NRL battlers swoop in to poach in-demand Panthers flyer

A battling NRL team is reportedly in the box seat to land Panthers star Sunia Turuva after he looked headed elsewhere.

Sunia Turuva is reportedly joining the Tigers. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Tigers are reportedly in the box seat to land Panthers star Sunia Turuva after he looked destined to join the Dragons.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting the Tigers see Turuva as a centre and a stand-in fullback for young gun Jahream Bula.

The 21-year-old was being courted by the Dragons, with their contract reportedly worth between $400,000 to $600,000 per-season depending on a range of clauses in his deal.

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However, the Tigers are now set to secure his services after the flyer’s management was unable to broker a deal for Turuva to remain at the Panthers.

The Panthers were reportedly unable to offer him more than $350,000 per-season due to salary cap constraints, forcing Turuva to look elsewhere.

The 2023 Dally M Rookie of the Year is now set to move clubs with current teammate Jarome Luai, joining former Panthers Api Koroisau, Brent Nade and Charlie Staines at the Tigers.

The Knights were also reportedly interested in Turuva’s services, having toured the club’s facilities during the Panthers’ bye round.

Sunia Turuva has reportedly joined the Wests Tigers. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

But the Newcastle club reportedly never tabled a formal contract, meaning the Tigers were able to swoop in for his services.

Turuva has scored eight tries in six games so far this season, having become one of Penrith’s most reliable players in recent seasons.

RAIDERS SNAG EELS TEEN

It has been a tough week for the Canberra Raiders after losing Jamal Fogarty for the majority of the regular season, although it looks like they have had a major win on the open market.

According to both The Daily Telegraph and Canberra Times, the Raiders have agreed to terms with young Eels halfback Ethan Sanders on a three-year deal.

The news came on Tuesday just hours before Sanders was named to make his NRL debut.

Ethan Sanders pictured playing for the Eels against the Sydney Roosters in a reserve grade game at Wentworth Park, Glebe. Picture: Damian Shaw

That doesn’t mean a deal is done though, with the Eels having 10 days to speak with Sanders and his management to try convince the 19-year-old to stay put.

Sanders was not able to field rival offers until the completion of round six under the new collective bargaining agreement between the RLPA and NRL, but Fox League’s James Hooper reported earlier in April that “smart money” had him headed to the nation’s capital.

The Gold Coast was also reported to have shown interest in Sanders, although all signs point towards Canberra being his preferred destination.

BRONCOS TIPPED TO EXTEND WALTERS

Elsewhere, Broncos are expected to soon announce the re-signing of hooker Billy Walters, which will keep the 30-year-old at the club until the end of 2026.

According to The Courier Mail, the new deal is two years long, with Walters added to the long list of stars the Broncos have retained with extensions.

Pat Carrigan, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas have all put pen to paper on new deals in the past year, while Reece Walsh as reportedly agreed to terms on a deal worth over $5 million.

Walters linked up with the Broncos in 2022 after just 12 games for the Storm and Tigers from 2019-2021.

He has played 56 games for the club, and was one of the most improved players in the league last season as well as a key part of the spine of a team that reached the grand final.

Billy Walters is set to extend. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Broncos are well stocked at dummy-half, with Tyson Smoothy providing good minutes off the bench in relief of Walters this season, while teenager Blake Mozer is expected to have a very bright future.

Walters says he is happy with his time share with Smoothy, with dad and coach Kevin electing for quality over quantity.

“I had made it a goal of mine to try and put in 80 minutes this year, but Kevvie hasn’t harped on that too much. He thinks the game has moved away from the 80-minute hooker,” Walters told The Courier Mail.

“There’s a few in the game (who can play 80 minutes) but he would rather give me a good 40, 50 or 60 minutes, rather than trying to save my lungs or not going as hard as I can to try and save myself for the whole 80 minutes.

“He is looking for quality minutes from me instead of long minutes.”

SHOCK STORM ‘RUMBLINGS’ REVEALED

Could Jahrome Hughes be on the move up north?

Rugby league legend Corey Parker certainly seems to think it is a possibility, making the explosive claim on SENQ Mornings that he has heard “rumblings” Hughes could leave Melbourne.

“I’m hearing rumblings that one superstar in the game wants to come home to Queensland and be with the family,” Parker said.

“That player is Jahrome Hughes. Whether that’s at the end of his contract or not, that remains to be seen.”

Hughes, who signed a four-year deal with Melbourne in 2022 worth reportedly more than $800,000 per year, is contracted with the Storm until 2026.

The Kiwi international started his career at the Titans while also playing for the Cowboys before establishing himself as one of the league’s best halfbacks in the Storm system.

But now, according to the SMH, Storm powerbrokers have moved to make sure Hughes’ remains in Melbourne for the length of his career.

Storm powerbrokers have reportedly sat down with Hughes’ management to broker a new deal, with reports suggesting he could sign until the end of 2028.

Parker though did not mention any specific Queensland team that could be a leading contender for his signature, should the “rumblings” prove to be true.

“I know his wife is from the Gold Coast and at this stage, it’s just rumblings that I’m hearing,” Parker added.

“It remains to be seen if it’s before his term of contract or not, but watch this space.

“We’ll just see what happens or unfolds in this space moving forward.”

MANU’S SHOCK ROOSTERS RETURN REVEALED AS $500K PLAN SURFACES

Roosters superstar Joey Manu could be set for an NRL return after his stint in Japanese rugby union as early as Round 12 of the 2025 season.

That is according to The Daily Telegraph, who are reporting Manu’s contract with Toyota Verblitz only runs for one rugby union season.

Therefore, Manu will reportedly be free to sign with the Tricolours or any other NRL club and feature in first grade midway through the season.

The Japanese rugby union season reportedly starts in early December and the competition’s grand final is scheduled for late May.

The Roosters will reportedly leave $500,000 in their salary cap for next season ready to pay for Manu for half the season.

Despite a potential NRL return being on the cards, Manu could also then sign with a Super Rugby club with hopes of playing for the All Blacks.

Former Rooster and current Warriors centre Roger Tuivasah-Sheck played 33 Super Rugby games and featured three times for the New Zealand rugby team.

However, the allure of taking over from James Tedesco at fullback could entice Manu to return to the Roosters.

The NSW skipper will reportedly retire at the end of next season, with his current contract expiring at the end of the 2025 season.

If he signs a contract to return in 2025 it would also become his 10th season at the Tricolours club.

Originally published as NRL battlers swoop in to poach in-demand Panthers flyer