The future, which was unknown for a long time, seems to be settled at Fullback with the talk of Parramatta signing Isaiah Iongi (pronounced Yongi) from Penrith on a Three year deal until 2027. Iongi has drawn similarities to Dylan Edwards due to his workrate out the back. Overall, let's go through who he is and how he could help us moving forward.
Iongi is from Queensland, representing the QLD U19's in 2022 and also featured for Tonga in their U20's squads, playing Five-Eighth. Iongi has been a consistent member of Penrith's NSW cup squad, featuring in 55 games over the last 3 seasons. He has scored 16 tries over those 55 games, not a prolific scorer more so sets up tries. He made his NRL debut for his lone FG game to date against Newcastle in Round 22. Making 256 metres and 8 tackle breaks in the win. The thing fans would need to keep in mind about Iongi is, despite his NSW Cup experience, he is still raw. There are errors in his game, more so trying to much at times. He needs fine tuning in his passing, particularly quick passing, as well positioning in attack. In defence, his tackling is not bad, but he does need some work. This will come with more NRL game experience, as in his lone game he did not embarrass himself.
Now, the comment being presented is he is a replacement to Talagi. It makes sense with Talagi being seen as the future Fullback of the club. Overall, who will be the better Fullback remains to be seen, but it might not be a competition if Talagi plays 6 at Penrith. At this stage, this is not just cause he left either, Iongi is the better Fullback. Why? Cause he has been playing the position basically his whole career, as oppose to Talagi who just started playing it consistently this pre-season. So the comparisons and comments are a bit ridiculous as Iongi is better purely by playing the position more. His positioning in defence and attack is better, his game is better, but that is not on Talagi as we have not seen enough of him to compare.
One topic i want to raise, does this ultimately rule out Papenhuyzen? I think yes. Now, which is better to go with? Iongi or Papenhuyzen? Well, hindsight could be a beautiful thing but it is rife with uncertainty too. Firstly, it is probably better for us to go with Iongi. He is younger, cheaper and you know there is a better chance of getting 20 or more games out of him. Papenhuyzen is the better player at this stage, in 5 years time? Well nobody knows as we have not seen enough of Iongi in FG to determine how good he actually can be. Also, no guarentees of Papenhuyzen leaving Melbourne. Yes his family live in Western Sydney, yes he has a new Mrs. who lives in Sydney, but the bloke loves Melbourne and they looked after him through his injuries. He will repay them if he can. No point holding out hope, then he signs for Melbourne and we are left with no Gutho and no Fullback to replace him. This way Iongi has a year with Gutho to learn the trade.
The other thing about signing Iongi over Papenhuyzen, the style of play it is referencing to. They are two entirely different types of Fullbacks. Iongi is a workhorse, metre eating Fullback who will start your sets well and chime into the attack using his running and passing. Papenhuyzen is a speed merchant, who uses speed in attack to evade defences. He wouldn't be starting your sets too well, more so is a backing up Fullback looking for early ball. Is either style bad? Of course not. Gutherson was a bit of a mixture of both, as to where maybe he has been ran into the ground. But Iongi being chosen has shown the style of which Ryles wants his back 5 to play. He wants focus on the back 5 laying the platform of creating momentum to start our sets, allowing time for Moses and Brown to set things in place and letting the forwards to make an impact easier. Look at the type of backs Ryles has had at his stops. Melbourne he had Slater for years. Teddy at Roosters. At Melbourne recently have Coates and Warbrick as Wingers. Roosters have Tupou and Suaali'i on the Wings. He has Simonsson who will get through work, needs another Winger but has a Fullback who can do the work early.
So going into 2025, will Iongi get the Fullback spot from Round 1? Possible. If not Round 1, he more likely plays Wing. I think he would be good on the Wing too, has high ball experience, strong enough to make metres out the back and has decent turn of foot also. But, it might also be benefitial to have him at Fullback as early as possible, get rid of the growing pains of both playing NRL and Fullback in NRL all at once.
Overall, it is a good signing and a smart signing. Will it work out? In anything to do with NRL there is no sure thing. But in the time now, nobody can blame the club for bringing in Iongi as it makes sense.
Replies
I'd say it will be gutho at the back depending on lomax contract he might even be there we will find out in 25
I do not see Lomax being there, particularly due to Iongi's signing. If Lomax was to be Fullback, we do not sign a Fullback at all. If we get a back-up it is not Iongi. He is only coming here to play Fullback either straight away or in future. Lomax i doubt would play for a year or two then move back to Centre.
Arthur wanted lomax as a fullback, this was before Talagi came into genuine calculations. Ryles then indicated to lomax he wanted him to play centre and told talagi he'd get first crack at fullback next year. As talagi has left they've signed longi but I think Gutho may hang onto fullback for one more year
I agree with that
Iongi learns under Gutho which is a great apprenticeship
As I said it would go on lomax contract he was signed before longi for all we know the kid could end up a dud can't see guth moving from the fullback roll anytime soon
I see Gutho starting at FB and Longi going to the wing. If Gutho goes down then Longi shifts to fullback. There will be times when Gutho and Longi can shift positions during games, and this could potentially enable Gutho to inject himself as a third half even more than he does now.
If we can keep key players fit next season, we certainly have the potential to get back into the top 4. The club needs to believe that they belong in the top 4 and can beat the best of the best consistently. Wea re still a few signings short, but you can clearly see where Ryles is going here.
I think we must and I mean must, recruit another NRL quality winger... some are or will become available in the near future...
Suliasi Vunivalu (currently in yawnion, would be my top priority, I don't think he'd cost heaps)
Xavier Savage (again don't think he'd cost heaps and Ricky has told him he can look elsewhere next year, can also fill in at 1)
Blake Wilson (he's not currently in the dogs best 17 and I don't think he will be next year either, great finisher, smaller than the two above tho)
Josh Addo Carr (I expect dogs to move either JAC or Wilson on, JAC is probably more likely... if he becomes available it's probably worth it, think of Fergo's impact here)
Samuel Stonestreet (doesn't have a heap of nrl experience but is stuck behind Katoa and Mulitalo at Sharks, with some talent coming off contract next year sharks might be happy to part with him)
Ideally we could have something like:
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Suliasi Vunivalu or Xavier Savage
3. Will Penisini/Zac Lomax
4. Clint Gutherson
5. Zac Lomax/Will Penisini
THEN when Simonsson returns we could have
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Suliasi Vunivalu or Xavier Savage
3. Zac Lomax
4. Clint Gutherson
5. Bailey Simonsson/Will Penisini
We need a hooker first
I think unfortunately we have to wait a year. I'd honestly target Tom Starling from Canberra. He's very Damian Cook like and is underrated by Ricky I feel, he's only just took the starting jersey off Danny Levi and he's been at Raiders for years (Starling). Starling wouldn't break the bank either like say a Reece Robson would.
Apart from that I'd be knocking on Blake Mozer''s agent's door asking about how happy he is playing second fiddle to Billy Walters... people gave BA a hard time here about playing JA ahead of some but Billy playing NRL ahead of Mozer is a complete joke and a great example of nepotism. Mozer could be a star, Brisbane are holding him back and as long as Kevin Walters is coach he won't get a fair go. Walters cherry picked his son for the Broncos 9 when he was playing horridly at the Tigers and he's pretty meh at Broncos apart from a glimpse of goof footy here and there.
Yes I'd definitely be asking Mozer's agent a few questions.
The thing that will help Mozer leaving is Walters staying in a job. Though i can see NQ going for him if Robson goes.
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