Tony Martin
Last edited by a moderator:
Player Eliesa Katoa
- Thread starter Tony Martin
- Start date
-
- Tags
- eliesa katoa
WOW OK!! a couple of very interesting names there for sure! The type that make me think the Warriors are changing the way they recruit and play the game. Its clear they want to eliminate the mistakes of the past and the now!
It was reported that Adam Pompey was rated by Peter O'Sullivan when he first signed him as his greatest find while at the Roosters. Was seen as a once in a generation talent. He would only be 19/20 now and apparently, his dream was to play alongside Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Can play everywhere from halves to fullback. but his best position is probably centre. Adding Pompey and Milne shows the Warriors are looking for a very athletic type of centre and will be backing one of these two to kick on and be special. Roosters trademark is to have dynamic centres. Looks similar to Jerome Ropati but bigger! Our recruiter is doing their job. Impressive.
Selestino Ravutaumada we know about. Will be a star, super highly rated and very excellent reason. very special player. Centre/wing.
Eliesa Katoa is essentially a clone of Sio Siua Taukeiaho with a bit of Fusitua thrown into his DNA. Very athletic player and decent size about him.
Last edited:
Run_it_str8
Big boy. But he'll need to harden up a bit so he doesn't get smashed like Payne Haas got by Klemmer.
He looks like a big pup to me. Big but still a pup.
bruce
Contributor
if they don't bite when they are a pup, they will never bite. So my guess is he bites.
Off The Bench
All I saw was a big kid playing little kids .
Can't say either way ..As long as he gets up after being
Smashed .The rest is b s .
Can't say either way ..As long as he gets up after being
Smashed .The rest is b s .
I have heard from a very good source that the Warriors are absolutely raving to have locked down Eliesa Katoa.
Apparently, the guy is lighting up pre-season and a marvel to watch, particularly with ball in hand. My source said he belongs in the same category of player as Ali Lauitiiti, SBW, Kikau and Sonny Fai. Eliesa offers something much more dangerous than we currently have in the forwards. O'Sullivan has pulled a special with this kid.
Eliesea is big, athletic and powerful they think he could develop very quickly. Projected NRL player by 2020. Don't be surprised to see him named in one of the trial games off the bench.
Watch this kid, you heard it here on this forum first, he is going to be a special Warrior.
Apparently, the guy is lighting up pre-season and a marvel to watch, particularly with ball in hand. My source said he belongs in the same category of player as Ali Lauitiiti, SBW, Kikau and Sonny Fai. Eliesa offers something much more dangerous than we currently have in the forwards. O'Sullivan has pulled a special with this kid.
Eliesea is big, athletic and powerful they think he could develop very quickly. Projected NRL player by 2020. Don't be surprised to see him named in one of the trial games off the bench.
Watch this kid, you heard it here on this forum first, he is going to be a special Warrior.
shuffle
Fazz
So this is our first piece of PoS magic, then? Will be interesting to see how he goes over next few years. I'm assuming he's still eligible for Jersey Flegg? If he's the goods, might see him in ISP later in the year.
WellingtonOrca
Father’s death prompted son to succeed and places him with NZ Warriors
ByTevita Katoa23/11/2018
‘Eliesa Kātoa has attributed his success in rugby to a sense of courage he developed after his father died while he was 12 years old.
He said he vowed to do something to help his mother and his siblings.
Kātoa has an ambition of making a fortune in rugby and he always wanted to have an opportunity to play rugby in New Zealand.
After three national rugby trips from Tonga to New Zealand, Kātoa finally signed a contract with New Zealand Warriors on November 1.
He was also awarded the Sport Person of the Year 2018 and graduated with honour from Tamaki College.
Kātoa was first chosen to play in Tonga’s Under 14 team in 2014 and the Under 15s in 2015 for their New Zealand tours.
However, he returned to the kingdom without any opportunity to stay and play in New Zealand.
He was selected in 2016 to represent Tonga’s Under 16 team for another New Zealand rugby tournament.
It was on this tour that Kātoa was awarded a scholarship to study and play rugby for the Tamaki College First XV on January 1, 2017.
Kātoa went back to Tonga briefly after the tournament before returning for his scholarship.
The New Zealand Warriors
In his last games of the 2018 rugby season, Katoa did not know that he was under the New Zealand Warrior’s radar.
A report on Warriors website earlier this month said “Eliesa Katoa, a much sought-after, athletic rugby union No 8 from the Tamaki College First XV” had been confirmed on a development contract.
“I came to New Zealand alone, but in my heart and mind, I always carry around my family wherever I go and every game I play,” he told Kaniva news.
“This was because I know my father has died.”
He grew up in Ha’apai before he relocated to Tongatapu and studied at Tupou College in 2016.
Kātoa was born in March 11, 2000 and grew up in the village of Koulo. He is the son of ‘Asaeli and ‘Akanesi Talanoa Kātoa.
The main points
- ‘Eliesa Kātoa has attributed his success in rugby to a sense of courage he developed after his father died while he was young.
- He has now been signed for a development contract with the New Zealand Warriors.
https://kanivatonga.nz/2018/11/fath...n-to-succeed-and-places-him-with-nz-warriors/
Interesting, according to this article he'd never even played League before and didn't know he was on the Warriors' radar till the end of the year.
Last edited by a moderator:
Heard ball in hand he is carving through lines making the senior take notice. POS magic alright. The hype is real with him.
Think I may have posted this on a different thread previously. Don't get too excited it's not he 1a comp. It's 1b and looks like defence was optional but an exciting prospect nevertheless. Fingers crossed.
bruce
Contributor
We will see what happens when somebody like Adam Crichton puts him on his arse. The kid looks the goods and they have obviously signed him for a reason but how many talented young boppers has this club brought through the juniors?
Worried2Death
Contributor
None like this kid Bruce, he's about to go off like Krakatoa I'm telling you, he's like a hybrid of Lauiti'iti and Maumalo except he's probably faster than Ken. Let's not talk him up too much though.
davewjnz
Looks to have the raw goods and from that report of him at training looks to have the drive to go far.
Earned his ticket here through a scholarship while touring NZ with a Tongan rugby school team ending up at Tamaki College.
If he develops well and takes the NRL by storm I hope the Kiwi's don't make a play for him. He's played all his rugby in Tonga up until now.
IMO he has earned the right to be here learning and developing his craft. Maybe a little pre-mature but I hope he does come good for the Warriors.
He is exactly the kind of young player the Tongan team need.
Even Bruce would be in agreement with that...
Wait, *How many years does he need to be here to be eligible to be a Kiwi again?* LOL
Will be interesting to see how he develops, I wish him well...
Earned his ticket here through a scholarship while touring NZ with a Tongan rugby school team ending up at Tamaki College.
If he develops well and takes the NRL by storm I hope the Kiwi's don't make a play for him. He's played all his rugby in Tonga up until now.
IMO he has earned the right to be here learning and developing his craft. Maybe a little pre-mature but I hope he does come good for the Warriors.
He is exactly the kind of young player the Tongan team need.
Even Bruce would be in agreement with that...
Wait, *How many years does he need to be here to be eligible to be a Kiwi again?* LOL
Will be interesting to see how he develops, I wish him well...
shuffle
It’s good maybe we finally have our own David Fafita or Payne “in the” Haas.
fizurg
Last Game
12 May
24 - 12
7.2
Total Avg Rating
10.0
Your Avg Rating
Highest Rated Player
Lowest Rated Player
Compiled from 8 ratings