NRL rivals zero in on Roosters enforcer Zane Tetevano
New Zealand Test prop Zane Tetevano has agreed to play against his beloved Roosters in 2020 despite previously stating he wanted to stay faithful to the Bondi club if possible.
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New Zealand international Zane Tetevano has finally come to terms with playing against his beloved Sydney Roosters next season, with no less than four NRL rivals still keen to add a middle forward to their playing rosters for 2020.
The Daily Telegraph understands Tetevano, 28, has knocked back several approaches from English Super League clubs to instead chase a new contract in Australia next year.
Initially, the 111kg enforcer did not want to play against the Roosters, with whom he won the 2018 NRL premiership, given it was the Bondi Junction club who revived his career after it was almost ended by a domestic violence conviction.
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However, with the Roosters having recently revealed they have no room for the Kiwi Test prop in 2020, Tetevano suddenly looms as a target for the likes of Penrith, St George Illawarra, Wests Tigers and Gold Coast.
Already, Tetevano has a strong relationship with Tigers coach Michael Maguire, who doubles as head coach of the New Zealand Test side.
The Tigers are also seeking out additional forwards following the sudden departure of Ryan Matterson and the retirement of Ben Matulino.
The bookend would also add considerable strength to those other clubs still chasing a middle forward for the upcoming NRL season.
In the two years since receiving his second chance from the Roosters, Tetevano has been an integral part of the Tricolours claiming back-to-back premierships, while also this month making his New Zealand Test debut.
Previously, Tetevano had played five internationals for the Cook Islands.
A new contract deal will continue a rollercoaster couple of weeks for Tetevano, who only last month missed out on the 2019 NRL grand final after Roosters skipper Jake Friend made a comeback from injury to play off the bench.
Yet despite being forced to watch from the sidelines as 18th man, the Tricolours favourite was later gifted a premiership ring by coach Trent Robinson.
Indeed, while he doesn’t share the same profile as Roosters megastars like James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Latrell Mitchell, the Tokoroa product has still been a key component of the Bondi Junction heavyweights claiming back-to-back titles.
In 2018, Tetevano played every game on the way to helping the Roosters earn that year’s title and only sat out two matches before this year’s grand final win over the Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium.
It is understood Tetevano was desperate to stay at the Roosters next season.
However, with the reigning premiers having since finalised a squad for 2020, the prop now suddenly finds himself among the most experienced players still unsigned for the upcoming season.
While several UK clubs were interested in signing Tetevano, the Test prop wants to keep his young family in Australia and instead continue what has been an outstanding resurgence over the past two years.
Last weekend, Tetevano started for the Kiwis against Great Britain in Auckland, playing strongly in the 12-8 win.
That effort followed on from him running for 74 metres and making 26 tackles off the bench a week earlier, in a 26-4 loss against Australia.
Originally published as NRL rivals zero in on Roosters enforcer Zane Tetevano