Parramatta have made a major move to their roster for 2024 by securing Sea Eagles backrower Kelma Tuilagi, effective immediately.
Tuilagi has secured a release from the final two seasons of his contract with the Sea Eagles to sign a two-year deal under Brad Arthur at the Eels.
The Samoan international joined Manly from the Wests Tigers in 2023, featuring in 17-games for the Sea Eagles.
However, a logjam of backrowers at the Sea Eagles, including Haumole Olakua’atu, Ben Trbojevic and Josh Schuster has led Tuilagi to link with Parramatta.
Tuilagi will provide much required depth and competition in the back row at the Eels where Shaun Lane is regarded as the only edge forward guaranteed a starting spot in Brad Arthur’s best 17.
For the Sea Eagles, Tuilagi’s exit will enable the club to create further flexibility in their salary cap.
Replies
I thought he played right edge at Tigers. So when Manly signed him I thought it was an odd choice because they already had Olakau'atu on the right. I feel like we've lost Davey, who most people complained about, Tuilagi has much more potential. I like the signing.
They have to be, if Tuilagi wanted to he could dig his heels in and stay, they have to honour it as he is signed til 2025. If a player wants to leave they forfeit what is owed most of the time, but the other way around for the club if they want a player gone.
I imagined as much.
This makes more sense; Shuster cost is an issue....I am going to back myself and say he will never be consistent.
Parra are not paying much here and we need one or two centres' back up half too.
Another genius move by the club. Can't wait for 2024 season. Definitely premiership favourites now
https://youtu.be/Rn_J5mFagKg?si=yMpSz_uiG42CdGH0
Premiership here we come.
Don't know how much stock we can put in Tuilagi's form for Manly. They have been a fairly disconnected side over the last two years and focus most of their attack through Olakau'atu. If Davey has retired and we've moved Murchie on then it seems reasonable to add an edge backrower. Although that article does sell Bryce Cartwright short. His form across 2023 is surely enough to justify him starting next year.
Brad's proven he can improve forwards so I'd back him to improve Tuilagi.
Hopefully there are some outside backs in the deals pipeline.
I don't think Carty edge would be the one up for grabs. Maybe Lane moves into the middle or is in a battle with Tuilagi for that edge. BA does like to mix up his middles and edges a lot.
This is an odd thing, is Tuilagi going to be transformed into a hybrid middle and edge like Matterson? Or his going to be starting on the right edge with Carty as the utility on the bench?
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