NRL 2024: Jazz Tevaga joins Manly Sea Eagles, Royce Hunt opens up on Cronulla Sharks exit

Manly have added one of the NRL’s greatest exponents of the art of mental disintegration to their roster for 2025, while Royce Hunt has opened up how he was convinced to move to the Wests Tigers.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 23: Jazz Tevaga of the Warriors runs onto the field during the round 25 NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and Canterbury Bulldogs at Shaun Johnson Stadium, on August 23, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Manly have landed experienced former Warriors forward Jazz Tevaga on a one-year deal.

It is understood Tevaga and the Sea Eagles agreed to the contract this week after meeting with coach Anthony Seibold.

The 29-year-old will arrive at Brookvale next season on just a 12 month deal as he looks to prove himself to his new club.

He had been a one-club man before parting ways with the Warriors. At New Zealand he played 138 top grade games since making his debut in 2016. He has also played five Tests for Samoa.

The Sea Eagles are also close to signing South Sydney utility Michael Chee-Kam to a supplementary contract for next season.

Tevaga is viewed as a potential replacement for Cowboys bound Karl Lawton. They have also lost Jamie Humphreys (Rabbitohs) while Aaron Woods and Brad Parker have retired.

Jazz Tevaga will join Manly after a stint with the Warriors. Picture: Phil Walter

‘I DIDN’T WANT TO GO’: HUNT OPENS UP ON SHARKS EXIT, TIGERS MOVE

- Pamela Whaley

His days in the Cronulla jersey are numbered and with two games guaranteed, Royce Hunt will do anything it takes for more.

The Sharks enforcer has agreed to a three-year deal with the Tigers from next season, which will bring an end to his five years at Cronulla where he expected to play until the end.

He was so sure, he was already planning to retire at the end of 2025 when the Tigers came knocking.

Ahead of Saturday’s NRL qualifying final clash with Melbourne, the 29-year-old has spoken about his decision to join the Wests Tigers next season, his plans to help revive the club and why was ready to retire before a call from Benji Marshall.

“It was the security of three years for my family, the Sharks couldn’t offer that long, so it was a no-brainer for my career point of view,” he says.

“As a man I didn’t want to go. I thought I would finish my career here and I was getting ready to retire after next year, my last year here, when this sprung up out of nowhere.

Royce Hunt was prepared to retire at the Sharks before the Tigers came knocking. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I was preparing for (retirement), I could retire today and be happy with what I’ve done in this game.

“What I’ve got out of the game I’m pretty happy with it. I’m not one of those guys who wants to hang on forever. I think this will be the last contract I sign. That’s where my head is at.

“I wasn’t expecting it but things moved quickly and I just accepted it and put it to the back of my head and I’ll think about it when we finish this season.

“We’ve got a more important job to do so that’s what I’m focusing on right now.”

Hunt has been in and out of first grade his entire NRL career.

He was stuck behind the big guns at Canberra, where he made his NRL debut in 2017, before he moved to Cronulla in 2020 where he found a home across 72 games.

Royce Hunt during his time at the Raiders, Picture: NRL Photos

Through it all, he’s learned a lot about patience and hard work – lessons he wants to share with the younger players at the Tigers.

“I’m looking forward to that challenge of going there and helping those young boys be who they need to be,” he says.

“That’s what we’ve done (at the Sharks) with these young boys, any one of them who are playing Cup can come in and take our spots at any time, they’re that good.

“That’s what I want to go and do at the Tigers. They’re all good players, but just helping advance their knowledge of the game.”

Royce Hunt has at least two games left in Sharks colours, but he’s hungry for more. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

A top four finish has guaranteed the Sharks at least two games, but that’s not enough for Hunt or anyone at the club.

The Sharks haven’t won a finals game since 2018 but he believes they’re in a better position now than they ever have been to go all the way.

“We’ve been close, we’ve lost both to a drop goal and that’s pretty heartbreaking but it is what it is,” he says.

“We have a different squad, so I guess it comes down to us and how we play on the day.

“We’ve had those hard games and hard lessons, we’ve taken those heartbreaks and learnt. We’re mentally a bit better too. There’s a good vibe around the club.

“Every week is a challenge and we walk towards it, we welcome it and we throw down.”