of experience under his belt.

 

[Avenger]

but but the TCT said their mail was strong and he was coming to Parra

Their scoops is just a guess like everybody’s however they go next level and publish it on a podcast which gives it perceived credibility.

Deep down they are just nerds like us that devote time to a dead eel being flogged for 40 years and counting. Some seem to like the pain more than others.

 

[Timana]

but but the TCT said their mail was strong and he was coming to Parra

I reckon his contacts give him crap mail and at the last moment they say 11th hr thing and they lap it up

 

[Eelementary]

Their scoops is just a guess like everybody’s however they go next level and publish it on a podcast which gives it perceived credibility.

Deep down they are just nerds like us that devote time to a dead eel being flogged for 40 years and counting. Some seem to like the pain more than others.

It's getting harder, and harder to support this club.

Signing Ryles was a good start, but patience is wearing thin.

 

[Delboy]

It's getting harder, and harder to support this club.

Signing Ryles was a good start, but patience is wearing thin.

Don’t think Ryles is the problem, would seem to be the same people that have been at the club for over 5 years. Unfortunately the issues that are a concern haven’t gone away .

 

[Soren Lorenson]

It's getting harder, and harder to support this club.

what would you do instead?

 

[Stevie]

what would you do instead?

I am with him! If I pick a new team it will be one that has regular success.

Maybe the Chooks. Well funded, great 3rd parties, good stadium.

Cock adoodle do?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Yes I read that as well it's a bit strange is Sanders not going to be the number 1 number 7 next year? Will Clifford be just the backup like we have now with footy Dean?

*foodie

 

[Stevie]

And he's still only 22.

His ability to break the line, and offload, is pretty good.

He's raw, but there is a heap of potential there.

He might just end up being a really talented enforcer. Needs more tattoos if he wants to do that then.

 

[TheCrowe]

He might just end up being a really talented enforcer. Needs more tattoos if he wants to do that then.

I want to see him practice the Manu Ma'u death stare.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Don’t think Ryles is the problem, would seem to be the same people that have been at the club for over 5 years. Unfortunately the issues that are a concern haven’t gone away .

Are you sooking over TDS? Ryley Smith has outplayed him this year and TDS wants to be the main merkin at dummy half, not playing 40 minutes (at best) every week. A key side effect of signing someone to play long minutes is the expectation that they can devote a larger portion of their cap to him than a backup or limited minutes member of the top 17. Ryley Smith’s next upgrade could be $350k or more. How much do you think that leaves for another top 17 dummy half? Probably not $600k+