NRL Market Watch 2022: Cowboys re-sign young gun Jeremiah Nanai

The Cowboys have managed to keep rivals at bay to secure the signature of the game’s hottest young forward - but there’s a catch.

Jeremiah Nanai scores one of three tries. Picture: NRL Imiges

The Cowboys have staved off big-money poaching threats from six NRL rivals, including Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins, to secure the signature of boom teenager Jeremiah Nanai.

News Corp can reveal Nanai has today agreed terms on a 12-month extension in a coup for the Cowboys to ease the disappointment of Saturday night’s 28-4 loss to the Roosters in Townsville.

The off-contract 19-year-old Nanai was one of the hottest properties on the open market following his spectacular hat-trick in North Queensland’s 38-12 derby drubbing of the Broncos last Sunday week.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. Join free now and start streaming instantly >

Jeremiah Nanai scores one of three tries. Picture: NRL Images

In the wake of that performance, the classy back-rower attracted three-year offers worth $600,000 a season, putting pressure on the Cowboys to retain the Cairns product.

But North Queensland have officially got their man, with Nanai formally inking a one-year deal to ensure he remains at the Cowboys until the end of 2023.

The 12-month extension is designed to ease the immediate strain on Nanai, allowing him to focus on football in the embryonic stages of his eight-game career, with a view to the parties negotiating a longer-term deal next year.

The Wests Tigers and Newcastle were also eyeing off Nanai, but Cowboys coach Todd Payten was always confident of retaining the Queensland Origin hopeful, rated the club’s best forward prospect since Jason Taumalolo.

“We are over the moon to be able to announce the extension of Jeremiah’s contract,” Cowboys football-operations chief Micheal Luck said. “As we’ve seen in the first eight games of his career, Jeremiah is one of the most exciting talents in rugby league.

“We are thrilled to finalise the extension, which allows Jeremiah to concentrate solely on what is his first full season in the NRL and we will pick up long-term contract discussions later in the year.”

Nanai scored three against Brisbane. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

It also represents a one-two retention punch from the Cowboys, who have secured Nanai’s signature just six weeks after fellow back-row sensation Heilum Luki inked a three-year upgrade.

“That’s exactly why this club was founded, to make sure North Queensland kids like Jeremiah have a club to aspire to play for,” Payten told News Corp last week.

“Some of the stuff I see Jeremiah do at training just blows my mind.

“We believe this is the right club for him. I know he is happy and this is home and we will be doing our very best to make sure he is here for a long time.”

Jeremiah Nanai destroyed the Broncos (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

Nanai’s manager Sam Ayoub said he was reluctant to take the teenager away from the Cowboys given his family support networks in Townsville.

“I am not one to move players out of clubs if they don’t need to be moved,” Ayoub said.

“I just don’t move players for the sake of money. You have to consider opportunities and a career pathway and ask whether the player is developing at the club.

“It hasn’t taken long for us to see that the Cowboys value Jeremiah and there is opportunity for him in the back row as a starting player.

“It’s flattering to have the interest Jeremiah has and it’s great to see the calibre of clubs and people who are keen to sign him.

“One person of note met with Jeremiah and told him if you are happy at the Cowboys, then stay there, but if things don’t work out, we would like to sign you.

“The Cowboys have been great for Jeremiah. I think we all agree the Cowboys is the best place for Jeremiah to stay and continue his development.”

Originally published as NRL Market Watch 2022: Cowboys re-sign young gun Jeremiah Nanai