EELS INTERESTED IN ISAAKO
Parramatta are considering making an offer to Broncos flyer Jamayne Isaako after being hit by a wing crisis on the eve of the new season.
The season-ending injury to Haze Dunster over the weekend, added to Maika Sivo’s absence until mid year and Blake Ferguson and Michael Oldfield leaving the club, has left the Eels short on experienced wingers.
The Broncos rate Isaako as a player but aren’t happy that he has decided to join the Dolphins for 2023 and are weighing up whether to give him an early release.
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Dunster’s injury, which will result in Dragons’ forward Tyrell Fuimaono copping a lengthy suspension, is a major blow.
The youngster had a great pre-season and was a certainty to hold down one wing spot for the start of the premiership next month.
Isaako is a classy finisher who looked good in a poor Broncos team over the past two seasons and would be a handy late signing for the Eels.
PANTHERS UNVEIL NEW ‘GUN’
The Panthers are fuming that the Dolphins pinched their ‘gun’ young half Isaiya Katoa last week – but the next rookie Penrith playmaker isn’t going anywhere.
Penrith unveiled 20-year-old Niwhai Puru last weekend – and the youngster caught the eye with two tries in the big 34-6 win over the Sharks. Twin brother Hohepa – a utility forward – wasn’t bad either… and both are prepared to bide their time at the Panthers.
“The two of them are signed until the end of 2023 and won’t be going anywhere,” their manager Joe Nakat told Wide World of Sports.
“Niwhai has a great opportunity to learn behind Nathan Cleary and the Panthers have a fine system in place for their up-and-coming kids.”
WARRIORS FACE MORE HURDLES
You’ve got to feel for the poor old Warriors. Living and playing away from home, the club has a new problem – a wardrobe malfunction.
Due to logistical problems, the players barely have any playing and training gear with the start of the new season just weeks away.
PUMA, the club’s official gear sponsor, has been unable to supply the team’s training clothing yet and players are often running around in plain PUMA t-shirts or their own gear.
Not a huge problem, but just another hurdle for the club that has done it tougher than any other in recent seasons.
STILL NO SIGN OF FRENCH
Mystery continues to surround the whereabouts of former Eels favourite Bevan French, who is under contract to English club Wigan.
In December I reported that French flew back to Australia to be with his sick mother but was expected to return to Britain for the start of the new season.
The Super League season started two weeks ago and there has still been no sign of the utility back, who is apparently still suffering the after-effects of COVID.
Luckily for Wigan, former Dragon and Eel speedster Jai Field has stepped up, bagging a hat trick last weekend as the club waits for further developments in the French saga.
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