Wests Tigers reportedly sign Fijian international

He has been compared to a young Sonny Bill Williams.

The Wests Tigers have reportedly signed Fijian international forward Gordon Whippy for the upcoming 2024 season.

Aged 21, Whippy has signed with the club on a supplementary contract but could move up to the NRL level later in the season. Multiple players in the past have played in the NRL after beginning the season on a supplementary contract.

Whippy’s past saw him begin with the Canberra Raiders as a youthful 18-year-old and saw him draw comparisons to a young Sonny Bill Williams.

He would then spend time in the South Sydney Rabbitohs development system before spending the 2023 season with the Ipswich Jets in the QLD Cup competition.

Recently making his debut for Fiji Bati alongside Jahream Bula, Whippy also represented the country in both swimming and athletics, indicating he is a natural athlete.

“Gordon has done a great job and this is a big opportunity for him,” his manager, former NSW and Kangaroos star Matt Adamson told Wide World of Sports.

“He is big and strong and still has a lot to learn but he is very keen and the Tigers should be a good for for him.”

 

Tigers ramp up talks with star five-eighth in secret meeting

Benji Marshall is pulling out all the stops to rebuild the Tigers.

The Wests Tigers push to recruit players is becoming a personal endeavour, with coach Benji Marshall holding a second face to face meeting in as many weeks.

While it emerged last week that Marshall had travelled to Melbourne to meet with Justin Olam in an attempt to ramp up contractual proceedings there, The Sydney Morning Herald are now reporting that similar meetings have taken place with Penrith Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai.

Luai is off-contract at the end of 2024 and has been able to negotiate with rival clubs since November 1. While it was reported at one stage that Luai was likely to do a deal to remain with the Panthers, and coach Ivan Cleary has spoken multiple times on his confidence of retaining the New South Wales State of Origin five-eighth, every day he doesn’t sign with Penrith seems to increase the chance of a departure.

It has now been revealed that Luai is, at the very least, entertaining offers on the free market with the report stating that Marshall visited Luai at his house.

It’s believed the merit in making a switch to the Tigers was discssed, with it believed the Tigers are willing to break the million-dollar per year barrier to sign Luai.

As it stands, the Panthers are understood to be only able to offer around $850,000 per season on a contract extension for Luai.

Money may not be the sole deciding factor given the success of the Panthers, but Luai’s inability to get a deal done either with his prior or current management before November 1 suggests there is a better than even chance of him departing the foot of the mountains.

Further playing into the Tigers hands is that Marshall, who takes over as head coach of the Tigers from Tim Sheens, was Luai’s idol growing up. The move would also see Luai link up with ex-Panther Apisai Koroisau, who endured a difficult first season at the joint-venture.

It’s believed the Panthers are hopeful of a decision by Christmas.