Re: Caleb Uele : Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:36 pm  

Shifty Cat wrote:

He played in the same team last season as Toby Boothroyd, so at least he's gonna know someone when he lands.

Apparently RL nearly lost him to the game, down to him losing his dedication, putting 30 kg on, and going back to live with his mum and dad in NZ but whatever it was, he got his head down and turned it all around and he's now coming over here to improve himself further. I was reading when his brother was talking about when Paul Green passed away so suddenly that he went through a similar journey of not playing top grade as soon as he should have because of messing around off the field and it was Paul Green's tough love that made him the player he's become over time. So I wouldn't be surprised if his brother didn't have plenty to say to him at the time when things didn't go his way, after being a U18 NZ International and clubs weren't lining up to start him etc.

Not quite. Toby was only 18th man twice for Newtown late in the season after junior reps had finished. He spent the season in the U/20s Jersey Flegg team. They probably trained together though.

Re: Caleb Uele : Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:51 pm  

Frenzy wrote:

Hi Spook

Caleb has been no where near the NRL with the Sharks and would have been well down in the pecking order for 2024. Hence his request for release.

He's much like Braden. A bit lazy, small engine and plays low minutes. Only topped 100 hitup metres 2 times in 25 games played in 2023. Defence is OK in the lower grades but wouldn't be NRL standard as he gets left stood still a lot and has a large turning circle. Has not so much as sat on the bench as 18th man at the Sharks since 2022.

Positives are he's big, real big. When he does run straight and hard he's a 3 or 4 man stop because he does have an offload and can get a lot of metres after contact. When he does hit in defence the other bloke stays hit.

He's a guy I always wanted to see get a run in the top grade because the potential is there. The aggression is what's missing. Gentle Giant type of guy

Sounds like we need to utilize him in the right way at the right times.

Two short 15 minute bursts so long as they are productive is fine. We have a number of other props with big engines.

The size, power is what we need and perhaps a change of scenery can allow him to shine and develop further. 24 is still young for a prop. He should go well in the championship at least.

Also, he can’t be any lazier than David Fifita for Tonga in World Cup. I’ve never seen him play and was excited to with commentators raving. He came on and hid behind the line keeping out of plays and was bone idle. I was incredibly disappointed as I expected this rampaging unit. Rarely seen a performance as lazy.

[PopTart]

Re: Caleb Uele : Sat Nov 25, 2023 10:49 pm  

Fair point Frenzy, but being 18th Man at Cronulla is more than fine in the championship.

And Powell is renowned for getting the most from players like that.

Re: Caleb Uele : Sat Nov 25, 2023 11:27 pm  

Frenzy wrote:

Not quite. Toby was only 18th man twice for Newtown late in the season after junior reps had finished. He spent the season in the U/20s Jersey Flegg team. They probably trained together though.

Ah okay, when I went to their site I saw that both their names were on the same squad, you get my point though. It's at least a familiar face for him when he comes over here at a relatively young age.

Re: Caleb Uele : Sun Nov 26, 2023 3:25 am  

Frenzy wrote:

Hi Spook

Caleb has been no where near the NRL with the Sharks and would have been well down in the pecking order for 2024. Hence his request for release.

He's much like Braden. A bit lazy, small engine and plays low minutes. Only topped 100 hitup metres 2 times in 25 games played in 2023. Defence is OK in the lower grades but wouldn't be NRL standard as he gets left stood still a lot and has a large turning circle. Has not so much as sat on the bench as 18th man at the Sharks since 2022.

Positives are he's big, real big. When he does run straight and hard he's a 3 or 4 man stop because he does have an offload and can get a lot of metres after contact. When he does hit in defence the other bloke stays hit.

He's a guy I always wanted to see get a run in the top grade because the potential is there. The aggression is what's missing. Gentle Giant type of guy

Hi mate..: I’ve seen him play for Newtown several times last season… indeed I’ve been a member at shark park for several season over the my past 15 years in Australia (Trinity fan in exile so to speak) … I thought he made really good progress in 23 and was on a first grade trajectory… so of all players in NSW cup footy I would never have picked him as a target.
I do, however, take your point about aggression.. maybe that speaks to the one year contract?

Re: Caleb Uele : Sun Nov 26, 2023 8:27 am  

Think there is a clever pattern emerging in the signings. 2 french men , couple of aussies from same club , 3 lads who played for Scotland.makes it easier to settle in my opinion . Might be wrong maybe just coincidence

Re: Caleb Uele : Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:42 am  

PopTart wrote:

Fair point Frenzy, but being 18th Man at Cronulla is more than fine in the championship.

And Powell is renowned for getting the most from players like that.

I'd go further, we as a club are expert at the above. Going right back to Toppo, it's been our party piece. Now however we might even keep them, and that would be something.

Re: Caleb Uele : Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:53 am  

Frenzy wrote:

Hi Spook

Caleb has been no where near the NRL with the Sharks and would have been well down in the pecking order for 2024. Hence his request for release.

He's much like Braden. A bit lazy, small engine and plays low minutes. Only topped 100 hitup metres 2 times in 25 games played in 2023. Defence is OK in the lower grades but wouldn't be NRL standard as he gets left stood still a lot and has a large turning circle. Has not so much as sat on the bench as 18th man at the Sharks since 2022.

Positives are he's big, real big. When he does run straight and hard he's a 3 or 4 man stop because he does have an offload and can get a lot of metres after contact. When he does hit in defence the other bloke stays hit.

He's a guy I always wanted to see get a run in the top grade because the potential is there. The aggression is what's missing. Gentle Giant type of guy

Sorry to sound curt, but who are you? You're welcome to your opinion, but I know Spook and I'll take his word over yours all day long. I've also looked at the highlight video, and although we are all aware just how selective they are, his is still a good one. Finally Newtown are one of the most prestigious Second Grade teams in the sport, they don't sign mugs, jeez they had Josh Mansour playing for them last year, he'd still walk it in the lower end of SL, let alone the Championship. I hear these opinions year after year from Oz experts of which I'm not one, sometimes they are right, mainly they are wrong, I think I know which you are on this occasion. For a start you don't gain a 94% effective tackle score if you are lazy and lack aggression, come on.

Finally he was on the fringes at Cronulla, it's not just Spooks opinion, seems to have been the opinion of the people who run Cronulla. Shall we just see how he does before binning him.

Re: Caleb Uele : Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:59 am  

Trin e ti wrote:

Think there is a clever pattern emerging in the signings. 2 french men , couple of aussies from same club , 3 lads who played for Scotland.makes it easier to settle in my opinion . Might be wrong maybe just coincidence

Sounds like the people making the signings have been playing Fifa Ultimate Team and are going for 33/33 chemistry

Re: Caleb Uele : Mon Nov 27, 2023 11:17 am  

18th Man wrote:

Sounds like the people making the signings have been playing Fifa Ultimate Team and are going for 33/33 chemistry

Suppose its a modern 2023 diversity take on the Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman joke....