NRL 2022: Joseph Tapine set to sign four-year extension at Canberra Raiders
Raiders star Joe Tapine has agreed to stay in Canberra on a new deal that will see him become the highest-paid prop in the NRL.
Canberra forward Joseph Tapine’s desire to one day captain the club remains on track after he agreed on Friday to a four-year extension worth more than $3.4 million, catapulting him to the top of the props when it comes to front row earners.
News Corp understands that Tapine’s agent Jim Banaghan informed the Raiders of his desire to stay and the New Zealand international is expected to sign on the dotted line within days, ensuring he remains in the nation’s capital until the end of 2027.
The deal ensures Canberra’s reigning player of the year is taken off the market before the November 1 deadline.
Tapine was far and away the Raiders best player this year and the club was intent on tying him to a new contract before he entered the final year of his existing deal, when he could have signed with rivals.
His retention will be a huge relief to club officials and puts him in rarefied air as far as front row earners are concerned. Only Penrith star James Fisher-Harris is in the same realm — the likes of Payne Haas, David Klemmer and Addin Fonua-Blake are all on about $800,000 next season.
News Corp understands that Tapine could have earned more had he headed to the open market but opted to stay in Canberra because of his love for the club and his admiration for coach Ricky Stuart. He also harbours a long-term dream of taking over the Raiders’ captaincy in coming years.
His signature will devastate the host of clubs that were circling the 28-year-old, who will be a key figure for the Kiwis at the upcoming World Cup. As many as seven clubs were ready to launch formal bids for Tapine on November 1 but their hopes have now been dashed after he agreed to stay in Canberra.
“Joseph could have got more money on the open market if he wished to wait until November 1,” Banaghan said. “However, he prioritised being at Canberra above money. He loves playing under Ricky and he has really enjoyed this season.
“He was so proud to win the Mal Meninga Medal as the player of the year and he wants to see out his career at the Raiders. At one point down the track he would love to captain the club and he now has that chance.”
The Raiders declined to comment but it is understood they will confirm his retention on Monday.
Meanwhile, Nu Brown’s career resurgence has continued after he held talks with the Bulldogs next season over a potential move to play under Cameron Ciraldo.
It is understood the Wests Tigers want to keep Brown but the Bulldogs may weigh in with an offer that was too good to refuse for the 27-year-old.
Brown played 13 games for the Tigers this season.
Clock ticking on Hunt’s Dragons future
-Paul Crawley
St George Illawarra is playing a dangerous game with off-contract skipper Ben Hunt as rival clubs line up to try to poach the Dally M Medal favourite.
Hunt met with his agent Col Davis in Brisbane on Thursday ahead of the Prime Minister’s XIII clash against Papua New Guinea on Sunday.
Hunt, 32, is off contract at the end of 2023 and all indications so far have been that the Dragons are in the box seat to keep him given his close relationship with coach Anthony Griffin.
But the fact remains the Dragons are also trying to save their dollars by cutting a significant whack of Hunt’s current $1.1 million-a-season wage going forward.
At this point, there is a fair bit of separation between what Hunt thinks he’s worth and what the Dragons are prepared to pay, which is reportedly around the $800,000-a-season mark for two years.
What that means going forward is if the Dragons don’t budge before Hunt heads off to the World Cup in England in early October, then they will basically be inviting all interested rivals into an all-out bidding war.
Hunt is coming off an outstanding season where he is the favourite to take out the game’s top individual honour at next week’s Dally M awards.
He will then head off with the Kangaroos and not return until the tournament is complete in November.
If a deal isn’t done prior to the tournament, it is expected Hunt will hold off on further negotiations until he returns home so he can keep his focus entirely on his football.
This is where it gets dangerous for the Dragons because Hunt has already met with Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould who outlined the direction he thinks Canterbury are heading.
You would imagine Gould would have made a pretty impressive pitch at what the Bulldogs could offer playing under new coach Cameron Ciraldo and alongside Matt Burton as his halves partner.
Throw in incoming Parramatta dummy half Reed Mahoney and Hunt’s inclusion would give the Bulldogs a spine capable of challenging the top teams.
Penrith giant Viliame Kikau also joins the Dogs next season.
The other issue for the Dragons is the uncertainty surrounding Griffin, who will go into next season as one of the coaches under the most pressure.
Gold Coast is the other club that has been mentioned as showing early interest, although if Hunt goes to market you can bet plenty of others will be making a pitch come November 1.
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