Sea Eagles won’t let Watmough and Matai go next year

THE Sea Eagles won’t be releasing star duo Anthony Watmough and Steve Matai to play at other clubs next season.

Manly's Anthony Watmough during the round 4 rugby league match between the Sydney Roosters and Manly at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

THE Sea Eagles won’t be releasing star duo Anthony Watmough and Steve Matai to play at other clubs next season.

There have been reports that the pair were unhappy about the circumstances surrounding the departure of their good mate Glenn Stewart who will join South Sydney next season.

DANIEL TUPOU’S MESSAGE TOUCHES COUSIN JORGE TAUFUA

Backrower Watmough has been linked with a move to Parramatta and is believed that the New Zealand Warriors are keen to sign blockbusting centre Matai.

Steve Matai in action for the Sea Eagles.

But Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey has made it clear what their situation is.

“They are contracted here for next year and that is where they will be,” Toovey said.

Toovey said the speculation was not affecting the club’s premiership campaign.

There would a hue and cry from Manly supporters if the either of the two Brookvale Oval crowd favourites were released especially in the wake of Stewart’s exit.

A club insider said Watmough and Matai were on good healthy contracts for 2015 and they had to honour those contracts.

“The club is not looking to release them early,” the source said.