Official Tuku Hau Tapuha

[bort]

If that's how they get from eating in the Toups kitchen we need to make eating all meals there mandatory

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

 

[Sevshark]

He is back at roosters now as an assistant.

Yeah I know that just saying if he was really there watching Tuks specifically than that is probably the reason.

 

[Up-Up Cronulla]

Williams and Kaufusi (mutual option) the only two not signed for next season.

Hazelton has club option.
Tuks is signed for next year already.

Didn't know they extended him Sharks website had him signing on for 23 & 24.

 

[bort]

Didn't know they extended him Sharks website had him signing on for 23 & 24.

ZT has him for 24 and 25, so unsure
They usually would t update without a reason but not immune to errors

 

[Sevshark]

Didn't know they extended him Sharks website had him signing on for 23 & 24.

ZT has him for 24 and 25, so unsure
They usually would t update without a reason but not immune to errors

Club announcement says extended until 25

 

[Gards]

Tapuha really impressed me tonight during his little playing time. I'd rather him before Kaufusi when Uele comes back.

Players like Kaufusi allow a young massive forward like Tuku to come off the bench and go hard for 10 mins with big carries. Fitz didn't get carried away about Tuku's performance in the pressor, he just said Tuki showed what he is capable of but he had a role to do just like Kaufusi has his role to do.

If they start doing their role poorly or Fitz changes that role and the player doesn't cope or adapt it's a different discussion.

Kaufusi does alot of grunt work carting it up and makes alot of tackles. If we consider Kaufusi a workhorse then players like him are what open the door for a forward with a specific short window impact role to come on and well..... do that role.

Not having Kaufusi means another player has to absorb some of his workload like BHU or Rudolf.

Even if Tuku was capable right now of playing longer minutes it would blunt his power and impact with all the extra time and tackles he would have to take on. As he builds his fitness and confidence as a first grader hopefully he can go on a similar trajectory to Hazelton who over time has taken on more minutes and responsiblity but has been able to keep his workrate AND impact in his runs up to a high level.

For the time being though even if Tuku were to give us a 10-15 min spell like that everyweek he would be invaluable.

Personally I was really impressed by him and his peformance. Was proud to see a young bloke new to the club ripping in for the jersey and showing what it means to him to be out there for himself and the club. That always gets my respect and admiration juices flowing and It's part of what makes a bloke a real Sharks player.

Royce needs to watch himself with this kid around now cause Tuku looks super promising

 

[bort]

Just hear me out…

 

[Sevshark]

Just hear me out…


View attachment 30615

I'm listening...

 

[stalefish]

im happy to wave hunt goodbye

 

[Blair]

Just hear me out…


View attachment 30615

In for Brit?

 

[Gards]

So basically according to Borts post Tuku has scored a try from every position he has played

That still leaves, wing, centre, lock, fullback and hooker + any new positions we make up for him

Lots of meat pies incoming for this lad

 

[Gumby]

well used in this game. We have a real player in this bloke! Very happy we re signed him till end of next season.

 

[Capital_Shark]

im happy to wave hunt goodbye

We're already digging into forward depth & you wanna get rid of one?

 

[stalefish]

We're already digging into forward depth & you wanna get rid of one?

once afb arrives

 

[Born&bred]

I'm getting excited at the prospect of him getting match fit - holy ****, just think the impact he could have with more minutes...

 

[Blue_Eyes84]

We’re set in the prop department.

 

[Gards]

once afb arrives

You don't just arbitrarily get rid of someone in contract if you don't have to. AFB already fits within the cap we have planned out.

Need to fill a certain amount of spots anyway, i.e. spend money and replace Hunt with someone better/worse regardless.

I would prefer to keep hold of Hunt who has NRL experience and hope he can still do a job for us and find some form and consistency. Put it on him to convince us to keep him in FG throughout 2024 / 2025 and even beyond.

If he can't do that and/or some amazing forward comes on the market we can somehow still afford or alternatively a super promising but cheap rookie then yea then maybe you look at giving Hunt his papers.

This all assume the form of blokes like Kafusi stays up and Dale isn't retired or something

 

[BurgoShark]

In for Brit?

Haha - Bort is ****-stirring. Tuks had to play 2nd row a few times for the Jets as a last resort. They had heaps of middles and lost several second rowers.

 

[Sevshark]

Haha - Bort is ****-stirring. Tuks had to play 2nd row a few times for the Jets as a last resort. They had heaps of middles and lost several second rowers.

 

[Thresher]

The last Sharks forward I can recall turning the opposition into bowling pins like that was Adam Ritson.