Panthers pack grows with premiership prop Zane Tetevano joining club
After landing Cronulla’s Kurt Capewell, the Penrith Panthers have been one of the busiest teams in the NRL free agency market. Now they’ve confirmed another key signing.
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The Penrith Panthers have finally landed a replacement for former Kangaroos forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
The club on Thursday announce the signing of Sydney Roosters middle forward Zane Tetevano, who joins the Panthers on a three-year contract for less than half the money Campbell-Gillard was on.
Tetevano is expected to slot straight into the Panthers’ 2020 starting lineup for their round-one clash with his now former club the Roosters in March.
Tetevano said the depth and talent of the Panthers’ roster attracted him to the foot of the Blue Mountains.
“I love what I see here at the Panthers and I’m genuinely excited to be part of it,” Tetevano said in a statement.
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“There’s so much talent in this team and I think Ivan (Cleary) and the other coaches can help take my game to another level.
“It’s my goal to keep improving every day, on and off the field, and to share my knowledge and experience with the younger guys.”
Panthers director Greg Alexander received a glowing reference for the 29-year-old forward when he rang the Roosters last week.
Tetevano, who was part of the Roosters’ 2018 premiership-winning side, is rated so highly by the NRL premiers that he was taken to the United States for the team’s off-season training camp despite him leaving the club because of salary cap pressure.
His signing – worth around $350,000-a-season – is a huge boost for the Panthers, who recently announced they had also secured edge forward Kurt Capewell from the Cronulla Sharks on a two-year deal.
Tetevano has played 74 first grade games for the Roosters in the last three years.
Contract upgrades for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sio Siua Taukeiaho forced him to look elsewhere.
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Like Capewell, Tetevano was also squeezed out of his club due to salary cap restraints. He was behind Siosiua Taukeiaho and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the front row, both of whom made The Daily Telegraph’s Roosters team of the decade.
“To sign a premiership winner and current New Zealand international is a significant coup for our club,” Panthers General Manager Rugby League Matt Cameron said.
“The decision to bring Zane to Panthers was made in consideration of both his playing ability and the other qualities he has to offer.
“Our contacts at the Roosters couldn’t speak more highly of the contribution he made to their organisation over the last three years.
“Their sincere endorsement gives us great confidence that Zane will have a similarly positive impact here at Panthers.”
Originally published as Panthers pack grows with premiership prop Zane Tetevano joining club