Parramatta Eels re-sign young gun Stefano Utoikamanu to fend off Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers’ off-season of frustration rolls on after the Parramatta Eels shut down their hopes of luring Payne Hass-clone Stefano Utoikamanu.
Eels
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eels. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Wests Tigers have been dealt another recruitment blow with young gun Stefano Utoikamanu upgrading his contract with Parramatta Eels.
The Tigers had been hopeful of snaring Utoikamanu immediately after landing the Payne Hass-clone on a three-year deal worth about $800,000 from 2021.
However, the Eels refused to release the local product from his contract a year early, instead upgrading the 19-year-old prop from a development contract to a top 30 deal.
Watch the 2020 NRL Nines tournament LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
The contract allows Utoikamanu to fight for a first-grade spot in round one, with the Eels having high hopes he will make his NRL debut this year.
The Eels upgrade is just for the rest of the year, with Utoikamanu heading to the Tigers in 2021.
Parramatta general manager of football Mark O’Neill praised Utoikamanu’s dedication during the pre-season.
“Stefano is an exciting young prospect who has been training really well during the pre-season and has earnt this opportunity,” O’Neill said.
“He is held in such high regard from his peers and the broader Eels club.
“We are all looking forward to his contribution throughout this season as we strive to do better than what we achieved last year.”
MORE NEWS
Will injury keep Bogut out of United clash?
Smith wants more BBL action after spectator summer
The Tigers had earmarked Utoikamanu to be a regular NRL player this season after the retirement of Ben Matulino. The Australian Schoolboys representative won man-of-the-match honours for NSW in their under-18 Origin match last year.
He will now compete for spots alongside a star-studded Eels forward pack that include off-season additions Ryan Matterson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
The Eels-Tigers clash in round five will have some extra attention given the way Matterson exited the Tigers last year and the Eels’ refusal to handover Utoikamanu this season.
Meanwhile, St George Illawarra have made a play for Parramatta winger George Jennings. Jennings, 26, played just two top-grade games last year.