NRL 2022 transfer news: Cowboys sign Luciano Leilua, Eels poach Jirah Momoisea from Knights

Luciano Leilua’s move from Wests Tigers to the Cowboys has come at a cost, while the Parramatta Eels have added a key piece in their backrow reshuffle.

Jirah Momoisea will join the Eels from 2023. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Departing Wests Tigers forward Luciano Leilua has officially signed with North Queensland - but it has cost him a Samoan jersey.

News Corp understands that the final details of Leilua’s move were finalised late on Thursday after he was granted an early release by the Tigers, allowing him to strengthen North Queensland’s premiership credentials.

The Cowboys’ clear preference was that Leilua sit out Samoa’s Test this weekend due to the risk of injury. Leilua has agreed to do so, meaning he will be fit to make his debut for North Queensland against Brisbane in round 16.

The Cowboys were concerned about Leilua playing in representative round given they have already lost Heilum Luki for the season to injury.

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Luciano Leilua will has given up his spot in the Samoa team as part of his move to the Cowboys. Picture: Brett Costello

EELS POACH YOUNG KNIGHT

—David Riccio

The Eels have moved to replenish their forward pack by prizing talented Kiwi forward Jirah Momoisea out of Newcastle.

The skilful front-rower has agreed to terms with Parramatta and is poised to put pen to paper on a two-year deal from 2023.

The signing is critical for the Eels ahead of a huge turnover of talent in the forward pack that includes Isaiah Papalii (Tigers), Marata Niukore (Warriors), Oregon Kaufusi (Sharks) and Nathan Brown (released).

Jirah Momoisea’s time with the Knights has been limited by injury. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Scouted by the Melbourne Storm from New Zealand in 2017, Momoisea spent 12-months in the elite Storm system before being signed by the Knights in 2018.

The Storm plucked Momoisea out of the esteemed St Paul’s College rugby union system where the 193cm forward was captain.

The 23-year-old has progressed through the Knights lower grades to earn eight NRL games, his most recent stint from the interchange bench against Manly in round five.

In recruiting Momoisea, Parramatta are backing their proven history of developing talent into established NRL players, as they have done with Shaun Lane, Niukore, and Papalii.

The Eels have also signed Penrith forward J’maine Hopgood from 2023.

ROOSTERS MOVE TO LOCK IN WALKER

– Paul Crawley

Young gun Sam Walker is ready to turn his back on potential record offers from rival clubs and pledge his long-term future to the Sydney Roosters.

It comes after a week when Walker, who turned 20 on Thursday, was caught up in the controversy over Felise Kaufusi’s NRL judiciary hearing.

It’s fair to say those close to Walker were privately shocked that the Storm enforcer escaped without even a fine after having a grade one dangerous contact charge dismissed.

Walker is one of the hottest young players coming off contract at the end of 2023, and could just about name his price if he was to go on the open market.

The last deal Walker signed was only for two years even though coach Trent Robinson said at the time he wanted to lock him up for 10 years.

Sam Walker wants to stay at the Roosters long term. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

But the plan now is to make sure the deal takes Walker off the market for a lot longer.

Walker’s agent Clinton Schifcofske said his client was committed to staying at the Roosters and at this stage there were no plans to even enter negotiations with any rivals.

“We have had a couple of initial chats and it will start to move now,” Schifcofske said.

“The Roosters are keen to keep him and all the indications Sam has given me is that he would like to stay.”

Asked how many years he would like to sign for, Schifcofske added: “It will just depend on what Sam wants to do.

“I think he is quickly establishing himself as a quality player. He has still got a way to go. He is a work in progress but I think it is pretty obvious to everyone he is the real deal.”

Walker at some point will want to play halfback, but at this stage Luke Keary owns the No. 7 jumper at the Roosters.

“They have obviously got a plan and they are not going to throw him in the deep end,” Schifcofske said. “He is still growing into his body.”

Eels coach’s blunt call on star forward’s future

-Adam Mobbs

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has confirmed forward Nathan Brown has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs as salary cap pressure could force him out of the club.

And in a double blow, Brown has been dropped to reserve grade in the wake of Parramatta’s dismal 34-4 loss to Canterbury. 

Brown is off contract at the end of 2023 and is believed to be earning more than $600,000 this season before rising again in the final year of his deal.

Despite being just 29, Arthur was blunt when asked about Brown’s future at the club.

“I’d rather just be honest and it’s a simple one,” Arthur said on Thursday.

“It is a sport but it’s not a sport anymore, it’s a business.

Nathan Brown’s Eels career is hanging by a thread. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

“Everyone’s got their own priorities that they need to look after so he’s just reached out to find out if there’s anything moving forward.

“With our cap situation and the players that we’ve got, and the spend, there’s nothing past ‘23 at the moment with our plans.

“To his right, he’s asked if he could have a look around. It’s as simple as that. There’s no ‘he wants to go, we’re trying to push him out’ or any of that. He’s just trying to secure his future past ‘23, that’s all it is.”

The Brown issue comes as the Eels try to retain NSW Origin forward Ryan Matterson, who is off contract at the end of this season and is being heavily chased by the Dolphins.

It’s believed Parramatta recently offered Matterson a four-year extended deal to keep him in blue and gold.

“It’s not personal,” Arthur said of Brown’s contract situation.

Eels coach Brad Arthur. Picture: Matt King/Getty

“I’d like to be able to keep every player at this club.

“We’ve worked hard to put this squad together. We’ve worked hard to have this team. You just can’t do it. We’re not the only club.

“But if we start telling stories and lying, it just doesn’t help us.”

The Eels have a number of young forwards coming through, including Ky Rodwell, Tevita Pangai Jr Taumoepenu, Moree product Jock Brazel and teen sensation Larry Muagututia, who on Thursday was named in the NSW under-19s side to face Queensland at Leichhardt Oval next week.

Rodwell, 22, will replace Brown in Parramatta’s side to face the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.

“He’s in (NSW) Cup this week, but that’s got nothing to do with this (contract) situation.

“There’s just a couple of things that I want him to be able to do.

“He needs to get some good game time. He hasn’t had a lot of game time.

“He’s taken it well. He’s going to be professional and he’s going to out there and help lead the (NSW) Cup boys out there.”

Arthur suggested Brown might not be the only personnel change for the Roosters clash, after the Eels’ underwhelming performance last week.

“Maybe a couple of changes, come Saturday, but we just need to get through training (on Thursday),” Arthur said.

Originally published as NRL 2022 transfer news: Cowboys sign Luciano Leilua, Eels poach Jirah Momoisea from Knights