The Tigers have reportedly sealed the signatures of a pair of rising stars as a plan for the merger club to add an experienced coach to its ranks has been revealed.
According to Danny Weidler of 9 News, the Tigers have secured deals for brothers Latu and Samuela Fainu.
The
SMH earlier reported that the club had offered four-year deals to both players, who starred for NSW in their Under 19s State of Origin victory on Thursday night.
Latu, an 18-year-old playmaker, previously signed the richest deal ever by a player yet to feature in the NRL when he joined the Sea Eagles, but both he and his 19-year-old brother were given permission from Manly to test the open market.
Crucial to their signing success is a plan from Tigers powerbrokers to add an experienced coach to their ranks, something that the SMH reports has convinced leading player agents - including of the Fainu brothers - to put their faith in the merger club’s vision.
The news comes after assistant Benji Marshall pitched how he wants to the club to be shaped in the coming years to Wests bosses, with head coach Tim Sheens in on the meeting.
Marshall is in line to become to take over from Sheens in 2025 after completing a two-year apprenticeship under the former premiership winner.
“Benji’s skill is in identifying strengths and weaknesses in the club especially in our playing roster and addressing those challenges,” Tigers boss Lee Hagipantelis said to
News Corp.
“His football IQ continues to impress and he has exceeded all our expectations in terms of his development as a future head coach.
Benji’s big recruitment coup as Tigers reportedly win race for star brothers
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