Player Omar Slaimankhel

[Jesbass]

Poor Bill. He's so underrated that even in his own thread, there's more talk about Omar Slaimankhel.

I for one like the guy. I think it's hard to play in the shadow of Vatuvei's reputation on the opposite side, but he has provided us with some classy finishes.

Also...is that article out of order? It's talking about Tupou and then suddenly makes a passing reference to Ta'ai, with a "Meanwhile" sentence at the very end.

I think it's supposed to go like this:

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."
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.
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.

 

[Fazz]

Thoughts in a nutshell:

- Happy to see Tupou stay. He's growing into his role and becoming a solid player
- Tai'ai can bugger off. He's offered nothing this year
- Can we offer said interested club Fish and keep Omar instead? haha

 

[Dankokoro 2.0]

Yeah i'm happy with Tupou and i think he's earned a new contract. He tries his heart out and with the exception of a dropped ball here and a bad read there, he's a pretty consistent performer for us, and a good finisher. He should only get better too, right?

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

Bill always tries hard, so you can't really knock him (even though is is only modestly talented.)

I have not been impressed with Fish at all in first grade and i would rate him behind Locke and even Ropati and Inu at full back.

Tai'i offers nothing, really, so I hope he enjoys the Vulcans and then the ESL as our injured forwards return.

 

[Dankokoro 2.0]

I have not been impressed with Fish at all in first grade and i would rate him behind Locke and even Ropati and Inu at full back.

.

Bit harsh on fish i reckon.. I wasn't impressed either but i agree with others that he needs a bit more of a chance- put him behind a non-limp dick forward pack and then at least his attacking game might outweigh his current defensive problems/attitude problem - whatever you want to call it. He definitely needs to work on his positional play and general commitment/urgency levels..

I do kind of agree on the Ropati sentiment.. he just always seems to play well at FB..

And Inu.. Did you read Richie Barnetts article in the herald? Based on his opinion - giving Inu the number 1 jersey is basically giving him a license to do fuck all..

"I watched Inu really closely when he went to fullback on Wednesday night. On nearly every set when the Warriors were attacking the line, the ball would go right and then left, and Inu would be kind of wandering about. I'd think, "Well, he's probably going to find somewhere to attack," but he simply never put himself in a position to run the ball. He just dawdled around. People can cop a side losing, but not when someone doesn't pull their weight."

Cheers Krisnan..

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

Yeah, Inu is an enigma alright.

Anyway, Locke has to be our no. 1 full back as he has pretty much the complete game (in defence as well as attack.)

Ropati always seems to play well there, which is odd given his defensive lapses when playing in his preffered position at centre.

 

[Xt1ncT]

Yeah, Inu is an enigma alright.

Anyway, Locke has to be our no. 1 full back as he has pretty much the complete game (in defence as well as attack.)

Ropati always seems to play well there, which is odd given his defensive lapses when playing in his preffered position at centre.

for me Fish is No2.

His performances last year were awesome as I've argued elsewhere that Locke wouldn't have gotten in if it weren't for Fish getting injured.

I can guarantee if he'd have been playing v the Storm he'd have scored at least once from the plays Richie was talking about.


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[Dankokoro 2.0]

for me Fish is No2.

His performances last year were awesome as I've argued elsewhere that Locke wouldn't have gotten in if it weren't for Fish getting injured.

I can guarantee if he'd have been playing v the Storm he'd have scored at least once from the plays Richie was talking about.

I think that's fair.. Fish obviously offers a lot in attack. And if the reason we don't favor him is because he's a no-show in Defense .. i'm not sure we have much evidence that Ropo or Inu is much better on D at FB?

There's an argument for Ropo because he's played so well there every time he's been asked to fill in.. but definitely not Inu i don't think.. Not if he's just gonna loiter at the back and do fuck all..

As LG says though.. we have a Kevin, and he's the full package.. and WHAT a package

 

[Spence]

I'm not sold on this Fisiiahi=shit defense idea. I've seen enough of him in the Vulcans to know he can make good covering tackles. Perhaps he is guilty of poor positional play, I never really notice it live though, so won't comment on that. Fisiiahi is definitely my number 2 pick for fullback.

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

Nah.

 

[¿N. ig-mah¿]

The club will rue the day they release Omar. He is one of the strongest defenders in the NYC, and he is still scoring at more than a try a game after more than 2 years in the comp. Thats probably higher numbers than even Fish, plus the strong defence.

Omar began life in the Toyota Cup as a winger (and scored as regularly as he does at FB), so it will be no problem to put him at wing. There would really be no need to retain Fish, as Omar would be a sure thing as a replacement FB due to injury.

Though I am warming to Bill's stability, I would have Omar as first choice winger, with Bill his replacement should he get injured or have to fill in at FB.

 

[Tyrael]

Fish is signed until 2015 unless they can release him early, but I doubt it. Omar will need to prove his mettle in a higher grade first

 

[¿N. ig-mah¿]

Fish is signed until 2015 unless they can release him early, but I doubt it. Omar will need to prove his mettle in a higher grade first

perhaps, but I'm sure Fish is actually on pretty small money, so if he had outside interest, I think he would jump at it, and the club probably wouldn't be too concerned with Omar in the wings. If Omar signs elsewhere, then we would probably be forced to hold on to Fish.

Clearly Omar needs to prove himself in higher grades, but I see him as being more likely to make the step up than many. He is already a hard worker, an immensely strong defender, a good leader and a big points scorer. I believe he would step up well.

 

[Sebastian]

perhaps, but I'm sure Fish is actually on pretty small money, so if he had outside interest, I think he would jump at it, and the club probably wouldn't be too concerned with Omar in the wings. If Omar signs elsewhere, then we would probably be forced to hold on to Fish.

Clearly Omar needs to prove himself in higher grades, but I see him as being more likely to make the step up than many. He is already a hard worker, an immensely strong defender, a good leader and a big points scorer. I believe he would step up well.

Yes. I rate Omar and would like to see him stay on in transition as a outside back. We need them, he could fill a void. I understand its easy to rate him him now though, and would love to see how he'd handle first grade. In whatever posistion, when the time arises. His attitude leans me towards him being a success.

 

[Sebastian]

I rate Omar and would like to see him stay on in transition as a outside back. We need them, he could fill a void. I understand its easy to rate him him now though, and would love to see how he'd actually handle first grade. Not to mention the club may have their eyes on other potential junior outside backs.

 

[ToiletDuck]

Agreed Seb. Omar should be retained. We have no depth in our outside backs. If he goes elsewhere, it'll be as outside back/fullback - not sure why we don't see him as similar. I guess from Omar's perspective, if he wants to play FB he'll probably have to look elsewhere. Realistically the Fish won't be dropped from the Vulcans, leaving Omar out in the cold on that front. I'd like to hear his thoughts re where he sees himself long term.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

Omar
.

I think you can all but rule him out of our future plans.

 

[Rizzah]

I think you can all but rule him out of our future plans.

That sucks if we have indeed lost him to another club.
Would have been nice to see how he went in first grade.

 

[Rizzah]

I think Reece just suggested in another thread that Omar is pretty much out the door.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

We'd like to hold onto him, but there's a heap of interest in Sydney. More than one interested party.

Whatever the case, we should know more pretty soon.