The Warriors are leading the race to sign versatile Eels forward Marata Niukore for 2023.
With 11 players free to talk to rival clubs from November 1, Parra know they can’t keep them all for 2023 – and Niukore is one who looks set to be sacrificed.
The Eels want to keep Niukore – but have higher priorities like skipper Clint Gutherson, NSW Origin prop Junior Paulo, Maroons hooker Reed Mahoney, improved forward Isaiah Papali’i and consistent back-rower Ryan Matterson.
Niukore had a fine season in 2021, starting in the centres before stints at prop, second-row and on the interchange bench.
Final roll of the dice for Leilua
Controversial centre Joey Leilua is moving to the square ring in a desperate bid to save his rugby league career.
The 29-year-old was sacked by the Tigers recently after an indifferent season and rival clubs are reluctant to sign him.
There have been questions about his discipline and fitness in recent years, with no club willing to sign him despite his obvious ability.
So Leilua plans to fight on the upcoming Josh Aloiai – Paul Gallen under card – and those close to him say he has never trained so hard.
“He rides the bike for 90 minutes and then does boxing training for two to three hours every day,” a source close to Leilua told Wide World of Sports.
“He is only 29 and wants to prove he can still hold his own in league – if he gets fit and looks trim in the fight, it might be his way back in.”
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Leilua is likely to fight either Titans hard man Jarrod Wallace or former Manly prop Darcy Lussick.
There is no questioning Leilua’s ability when fit and focussed – he twice was named Dally M centre of the year and has played in two NRL grand finals.
Souths gun on the move
Souths are in danger of losing one of their best young forwards to Canberra.
Brock Gardner – who was promoted to the Rabbitohs’ top squad last summer before tragically tearing his achilles in training in January – is on the Raiders’ radar.
The 21-year-old has been working steadily on his rehab all year and will be good to go at the start of 2022 – and it’s looking like he will be in lime green.
Dragons chase boom rookie
A promising back-rower from Melbourne is close to gaining a development contract with the Dragons for 2022.
Shalom O’Ofou, aged 20, began his career with the Storm but has been in the Dragons system for the past two seasons.
Big and fast, he played in the COVID—shortened NSW Cup for the Dragons this year.
But the youngster showed enough to impress the NRL coaching staff and is on the verge of a fulltime deal for next season.
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