One of the bright spots of a disappointing season for the Wests Tigers has to be the rise and rise of Ava Seumanufagai.
The big prop forward added a lot of starch to the engine room in 2015 and there were also touches of class to his work.
Everyone knows prop forwards can be like spinners in cricket – they mature slowly – and there are a lot of signs Seumanufagai is set for bigger and better things.
And that is why Wests fans have celebrated the announcement that Seumanufagai has been re-signed until the end of the 2017 season.
The 24-year-old made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers in Round 3 of the 2013 season and has since played 63 out of a possible 70 first-grade games.
The Wainuiomata Lions junior has quickly become a key member of Wests Tigers’ forward pack due to his strong carries and exceptional defence.
Seumanufagai expressed his delight in securing his future at Wests Tigers.
“I’ve made some good friends here at the club and I’m really on board with what the coaches are doing,” Seumanufagai said.
“I’m really happy to continue at Wests Tigers for another two years.
“My goal this year was to play every game, and I fell just short of that by one match, but I’ve been fortunate enough not to get injured too much.
“I’m really happy to be here because it feels like home – I love it here and I’m really glad that I get to stay.
“I’m pretty sure we’ll see some really good work come out of these guys in the next few years and I’m really happy that I’m going to be part of that.”
Wests Tigers head coach Jason Taylor was impressed by Seumanufagai during the 2015 season and is pleased to have him at the club for another two years.
“Ava is a tireless worker and a real asset to have on our playing roster,” Taylor said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“He’s only 24 years old, so I’m confident that his best football is still ahead of him and that’s really exciting for the club.[/social_quote]
“Ava’s re-signing was an important one for us and I’m glad that we’ve secured him for two more seasons.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe echoed Taylor’s praise for Seumanufagai.
“We are thrilled to have a player of Ava’s calibre commit his future to Wests Tigers,” Pascoe said.
“It re-establishes the faith that the playing group have in the direction that the club is heading.
“Ava is yet another exciting young player to have committed to the club long-term and we look forward to watching him continue his development.”
Player Profile – Ava Seumanufagai
Date of Birth: 03-06-1991
Height: 189cm
Weight: 114kg
Position: Prop
Junior Clubs: Wainuiomata Lions, Baulkham Hills Bulls
FG & Club Debut: Wests Tigers v Parramatta, Leichhardt Oval, 22/3/13 (Rd 3)
