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
Still had two years left at manly they will be paying some of his contract.Plus dessie did sign him no seibold.Seriously seibold has done no better since des was moved on.
I like this signing, if he can get back to his form at the tigers will be a run on for us in the 2nd row. A lot better depth in the forwards than what we signed last time, exactly what we need now for a couple of backs, hooker and back up half.
Younger and Better than Davey.
I think he will be a solid singing. We lacked that papali'i type of impact from the 2022 season and I feel BA could get the best out of him. He would also come cheap but I do agree we need to sign some quality backs.
Meanwhile Roosters looking at Keon from bunnies 🤣 not sure how the money works there but oh well
We need a winger and a center.
Why not bring Georgie Rose out of retirement - he can play wing now that he weighs 140kg
While we are at it, I heard $$$Bill might come out of retirement - we need some more aging forwards.
Pacific Cups coming up I think there will be plenty of opportunities to find outside backs.
We stiil have six spots left in the top 30 for outside backs
Interesting signing.
Tuilagi can definitely play, a lot of potential. Reminded me a little of Niukore when at the Tigers, strong runner, runs good lines.
Not concerned with the drop of form at Manly, he hasn't looked comfortable there & all doesn't seem well there amongst the playing group - they've also shot themselves in the foot with Schuster.
A few questions there around defence & application, but a real BA prototype player & could be a really good addition - as long as he doesn't replace Carty in the starting side or cost us an outside back, it's positive imo.
When I saw this signing my initial reaction was nice one. He can play and 2023 showed we did need more on our edges.
However I was feeling good, work going well, life moving along nicely and I thought to myself, "absolutely not. Where can I go to get my yearly fill of doom and gloom?" So I headed over here to 1Eyed and I wasn't disappointed. The usual suspects moaning about the sky falling put me in a much more melancholy mood. How dare I feel optimistic, what was I thinking? Thanks 1Eyed 👍🏻