A dozen clubs are expected to chase Penrith juggernaut Viliame Kikau after Sunday’s grand final – but he is set to reject them all.
In a shock decision leading into the biggest game of the year, Kikau has told mates he could never play against his beloved Panthers.
That leaves Kikau with two choices – signing a new deal at Penrith or a switch to rugby union.
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The 15-a-side game is keen to sign the wide-running forward and could offer him the million dollar deal he craves.
Penrith will do it tough to match that sort of money, but Kikau and his family are well settled in the area and he may take unders to stay.
Kikau is off contract at the end of next season, meaning rival clubs can talk to him from November 1.
However rugby union franchises don’t have to obey that rule and can approach the big unit anytime.
Kikau is the x-factor in Penrith’s premiership challenge – if he fires on Sunday night then the Panthers will have one hand on the trophy.
Fogarty future still not finalised
The Titans have said ‘no deal’ to Canberra in their request to sign halfback Jamal Fogarty – but don’t be surprised if there is a twist to the tale.
The Raiders are absolutely desperate to sign a quality halfback following the loss of Englishman George Williams mid-season – and their subsequent fall from grace.
I’m hearing the Raiders are set to have another crack at Fogarty and a meeting between the two clubs and the talented halfback’s management has been pencilled in for later this week.
The Titans have a ready-made replacement for Fogarty in young Toby Sexton, who looked very sharp when given his chance at NRL level late in the season.
Surprise competition for Taaffe
Impressive rookie Blake Taaffe is the front-runner to replace Adam Reynolds in the number seven jumper at Souths – but he could face some unexpected opposition for the spot long term.
Rabbitohs officials are raving to me about an 18-year-old utility back who is on course to join the Bunnies’ fulltime squad in coming years.
Leon Te Hau was signed through the Rabbitohs’ South-East Queensland Elite Player Development Satellite program and is held in such high esteem by the club that he is under lock and key until the end of 2024.
A Queensland under 18s fullback, he has the skill to play anywhere in the backline and will be just one of an exciting batch of rookie Rabbitohs to watch next season.
Evans on the move again
Kane Evans’ days in the NRL appear to be numbered with the Warriors prepared to throw money into the pot to get him a contract in the UK.
The former Roosters and Eels prop joined the Kiwi club on big money this season but failed to fire and the Warriors now want to cut their losses.
Evans has been a disappointment on and off the field and no rival NRL clubs are showing any interest.
Big and strong, the Fijian international could still be a force in Super League and several British clubs are on the lookout for a go-forward middle man.
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