I think Auckland will want to keep Mata, and he will want to stay. AFC and and being in the same city as the AWs coach, is better for his WC prospects than L2 with Shrewsbury - who played him mostly as a winger in his time there previously.
Sure he doesn't score that many, but he offers a point of difference with his large body. Other ALM sides often have to double team him around the box, where he's a proper nuisance from those big FDV throws.
I think Jonty Bidois has promise as a ALM player, and he should be better after his first pro season.
2nd Best has pointedly noted Waine's free agent status in the Nix 2025/26 season squad speculation thread. Dale know something most of us don't?
Sure he doesn't score that many, but he offers a point of difference with his large body. Other ALM sides often have to double team him around the box, where he's a proper nuisance from those big FDV throws.
I think Jonty Bidois has promise as a ALM player, and he should be better after his first pro season.
2nd Best has pointedly noted Waine's free agent status in the Nix 2025/26 season squad speculation thread. Dale know something most of us don't?