The ‘Mad Professor’ has done it again.
As Des Hasler fielded questions about Kieran Foran’s reported deal with the Gold Coast Titans after his side beat Wests Tigers on Saturday, the Manly coach was at his cunning best.
Nine’s Danny Weidler reported this week that Foran, who’s not contracted to the Sea Eagles beyond this year, had agreed to a two-year deal with the Titans from next season.
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Hasler had no interest in entertaining the report during his press conference after a 36-22 win over the Tigers.
“A bit of noise again around Kieran Foran this afternoon that he’ll be off to join the Gold Coast,” one journalist said.
“Really? Oh, OK,” Hasler muttered.
Journalist: “News to you?”.
Hasler: “Sorry?”.
Journalist: “News to you?”.
Hasler: “I haven’t heard any reports about it”.
Journalist: “That’s what happened”.
Hasler: “OK”.
Journalist: “What sort of hole does he leave in the side?”.
Hasler: “Sorry, can’t hear you”.
Journalist: “What sort of impact has he had on this side?”.
Hasler: “I thought he was great last week. Really solid. He’s a real pro the way he plays the game, and he’ll continue to do that. He’s a real competitor (and) just a great player”.
Hasler remained tight-lipped when another reporter prodded for details about the contract talks.
“We don’t discuss retention in this forum,” Hasler said.
One reporter then turned to captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
“How about you, Daly?”.
Hasler: “Well neither does Chez. He doesn’t discuss it, either”.
Cherry-Evans grinned as he responded to the question.
“If something like that pops up we’ll definitely talk about it,” Cherry-Evans said.
“You guys know I’m the first to sing Foz’s praises.
“But right now we had a pretty good performance there so it’d be silly to take the gloss off that.”
Foran has played 247 NRL games since debuting in 2009.
The former Kiwi international has played 181 games with Manly across two stints, while he’s also spent time at the Eels, Warriors and Bulldogs.
Foran and Cherry-Evans were halves partners in Manly’s 2011 premiership-winning team under Hasler.
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