Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:41 am  

BIGAL1 wrote:

He's signed but Agar does not rate him, someone else as been signing all the players up.

They are trying to off load him and thats

If he's signed then the club should honour the agreement and Agar should give him a fair crack. I would imagine with all the 2 and 3 year deals been handed out to other signings, he would only be on a 1 year deal so not a massive risk and has that x-factor that we desperately need.

I believe some of his flaws could be fairly easily remedied by a decent coach, so would have thought Agar would be wanting to work with him to prove his mettle. Undoubtedly with ball in hand and broken field he could be a devastating asset. His cover defence aint too shoddy either.

Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 6:14 am  

RebelRebel wrote:

Can't imagine they issued Tongia with a working visa for 4 games.

He looks like a luxury signing to me. Another Paul White (at the top of his game). If we can't get the players we want, he might get the nod. If we do, he's out of the door.

Again, this is just a gut feeling on my part, no inside info etc.

spot on

would take a bloody good coach to put right the flaws

Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 6:40 am  

GET EM ON SIDE REF wrote:

spot on

would take a bloody good coach to put right the flaws

I disagree. We have plenty of decent grafters signed up for next year, but not a lot of players who can create something from nothing like Tongia can, someone who can excite the crowd as well.

He will make the odd mistake, but I certainly don't buy into him being a luxury and lets not forget in a much stronger squad next year he is more likely to be able to show his attacking capabilities and I think he could score a lot of tries.

There are certainly alot worse players yet to be confirmed as released, and not any we are linked with, or who we already have signed up who could be as exciting at full back.

In addition, the fact remains if he was offered a contract and signed it, the club should honour it - no further debate should be necessary until we have seen him playing next season.

Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:41 am  

newgroundb4cas wrote:

Tongia will be class with a bit of work. If we sign phelps and he goes its cos agar is signing his mate which is pathetic.

You truly are mental aren't you???

Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:07 am  

Tricky2309 wrote:

I disagree. We have plenty of decent grafters signed up for next year, but not a lot of players who can create something from nothing like Tongia can, someone who can excite the crowd as well.

He will make the odd mistake, but I certainly don't buy into him being a luxury and lets not forget in a much stronger squad next year he is more likely to be able to show his attacking capabilities and I think he could score a lot of tries.

There are certainly alot worse players yet to be confirmed as released, and not any we are linked with, or who we already have signed up who could be as exciting at full back.

In addition, the fact remains if he was offered a contract and signed it, the club should honour it - no further debate should be necessary until we have seen him playing next season.

I totally agree - I think Tongia has the potential to be a Tomkins-esque FB next season, given the right group of players around him and good systems.

Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:13 am  

I take it I'm in the VAST minority that didn't get drawn in to the Tongia hype.
Granted I only saw 2 games (I was in Mexico for the majority of his time, where would you have rather have been during the final CT game?) but from what I did see I was far from calling him "Tomkins-esque"

(IMO) RT has a very week carry, which scares me. For me a FB needs to be safe before he becomes threatening.
Put it this way; I'd rather have someone who could tackle like Wellens & never trouble the oppositions line, rather than someone who had the X-factor in attack but leaked points like an old lady missing her tena pads!

For me I'd much rather have Charlie at FB, if RT stays then I'd have him on the wing, until he can learn to carry a ball with 2 hands!

[PopTart]

Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:22 am  

I agree. Tongia is ok, and a bit flash sometimes but he is a long way from being Tompkins-esque.
I'd happily sign him but he's not the Messiah

Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:25 am  

Tongia has some of the skills and makes far too many mistakes to be compared to Tomkins, however he is nowhere near as annoying, and could be good to watch next year, if he is given a contract.
I dont think he is a certainty by any stretch of the imagination though.

Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:26 am  

It would make a nice change to have an attacking full back with a bit of flair. Having defensive ones hasn't really helped us much over the last few years has it?

Re: The Five Signings : Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:38 am  

PopTart wrote:

I agree. Tongia is ok, and a bit flash sometimes but he is a long way from being Tompkins-esque.
I'd happily sign him but he's not the Messiah

In fairness, I did say 'has the potential to be' and used the 'esque' bit to clearly imply that he was far from the finished product.

I also don't recall saying he was 'the Messiah.'

For me, a good off-season and some harsh lessons in carrying the ball properly could see him a lot further down the track by the start of next season; he certainly appears to have the raw materials to become a very entertaining footballer.