How do we unlock Koula?

[maxta]

Pass him the ball - Early

 

[HK_Eagle]

Extend this guy right now!! Why we haven’t offered him a new contract already is beyond me. He cannot go to market

Waiting to negotiate a second extension for Waddle to tie him up until 2031? 🤷‍♂️

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Agree... He continued his great form from the semi's last season, and the game he played today by popping up on both sides was almost SOO Turboesque. I've said before he'd make a better FB than Hoppa. He has speed, power and the skill. Been our best player by far.

Has a similar sort of running style and size to Billy Slater. You give him open space and he could spot a gap. I think Hoppa is great too, but different style.

 

[Ben]

I mean he is signed until the end of 2027 meaning he can it even talk to clubs until the end of next year but sure why not throw money at a problem you do not need to solve now and could impact us in the future

I was under the option that he was off contract end of 2026. If 2027 I may have jumped the gun.

 

[lsz]

I was under the option that he was off contract end of 2026. If 2027 I may have jumped the gun.

Happens to the best of us!

 

[LeonardCohen]

Has a similar sort of running style and size to Billy Slater. You give him open space and he could spot a gap. I think Hoppa is great too, but different style.

He’s a lot more graceful than Slater, who had a running gate that typically involved over striding; Koula is a genuine sprinter with an effortless gait.

 

[Sheikheagle]

He’s a lot more graceful than Slater, who had a running gate that typically involved over striding; Koula is a genuine sprinter with an effortless gait.

Nowhere near his ceiling. Confidence is growing week by week.

 

[XV-1]

I was under the option that he was off contract end of 2026. If 2027 I may have jumped the gun.

Tolutau Koula signed a three-year contract extension with the Manly Sea Eagles in June 2023, which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2027 season. This decision came after interest from Rugby Australia and the Wallabies, who had been trying to lure the promising young player to the 15-man code. Koula stated he had no desire to leave his "home" club to pursue a career in Rugby Union.

Details of the Extension
Duration: Three-year contract
End Date: Through the end of the 2027 NRL season
Context: The extension was a significant move for the Sea Eagles, as Rugby Australia, under then-coach Eddie Jones, was reportedly interested in signing Koula.

 

[XV-1]

Still of the same opinions that he is ordinary 😁

I think Koula's best position for now is Wing.Once he's a veteran, he could be a decent centre, but for now, with no footwork or silky hands, he's a winger.

He's reminded me of Scott Donald since his debut. I keep waiting for him to bust a tackle and run 100m for a try. Still waiting for 'that try'... until he becomes an angry veteran like Dane Gagai or Will Chambers, I would stick him on the wing...

Then again, I can't wait to see Navren Willet get the next backline debut.. big hope's for that guy!!

If only Koula was 10kg- 12 kgs heavier and a few inches taller, he would be an elite centre.

No he's not. The odd spectacular try doesn't make up for the fact that you don't notice him for a lot of games. He has to get involved more.

his defence leaves a lot to be desired.eg; Tonite against the panthers. Koula missed the one on one tackle on his opposite. lehi got his man but he flick it back to the centre, TRY TIME. JAc and T'o are in fact taller and heavier than Koula. I wonder why they play wing whilst Koula plays Centre? Koula is basically ineffective except in open space. (open space are rare) he cant create open space by crashing through the defence as he is too small.
Here are the stats from NRL
T'O weighs 97Kg and height 182cm
JAC weighs 90Kg and height 183cm
koula weighs 88kg and height 180cm

Tommy talau should reverse positions with Koula. Talau is 189cm and 90kg.
IMHO, a centre needs to be bigger, as you will see in all 17 teams, except manly.
Also , a centre needs to be quick but speed is even more important for a winger
Garrick is good size to play centre

Thank you UK Eagle. We think exactly the same. Koula is a good player but much overrated by many manly fans. he would be great on the wing. He cant bust tackles, not 1 since the 2025 NRL season started. Garrick,(centre) however has busted tackles on the other side. Can you imagine if josh Addo Carr or T'O plays centre? it makes no sense.

 

[Cochrane]

Im hoping his 2025 is just the start of things.

I've said last year that he couldnt make breaks or cause events on his own accord and only showed something when space was given to him.

Not in 2025 though, he stood up this year and surprised me. Im hoping this is the start of everything that was promised.