NRL news: David Nofoaluma offered long-term extension at Wests Tigers; Josh Mansour, Gareth Widdop latest
Tigers star David Nofoaluma has been offered an extension at the club, so what does it mean for the chances of Josh Mansour and Gareth Widdop making the switch to Concord?
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David Nofoaluma’s long-term contract extension offer from Wests Tigers won’t shut the door on the club’s interest in Penrith winger Josh Mansour.
The Concord club has tabled a three-year offer which would see the star flyer remain in Tigers’ colours until at the end of 2024.
The off-contract Nofoaluma, who was the Tigers’ best player in 2020, had expressed a desire to test his value on the open market.
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Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis confirmed the offer and indicated Nofoaluma is set earn a financial upgrade on his current deal.
“David represents the best the Wests Tigers have to offer on and off the paddock. We would love to see him as a one-club man and I’m sure he would like that too,” Hagipantelis said.
“He’s represented by a manager who will be looking out for his best interests.
“It’s now just a matter of landing on a page that all parties are happy with, like in any contractual negotiations.
“The offer which has been made by the Wests Tigers recognises David as one of the best wingers in the game and the offer is commensurate with that assessment.”
It’s understood Nofoaluma could come back to the club with an answer as soon as this week.
It’s also believed the move to lock in Nofoaluma will not have an impact on the club’s appetite to add Mansour to their roster.
The Panthers informed Mansour he was free to leave the club despite being contracted in season 2021. The Tigers were touted as a possible home for Mansour but at this stage negotiations have not progressed any further.
But Hagipantelis said the Tigers would “continue to consider” Mansour as an option.
“Josh Mansour has received all due consideration by the club and I know that it is a matter that the club has and continues to consider as it does with numerous opportunities that present themselves,” he said. “I’m told Josh is a quality human being off the paddock and I know he is a quality player on the paddock too.”
Warrington playmaker Gareth Widdop has been mentioned as a possible replacement at Concord for Josh Reynolds, who was released from the final year of his deal to join Hull FC.
But The Daily Telegraph understands no formal approaches or inquiries about Widdop have been made by the Tigers. Widdop, who is eager to return to Australia for family reasons, is being offered at a $600,000 discount.
It’s also believed Warrington will not seek a transfer fee to release him from the final two years of his deal.
Tigers coach Michael Maguire is also expected to secure his future with the club for a further two years until the end of season 2023.
BROOKS LIKES THE LOOK OF NEW HALVES PARTNER
Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks believes outgoing five-eighth Josh Reynolds can resurrect his rugby league career in the English Super League.
Reynolds, who was shopped around by the Tigers, has agreed to join Hull FC on a two-year deal after he was released from the final year of his lucrative contract at Concord.
He only played 22 games in three seasons at the Tigers, his time at the club punctuated by serious injuries.
However, Brooks has backed Reynolds to find his best form in England.
“He had a tough time while he was at the club with injuries and wasn’t able to show his best footy but I think a bit of consistency and playing week in, week out will help him to reach his best footy,” Brooks said.
“He’s a big loss because if he can keep himself fit, he’s a great player. But it’s not just what he brings on the field, it’s off the field, too. He really brings the team together and he really gets along with everyone.
“I’m going to miss him but he’s got a good opportunity to play some footy over there, so I wish him the best.”
With Reynolds and veteran playmaker Benji Marshall no longer at the club, Adam Doueihi has been anointed five-eighth.
Doueihi started his Tigers career at fullback but has always harboured an ambition to play in the halves, where he spent most of his time as a junior.
Brooks said his new partner would bring a much-needed edge to the Tigers’ attack.
“He’s got a bit of everything but he’s mainly a creator,” Brooks said. “He’s got really good ball skills and it’s something I noticed when he first started training with us.
“The way he passes the ball, he’s great at creating opportunities. Five-eighth will mean he gets his hands on the ball a bit more than at fullback.”
Doueihi has spent the off-season bulking up his slight frame. Changes to his diet and weights routine are reaping the rewards.
“He’s been looking really fit,” Brooks said. “He is going to be doing a lot more tackling there in the front line at five-eighth but I’m sure he can handle it.”
THE MEETING THAT ENDED OFAHENGAUE’S BRISBANE CAREER
Joe Ofahengaue heard the whispers he was no longer wanted at Brisbane, so he looked Kevin Walters in the eye and asked: “Do you want to coach me?”
The newest Wests Tigers recruit opened up about the fateful meeting with Walters that ultimately ended his career at Red Hill after his first training session at Concord on Monday.
“Kevvie and I have a pretty good relationship … I seem to think so. But we talked a lot before he got the job and after he got the job he called me in (for a meeting),” Ofahengaue said.
“But I wasn’t too convinced it was going to be a good meeting so I went in there with the feeling that I was going to get let go.
“He told me straight. I looked him in the eye and I asked him if he wanted to coach me and he said ‘if I had an offer on the table then I should take it’.
“That’s what I did. I have no grudges against the Broncs or Kevvie. I love the club, it has given me eight beautiful years.”
Ofahengaue admitted the bold move was ‘nerve wracking’ but found the courage to have the blunt conversation with the Broncos new coach after talking to one of his closest teammates at Red Hill.
“I had a good to chat to one of my teammates there, I won’t say his name, he’s had a lot to do with my footy there (at Brisbane) and he said ‘why don’t you just ask him, forget about what everyone is writing in the newspaper just go up to Kevvie and ask him’ and I did that,” Ofahengaue said.
“It was a bit nerve wracking for me but I was straight with him and he was with me … and now I’m here.”
‘Here’ is the Wests Tigers after the Broncos released Ofahengaue from the final two years of his deal to join the Concord club until the end of season 2023.
While the 25-year old’s first meeting with Tigers coach Michael Maguire was more positive, Ofahengaue revealed it was just as awkward as his last meeting with Walters.
“It was awkward to be honest, I met him on Zoom. Adam Hartigan (Tigers football manager) messaged my manager saying we are going to have a meeting,” Ofahengaue said.
“I thought it was just us three. So I’ve gone on there and next thing you know I’ve got the CEO, the Chairman and Madge sitting there … I was just shocked.
“I was like ‘Oh shit’, I’ve got a jumper on, I don’t look presentable.”
But that awkward meeting was enough to convince Ofahengaue to sign with the Tigers.
“I liked what Madge had to say. He wanted players here at Tigers that wanted to win. Players that want to work on being the best they can be,” he said.
“I didn’t hear from him for about a week, so I sent him a text and I said ‘mate, I really want to come to your club. If you want me just give me a call’.
“Thank God he called me back.”
Ofahengaue conceded that just like the rest of his Broncos teammates, his on-field showing in season 2020 wasn’t up to standard.
But the former Maroons forward is confident he can find the form that earned him State of Origin selection.
“I played Origin a year ago, so it’s not like I have forgotten how to play footy. I just have to make sacrifices and I know Madge is going to be busting my arse at training,” Ofahengaue said.
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