NRL 2024: Stefano Utoikamanu puts talks with Wests Tigers on hold
One star Wests Tiger is heading towards the exit door while another is keen to stay despite being shopped around. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL
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The Wests Tigers’ fight to retain Stefano Utoikamanu is on life support after the parties agreed to remain in talks but put contract negotiations on hold for the moment.
Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson and Utoikamanu’s manager Daniel O’Loughlin are believed to have met this week for the first time since a five-year-deal worth $4 million was placed on the table, a bid the club hoped would convince the front row enforcer to stay.
However, it is understood they are yet to strike a deal as Utoikamanu edges closer to the open market.
Rival clubs are circling with intent as they consider making a move for Utoikamanu but may need to be patient as they wait to see whether contract clauses come into effect that would tie him to the Tigers for another year.
Utoikamanu will automatically trigger a one-year extension if he plays the final two games of the State of Origin series for NSW or the Tigers qualify for the finals.
Both seem unlikely at this stage, meaning the Tigers may have only a matter of weeks to strike a deal or risk their best forward being up for grabs.
It comes as the Tigers find themselves in the midst of a roster rebuild, having given half Jayden Sullivan and centre Brent Naden permission to explore their options elsewhere.
Sullivan has interest from Super League but he won’t be going to England any time soon despite overseas reports that the Wests Tigers half was on his way to the competition next season.
The fact that Sullivan has appeared on the radar of a host of Super League clubs isn’t a surprise given the Tigers are happy for the half to move on at the end of season.
However, his agent Mario Tartak has made it clear that Sullivan has little interest to quit the NRL at the age of 22.
“My client Jayden Sullivan will not be going to the Super League,” Tartak said. “These rumours are just that.”
The English press have also nominated Catalans as a potential landing spot for Naden. Naden, who too is free to move on at the end of the season despite being contracted to the Tigers, won’t be joining the French-based club.
A Catalans contact said the club had no interest in pursuing the outside back.
’GOT ME EXCITED’: DEMETRIOU EYES EELS JOB AFTER MEETING CLUB
Axed South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has taken the first steps towards a return to the NRL as a head coach after meeting Parramatta powerbrokers.
It is understood that Demetriou was one of a handful of potential candidates who interviewed for the Parramatta head coaching position, which was vacated when Brad Arthur was sacked last month.
Demetriou, Josh Hannay, Trent Barrett and Jason Ryles are among those who have spoken with the Eels about the job, as has former Wallaby coach Michael Cheika.
Parramatta are understood to have completed their first round of talks and will whittle down their list before speaking with their preferred targets at least one more time.
Demetriou has emerged as a contender despite keeping a relatively low profile since being dumped by South Sydney earlier this year. The former Rabbitohs coach led the club to the preliminary final in his first year in charge but missed the final in his second year and was then axed after they languished at the bottom of the ladder this season.
His name had not been linked with the job before but Demetriou – who has dipped his toe into the media landscape since stepping away from the spotlight –
had indicated his desire to return to the head coaching position and it is understood he was interviewed as part of the club’s search for a new mentor.
Current interim coach Barrett is campaigning hard to keep the job although it is understood that Ryles and Hannay remain the early favourites. Cheika is understood to have impressed in his conversations but there is a natural concern given he has never coached rugby league for any great period of time.
NSW coach Michael Maguire was another of the leading contenders but he withdrew from the process to focus on the State of Origin series.
Demetriou confirmed he had met the Eels and said he would relish the chance to reignite one of the game’s sleeping giants.
“It sort of woke me up from my slumber a bit, got me excited, got the adrenalin going again,” Demetriou said on Triple M NRL.
“I am a strong believer that I am a career coach and I will get an opportunity again, This experience has taught me some lessons that really prepped me for that next opportunity that comes.
“You go into head coaching thinking you know that you are ready. Sometimes it takes a bit of a smack in the face to realise this is what it is all about.
“For me it was about getting out there again, getting the blood going, getting the excitement to put my hat back in the ring. I am excited for the next challenge in my career.
“I am quite brutal in terms of how I reflect. I walked away feeling good about whatever the future holds.”
If Demetriou has his way, it will be at the Eels. Asked why the Parramatta job was so coveted in the coaching ranks, Demetriou said: “First and foremost they have a roster - a very good roster. As a coach you think about how you can impact that roster.
“I think Brad Arthur has left that roster in decent shape. It is a strong, vibrant club that is running well. Two years ago they were beaten in a grand final.
“There is a really strong roster there, an outstanding spine, some really big forwards as well. So I is a team I would love to coach if given the opportunity but there are some really great candidates out there who are putting their hand up.
“There is a reason why everyone is putting their hand up. It is an exciting job. It would be great to be part of a journey that reignites Parramatta.”
KNIGHTS TOSSING UP DECISION ON YOUNG GUN
David Armstrong’s move to Super League side Leigh is on hold as Newcastle weigh up whether to hold the young fullback to his contract.
Armstrong, who has excelled in place of the injured Kalyn Ponga in recent weeks, verbally agreed to stay at the Knights for the next two seasons.
However, he had his head turned by interest from Leigh and has asked for Newcastle to let him leave for England.
The Knights are still considering their next step as Armstrong is forced to sweat on a release to move overseas.
FLASHBACK
Trent Barrett was on the brink of a State of Origin recall on this day 15 years ago. Barrett needed to impress in a final hit out for the Sharks before he was eventually named to play for NSW in the Origin opener in 2009. He had last played for the Blues in 2005.
COULD WATSON BOUNCE BURTON OUT OF BLUES?
There could be no more important timely return for NSW than that of Connor Watson with the Roosters utility catapulted into the frame to make his Origin debut.
While NSW were ravaged in the lead-up to Origin I, the player pool is far deeper heading into game two – provided the Blues don’t pick up any injuries or suspensions this week.
Much of the focus has centred on the likes of Dylan Edwards, Bradman Best and Cameron Murray to make their returns from injury but one player who is pushing to be part of game two is Watson.
Watson was considered a strong chance of making his debut before picking up another untimely injury at training. He has been named to start at hooker for the Roosters on Sunday as he makes his return from the throat injury.
Watson would solve lots of the Blues’ problems depending on the make-up of Michael Maguire’s side. Watson can play hooker, lock or in the halves. He is perfectly suited to play a roving lock role in Origin should there be no injuries.
His selection could have ramifications for the likes of Matt Burton who has been mentioned as a potential utility option on the bench.
Watson has started games at fullback and his natural speed means the prospect of defending at centre would not be too much of an up-hill battle.
Watson is due for some good luck too. His career has been plagued by injury of late, having missed the entirety of the 2023 season.
TIGERS TAKE A STAND
Wests Tigers fans are planning a rally at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday to help with the push to save the under-fire ground.
Fans will stand at the eighth minute mark during the Tigers and Titans clash – as a mark of solidarity towards the ground known as the ‘eighth wonder’.
‘Save Leichhardt Oval’ group founder Paddy Tobin said the fans wanted a viable ground at the Tigers’ spiritual home.
“Leichhardt Oval means so much to so many people and not just Tigers supporters,” Tobin said.
“It is a historical and spiritual home for the Wests Tigers but it is more than this. It is the home for many other local and professional sports teams and the centre of elite women’s sport in the Inner West. An upgrade is needed to guarantee this for generations to come.
“The Inner West Council has recently approved $10 million in funding but we must ensure other levels of government confirm their financial support.
“We are calling on the Wests Tigers club to continue to play home games at the much loved and hopefully updated venue into the future.”
18TH LICENSE BATTLE
Make no mistake, Newtown and North Sydney are locked in a battle to partner Western Australia’s bid to become the NRL’s 18th team.
While there is hope from the Western Australian government that they may still go it alone, the Jets and Bears have made it clear to the relevant parties that they want in.
There is certainly support for the Bears inside the NRL’s headquarters, however government sources have indicated their preference would be to partner with the Jets.
Interestingly, the Bears and Jets face each other in the NSW Cup at Henson Park on Saturday.
DATE WITH DESTINY DELAYED FOR SOUTH ISLAND
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has delayed his meeting with South Island Keas consortium chief Andy Marinos as he waits for the ARL Commission to finalise their road map to expansion.
Abdo and Marinos, the former Rugby Australia chief executive, were meant to meet on Wednesday but the NRL boss opted to delay the meeting until after a commission meeting on June 26 where plans for expansion are expected to be finalised.
Marinos is part of a consortium with former NRL chief executive David Moffett aiming to enter the premiership when the game moves to 20 teams.
Perth and PNG are the frontrunners to fill two spots while three consortiums are waiting in the wings should the south island get the green light.
FROZEN WALLABY
Pressure is growing on Rugby Australia to release Sydney Roosters-bound outside back Mark Nawaqanitawase as he continues to be frozen out of the Wallabies setup.
Nawaqanitawase was a surprising omission from the Wallabies’ training squad for the July Test series against Wales and Georgia, prompting suggestions he could look to make an early switch of codes.
It is understood the Roosters would be open to taking him early and it may be in RA’s best interests to do so given they are waiting in the wings for NSW State of Origin star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Suaalii’s contract with the Roosters ends on November 1 but the Wallabies have a tour of England and Wales later in the year that begins soon after that.
Suaalii could get a flying start in rugby union by making that trip and there is every chance he will be selected by new coach Joe Schmidt, although his cause would be helped if he was able to leave the Roosters once their season is over – the grand final is on October 6.
FALLEN PANTHER TURNS TO LEAUGE’S LAWYER OF CHOICE
Adbul Reslan has become the lawyer of choice for rugby league’s elite.
Reslan, the principal solicitor for King’s Law, is representing Penrith centre Taylan May in his quest to save his career at the Panthers after being issued with a breach notice for a series of offences.
Reslan is also in charge of Jackson Topine’s civil suit against his former club Canterbury and has represented Brisbane powerhouse Payne Haas in his action against his former agent.
Both cases are due back to court in coming weeks and the Topine case in particular is set to be closely followed by rugby league fans and officials given the repercussions it could have for the code.
Topine is suing the Bulldogs amid allegations that a punishment he was forced to endure over being late for training was a “deprivation of liberty” and “unlawful corporal punishment”.
May, meanwhile, fronted the Panthers board on Wednesday as he looks to save his career – and lucrative contract – with the club.
The young centre only signed an extension with the Panthers earlier this year.
MANLY STAR ESCAPES DOUBLE PUNISHMENT
Manly forward Josh Aloiai is serving a two-match ban for a trip on Penrith fullback Diane Laurie at the weekend and he was lucky to avoid further action over a knee lift on Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny in the same game.
Sport Con understands that Aloiai was sent a concerning act notice by the NRL after lifting his knee into Kenny when running with the ball in the 24th minute of Sunday afternoon’s loss to the Panthers.
The match officials also missed the incident late in the match that led to Aloiai receiving a ban after he attempted to stop Laurie, who had loomed in support after Penrith centre Izack Tago made a break.
As Laurie raced to support Tago, Aloiai stuck out his right foot and tripped the Panthers fullback.
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