The manager of Api Koroisau wants to meet with Penrith to clear the air over rumours regarding the star hooker’s future.
Wide World of Sports has been told that at least two clubs have been told that the Panthers may not be keeping Koroisau when his contract finishes at the end of next season.
The Panthers want to retain the premiership-winning hooker, but have massive salary cap issues looming with all their young grand final squad seeking upgrades.
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“Api loves it at Penrith and wants to stay but all of a sudden these rumours about his future have started,” his manager Giancarlo Lombardo told Wide World of Sports.
“He is on holidays and knows nothing about it but I want to talk to Penrith to see where things stand.
“He can talk to rival clubs from November 1 about 2023 so we need to know where things stand.”
The Panthers have a fine back-up hooker in Mitch Kenny on far less money than the Fijian star – but he is also not quite in Koroisau’s class.
Koroisau has now won two premierships – with Souths and Penrith – and played State of Origin for NSW last year.
Newcastle signs boom rookie
The Knights have scored a coup by picking up one of the best young players in the Warriors’ system.
Jyris Glamuzina, a 20-year-old edge back-rower, was on the cusp of the Warriors’ NRL team last season.
A former Kiwi under 16 and under 18 representative, he has the size and speed of the modern day edge forward and given a good pre-season, will put pressure on for a top grade spot at Newcastle next year.
Glamuzina started last season in the Warriors’ bubble, but was released late in the year to get some game time under his belt and played some great football for Brisbane club side Redcliffe.
Dragons hold out Sims hopes
Tariq Sims’ future remains a mystery but the Dragons haven’t given up hope that the veteran forward will still play for them next season.
The Dragons refused to give Sims an extension beyond the end of 2022 and gave the Blues Origin star permission to look around – and it seemed certain he was gone.
Sims has spoken to several clubs but a deal has yet to be done.
Saints officials are hoping it stays that way – and the highly-respected forward stays in the Red V for one more season to help the club find its way into the finals.
Another Smith for the NRL?
Rohan Smith is suddenly attracting interest from several NRL clubs after his success with Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup grand final.
Smith has league in his blood – his dad Brian is one of the most experienced former coaches in Australian league history and was at the grand final to watch his son’s triumph.
Smith has two more years at Norths – but if an NRL club comes knocking, things may change.
Success for the Dogs
Could Nature Strip’s win in The Everest be an omen for the long-suffering Bulldogs?
One of the part owners of the highly-rated gelding is Bulldog consultant Steve Hansen, the former All Blacks coach, who is doing great things behind the scenes at the club.
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