Rumours and Stuff

[Poupou Escobar]

Is he better than Averillo?

Not based on this year, but 2025 is a small sample from an entire career. Penisini just had his statistically worst season while Averillo had his best. Averillo is probably worth more than Penisini, but one of the reasons is that he has utility value. He likely wants to be paid as a spine player too.

 

[RealdEel]

Plenty of merkins think one game is meaningful. How often have we lost and some genius comes in here saying tHiS pRoVeS tHe ThInG i’Ve BeEn WhInGiNg AbOuT!!!

Well if they have whinging about it for weeks then that doesn't make it 1 game..

 

[RealdEel]

If Papalii was an acceptable alternative to Drown, surely Samrani was a suitable alternative to Penisini.

That's a no

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Well if they have whinging about it for weeks then that doesn't make it 1 game..

Except they claim the one game as proof. It isn't though, it is just another 80 minutes full of events that support or counter various assessments/opinions. And because of confirmation bias, merkins will focus on the in-game moments that support their own beliefs.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

That's a no

But if they're both shit like every merkin claims, then Samrani is literally a one-for-one replacement.

 

[RealdEel]

Except they claim the one game as proof. It isn't though, it is just another 80 minutes full of events that support or counter various assessments/opinions. And because of confirmation bias, merkins will focus on the in-game moments that support their own beliefs.

Do they or is this just your argument for the sake of it?

 

[RealdEel]

But if they're both shit like every merkin claims, then Samrani is literally a one-for-one replacement.

You brought up Pennisi, Samrani isn't his replacement either. Fairly Sure Ryles also thinks this..

Sorry just trying to educate you on how the club do things.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Do they or is this just your argument for the sake of it?

Why are you getting so defensive ffs

 

[Poupou Escobar]

You brought up Pennisi, Samrani isn't his replacement either. Fairly Sure Ryles also thinks this..

Sorry just trying to educate you on how the club do things.

Penisini missed four games this year and Samrani played centre in two of them. Simonsson played the other two. I already told you Simonsson was in our top five outside backs. Samrani was obviously top six.

 

[Stevie]

Can we just play out the Samrani to centre idea for a minute?

Dud someone say in here before that TCT said he was training at centre?

I am actually not against it I like him, but he would absolutely need an off season to slot in, give him a decent chance.

He might seem a bit slow in lateral movement however making good decisions negates that somewhat. Plenty of effective centres have similar traits to him I think.

PS I clearly want some great signings, just spitballing.

 

[85 Baby]

Do they or is this just your argument for the sake of it?

You’re joking, right?

 

[85 Baby]

Except they claim the one game as proof.

You also must be joking? One game? Merkins take one missed tackle or error as proof

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Can we just play out the Samrani to centre idea for a minute?

Dud someone say in here before that TCT said he was training at centre?

I am actually not against it I like him, but he would absolutely need an off season to slot in, give him a decent chance.

He might seem a bit slow in lateral movement however making good decisions negates that somewhat. Plenty of effective centres have similar traits to him I think.

PS I clearly want some great signings, just spitballing.

Most of Samrani's experience is at centre, including most of his starts in the NRL and NSW Cup this year for us. Yes he is a large, plodding type centre, but think of it this way: With his impressive physical strength, if he also had good lateral movement he wouldn't be a backup, he would be a starting player somewhere.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

You’re joking, right?

*trolling

 

[Poupou Escobar]

And the information that is out there isn’t recent either. Maybe they’re all additional PO years and that’s why we can’t announce it!

Interestingly, we announced his extension (until end of 2026) in May. In that September presser he said he was here until 2028, so there could be a two year PO. As you say, clubs are no longer allowed to announce them after all the fan backlash this year.

 

[Avenger]

Interestingly, we announced his extension (until end of 2026) in May. In that September presser he said he was here until 2028, so there could be a two year PO. As you say, clubs are no longer allowed to announce them after all the fan backlash this year.

PO now stands for Perth Option.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Continuing to build for the future, the Parramatta Eels have signed a talented young cross-code convert from New Zealand after he decided to switch codes from rugby union.

Following in the footsteps of Harry Inch (Warriors) and Saumaki Saumaki (Rabbitohs), Zero Tackle understands that Dru Faletolu has become the latest New Zealand schoolboy to sign with an NRL club, joining the Parramatta Eels.
Still only young, he will appear for the club's Under-19s SG Ball Cup team as they look to go one better in 2026 after losing to the Sydney Roosters in this year's grand final.

A former Under-15s Super Rugby representative for the Melbourne Rebels, Faletolu also spent time in the Hurricanes Under-18s regional development squad earlier this year and comes from the famed Wellington College in New Zealand.

MSN

 

[Soren Lorenson]

^^^ He's 102kg and 188cm so I'm guessing he's a backrower??

 

[Stevie]

^^^ He's 102kg and 188cm so I'm guessing he's a backrower??

A bulldozing powerhouse winger, maybe..?

 

[Delboy]

Continuing to build for the future, the Parramatta Eels have signed a talented young cross-code convert from New Zealand after he decided to switch codes from rugby union.

Following in the footsteps of Harry Inch (Warriors) and Saumaki Saumaki (Rabbitohs), Zero Tackle understands that Dru Faletolu has become the latest New Zealand schoolboy to sign with an NRL club, joining the Parramatta Eels.
Still only young, he will appear for the club's Under-19s SG Ball Cup team as they look to go one better in 2026 after losing to the Sydney Roosters in this year's grand final.

A former Under-15s Super Rugby representative for the Melbourne Rebels, Faletolu also spent time in the Hurricanes Under-18s regional development squad earlier this year and comes from the famed Wellington College in New Zealand.

MSN

The Crusaders coach is now saying that the reason the NRL Sign young union players is that they are lazy i developing their own etc etc

There are a number of younger players that failed to make junior rep teams at either Penrith and Parra ,that are now in the Waratahs elite development teams. If the clubs didn’t place their junior reps at private schools ( it’s one of the few allowable expenses for junior rep players ), most wouldn’t even be introduced to that game.

The NZ union schools are now more concerned than ever and are asking schoolboys to sign agreements not to play league outside the school system, seriously worried.