NRL Market Watch: Panthers to sign Wests Tigers utility Asu Kepaoa as cover for Taylan May
Penrith are set to capitalise on the upheaval at the Wests Tigers and secure extra insurance for the potential departure of Taylan May. NRL Market Watch.
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Penrith are set to capitalise on the upheaval at the Wests Tigers and secure extra insurance for the potential departure of Taylan May by signing utility Asu Kepaoa with immediate effect.
This masthead understands that Kepaoa will undergo a medical with the Panthers and sign for the remainder of this season as well as next year with the defending premiers after being granted permission by the Tigers to explore the open market.
Kepaoa has made 42 appearances for the Tigers since making his debut four years ago, although only two of those games have been this year.
He played against St George Illawarra in round six off the interchange bench and then against the Dolphins in round 11 from the back row.
He has now become the latest departure as the Tigers undertake a cleanup of their roster in preparation for next season, when they hope to add to the big-name signings of Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva.
Kepaoa has landed on his feet at the premiers. The 24-year-old will provide cover for both the back row and centres, the latter of particular importance to the Panthers as they prepare to sever ties with May.
The club held a board meeting on Tuesday afternoon where May was given the opportunity to respond to a breach notice he received last week in which the club outlined their plans to sack him over code of conduct concerns.
It is understood the breach notice had nothing to do with domestic violence charges which prompted the NRL to stand down the centre under their no-fault stand-down policy only weeks ago.
May has been in the hotseat multiple times during his short career, including earlier this year when he posted footage on his Instagram account from the passenger seat of a car he was travelling in that exceeded the speed limit in a school zone.
The Panthers had already sounded out the NRL about receiving salary cap dispensation for May should he be stood down for the remainder of the season.
That may not be necessary if they sack him. Kepaoa not only adds to their depth in the outside backs, but gives them additional power in the back row. He is the second Tigers player to join them in recent weeks - back rower Isaiah Papali’i will play for the Panthers next season after being granted an early release from his contract.
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Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Panthers to sign Wests Tigers utility Asu Kepaoa as cover for Taylan May
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