NRL 2023: Wests Tigers star warns club over in-house media leaks, shuts door on release clause

Stefano Utoikamanu is ready to abandon his top-eight get-out clause and pledge loyalty to Wests Tigers – but there’s a catch.

Stefano Utoikamanu. Picture: NRL

Samoan and NSW front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu will abandon a top-eight get-out clause and pledge long-term loyalty to Wests Tigers – but has implored his embattled club to stop leaking to the media.

Utoikamanu, preparing for Saturday night’s Test match against Australia in Townsville, revealed a desire to renounce a contract clause stating he was free to leave Concord after next season if Wests Tigers failed to reach the finals.

It is a tremendous pick-me-up for the floundering club, who have commissioned a full review into another season of on-field failure.

While adamant he wanted to re-sign out of loyalty, Utoikamanu took a swipe at his club and at those divulging private club information to the media.

This masthead has been told that Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is becoming increasingly frustrated at the constant off-field dramas and headlines, fearing it may impact on recruitment and retention.

“Keeping everything in-house and not leaking will definitely help – not putting everything out to the media,” Utoikamanu said.

Wests Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu pledges loyalty to the club. Picture: NRL Photos

“We don’t help ourselves that much. Not just players but us as a club.

“It just hard – the whole thing – there’s probably too much coming out about us and it’s obviously not good.

“I feel like our club is in the media more than it would like to be. It’s not the best.

“The media bags us a bit too much – it’s not a good feeling. As players, we haven’t helped because we haven’t been getting the results everyone wants.”

Despite the constant drama at Concord, Utoikamanu – who played a game for NSW this year – wants to re-sign.

Although he has a clause, the giant prop officially comes off contract after 2025.

“No, I’ll be at the Tigers – I’ll be at the Tigers,” Utoikamanu repeated. “I want to stay there, that’s where I want to be, yeah.

“This is the club that gave me the opportunity to play rugby league at the highest level, in the NRL.

“Back at my old club (Parramatta), I didn’t get the same opportunity.

New Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty

“I just want to give back (repay Wests Tigers loyalty).”

Utoikamanu embedded his desire to stay by praising the appointment of Benji Marshall as head coach.

“It will be good for us next year to have a fresh start. It’s probably what we need,” he said.

“Bringing Benji in, and him having this year under ‘Sheensy’ (Tim Sheens) will help him too, to understand what it’s like to be a head coach. I’m pretty excited to go into next year with Benji as coach.”

Key stakeholders continue being interviewed for the club’s review with findings expected to be handed down in December.

Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis and club CEO Justin Pascoe remain under pressure to retain their positions.

Utoikamanu is preparing for Samoa’s Test against Australia in Townsville this Saturday night.