Joseph Tapine will be released to Canberra as early as Monday

THE Joseph Tapine saga is edging towards a conclusion with the rangy forward set to be released to Canberra as early as Monday.

Newcastle's Joseph Tapine tackled by Parramatta's Manu Ma'u during the round 6 NRL game between the Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels at Hunter Stadium .Picture Gregg Porteous

DISGRUNTLED Newcastle backrower Joseph Tapine will be released to the Canberra Raiders as early as Monday after a fortnight of controversy surrounding his future.

Tapine has signed a $2 million four year deal with the Raiders from 2017 but sought an early release after being told by Knights coach Nathan Brown he would not play in the NRL this season with Newcastle because of his decision.

Brown views Tapine as a developing player and was not prepared to continue developing him only to lose him at the end of the season.

Joseph Tapine is edging towards a release.

The stand-off between player and club turned ugly when Tapine’s manager Jim Banaghan accused the Knights of alienating and exiling him from team training and late last week, threatened the club with legal action to resolve the matter.

Tapine travelled with the Knights NSW Cup squad to Sydney on Sunday for a trial against the Mounties but it is understood he did not attend the match.

He is said to have enjoyed a farewell drink with teammates on Sunday night.

Following Tapine’s decision to sign with the Raiders, the Knights initially investigated a player swap deal with the Sydney Roosters but it was knocked on the head after the former Junior Kiwi international told the club he only wanted to go to Canberra.

Negotiations with the Raiders for a player swap or compensation for releasing Tapine early were also unsuccessful.

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Knights CEO Matt Gidley said late last week the club had done nothing wrong and was entitled to investigate all its options involving Tapine before making a decision on his future.

It is understood all the options have been exhausted with the club now prepared to cut its losses and let him go.

Releasing Tapine four months into his contract will give the club around $85,000 to spend on this year’s cap.

Originally published as Joseph Tapine will be released to Canberra as early as Monday