NRL 2021: Parramatta pulls out of Kotoni Staggs race

Kotoni Staggs is running out of options as he weighs up his NRL future. Check out the latest twist in the contract saga.

Kotoni Staggs. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Broncos’ hopes of retaining Kotoni Staggs have received a huge boost with Parramatta powerbrokers aborting a poaching attempt on Brisbane’s strike weapon.

The development comes as Brisbane look to meet Staggs’ wish for a top-shelf halfback by sending coach Kevin Walters to Sydney on Sunday for face-to-face negotiations with Souths playmaker Adam Reynolds.

Walters was due to fly south on Saturday but the trip was delayed by 24 hours as the Brisbane coach met for a debrief with new CEO Dave Donaghy, who has officially taken office at Red Hill.

The Broncos christened the Donaghy era with a 36-28 comeback upset of the Titans on Friday night and the Brisbane chief executive sat down with Walters to map out the recruitment-and-retention blueprint.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Donaghy is tipped to accompany Walters for their Redfern raid and the duo will travel to Sydney buoyed by revelations the Eels are officially out of the race for the signature of Staggs.

It is understood Parramatta cannot afford to lure Staggs on an $800,000-a-season deal and have redirected their funds towards signing Maroons flyer Dane Gagai and upgrading halfback Mitchell Moses.

Staggs’ preference is to remain at Red Hill but the off-contract strike weapon was holding off inking a $2 million-plus extension with the Broncos until he had more clarity over Brisbane’s pursuit of a dominant No.7.

Kotoni Staggs’ options are dwindling.

However, with Brisbane’s primary poaching threats, the Titans and Parramatta, having both withdrawn interest in the past fortnight, Staggs’ retention at Red Hill appears a fait accompli.

Speculation suggested the Knights were still eyeing off Staggs, but Newcastle officials insist they cannot afford the NSW Origin hopeful — putting the Broncos within striking distance of retaining the backline flyer.

Brisbane coach Walters is hopeful of making a formal announcement this week with Staggs tipped to remain at the Broncos until the end of 2024 or 2025.

Donaghy is hopeful of keeping Staggs, who is tipped to move from centre to five-eighth next season if he stays loyal to the Broncos.

“There’s a few calls I will be making as soon as I start,” he said.

“I’ll certainly be calling Kotoni’s agent and a number of other agents

“I hope we can keep Kotoni. I’ve watched him in admiration from afar for a long time.

“Kotoni is an incredibly talented athlete and he would be successful at any sport that he played.

“I’d like to think we can play a big role in growing him as a person just as much as an athlete.

“I hope he wants to be part of our long-term plans and sees the same potential for the Broncos that I do.”

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON BRONCOS TO SEAL STAGGS DEAL

Brisbane are under mounting pressure to retain Kotoni Staggs with the strike weapon baulking at signing a new deal until the Broncos deliver a major halfback recruit.

The Courier-Mail understands Staggs wants evidence Brisbane coach Kevin Walters will back-up his words and sign a senior playmaker before the attacking sensation formally inks a $2 million-plus contract extension with the Broncos.

The off-contract Staggs is keen to wear the No.6 jumper at the Broncos but he is seeking some comfort that he will have an established matchwinner beside him at the scrumbase next season.

Walters will fly to Sydney on Saturday for talks with Souths halfback Adam Reynolds and Staggs’ future at the Broncos could hinge on their ability to secure an experienced No.7.

Speculation is rife that Staggs is seriously considering quitting the Broncos to join an NRL rival next season. He was originally linked with the Titans, but the Gold Coast’s decision to withdraw their offer a fortnight ago leaves Parramatta as the only remaining threat to the Broncos.

Kotoni Staggs is still weighing up his future. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Walters has consistently maintained the Broncos will not lose Staggs, sidelined for at least another month following a knee reconstruction, but the 22-year-old is holding off a decisive call until there is clarity on Brisbane’s halfback purchase.

Should the Broncos secure a senior playmaker such as Reynolds or Cronulla’s Shaun Johnson, it would almost certainly convince Staggs to pledge his future to Red Hill.

The Broncos have not slapped a deadline on Staggs but Walters is hoping for some commitment from the Tongan international by next week.

“I believe he is staying,” Walters said. “Kotoni has to come up with a decision and we are waiting on that before we can progress forward with any other recruitment moves.

“We are giving him the time and space to make a decision he is comfortable with.

“I expect it to be in the next seven days.”

Kotoni Staggs is keen to play five-eighth next year. Picture: Brad Fleet

Intriguingly, Staggs and Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses share the same management stable and the pair could be a potent alliance at the Eels next season.

Staggs stands to earn $800,000 a season by moving to Sydney’s west, but the Broncos believe they will win the battle for his signature and can make it a fait accompli by securing a quality game manager.

New Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy starts on Saturday and one of his first tasks will be contacting Staggs’ management to finalise a multi-year extension worth $700,000 annually.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Parramatta pulls out of Kotoni Staggs race