Sport Confidential: Warriors target Joey Manu and Marate Niukore in major signing blitz

He made a name for himself with some grand final heroics for Newtown, but now one of the NRL’s brightest young talents is leaving Australia.

Joey Manu is set to receive a big pay increase. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Warriors are preparing to launch an ambitious multimillion-dollar signing blitz that could have serious ramifications for two of Sydney’s most powerful clubs.

Sydney Roosters centre Joey Manu and Parramatta lock Marate Niukore have been in the Warriors’ sights for some time, but from Monday they can table official offers to the pair.

It has the potential to send the player market into a tailspin. Manu is likely to command a deal in the vicinity of $1 million. Niukore is likely to receive offers upwards of $500,000.

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Both would expect deals of at least three years, maybe four. All told, the combined offers could be worth as much as $6 million if they are for four years.

The Roosters have upped talks with Manu this week and there have been whispers that they have offered the centre a deal worth as much as $800,000 a season.

Roosters star Joey Manu is top of the Warriors’ wishlist. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Yet the Warriors, and potentially the Wests Tigers, can give him what the Roosters can’t — a place in the spine and an ability to get his hands more frequently on the ball.

The Roosters showed with Latrell Mitchell that they won’t be dragged into a bidding war. When Mitchell haggled over their offer, they simply walked away and left him to South Sydney.

They will do the same with Manu if it comes to that. At the same time, the Roosters are well aware of Manu’s qualities and are desperate to keep him.

The same goes for Parramatta and Niukore, who also has interest from St George Illawarra. The Eels backrower is among a slew of Parramatta players entering the final year of their deals but few are in as much demand as Niukore, with the Warriors at the front of the queue.

YOUNG SHARK QUITS NRL

One of the NRL’s brightest prospects is quitting Australia for the Super League.

Just two seasons after setting the league world alight with his grand final heroics for Newtown, Billy Magoulias is joining Super League heavyweights Warrington.

Magoulias has inked a two-year deal to join Gareth Widdop and George Williams at the Wolves. He leaves the NRL at just 24 with 16 top-grade games to his name at the Sharks.

The skilful ball-playing lock had interest from the Raiders and the Tigers, plus a host of clubs in England, and opted to take up the multi-year deal from Warrington.

Billy Magoulias has joined Warrington on a two-year deal. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

“I’m really excited to get an opportunity and play with Warrington,” Magoulias said. “They are a professional organisation and I’m really looking forward to getting over there.”

Magoulias produced two moments of brilliance for the Jets to lead them a NSW Cup and national title success in 2019.

He still holds out hopes of making his mark in the NRL after his stint in England ends following the likes of Jackson Hastings, who have moved to the UK at a young age before returning.

“I would like to make a statement with Warrington,” Magoulias said. “And then hopefully return to the NRL at some stage.”

WIDDERS HITS BIG SCREEN

Dean Widders never thought he would feature in a movie. But the ex-rugby league player will take centre stage on the big screen – even though it has nothing to do with acting.

Instead, Widders is sharing his journey on how a pre-game unity dance turned into a much wider issue. The movie, Araatika: Rise Up!, will feature as part of the Sydney Film Festival next month.

“I have not seen it in finished production,” Widders said. “I want to see it for the first time in the cinema. I’ve seen a few of the rough cuts.

“It’s a story that enables non-indigenous Australian’s to connect with the aboriginal culture. Everyone can draw some inspiration and lessons in life.

“All I did was sit and talk to these people listen to their opinions and advice. There’s no acting. It’s real. I’m hoping when people leave the cinema, they’ve felt a little closer and more connected to the Indigenous culture.”

Andrew Johns, David Kidwell, Latrell Mitchell, Timana Tahu, Stan Grant and Adam Goodes all feature in the film.

The aim is for the Australian team to perform the equivalent to the Haka before matches.

“That was the start of the journey and where it got publicity but that’s not my journey and it come through in the film,” Widders said. “As for the Kangaroos doing the dance, that’s up to them. That’s a finish point for everyone as a nation. I’d love it. That’s not my challenge.

“My challenge is connecting with my culture. A national sporting team will do an Indigenous dance before a game, I hope to god it’s rugby league.”

TURBO’S GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

Tom Trbojevic had his own golden year for the Sea Eagles. The Manly flyer took some time out during his off-season to promote the TAB’s four live sites for Saturday’s Golden Eagle Day at Rosehill.

The track will be at a Covid-19-reduced capacity so the TAB expect the four sites across Sydney to be popular. Trbojevic was pictured at his local Hotel Steyne in Manly. Other venues include Tennyson Hotel in Mascot, The Newport and Enmore’s Queens Hotel.

Tom Trbojevic and the Golden Eagle trophy at Hotel Steyne. Picture: Tristan Stefan Edouard

MOLO JOINS BRO AT DRAGONS

St George Illawarra has thrown a deal to Michael Molo – the brother of marquee signing Francis. Molo impressed enough in the Queensland Cup grand final for the Dragons to offer the prop a train-and-trial contract. Molo won man of the match honours with Norths Devils in their premiership win against Wynnum Manly last month. Molo, 24, is three years younger than Francis who joins the Dragons on a rich three-year deal next month.

DOLPHINS’ MAJOR SPONSOR AIMS HIGH

Rugby league often gets a bad rap but the bosses of Adventure Kings had no hesitation getting involved in the sport via their multimillion-dollar major sponsorship of the Dolphins.

They aren’t finished there either. The company is ready to use sport to boost its expanding profile as they lock horns with the big boys.

They will sponsor The Ashes on Foxtel later this year. They’re eyeing off the AFL. They’re involved in Supercars. Rugby league, it appears, is just the beginning.

“Absolutely, it shows confidence in the sport,” chief executive Christian Rolfe said.

“Confidence, particularly, in The Dolphins and what they are going to be doing in southeast Queensland. We want to support the game and get close to our customers.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett and Adventure Kings CEO Christian Rolfe. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“There are bits and pieces in the news from time to time but we love the sport and we love the lifestyle. Outdoor leisure is a big part of what we do. There are a lot of synergies. Much of the rugby league audience are already customers of ours.”

Adventure Kings already has rugby league ties — Cameron Smith and Corey Parker are among their ambassadors. They are predicting big things for the Dolphins.

“We will be working with them very closely next year before they start in the NRL,” Rolfe said. “They will get some good players, some excellent players. I think they will give it a shake in their first year — they will give it a good shake.

“We have been the best kept secret. Now we can be the dominant player.”

Much like the Dolphins.

AA CHASING SLICE OF RICHES

Athletics Australia is on the lookout for its very own Gina Rinehart. Or ‘Twiggy’ Forrest for that matter. Rinehart, the mining magnate who recently topped Australia’s rich list with a modest personal wealth of $36.38 billion, has invested millions in swimming and rowing as well as a handful of other Olympic sports over the years.

Athletics now wants a piece of the action as they look to tap into some of the country’s wealthiest individuals, their desire to give their stars the best chance to succeed at major events.

The Athletics Foundation — Athletics Australia’s philanthropic arm — is now a fully registered charity and will focus on providing funding to eligible athletes, coaches, clubs and officials.

Crucially, sponsors will be able to target individual athletes.

If Forrest or Rinehart are keen to back the country’s fastest man, Rohan Browning, they only have to pick up the phone. If they want to support Peter Bol in his bid to win gold in Birmingham next year, they can do so.

Boo Bailey’s take on the week in sport.

“The issue you have with some of these foundations is they ask for your money and you don’t hear from them again” The Athletics Foundation chair Andrew Salter said.

“We are going to be totally different. If a certain benefactor wants to have a connection with a particular athlete, we will facilitate that.”

Asked whether someone would be dedicated to wooing the likes of Rinehart and Forrest, Salter said: “If Twiggy calls me, I would quite happily take his call. Seriously, we couldn’t get to a place to have your conversations with the likes of Twiggy and Gina Rinehart - I am using them because they are well known names - those wealthy people or businesspeople in Australia who want to help, (because) we haven’t had the platform there.

“We do now. With this foundation, we can call whoever the benefactor is and present to them where their money is going.

“Because people want to know where their money is going.”

CLUBS TAKE FINANCIAL HIT

Clubs who field sides in the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg competitions have been asked to refund $50,000 apiece after this season was brought to a premature end by Covid-19.

The NRL made a 25 per cent reduction in funding payments for the respective competitions, which has been passed onto the clubs. Needless to say it has gone down like a lead balloon with some.

GRAND HONOUR FOR DRAGONS’ LEGEND

The vote by Georges River Council to re-name the grandstand at Kogarah Oval to the Norm Provan Grandstand was unanimous. Council voted on the change on Monday night after a motion brought forward by mayor Kevin Greene.

GALLEN-ALOIAI FIGHT STANDOFF

Paul Gallen and Josh Aloiai have 48 hours to come to an agreement on their proposed boxing match set for December or else it will be scrapped.

The pair had previously agreed to fight six three-minute rounds, however Aloiai sustained an injury training and now wants to have two-minute rounds.

Gallen is willing to do two-minute rounds if the bout is held over eight rounds, but Aloiai only wants to fight six rounds.

I won’t sign to fight @joshaloiai because he’s only going to fight 4x2min rounds. Embarrassing and won’t happen after 6x3min was agreed 6-7 weeks ago. #boxinghttps://t.co/IFvyOsiV8B

— Paul Gallen (@PaulGallen13) October 24, 2021

The disagreement has been running for some time, prompting fight promoters No Limit to set a deadline of Saturday night, with Gallen and Aloiai to have a Zoom video conference to attempt a resolution.

If they can’t, No Limit will look for another opponent for Gallen.

While Gallen would be favoured to defeat Aloiai over six or eight rounds, several people who’ve watched the Manly Sea Eagles prop fight as an amateur and train in recent weeks believe he is capable of a huge upset.

STARS SKIP SPRING TOUR

Several Wallabies players were aware weeks ago that Japan-based trio Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon weren’t going to play on the spring tour.

This further highlights the lack of transparency and communication between three stars, Wallabies coaching staff and Rugby Australia, who have been left embarrassed by their withdrawals given the clear “club over country” stance.

All three are highly paid in Japan and while their clubs said they were free to play in the November Tests, it’s understood there was an implication that any future contract negotiations would be affected if they did.

I wouldn’t have been able to admit being hurt in the past so this was hard for me to do but feels great to be able to be honest and vulnerable. ❤️🙏🏽🌱 pic.twitter.com/N4jH3f6Bkw

— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) October 28, 2021

Kerevi earns around $950,000 and McMahon $700,000 at Suntory, while Cooper is earning around $550,000 at Kintetsu.

Convinced all three would play in the Tests against Scotland, England and Wales, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie selected them in his spring tour squad only to have them backflip this week, leaving him scrambling for replacements.

Rennie is now flying dropped playmaker Noah Lolesio over from Australia, while Kurtley Beale could also be used a back-up No.10 to James O’Connor.

Luke Morahan will be a back three option, while uncapped backrower Colby Fainga’a is being considered as another inclusion.

Quade Cooper has pulled out of the Wallabies’ spring tour. Picture: Koki Nagahama/Getty Images

FIJIANS EYEING AUSSIE COACH

Australia’s Rugby Sevens men’s coach Tim Walsh has been sounded out by Fiji after being told by Rugby Australia he would need to reapply for his job months after being reappointed.

RA conducted a review into their men’s and women’s sevens programs, having already given Walsh and women’s coach John Manenti extensions before the disappointing Tokyo Olympics performances.

Following the review both coaches were told they’d need to apply for the jobs again, and Walsh has not. But in the meantime, Olympic champions Fiji have shown interest after their coach Gareth Baber to join Scottish club Edinburgh.

While Walsh’s tenure as Aussie men’s coach was disappointing, he did lead Australia’s women to the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

ALL EYES ON ...

When the clock strikes midnight on November 1 the rugby league player market frenzy begins? Will the Eels be able to keep their high profile players? Who will be the Dolphins first signing?

FRIDAY FLASHBACK

Simon Katich reignited his feud with NSW teammate and Australian cricket skipper Michael Clarke on this day 10 years ago. Katich declared he would never play for Australia while Clarke was captain following their dressing-room bust up two years earlier.

Originally published as Sport Confidential: Warriors target Joey Manu and Marate Niukore in major signing blitz