Certainly a surprise for me after following his progress in the NRL. When Pritchard, Manu, Fonua and Tuimavave came from the NRL I ranked him as the 3rd best behind Pritchard and Tuimavave with Manu last.

Didn't turn out that way!

He's gone now. Forget about him. Time to move on. It's all about our new winger, what's-his-face? Lounge Ferigno or something. That guy. Remember his name!

Nice to see he was 4th in the Man of Steel voting!

Isn't Lou Ferrigno that bodybulding chap from like the 80s or something? Wait a sec, you said Lounge! Do you want Lou Ferrigno in your lounge?? Kinky bugger!

He was the hulk when I was a lad

See he's not made the first 2 game squads! Anyone know if hes injured, could be back before the seasons out!

Not injured playing for West Magpies, I'm sure Corey Thomspon was in the team in front of him, which I find surprising(Although he scored the winning try).

Love to have him back, could be a good replacement for Talanoa.

Just far superior competion for places over there. A recent piece on him. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sourc ... 6-9XCy_H-S

Just far superior competion for places over there. A recent piece on him. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sourc ... 6-9XCy_H-S

Yeh surprised me to

He got sin binned in a trial match for dissent so maybe it pushed him down the ladder for a start

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/03/2 ... nrl-swoop/

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/03/2 ... nrl-swoop/

What a waste

I hope we have done a Wigan and get him back next year

Must be knocking on the door for an NRL start although the kid(s) playing in his position(s) for the Tigers look like they are also going well. https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/04/0 ... e-magpies/

Must be knocking on the door for an NRL start although the kid(s) playing in his position(s) for the Tigers look like they are also going well. https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/04/0 ... e-magpies/

West Tigers have rewarded Corey Thompson with a 1 year contract extension already. Doesn't look promising for Fonua. I'd be considering making an offer to his agent if I were Adam Pearson.

cap/quota/non fed?

(I can't pretend ro understand the shifting sands of the RFL rules)!

I can't see it. Fariamo is contracted for 2 years and the way Talanoa is playing he deserves a contract extension.

Besides which he wanted to go back to Australia for family reasons and I'd guess he would be earning more in the reserves then over here. Our priority is keeping Kelly (unlikely) and replacing Mini.

I can't see it happening any time soon either but if Fonua doesn't make first grade soon he may end up without a contract over there. Coming back here he's almost guaranteed a decent contract for the next 7/8 years I would say.

Yes, you'd imagine virtually every club in the league would be interested. I know Talanoa is playing well but hes not in the same class as Fonua so if there is an option for him to come back next year, I know who id be offering the contract to.

its not just a question of a space in the squad and salary cap though. he might have been homesick over here and prefer to live in Aus

It can't be that easy, can it?


Probably much the same reason as to Alby wanting to go back.
We aren't as humungus a draw as some people would like to fantasise.

Played for Wests Magpies again this weekend.

Mahe Fonua in 2018

Rd 1: 204m, 8 tackle breaks
Rd 2: 1 try, 218m, 7 tackle breaks
Rd 3: 1 try, 183m, 6 tackle breaks
Rd 4: 2 tries, 201m, 7 tackle breaks
Rd 5: 1 try, 204m, 4 tackle breaks

With stats like that, it's hard to imagine him not getting his chance soon

Apparently he's made a fair few errors too. Still, would have him back in a heartbeat.

Don't sound that convinced about him on the West Magpies forum and down the pecking order according to some.
He has registered at least one try in all the games for them other than the 1st Round.