NRL 2020: Moses Mbye’s manager says Wests Tigers skipper open to a move to Gold Coast Titans
While things continue to go south for the Broncos, the Titans are in line to score the services of a Maroons star after his manager indicated the Origin rep would be open to a move to the Gold Coast.
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Moses Mbye’s manager says the Queensland Origin utility will consider a move to the Titans if he is squeezed out of the Wests Tigers for salary-cap reasons.
The Tigers are assessing their salary-cap situation as they explore ways to potentially retain star hooker Harry Grant, on loan from the Storm, and Mbye has been identified as one possible big-money casualty.
Mbye is on $815,000 this season and is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2022, but the Maroons ace has been rocked by reports the club is prepared to subsidise a release to free-up room under the salary cap.
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A prospective move to the Titans would be a good fit for Mbye. The 26-year-old is a Noosa Pirates junior and has previously spoken about one day returning home to finish his NRL career in Queensland.
Mbye’s agent Simon Mammino says he has not had a formal approach from the Titans but is prepared to open discussions with the Gold Coast as a contingency if the Tigers look to offload their captain.
“Moses is a Queensland boy so he would definitely consider coming home to play for the Titans,” Mammino said.
“We’ve had no approach from the Titans, but if the Tigers have a salary-cap issue and want to move Moses on, he will be professional and explore all options, which would include the Gold Coast.
“At the moment, he is under contract to the Tigers for two more years. He is very happy captaining the club and has no intention of leaving, so this certainly isn’t being driven by Moses, myself or the Titans.
“Going to the Titans is a hypothetical scenario at this stage ... his preference is to honour his contract.”
While the Titans have bolstered their pack for next season with the signings of David Fifita, Herman Ese’ese and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Mbye could bring some experience to their youthful backline.
He has played 131 NRL games since his debut in 2014 and is highly-respected by teammates, having broken into the State of Origin arena with Queensland last season.
Mbye is capable of playing fullback, centre, five-eighth, halfback and even hooker, where he slotted in last week in the Tigers’ 44-4 loss to Newcastle.
“Moses has been battling injury but he is still busting his gut for the Tigers,” Mammino said. “He made 56 tackles last week against the Knights moving back into hooker from the outside backs. Not many players in the game have his versatility.
“He leads the competition for try assists for any outside backs this year so he has a lot to offer.
“Moses is very loyal and doesn’t want to leave the Tigers, but he understands the professional nature of the game and if he had to move on, he will explore his options.”
Why James knocked back Roosters for Raiders
— Travis Meyn
TITANS captain Ryan James knocked back an opportunity to join the Sydney Roosters to unite with Ricky Stuart in Canberra.
James will link with the Raiders next season after inking a two-year deal with Canberra.
The longest-serving player in Titans history, James will depart the Gold Coast following 144 NRL games across 11 seasons for the NRL’s youngest club.
After back-to-back knee reconstructions cruelled his past two seasons, James was facing a $600,000 pay cut to remain at the Titans in 2021.
The Roosters, NRL premiers for the past two years, also offered him a one year deal, but the security of a two-year contract in Canberra was too hard for James to knock back.
James’ salary will increase significantly for 2022 if he can play at least 15 games next year and the Gold Coast local said he was backing himself to thrive in the nation’s capital.
“There were a couple of other clubs who were interested in me for one year,” James said.
“Growing up on acreage and looking at the logistics … I couldn’t see my kids moving into an apartment (in Sydney).
“The Raiders were the closest thing. We can live in a house and have a backyard.
“It was a better option for me at Canberra. The two years was definite security.
“There was an offer here to play on for a year, but two years was too good to give up.
“I’ve been playing for 11 years and know the injuries I’ve been through. To get some job security was important for my family.
“I’m backing myself to impress them and show them what I can do.”
James, 29, was limited to six NRL games last year before undergoing a knee reconstruction and he suffered a recurrence of the same injury in January this year, ruling him out of the entire 2020 season.
He has played his last game for the Gold Coast and despite receiving a paltry contract offer from the Titans he has no regrets about his decade at the club.
“I’ve been very fortunate to play here for the last 10-12 years,” James said.
“I’ve got no regrets. They’re definitely on the up and this new rebuild phase will be exciting for the club.
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“With the young talent coming in they will definitely be a force. They’re starting to play some really good footy.
“It’s an honour to be offered something from a team (Raiders) ranked so highly in the NRL.
“They were in the grand final last year. To play at a club that will hopefully play finals footy is something I’m extremely excited about.
“I’ve been through a couple of rebuilds here and I know they take a while.
“I’m at the pointy end of my career. There’s not too much running left in my legs so to get down there and play some finals footy would be great.”