Good thing Paul Henry didn't interview him, he'd probably throw in a jibe about him being linked to Al Qaeda.
To be honest i was thinking of rocking up to Mt Smart next season with a "Slaimankhel did 9/11" banner...
You should make a Areai'iti is into Necromancy banner too. See how many juniors you can get on the wrong end of a angry mob.
The plan is to give both of them a test run - we make them, then send you in to wield them while we watch from a safe distance.
Lol, reminds me of my mate when he was interviewed on radio...
Steve: "...and before that I was in Dubai."
MC: "Really, what did you do there?"
Steve: "I did teaching. I actually taught Osama Bin Laden's nephew."
MC: "Oh, so it's your fault!"
Steve: "Yeah, sorry about that."
Tyrael
Warriors re-sign Bill Tupou through to 2014
He's flown under the radar for most of his career out on the right wing for the Warriors, but the underrated Bill Tupou's recent form doesn't appear to have gone unnoticed by the club's powerbrokers.
Tupou was off contract at the end of this season with an option in favour of the Warriors, but his manager Stan Martin has moved quickly to negotiate a new and upgraded deal for his client.
He wouldn't reveal specifics yesterday but confirmed that on Friday, Tupou put pen to paper on a new contract that will see him call Mt Smart Stadium home until at least the end of 2014.
It's also understood the deal includes an option in the club's favour for the 2015 season.
Martin said the terms of the new contract were confidential but admitted Tupou, who scored two tries during Wednesday's loss to the S torm, had been rewarded with a significant pay increase.
"Bill's been offered a new extension for two years and he signed the contract this week," Martin said.
"He'll be staying with the Warriors until 2014 at least.
"I spoke to the Warriors at the end of last year and at the beginning of this year after Billy's top performances during the playoffs. He also made the Kiwis squad for the Four Nations, let's not forget.
"He's improved quite a lot and I think the Warriors see him as a long-term winger and wanted to keep him at the club. He's received some good rewards on the back of some impressive performances."
Tupou, 21, joined the Warriors under-20s in 2008 – their inaugural season – before making his first-grade debut in round four of the 2010 season.
Last year, he was used just three times by former coach Ivan Cleary before getting a recall to the side in round 16. He quickly cemented his position and went on to make 17 appearances, including the NRL grand final.
Under new coach Brian McClennan, Tupou has been a regular sight on the right wing for the Warriors and has turned in some impressive performances, most notably against the Storm last week.
"Until Brian McClennan came along, the Warriors weren't entirely sure about Billy," Martin added
"I had three clubs interested in him. But because he's always been under contract with the Warriors, I never proceeded with anything."
Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah yesterday refused to comment on whether Tupou had been offered an upgraded contract but conceded "some discussions" had recently taken place.
"He's come through our junior system, which is great, and he's consistently making progress," Scurrah said. "He's becoming a regular first-grader now.
He has been linked with the Newcastle Knights but, according to Brown, if an offer from the Warriors is "right", he'll stay in New Zealand.
"At the moment, we've received a couple of offers for the NRL and Super League and now I'll be talking to the Warriors in the next fortnight," he said.
"We'll revisit things in two weeks and from there, Ukuma will be making a decision.
"It's like anything, if the deal is right then he'll have no issue staying here.
"He's happy here and it will probably come down to the deal."
Scurrah refused to comment on Ta'ai's contract situation.
It's also understood that star under-20s fullback Omar Slaimankhel is being courted by another NRL club and could ask the Warriors for a release in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, rampaging back-rower Ukuma Ta'ai is expected to make a decision on his future within a fortnight. The Tongan international is off-contract with the Warriors this year and his agent Peter Brown said he had two deals from rival clubs on the table.
Attachments
playdaball
Heritage Member
It's also understood that star under-20s fullback Omar Slaimankhel is being courted by another NRL club and could ask the Warriors for a release in the coming weeks.
This IMO was the most interesting part of this article. Can the Warriors afford to let him depart?
This IMO was the most interesting part of this article. Can the Warriors afford to let him depart?
I'd be keeping Omar over Fish at this stage. Omar started off on the wing and could easily adapt to playing there. We've used a few different U20's wingers and a few of them look to have some potential. So not sure what the wing plans are for the club. Ta'ai, meh. He has an obvious upside, but doesn't produce often enough, makes a few mistakes and doesn't play big minutes. With Ikahihifo, Palavi, Taukeiaho in the lower grades plus Henry sure to move to the second row at some stage (maybe Manu as well) I don't see any reason to go all out to keep him. If other clubs are willing to offer more then so be it.
If we let Omar go it would be retarded.
we are so short of quality outside backs.... we talk about depth at this club, yet we let 1000s of players go and never add anyone... depth won't last long.
we are so short of quality outside backs.... we talk about depth at this club, yet we let 1000s of players go and never add anyone... depth won't last long.
Xt1ncT
Fish is signed to something like 2015 isn't he?
Anyway you spin it, both Fish and Omar are huge prospects. Fish needs to step up and produce performances like he did last year. No reason hat he can't on the back of an improving forward pack.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Anyway you spin it, both Fish and Omar are huge prospects. Fish needs to step up and produce performances like he did last year. No reason hat he can't on the back of an improving forward pack.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Blain
Shit, I dont want to see Omar leave. I know we would want to keep him, but looking at our roster, is he going to get a game unless we have 2 or 3 injuries? Or Manu Moves to the forwards, which I dont think will happen for a while.
He would probably have a secured wing spot at a couple clubs, I wouldnt have anything against him if he took it. If we get rid of Ropati (I cant see that happening either..) then he could be in with a shot. I reckon he would make a fine centre.
He would probably have a secured wing spot at a couple clubs, I wouldnt have anything against him if he took it. If we get rid of Ropati (I cant see that happening either..) then he could be in with a shot. I reckon he would make a fine centre.
PolarBob
#000000
Xt1ncT
They can't be. He's contracted to us!
And why would they need him with GI in such good form at the back? No way is Omar as good as GI so that to me would be a huge surprise.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
PolarBob
#000000
Meh. It's a rumour, and contracts come and go.
But really, GI is playing well so a club wouldn't need to sign someone whose entire career consists of a season at wing, and a season plus 5 games at fullback in NYC?
FMD.
But really, GI is playing well so a club wouldn't need to sign someone whose entire career consists of a season at wing, and a season plus 5 games at fullback in NYC?
FMD.
a.c.e
we should keep this Omar dude, hear alot of good things about the guy, havent really seen him play.
esoj
omar is a class player and I think he could definitely make the cut in first grade. unless he moves up the pecking order though I could see him moving on to where he is guaranteed a full time gig
Xt1ncT
question - which NRL team could guarantee him a full time gig?
Maybe the Tigers? Other than them I don't see a space.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ToiletDuck
Administrator
Unless of course he's signed as an outside back who can play fullback...
But yeah there are some good FB's running around the comp atm.
I would be disappointed if we let him go in light of our lack of depth in outside backs. I haven't seen much of Omar on the wing or at centre but I refuse to believe these guys who excel at fullback can't make a successful transition to the wing and/or centre.
Congrats to Bill though. Haven't always been his biggest fan but he's put in some solid performances recently and will hopefully only get better.
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