Transfer Market: Nathan Brown eyes return to Tigers, Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown futures

Nathan Brown was shocked when told he had no future at the Eels - now the enforcer has wants a change that will shake up the NRL. He’s one of 37 World Cup stars set to hit the open market.

WEEKEND TELEGRAPHS SPECIAL SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. UNDER EMBARGO MUST CONTACT WEEKEND PIC EDITOR JEFF DARMANIN BEFORE PUBLISHING. Nathan Brown during the Parramatta Eels Captains Run at Kellyville Park, ahead of the NRL Grand Final against the Panthers. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Italy captain Nathan Brown has opened the door for a fairytale return to the Wests Tigers as he prepares to head back to Sydney and confront the lingering uncertainty over his future at Parramatta.

Brown is among a cluster of high-profile World Cup players who hit the open market on November 1, the multi-million dollar group headlined by South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell, and Parramatta pair Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses.

More than 35 players across the 16 World Cup teams are eligible to sign with rival clubs sides next week, which has provided the chance for players to use the international stage to put themselves in the shop window.

Nathan Brown has done his cause no harm as the inspirational leader of the Italian team, which lost to Australia on Sunday morning (AEDT).

The Eels forward and Italian skipper was rocked in June when he was given permission to explore the market by Parramatta with more than a year remaining on his contract.

Nathan Brown is open to a return to Concord. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

He had some nibbles before the mid-season trade deadline but opted to stay at Parramatta and was rewarded for his commitment to the club by playing for the Eels in the grand final.

Talks over his contract have been put off while in camp with the Italian team but his immediate playing future in the NRL is set to become an issue when he returns to Australia after a short holiday in Italy with his partner.

Brown insisted his entire focus had been on leading Italy but welcomed mooted interest from the Tigers, the club where he made his first grade debut nearly a decade ago.

The Tigers have been among the most aggressive clubs in the off-season as they look to build a side capable of infiltrating the top eight under the guidance of Tim Sheens and his assistants, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.

Nathan Brown playing for the Tigers’ under-20s team in 2013. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“Go back to the Tigers? Yeah, I would be [interested],” Brown said.

“See what happens. They have a couple of good signings with Sheens there, Benji and Farah. I think they are going to be on the up.

“I have a job here to do and that is to captain my country. All my focus has been on the camp and what I can do to help my teammates and help the team.”

Brown admitted he was stunned to be told he was free to leave Parramatta, having spent six seasons at the Eels and played more than 100 games.

Having made his debut for the Tigers - he only played one game in the NRL for the club - he found a home at Parramatta after a two-year stint at South Sydney.

“One hundred per cent it was [a shock],” Brown said.

“It was just out of the blue. When it hit me, I didn’t really expect it. If I didn’t care it wouldn’t have affected me but it did take its toll.

“I had some days when it was tough. Like I said, everything happens for a reason. You can only control what you can control.

“That is being professional day in, day out and turning up with the right attitude. I guess that is the nature of the sport. You have to accept it for what it is.

Eels coach Brad Arthur and Nathan Brown after the grand final loss to Penrith. Picture: Getty

“It is a business. No hard feelings. Just get on with life and accept it for what it is. I’m still there. So whatever happens, happens.

“I will leave that to my manager and everything happens for a reason. Wherever I end up will be for the right reason.

“At the end of the day we are professional athletes - we have to go out there and be professional.”

WORLD CUP HEIST: THIEVES TARGET STARS

- By Brent Read in Manchester

Lebanon’s World Cup cinderella story has been rocked by revelations the team has been targeted by thieves. News Corp can reveal that police were called to the Cedars hotel on Friday night (AEDT) after team gear and laptops containing sensitive information were stolen.

It is understood at one point there were concerns that they may have to source another playing strip for their crucial game against Jamaica on Sunday night (AEDT).

However, sources confirmed some of the gear including their playing strip was found on a local building site, alleviating those concerns.

The incident has taken some of the gloss off their thrilling start to the World Cup highlighted by the momentous win over Ireland last weekend, which almost certainly booked them a place in the quarterfinals against Australia.

Michael Cheika, Head Coach of Lebanon looks on ahead of a match between Lebanon and Ireland. Picture: Getty Images

A victory over Jamaica, considered a mere formality, would confirm a quarter final clash against the Kangaroos. In the meantime, the Cedars and their coaching staff headed by former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika were reeling after laptops were taken from the team hotel.

It comes at an inopportune time for Cheika as he prepared for one of the most unique and challenging weeks of his coaching career.

Cheika will lead Lebanon against Australia in the rugby league World Cup quarter finals and then coach the Argentinian rugby union team against England less than 48 hours later.

It is not known whether Cheika’s laptop was among the items stolen. World Cup officials have been notified and are working with Lebanon and the police to determine exactly what was taken.

It is understood they were also scouring CCTV footage in an attempt to identify those responsible. The disturbing revelations emerged as Cheika received support from Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga amid talk of a potential switch to the NRL.

Cheika has had recent experience as an assistant at the Sydney Roosters working alongside Trent Robinson and has expressed an interest in a switch of codes, having dipped his toe in the head coaching waters with Lebanon.

Michael Cheika gets his two international teams – Lebanon rugby league and Argentina rugby union – together for dinner in Manchester on Tuesday night. Picture: Supplied.

So far, so good. They pushed New Zealand and then beat Ireland, but Australia represents a significant step up in quality.

“I have only met him a couple of times,” Meninga said.

“Obviously he is astute and he has some great staff there. He has some great players in his footy team, smart players as well.

“So they will come with a really definite plan about how they are going to upset us.”

Asked whether he could see Cheika making a successful transition to the NRL, Meninga said: “I think so.

“I think there has been a lot of really good examples of leagies going to union. You look at Les Kiss is a good example.

Mal Meninga says Cheika could transition to the NRL. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

“They all started off with specific roles at clubs, particularly defensively, and they became head coaches.

“There is no reason why [it can’r work] particularly in Australia, where we all grow up with league and union, so we have a really good understanding of both codes.

“We’re not foreign to it all. I know Michael has done a bit of work with the Roosters. He has [Roosters assistant] Matty King there and some really good staff around him.

“There is no reason why he can’t transfer over to our game and do well.”

Lebanon’s success in the tournament so far has been partly down to their penchant for thinking outside the square.

“Trying to break down defences - in rugby league our defensive systems are really good and players have a really good understanding of different scenarios and teams,” Meninga said.

“To be creative, that is probably the new frontier for our game. Defensively teams are hard to break down so you have to come up.”