News Justin Matamua signs Train and Trial

steeliz

steeliz

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Seem to remember he had a few wraps when he first debuted but then disappeared.

Anyone know anything about him?




link:
www.zerotackle.com

Released Tiger lands chance at NRL lifeline with Sydney rival

He exited the Tigers at the end of 2025.
www.zerotackle.com www.zerotackle.com


Released Tiger lands chance at NRL lifeline with Sydney rival​


NRL Rd 17 - Wests Tigers v Eels | Source: Getty

NRL Rd 17 - Wests Tigers v Eels | Source: Getty© Zero Tackle
Former Wests Tigers forward Justin Matamua has reportedly landed an opportunity to impress at the Canterbury Bulldogs during the 2026 NRL pre-season.

Matamua was not offered a new deal by the Tigers at the end of 2025, joining a list of departing players from the joint-venture club as Benji Marshall continues his rebuild at Concord.

Matamua may have been the most disappointing of the list for fans of the outfit given the enormous potential he arrived on the scene with a few years ago.

The middle forward who has spent the bulk of his time wearing the number 13 jersey, at just 22 years of age, has 14 NRL games under his belt, having debuted in 2022, but he didn't get onto the field at first-grade level in 2025.

Matamua, who also represented Samoa once in 2023, has now reportedly taken up a train and trial contract with cross-town rivals the Canterbury Bulldogs for the 2026 pre-season per a Wide World of Sports The Mole report.

The deal will see him earn just $1200 per week throughout the pre-season, but train full-time with the top squad and push for one of the remaining spots at Belmore.

Zero Tackle's 2026 NRL squad tracker shows the Bulldogs have just four spots open for their 2026 Top 30, but with minimal salary cap wiggle room, there is a better than even chance their remaining spots will be filled by internal promotions.


Logan Spinks, Jack Underhill and Jethro Rinakama could all also be in line for promotions, with the trio all currently part of Canterbury's development list.

Matamua, at 187 centimetres, has plenty of ability and potential, and if he realises it at Belmore, could push for a spot in the 17 throughout 2026, with the club's starting middle to be bolstered by Leo Thompson. Max King will join him in the front row, but the remaining spots are up in the air.

Kurt Mann and Jaeman Salmon will fight it out at lock, while Josh Curran, who is reportedly looking at a departure from the club after 2026, Sitili Tupouniua, Harry Hayes, Samuel Hughes, Jack Todd, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Finau Latu could all be in the mix for spots on the bench.
 
Meh. Can boll but lazey
 
We must be missing out on big named forwards if we are looking around the bottom of the barrell....
 
Marki said:
We must be missing out on big named forwards if we are looking around the bottom of the barrell....
Click to expand...

Not sure about that mate. Train and trial deal for 2026 doesn’t have any impact on a big name forward we would want to sign. They couldn’t arrive til 2027 anyway.

Shibusaki signed a train and trial deal last off season. That worked out ok.

This kid might thrive in a new environment. Keep in mind he is coming from the tigers….

Even if he flops it’s no big deal.
 
Howie B said:
Not sure about that mate. Train and trial deal for 2026 doesn’t have any impact on a big name forward we would want to sign. They couldn’t arrive til 2027 anyway.

Shibusaki signed a train and trial deal last off season. That worked out ok.

This kid might thrive in a new environment. Keep in mind he is coming from the tigers….

Even if he flops it’s no big deal.
Click to expand...

Agreed. He'll either meet the standards expected of him or he'll fizzle out. Best case scenario is the new environment ignites his career. Worst case scenario is that we cut him loose because it becomes apparent that he peaked in reserve grade.
 
Tigers fans (for what it's worth), seem to think he has much promise, but was failed in development by their shambolic club. Weakness in defence. I guess we can see if there's anything there to work with, or cut him loose.
 
Gus and recruitment work in mysterious ways :laughing:
 
steeliz said:
Seem to remember he had a few wraps when he first debuted but then disappeared.

Anyone know anything about him?




link:
www.zerotackle.com

Released Tiger lands chance at NRL lifeline with Sydney rival

He exited the Tigers at the end of 2025.
www.zerotackle.com www.zerotackle.com


Released Tiger lands chance at NRL lifeline with Sydney rival​


NRL Rd 17 - Wests Tigers v Eels | Source: Getty

NRL Rd 17 - Wests Tigers v Eels | Source: Getty© Zero Tackle
Former Wests Tigers forward Justin Matamua has reportedly landed an opportunity to impress at the Canterbury Bulldogs during the 2026 NRL pre-season.

Matamua was not offered a new deal by the Tigers at the end of 2025, joining a list of departing players from the joint-venture club as Benji Marshall continues his rebuild at Concord.

Matamua may have been the most disappointing of the list for fans of the outfit given the enormous potential he arrived on the scene with a few years ago.

The middle forward who has spent the bulk of his time wearing the number 13 jersey, at just 22 years of age, has 14 NRL games under his belt, having debuted in 2022, but he didn't get onto the field at first-grade level in 2025.

Matamua, who also represented Samoa once in 2023, has now reportedly taken up a train and trial contract with cross-town rivals the Canterbury Bulldogs for the 2026 pre-season per a Wide World of Sports The Mole report.

The deal will see him earn just $1200 per week throughout the pre-season, but train full-time with the top squad and push for one of the remaining spots at Belmore.

Zero Tackle's 2026 NRL squad tracker shows the Bulldogs have just four spots open for their 2026 Top 30, but with minimal salary cap wiggle room, there is a better than even chance their remaining spots will be filled by internal promotions.


Logan Spinks, Jack Underhill and Jethro Rinakama could all also be in line for promotions, with the trio all currently part of Canterbury's development list.

Matamua, at 187 centimetres, has plenty of ability and potential, and if he realises it at Belmore, could push for a spot in the 17 throughout 2026, with the club's starting middle to be bolstered by Leo Thompson. Max King will join him in the front row, but the remaining spots are up in the air.

Kurt Mann and Jaeman Salmon will fight it out at lock, while Josh Curran, who is reportedly looking at a departure from the club after 2026, Sitili Tupouniua, Harry Hayes, Samuel Hughes, Jack Todd, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Finau Latu could all be in the mix for spots on the bench.
Click to expand...
he played Massey this year and was terrible
 
Another small forward.just what we need.
 
Howie B said:
Not sure about that mate. Train and trial deal for 2026 doesn’t have any impact on a big name forward we would want to sign. They couldn’t arrive til 2027 anyway.

Shibusaki signed a train and trial deal last off season. That worked out ok.

This kid might thrive in a new environment. Keep in mind he is coming from the tigers….

Even if he flops it’s no big deal.
Click to expand...
Exactly
 
i know a lot of tigers fans were spewing at this signing stating he was a great player but bad management and club owners caused this to happen by not allowing him any game time in the squad that was developed. so we may have picked up a good player
 
"Zero Tackle's 2026 NRL squad tracker shows the Bulldogs have just four spots open for their 2026 Top 30, but with minimal salary cap wiggle room, there is a better than even chance their remaining spots will be filled by internal promotions."

So, Zero Tackle says that we have already used up our cap, even after releasing players. Who has taken up all that money? Thompson and Galvin are not on millions.

I do like the promotion of our younger players, rather than buying speculatively - those kids already have the Bulldog spirit.
 
Chris Harding said:
"Zero Tackle's 2026 NRL squad tracker shows the Bulldogs have just four spots open for their 2026 Top 30, but with minimal salary cap wiggle room, there is a better than even chance their remaining spots will be filled by internal promotions."

So, Zero Tackle says that we have already used up our cap, even after releasing players. Who has taken up all that money? Thompson and Galvin are not on millions.

I do like the promotion of our younger players, rather than buying speculatively - those kids already have the Bulldog spirit.
Click to expand...

Zero Tackle…. Isn’t that run by a bunch of @Joelmcevoy2

I wouldn’t trust their sources/sauces
 
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