NRL Transfer news 2021: Wests Tigers star Moses Mbye offers services to Broncos, Cowboys

Moses Mbye wants out of Wests Tigers and the $800,000-a-year former Maroons utility has made himself available to two wooden spoon contenders.

Moses Mbye hopes his ability to slot in to several positions will help his return to Queensland. Picture: AAP/Darren England

Moses Mbye has held informal talks with the Cowboys and offered his services to the Broncos as the former Maroons Origin star looks to resurrect his NRL career in Queensland.

The Courier-Mail understands Mbye has had preliminary dialogue with Cowboys recruitment chief Dane Campbell as the Wests Tigers utility prepares for Sunday’s clash against North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval.

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Mbye has known Campbell since his junior days at the Noosa Pirates and the round-five showdown at Leichhardt gives the 27-year-old the opportunity to impress Cowboys coach Todd Payten.

Mbye is contracted to the Wests Tigers until the end of next year but was given permission to negotiate with rival clubs last week, prompting the 139-game NRL veteran to explore his options on the market.

The former Queensland Origin utility is in no rush to quit the Tigers, but is equally open to a sudden move if the Cowboys or Broncos need to bolster their rosters this season.

Former Queensland Origin utility Moses Mbye (left) has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs by the Wests Tigers.

The Broncos have one spot vacant in their top 30 roster, understood to be set aside for Mbye’s teammate Billy Walters, the son of Brisbane coach Kevin, but the Tigers will not release him without an adequate replacement.

There is a view the Broncos lack a genuine utility capable of playing several positions off the bench and Mbye believes he could be a handy contributor in the No.14 slot.

“I would certainly look at the Broncos,” said Mbye, who has played five positions during his NRL career, including fullback, centre, five-eighth, halfback and hooker.

“At the minute, it looks like they are keeping a spot open for Billy Walters and he fits that mould of a No.14.

“I will wait and see what happens. The Broncos have a few players off-contract and they have a new coach in ‘Kevvie’ (Walters), so you never know what will happen with their roster.

“I’ve been coached by Kevvie in the Origin team so if an opportunity pops up at the Broncos, I would definitely consider it.

“I’m from Queensland so a return home has some appeal for me.”

A crucial factor is Mbye’s value under the salary cap. The former Bulldogs grand-final hooker is on in excess of $800,000 this season, meaning the Tigers would have to provide a subsidy of around $400,000 for Mbye to leave.

The Cowboys are scouring the market for experienced NRL top-liners, particularly playmakers amid fears Michael Morgan will retire, but they have not tabled an offer for Mbye at this stage.

“I haven’t spoken to the Cowboys formally but I won’t say no to them or the Broncos,” Mbye said.

Moses Mbye formed a relationship with Kevin Walters through Origin. Picture: Adam Head

“If the Cowboys come to me, I’m more than happy to speak to them and weigh up what’s a good opportunity to play to my potential again.

“I will see there the dominoes fall in the next few months.

“I‘m fully committed to the Tigers for this season and if it turns out I’m required to play on here next year, I will honour my deal.

“Sometimes when you get into a little rut at a club, a change can ignite something. You see it all the time with new coaches and new players when they come into a club, they just get a fresher feel and that might be the case for me leaving the Tigers.

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“I think I see myself in that No.14 utility spot moving forward. The game is really accommodating that position with the speed of the NRL. The faster pace allows the smaller man to play through the middle a bit more and I don‘t mind coming off the bench and making an impact when I come on.

“Over my career people have asked me if being a utility is a blessing or a curse.

“I haven‘t really nailed down one spot, but being versatile has given me some great opportunities, like being part of the Queensland Origin team.

“If the Cowboys or Broncos wanted me this year or next, I‘d consider it.”

Originally published as NRL Transfer news 2021: Wests Tigers star Moses Mbye offers services to Broncos, Cowboys