West Tigers rookie Fonua Pole wants to impress coach Tim Sheens after being described as a ‘Taumalolo clone’
Fonua Pole, described as “a bit of a Jason Taumalolo-esque clone,” will be one of the youngsters looking to make an immediate impression in Thursday’s Wests Tigers first test game of 2023 with coach Tim Sheens.
The $100,000 NRL prize money for the winner of the new preseason challenge won’t be enough to tempt coaches to push back their stars for this weekend’s games.
But fans still have a chance to see fringe players including Pole, who made ten NRL appearances at the end of last season and impressed over the summer.
The 20-year-old Pole, who regularly wins the club’s Coach of the Week awards, has spent some time in the front row and on the edge and will play in both positions against the Warriors on Thursday night.
Tigers recruit David Klemmer, who won’t be facing the Warriors, praised Pole for his athleticism and workmanship, likening him to the Cowboys’ wrecking ball Taumalolo. “He’s just so athletic,” said Klemmer.
Pole, already extended until the end of 2025, has a chance to pin the No.13 starting jersey in the first round, especially if Joe Ofahengaue doesn’t get over a nagging calf injury.
Fonua Pole is in for a big year with the Wests Tigers
Stefano Utoikamanu, another player who defeated Klemmer, will start up front while the excitement machine Jahream Bula will take some time off the bench at full-back. Charlie Staines will wear the #1.
In other trial news, Manly will keep Josh Schuster under wraps on Friday night on the Central Coast against South Sydney, with Cooper Johns getting some game time along with 19-year-old front rower Samuela Fainu, a prop with many admirers on the Northern Beaches.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/tigers-taumalolo-clone-tipped-to-light-up-first-trial-20230206-p5ciaq.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport West Tigers rookie Fonua Pole wants to impress coach Tim Sheens after being described as a ‘Taumalolo clone’
