South Sydney are poised to hit back in poaching war by nabbing Broncos star in mid-season raid
Brisbane and South Sydney are locked in a mid-season player poaching battle as the fallout from the Wayne Bennett-Anthony Seibold feud intensifies. FULL MID-SEASON TRANSFER RUMOURS INSIDE.
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Brisbane and South Sydney are locked in a mid-season player poaching battle as the fallout from the Wayne Bennett-Anthony Seibold feud continues.
The Broncos landed the first blow on Tuesday when they signed rising Rabbitohs prop Rhys Kennedy on an immediate 18-month deal.
The Rabbitohs, believed to be filthy at Seibold for “secretly” signing Kennedy, are poised to exact revenge by luring Broncos Test forward Jaydn Su’A to Redfern before next week’s June 30 deadline.
While contracts haven’t yet been signed, The Daily Telegraph can confirm Souths and Su’A have spoken informally.
It’s just the start of a late, mad scramble to sign players before Sunday’s transfer deadline, when all 16 NRL clubs must have 30 players signed to their top squad.
Several clubs with roster spots and salary cap space available are closely monitoring the signing landscape with more potential moves expected.
Each club must pay any new player signed before June 30 a contract worth $105,000 — spare cash some clubs don’t have. That will ensure some clubs fill their vacancies with upgraded deals for their own players outside the top-30 squad.
Touted as a possible Queensland State of Origin player earlier this season, Su’A enjoys a strong bond with Bennett and privately believes he has fallen out of favour at Brisbane.
The Rabbitohs chased Su’A hard last season but the Samoan Test forward stayed in Brisbane.
Souths general manager of football, Shane Richardson, is in England talking with St Helens prop Luke Thompson.
Canberra are also believed to be interested in adding Thompson to their troupe of Englishmen, but a hefty transfer fee may prevent him from joining the NRL until his UK deal expires at the end of next season.
In other potential player movement news:
*Penrith are still prepared to offload centre Waqa Blake, who had been shopped to Parramatta, but the Eels were reluctant to take on the full duration of his Panthers contract, which runs until the end of 2023;
*The Panthers are adamant prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard won’t be released before June 30, as has been suggested;
*There remains a chance Gold Coast utility Tyrone Peachey could return to Penrith this week but it is becoming increasingly unlikely; and
*The Eels are still in the market for a forward to fill their ranks.
The Daily Telegraph understands Parramatta had internally discussed trying to sign Brisbane prop Matt Lodge before June 30 but the Broncos wouldn’t release him. The New Zealand Warriors also have a massive opinion of Lodge.
Since Eels prop Tim Mannah aborted a mid-season move to the Wests Tigers, coach Ivan Cleary has been left with a free spot for a forward.
Cronulla have two positions to fill on their roster while Penrith, Manly and Newcastle have one remaining spot.
The Knights are likely to upgrade a development player.
Melbourne on Tuesday signed Warriors centre Solomone Kata and Titans forward Max King, effective immediately, with North Queensland securing Storm fullback Scott Drinkwater.
Speculation continues Manly could release Lloyd Perrett and Kane Elgey should another suitor emerge while the Dragons spoke about Bulldogs forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner before June 30 but opted to sign Storm prop Patrick Kaufusi.
The Sydney Roosters also have a spare spot after failing to lure Sharks playmaker Kyle Flanagan to Bondi mid-season.
Canterbury are chasing Brisbane hooker Jake Turpin but any deal is unlikely to be struck before June 30.
Wests Tigers winger Mahe Fonua signed yesterday with Hull FC and may not play again for the club due to a foot injury.
Originally published as South Sydney are poised to hit back in poaching war by nabbing Broncos star in mid-season raid