Several Aussie clubs are trying to snare in-form halfback Te Maire Martin away from the Warriors.
Martin, who has done a great job leading the Kiwi team around the paddock in the absence of marquee man Shaun Johnson, is under contract until the end of 2025.
That means rival clubs can’t talk contracts with him until this November – but Wide World of Sports has learned he has had a couple of “informal chats” with Aussie-based teams.
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Several clubs are desperate for a class halfback and Martin certainly fits the bill.
But the 28-year-old has told the clubs he has no intention of leaving the Warriors, despite having to play second fiddle to Johnson whenever the face of the franchise is fit.
Ironically, the Warriors, who have had a patchy season, have won all four games when Johnson has been missing and Martin has worn the number seven jumper.
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Last weekend, Martin was outstanding as the Warriors got their finals challenge back on track with a win over the Broncos.
Johnson, who has played well below his best this season, has yet to sign on with the club for next year.
REP PRODIGY ON THE BRINK OF STARDOM
The Roosters are desperate for outside backs, with Billy Smith and now Joey Manu out long term.
And they have a genuine tryscoring ace coming through their ranks in NSW Cup flyer Tyreece Tait.
Tait, a Queensland Under 19s winger, bagged four tries last weekend in the 32-18 win over Newtown and has been scoring tries for fun all season.
The kid will be a NRL star, but at 19 and with some rough edges on his game, won’t be rushed into first grade this year.
With 17 tries in 13 games in the Flegg Cup and NSW Cup this season, he is one to watch for in 2025.
MALIGNED EX-ROOSTER OUT OF RETIREMENT
Former Roosters premiership-winning prop and Kiwi/Cook Islands international Zane Tetevano has returned to footy after a very short retirement.
The 33-year-old suffered a stroke while training with English club Leeds last year and required surgery to repair a hole in his heart.
He signed with the Bulldogs for 2024 but struggled to make the grade and told the club he was retiring.
However, the former Knights, Roosters and Panthers forward has the itch again and will play out the year with Wyong in the Newcastle competition.
Tetevano was on a small contract at the Bulldogs and the club won’t be replacing him this year.
SOUTHS SIGN MURRAY CLONE
The Rabbitohs have won four in a row and have had another victory, signing one of the game’s brightest young forwards from the Storm.
Devonte Vaotu’ua, who played for the Central Coast Roosters in 2023 before standing out with the Storm’s SG Ball side this season, has signed a three year deal with the Bunnies.
An 18-year-old of Samoan heritage, Vaotu’ua has a great motor and can play lock prop or second row.
His style and work ethic has been likened to Rabbitohs skipper Cam Murray – high praise indeed.
The youngster will link up with the Rabbitohs next season and is rated a very special prospect.