The Wests Tigers are on the verge of luring Waratahs winger Triston Reilly to the club after struggling to get game time in the Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Reilly, who has represented Australia on four occasions in sevens rugby, is set to link with the Tigers for the 2023 NRL season, giving the team some much-needed attacking firepower out wide, according to a News Corp report.
The 23-year-old speedster played only four matches off the bench for the Waratahs this year, getting a combined 49 minutes of game time. He only played two matches last year in the team’s winless season.
While representing the Junior Wallabies late last year, Reilly scored a spectacular try in a 24-0 victory over New Zealand in the Oceania Championship to reinforce his reputation as a star of the future.
Triston Reilly. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
A winner of the University of NSW Indigenous Athlete of the Year award, he plays for Randwick in Sydney club rugby.
Reilly spent time with Newcastle Knights and South Sydney Rabbitohs in the junior league representative ranks before concentrating on rugby. He has the ability to play in the outside backs or possibly in the halves.
Born in Kempsey, he is following the likes of Sharks fullback Lachlan Miller and Storm winger Will Warbrick in joining the NRL from the rugby sevens circuit.
Miller made an eye-catching NRL debut for Cronulla last month while Warbrick was in line to get his first game for the Storm last weekend but was ruled out of contention due to injury.
The Tigers are rebuilding after last week’s sacking of coach Michael Maguire with Brett Kimmorley guiding the team for the rest of the season in an interim role with Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo expected to take over full-time next year.
Fitty Fitter
Guest
I don't think you actually had to exclude 2005 from the last decade :thumbup:
Rhys
Roar Rookie
That’s true, but I feel some extra coin to try entice him to stay at the expense of Nadolo would be a far better investment, with the caveat he may not be getting heaps of minutes nonetheless. However, with Ramm and Newsome gone I think he’d have had more opportunities in the coming seasons.
Dionysus
Guest
Well now, there is a surprise!
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Makes you think the board has been the problem for the last decade. 2005 excluded. :angry:
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
It would be a real shame to let a promising indigenous talent go, particularly when arguably the Tahs' most prominent indigenous talent in a decade is due to return. This could have been an opportunity to start building a culture that attracted indigenous talent that would otherwise go to the NRL and AFL. Long before my time, but I assume the idea of playing for the Tahs was more appealing to indigenous kids when the backline was stacked with Ellas? Nadolo has had a great career, but surely there's more to consider than the impact a (then) 35 year old winger will have for one season.
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
For his own sake, yes. What is NSW team future with Nadolo past his prime? DC may be like Cheika, but without gutsy "Win" (Recall irreplacable/unreplaced Pottgeiter ZA #6), looks more like Allan Killigrew at the then VFL "Shinboners" - Master "over the top" Corporal, less a WO I, and certainly not master recruiter Bn Commander (I'll put away hobby horse, Go Jamie Jo)
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I’m disappointed he didn’t get a run at centre when Perese went down. I saw him fill in off the bench and he looked very much like a player of the same type. He put on some big hits on attack and defence. But I have to give DC credit and not second guess him on who deserves to be in the match day 23. It’s a real shame though.
Tony
Roar Guru
This potential signing, on the back of Naden, tells me all I want to know about where the Tigers are heading
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Wait a minute, wait a minute. I've listened to Tim Sheens and the chairman of the Tigers (not Pascoe, who knows where he is), telling us how they are all about rebuilding with the juniors and they have this amazing AHrold Matts team etc.... And they sign a fringe rugby winger? They have told us they got rid of maguire to get a new coach sorted so that coach could have a say in the recruitment and retention process... and without a coach they are trying to sign a winger who couldn't get a start at the Waratahs...?
Ray
Roar Rookie
There is a wing or fullback vacancy at the Brumbies. Far better option than RL.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
But is it about money or is it about game time, which is what the article seems to be suggesting? If it's the latter, than any money spent on Nadolo is irrelevant.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
"now weighs 138 kg" Wow :shocked:
jeznez
Roar Guru
I reckon he is massively better than journeyman level. He fast, elusive and works hard off the ball and in defence. He must have been doing something’s right to make the 23 four times. I just don’t get why he was then cut from the 23 especially for the Blues game when he hadn’t been given a decent run.
Tez
Roar Rookie
Totally disagree ..... if Reilly was performing in training then judging on what Coleman has done in 2022 then he would have got a run ..... but he didn't get a run which menas better performing players did get runs. All this story does is pump up the young fellas tyres without saying anything about his shortcomings ..... if he wants to go to NRL then so be it .... go ..... but from what I have seen of this young man then he will be just another journeyman
carnivean
Roar Rookie
Newsome bought experience and leadership, including being captain for a stint. Reilly couldn't bring that this season. DC pointed out that a big difference in the squasd is the leadership and old heads compared to last season. Definitely it was worth keeping him around and develop, especially now Newsome is leaving.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nawa and pietsch going well
PeterK
Roar Guru
It may be a poor buy to get Nadalo , he is 34 years of age and now weighs 138 kg. But he never was really fast I suppose. Walton is a centre, Reilly can play wing or f/b. Mind you Nawaqanitawas and Peitch have to be ahead of him and if you are getting Nadalo as well then Reilly should move on.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Thing is I'm not sure DC can give that indication. He only gave him four games for a combined total of 49 minutes this year. Beale is back, Walton should be fit again and if the reports that Nadolo is joining as well are true then selection gets even tougher - despite the departures of Newsome and Ramm.
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree, Reilly would have been a better option than the journeyman Newsome, a lot more upside longer term Hopefully DC can keep him since he can indicate he will get a lot more playing time next year
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Wasted money on Nadolo to now possibly see Reilly get away. Cross against DC for this one.