Another Tiger? Aitasi James

[The Wheel]

From the Mole

The Sea Eagles have signed Aitasi James, a boom young lock who played five NRL games for the Tigers last season.

A tough 22-year-old, James handled the elevation well in a team that struggled to win games and should appreciate playing in the strong Manly pack in 2024

Never heard of him myself anyone know much about him?

 

[IQofalimabean]

This year he averaged 117 meters, 12 hit ups, playing around 50 minutes a game for the tigers nsw cup.

I think manly needs to pull their head out of the gutter, forget the tigers and start signing qld cup players again.

 

[eagle66]

Did he sign with Manly or Blacktown?

 

[BOZO]

From the Mole

The Sea Eagles have signed Aitasi James, a boom young lock who played five NRL games for the Tigers last season.

A tough 22-year-old, James handled the elevation well in a team that struggled to win games and should appreciate playing in the strong Manly pack in 2024

Never heard of him myself anyone know much about him?

Good Morning feathered friend @The Wheel . I hope you are basking in the beautiful Gold Coast Sunshine

A tigers mate of mine has a high opinion of Aitasi James
He young and Raw and Rambo like
He is a gower and I hope he is another good player that the stupid tigers have let go

Manly Rambo Mark 2 Anitasi James

 

[Adz]

He is and will be a good un.
Tigers cocked this up.
He can play at lock,but he is a prop,he is bigger than his listed size on the website.

 

[eagle66]

They felt he was down the pecking list with what they got and Samuela coming in.

 

[Pete W]

Compared with guys like Condon and Fulton, pretty decent step up. As depth, not a bad one. Good size, good defence, mistake free, etc. Just as long as this isn't our big player signing in the forwards!

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Forget Aitasi James - I want to hear more about this "strong Manly pack" for 2024.

 

[Waz13]

Hopefully signings like this fella are part of the plan to let go of a few more perhaps on higher $$$. And then maybe have a crack at a bigger name signing. Not seen him play or even heard of him tbh, but sounds good from what others have said.

 

[Spartan Eagle]

Never seen him play. But he's got tats so he looks pretty tough. Hopefully he will add value to our club.

 

[Pepi]

From what I have seen this guy is huge and has a good carry. Needs to develop his fitness, but at 22 I can see him developing into a good player.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Never seen him play. But he's got tats so he looks pretty tough. Hopefully he will add value to our club.

Just what we need…more players sporting tough stickers.

 

[frank stokes]

Just what we need…more players sporting tough stickers.

Hard to find cleanskins these days TZ… tattooists are the new merchant bankers…

 

[Carl]

I saw a story about some tigers going to the dogs recently and figured they must have lost their way but looks like that problem might have been fixed now. Don't panic. Normal service resumed.

 

[Ryan]

To put things in perspective - he was basically given 20-30 (odd) minutes a game in his 5 first grade appearances (1/4 - 1/3 of an entire game), and here are his metres / stats:

Against Sharks: 64 metres (12 tackles) - 27 minutes
Against Dragons: 68 metres (17 tackles) - 21 minutes
Against Rabbits: 25 metres (21 tackles) - 26 minutes
Against Raiders: 80 metres (17 tackles) - 25 minutes
Against Roosters: 23 metres (18 tackles) - 21 minutes

Extrapolate those numbers over say 65 minutes, you have some pretty beastly metrics (comparable with the best in the NRL) - and I mean BEST. In perspective, Fainu has played 5 games also:

Against Tigers: 45 metres (5 tackles) - 40 minutes
Against Raiders: 112 metres (19 tackles) - 53 minutes
Against Knights: 91 metres (27 tackles) - 77 minutes
Against Dolphins: 71 metres (16 tackles) - 50 minutes
Against Eels: 49 metres (25 tackles) - 49 minutes

So if you average average figures / minutes, you'll actually find our new boy is well in front ! Fainu IS 2.5 years younger though.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Hard to find cleanskins these days TZ… tattooists are the new merchant bankers…

They certainly are.

 

[The '47ers]

If we keep throwing darts we're bound to hit one bullseye

 

[Ryan]

Actually, I'll compare relevant metrics (note, this doesn't take into consideration fatigue, and some other tangible metrics that might come into play):

James
Game 1: Metres per minute: 2.37 - Tackles per minute: 0.44
Game 2: Metres per minute: 3.23 - Tackles per minute: 0.81
Game 3: Metres per minute: 0.96 - Tackles per minute: 0.81
Game 4: Metres per minute: 3.20 - Tackles per minute: 0.68
Game 5: Metres per minute: 1.10 - Tackles per minute: 1.28
Average: Metres per minute: 2.17 Tackles per minute 0.80
Extrapolated: 2.17 X 80 = 173.6 metres / game, and 64 tackles / game.

Fainu
Game 1: Metres per minute: 1.13 - Tackles per minute: 0.10
Game 2: Metres per minute: 2.11 - Tackles per minute: 0.36
Game 3: Metres per minute: 1.18 - Tackles per minute: 0.35
Game 4: Metres per minute: 1.42 - Tackles per minute: 0.32
Game 5: Metres per minute: 1.00 - Tackles per minute: 0.51
Average: Metres per minute: 1.37 - Tackles per minute: 0.33
Extrapolated: 1.37 X 80 = 109.6 metres / game, and 26 tackles / game.

The metrics literally show James is a MUCH better prospect than Fainu (in both running metres and tackles) per minute. Boys and girls, we've just had a massive upgrade on a player we were all hurt to lose.

Stats drawn from:

Aitasi James

The NRL profile of Aitasi James including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.weststigers.com.au

Samuela Fainu

The NRL profile of Samuela Fainu including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[Ryan]

@The Wheel - found this for you mate - a good video and article here:

Long journey for James

When Aitasi James runs out on Thursday night at CommBank Stadium, he will become Wests Tigers Player #271.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Rocky]

Forget Aitasi James - I want to hear more about this "strong Manly pack" for 2024.

Yep that took my eye as well