Forwards - where is Tapuha and Wong ?

[ARD]

Tapuha is injured. Wong is in line to play this week, I think Radley will probably be rested and Egan Butcher move to lock.

Why Egan? Nat do it at a pinch but you again mess up a combination. Wong played lock in last years GF.

I can see a world where Hutch starts at lock actually.

[Horry]

SHARKS TO LAND ROOSTER ON EARLY DEAL

The Cronulla Sharks are closing in on securing Sydney Roosters young prop Tuku Hau Tapuha on an immediate deal.

Despite the Roosters struggling with forward depth as a result of a stack of players being unavailable, they are set to release Tapuha from the final months of his contract.

The 21-year-old played three games off the bench in 2021 but has not been seen in the top grade since.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon still has two spots available on Cronulla’s 30-man roster

[Rooster_6]

Why Egan? Nat do it at a pinch but you again mess up a combination. Wong played lock in last years GF.

I can see a world where Hutch starts at lock actually.

Yeh for that reason, the Walker/Butcher/Manu combo which were very good at the back end of last year.

With so much change in the team I think where ever you can keep some combos in place is ideal.

I'm just guessing though... no inside info.

[rcptn]

We have had so many backs come through the grades and backrowers, but it's been a long time since we've had a good prop.

Plenty have debut and racked up half a dozen games and go elsewhere and do not much more.

Most have had big raps like so many young kids but Collins is the last one to kick on and his debut was in 2017.

Silly Farmer, Fafitta, Baker, Tapua and May. I am sure there are more so are we getting it wrong at recruitment?

I don't think you can blame recruitment as prop is the toughest position to play and you need patience as they reach there potential around mid 20's at the earliest.

[ARD]

Yeh for that reason, the Walker/Butcher/Manu combo which were very good at the back end of last year.

With so much change in the team I think where ever you can keep some combos in place is ideal.

I'm just guessing though... no inside info.

Nah makes sense not to break up the right. Or either edge right now for that matter… enter Hutch.

[ism22]

SHARKS TO LAND ROOSTER ON EARLY DEAL

The Cronulla Sharks are closing in on securing Sydney Roosters young prop Tuku Hau Tapuha on an immediate deal.

Despite the Roosters struggling with forward depth as a result of a stack of players being unavailable, they are set to release Tapuha from the final months of his contract.

The 21-year-old played three games off the bench in 2021 but has not been seen in the top grade since.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon still has two spots available on Cronulla’s 30-man roster

What comes around goes around IMO. If you stuff players around and hold onto them 'just because' then you're a bunch of peasants and that's where your culture's always gonna be.

[ism22]

I don't think you can blame recruitment as prop is the toughest position to play and you need patience as they reach there potential around mid 20's at the earliest.

Agreed - I was an early doubter of JWH (had no idea why he was fast-tracked into the NZ side and the subject of a multi-code/team bidding war before he'd proven anything).

At the time a wise chook-penner said that good props take time to develop. I said something like 'yeah whatevz... he isn't the SBW of yawnion or league though, I swear!' Reality? He continues to get better with age...

May's one I've got a lot of hope for. In 27 minutes he ran 54m (off 7 hit-ups) and made 20 tackles (zero missed tackles). Only request is that unless it's a cultural thing, can somebody grab some scissors and give the rat tail a snip?

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

Agreed - I was an early doubter of JWH (had no idea why he was fast-tracked into the NZ side and the subject of a multi-code/team bidding war before he'd proven anything).

At the time a wise chook-penner said that good props take time to develop. I said something like 'yeah whatevz... he isn't the SBW of yawnion or league though, I swear!' Reality? He continues to get better with age...

May's one I've got a lot of hope for. In 27 minutes he ran 54m (off 7 hit-ups) and made 20 tackles (zero missed tackles). Only request is that unless it's a cultural thing, can somebody grab some scissors and give the rat tail a snip?

I also dislike the pig tail. May has big wraps from the lower grades but playing for the Roosters he has looked an average plonker.

[ARD]

Agreed - I was an early doubter of JWH (had no idea why he was fast-tracked into the NZ side and the subject of a multi-code/team bidding war before he'd proven anything).

At the time a wise chook-penner said that good props take time to develop. I said something like 'yeah whatevz... he isn't the SBW of yawnion or league though, I swear!' Reality? He continues to get better with age...

May's one I've got a lot of hope for. In 27 minutes he ran 54m (off 7 hit-ups) and made 20 tackles (zero missed tackles). Only request is that unless it's a cultural thing, can somebody grab some scissors and give the rat tail a snip?

He’s normally 25mins stint and tops out at around 30mins, I’d like to see him given 40+ to test him out a little more. Looks ok, at least has an offload.

[Rooster90]

SHARKS TO LAND ROOSTER ON EARLY DEAL

The Cronulla Sharks are closing in on securing Sydney Roosters young prop Tuku Hau Tapuha on an immediate deal.

Despite the Roosters struggling with forward depth as a result of a stack of players being unavailable, they are set to release Tapuha from the final months of his contract.

The 21-year-old played three games off the bench in 2021 but has not been seen in the top grade since.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon still has two spots available on Cronulla’s 30-man roster

this seems dumb without getting anything in return....

[Thirteen]

Wong - star in the making, but is not ready for 1sts yet and will be outclassed at this stage. May get a chance this year im sure, but Robbo wont rush him

Taphua - big boy. but that necessarily doesnt translate to success. The best props actually often have a much lower centre of gravity than people of Taphua's size. You have to be curious as to why he has been with us for 3 years, cant crack firsts again, and is not getting interest from other clubs. Jury is out. With injuries i'm sure he'll get another crack at some stage this year.

Whyte - I just don't see anything to get excited about. Maybe i'm wrong. Hope I am. Haven't seen anything to suggest otherwise.

Napa - apart from brutal shoulders charges in defence (now outlawed), has always been underwhelming as a player i think. He was the weakest link in our pack prior to departing in 2018. Unilkely to see game time in 1sts with us, and if he does he'll be gassed after 10 mins, dropping off tackles and making pillow-hit ups where he gets turtled.

Napa will play against Souths. His assignment will be to take off Walker’s head in the last few minutes.

[Mickie Lane]

Can the Chooks get Kaufusi?
We need a top notch grub.

[King Salvo]

Did Hau Tapuha already sign with the Sharks for 2024 hence the early release ?

Seems to happen a fair bit a player being released doesn't play a last game before joining their new club- at least at the Roosters.

That will mean the Roosters are back to 27 full NRL contract players so 3 spots available

Ben Thomas is I understand on a Development Contract - Elie El-Zakham / Kurt De Luis on the extended bench and Dylan Napa on a train and trial contract but a few weeks away from playing though

[King Salvo]

Keary was saying he will continue trialling wearing head gear at training and in games - maybe it might catch on at least at training where there has been a few concussion and head clash injuries sustained by players

[Kelby]

Bring back the headgear and shoulder pads!