another thing, if this guy is the goods it could entice lauaki to lift his game as he wont be the only tongan wrecking ball..
That's "Prime Polynesian Beef" right there. A "Big Bopper" for sure!
(Couple of quotes used there from our favourite commentator...Jason Costigan
)
Anyway, he's a big boy! And going by that photo alone, he looks a very exciting prospect.
(Couple of quotes used there from our favourite commentator...Jason Costigan
)Anyway, he's a big boy! And going by that photo alone, he looks a very exciting prospect.
LMAO yeah those Costa quotes were hilarious but that one: "Prime Polynesian Beef" is my favorite
Here's an article which confirms that the warriors have resigned Herman Retzlaff for 2009 as while as an option for 2010
https://stuff.co.nz/4659181a10713.html
The New Zealand Warriors have signed three more players as they seek to shore up their National Rugby League squad for 2009.
The Warriors have announced they had come to terms with Herman Retzlaff, Ukuma Ta'ai and Lewis Brown.
Retzlaff, 21, has been a regular for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup this year, and is staying with the Warriors for a second season with an option for 2010.
Joining him are Tongan-born Ta'ai, 22, and Christchurch-born and bred hooker Lewis Brown, 22.
These two have also been playing in the NSW Cup, Ta'ai with the Vulcans and Brown with Wests Tigers feeder club Balmain Ryde.
Second rower Ta'ai was signed after impressive form for Mt Albert in Auckland's Fox Memorial competition while Brown caught the eye with his efforts for the Tigers.
"Signing these three players is all about building depth in our wider squad and at the same time it's important for us in development terms that we're able to bring through players from the local scene," Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said.
The three players will be part of a larger Warriors squad for next season which will also include recently re-signed Junior Warriors Daniel O'Regan and Mataupu Poching.
https://stuff.co.nz/4659181a10713.html
The New Zealand Warriors have signed three more players as they seek to shore up their National Rugby League squad for 2009.
The Warriors have announced they had come to terms with Herman Retzlaff, Ukuma Ta'ai and Lewis Brown.
Retzlaff, 21, has been a regular for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup this year, and is staying with the Warriors for a second season with an option for 2010.
Joining him are Tongan-born Ta'ai, 22, and Christchurch-born and bred hooker Lewis Brown, 22.
These two have also been playing in the NSW Cup, Ta'ai with the Vulcans and Brown with Wests Tigers feeder club Balmain Ryde.
Second rower Ta'ai was signed after impressive form for Mt Albert in Auckland's Fox Memorial competition while Brown caught the eye with his efforts for the Tigers.
"Signing these three players is all about building depth in our wider squad and at the same time it's important for us in development terms that we're able to bring through players from the local scene," Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said.
The three players will be part of a larger Warriors squad for next season which will also include recently re-signed Junior Warriors Daniel O'Regan and Mataupu Poching.
What's the physical stats of this guy? It's hard to guage how big he is from the photo cos there isn't anbody else to compare him against. Has anyone seen him play?
From the photo he looks shorter and stockier. If he's 6'3 like SBW then he certainly is a big boy.
I saw a bit of him playing the other week. Very deft footwork for such a monster of a guy. Bends the defensive line.
Not really that similar to Lauaki in my opinion... maybe aggression-wise.
The fact he has been signed for 2 years + 1 optional shows the Warriors are very interested. All the best to him!
Not really that similar to Lauaki in my opinion... maybe aggression-wise.
The fact he has been signed for 2 years + 1 optional shows the Warriors are very interested. All the best to him!
any news on his form for the vulcans?
there must be some reason why he has completely dropped off clearys radar
there must be some reason why he has completely dropped off clearys radar
Brown is being preferred over him, which I think is fair enough. I would play him infront of Lillyman though, but I doubt that he will be dropped anytime soon, unless Ta'ai is pushing really hard.
Ta'ai has got to be in there ahead of Jacob Lillyman. Even Daniel O'Regan. Put both Ta'ai and O'Regan in the 17 we need to score points, throw the ball around and win games, having Lance Hohaia in there starting will help that.
i think he dropped off the radar when everyone found out he offers nothing speacial to the team that isnt already there. i mean what did he do apart from run straight he doesnt step or offload so why pick him when we already have a backrow fall of those type of players
He offers a couple more kgs than our current backrow, and he actually bends the defensive line. That's the difference. I think it's great having one or even two "boring" back rowers who you can depend on to just be there when play breaks down to settle the ball back in the middle of the field. But that should be happening once every couple of sets... not twice every set.
Ta'ai has 1 try, 1 line break, 7 tackle breaks and one offload in his 96 minutes of NRL experience. All that despite the fact that he was probably told to settle down after his two errors in that first match. Lillyman has had 736 minutes and has come up with... 1 line break, 2 try assists, 1 offload and 7 tackle breaks.
I would suggest Ta'ai brings a more effective running/attacking game to the team.
Ta'ai has 1 try, 1 line break, 7 tackle breaks and one offload in his 96 minutes of NRL experience. All that despite the fact that he was probably told to settle down after his two errors in that first match. Lillyman has had 736 minutes and has come up with... 1 line break, 2 try assists, 1 offload and 7 tackle breaks.
I would suggest Ta'ai brings a more effective running/attacking game to the team.
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