Apologies if this has been posted but I've only just seen we've signed this player on a 3 year deal. I didn't know anything about him but he seems a very good prospect.
Sorry couldn't copy the link but it's on rugby league news and Yorkshire post

In the rumours thread but worth his own thread really

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/sfTJNSxBSQUajGZh/ https://wakefieldtrinity.com/trinity-la ... 6XGoYMEUnw

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/sfTJNSxBSQUajGZh/ https://wakefieldtrinity.com/trinity-la ... 6XGoYMEUnw

Can’t say I’ve ever seen him play or heard of him before however he seems to be the kind of player that has gone well for us in the past.

Looks a big mobile impact secondrow who has a very good pedigree behind him with age group rep rugby at QLD level. Highlights look impressive, but given they are highlights they should.

Looks like he was going to be included in the Titans top 30 squad for 2025 but they do seem to have a number of very good young forwards coming through plus the likes of Tino and Fafita on huge contracts so they look to be cutting him lose to spend cap space in other areas.

I’d say this move signifies the end of one of our overseas signings at the club, probably Boothroyd. Never really got that signing if I’m honest but it was done very early in the tenure of the new regime. Appreciate he’s had his injury problems but the fact he had an Australian accent seemed to indicate to some he was a shoe in for week in week out first team, despite the fact he had only ever played junior rugby.

Think that’s a bit harsh on Boothroyd tbh. Although you may not have got it he has contributed well.

He has shown up well and looked strong both at prop and second row. Can’t remember him missing a single tackle all season and made solid yards etc. for a first season against men he’s been very good. But for his injury he could have been the one with a contract for 2025 and beyond. There’s definitely a SL player in there somewhere.

As for Niketemo he’s about as experienced as Boothroyd is as it stands although does have more rep/pedigree. Really looking forward to seeing how he goes in 2025. Let’s hope we have unearthed a young star.

My only thought on Boothroyd is he’s the weakest of the middles we brought in and Nico seems a bit different , larger impact forward something we really needed as opposed to a hard working middle

Did he not take a quota spot he’d be worth retaining but he does.

When we have a fully fit squad this year I personally don’t see where Boothroyd fits in and that will be more evident next year as the squad improves.

Personally don’t think he’s a SL standard player yet and doubt he will be, time/opportunity will tell I guess.

Niketemo isn’t really comparable at he’s been in the Titans top 30 squad this year and so playing for the Ipswich Jets in a league that is probably a similar standard if not ahead of Championship so he’s had at least a year in a full time environment training and playing against men.

But hasn’t Boothroyd has exactly the same? A year playing full time against men with a similar amount of games at a similar level and far more tries?

The only difference I guess is that the coaching team must feel that Niketemo is more ready or has a higher ceiling or potential.

Despite that I’m sure Boothroyd will have got a lot out of this year and will be interesting to see where he goes.

I do think he is capable of SL in the near future. He’s far ahead of any of our other young forwards and most in SL at his age imo.

Think he’s just the victim of quota spots here.

Vaganas off- quota according to Aaron Bower, as he played for West Bowling as a kid.

He’s not far ahead of other young forwards in SL for me.

He’s a solid Championship player who came over as a bit of a shot to nothing.

I agree re he’d be worth keeping as back up if he weren’t quota.

I think he could have a good career in the Championship or back home in the lower tiers of the semi pro game.

Just about sums it up for me

You may be right or I may be right but can you name me any other 19 year old this season in SL or championship who has played 10+ games and looked good in the team to give credence to your opinion above?

I’ll give you George Delaney but it’s a pretty short list.

Can you name this list of 19/20 year old forwards that have contributed to their first team with a good level of consistency?

There would perhaps be a handful at best.

Boothroyd is 22 in December still not old but he’s also not 19.

Off top of my head -

Junior Nsemba 20
Harvey Hill 21
Sam Eseh 20/21/22
Matty Nicholson 20/21
Jake Whitfield 22 might be older.
George Delaney 20
Noah Stevens 19

I’m sure there will be plenty more, and remember they are playing SL not Championship so it’s much harder to get game time in that environment.

There have also been some very impressive 18-20 year olds that have debuted in 2024 whilst not wracking up 10 games they will in the next couple of seasons like Lucas Green, Max Wood, Adam Holroyd and a good few more who are only 19/20 and playing SL.

Well he was 20 when we signed him in November 23 so 20/21 then.

Eseh has gone backwards watching him this season. Those you mention will be ready in next couple of seasons. I just think Boothroyd could be given the chance. But we differ on that and that’s fine.

I hopefully he gets a good club and continues to develop.

Wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up York or somewhere like. He’d be a good pick up for about number of teams.

Boothroyd is well liked at the club. I'm sure they'll see he gets a good club.