Dragons seek Wallaby to take Lomax’s position; Panther becomes the highest-paid center in the NRL.
It’s more money than Newcastle gave Bradman Best to keep the NSW center earlier in the year. According to The SMH, if the salary cap rises in response to a new broadcast cycle in 2028, Tago’s contract’s last year may see an increase. The Panthers’ current priority is to hold onto Mitch Kenny, Sunia Turuva, and Taylan May, who are not under contract.
STAR DRAGONS AFTER WALLABIES
According to reports, the Dragons are pursuing Wallabies star Jordan Petaia; nevertheless, coach Shane Flanagan has stated that Zac Lomax will not be released this season. The Queensland Reds player Petaia is scheduled to meet with Flanagan, as Phil Rothfield of The Daily Telegraph originally reported. The 24-year-old, who is free agent at the end of the season, can play fullback, center, or flank.
According to the SMH, Petaia is also looking into rugby union opportunities in France and Japan. Petaia has represented Australia in 27 Test matches, including the last two World Cups. With claims that $800,000 center Lomax wants to leave after being moved to the wing, the Dragons may have a hole in their defense. However, Flanagan said that Lomax, who played one of his greatest games of the season on Saturday night, would not be leaving this year.
Flanagan said, “He’s going nowhere,” to The SMH.We’ve informed his management that they may expect him to stay with us this year. If a discussion is necessary, it will take place later and concern the upcoming year.
TROOSTERS DESIRE A BACKFLIP FROM SUALLII
In light of Joey Manu’s anticipated departure to French rugby, the Roosters are attempting to convince Joseph Suaalii to forgo his $4.5 million rugby union contract in order to remain with the team. The Roosters are working hard behind the scenes to pry Suaalii from his $4.5 million, three-year rugby contract, as revealed by Neil Breen on 2GB radio.
Breen stated on 2GB radio, “It’s about Joseph Suaalii, and I can tell you for a fact that the Roosters are working overtime to keep him at the club.””Everyone talks about how the Roosters will get him back after he plays rugby for three years.” The Roosters are putting forth extra effort to hold onto him, even though they want him back.Joey Manu intends to participate in French rugby. James Tedesco is not growing any younger, as far as we know.
“This guy is there already, but he’s already completed that rugby deal.”The question would be if Rugby would be willing to allow him out of the contract; they would be given the enormity of the deal and the numerous terms that are there.
“The problem could be that his management might tell rugby, ‘Hold on a minute if you want to get out of this contract.'” We’ve agreed to the terms. There must be some sort of payment. A broke athlete pays a bastard to stay away. That would not be warmly received by the general public. However, in rugby, there are other players that are similar to that, such Jordan Petaia, a Wallaby outside back with a lengthy career.
“Jordan Petaia’s management is in talks with rugby league clubs; those players are filthy about the whole situation that someone is coming across to rugby earning that massive amount of money.”And I can let you know that the Dragons are one team that is considering signing him since they need to try and sign some players.
Therefore, the rugby hierarchy finds those things unsettling. I’m not sure whether it can be done, but it’s not completely implausible that something similar may occur and Suaalii doesn’t go.
Nearing the NRL return, Jennings
Giving an NRL comeback “one last crack,” Michael Jennings has advanced toward his objective by playing for the Roosters in the New South Wales Cup this past weekend. After serving a three-year doping penalty, Jennings played his first game in 1253 days, playing the entire 80 minutes.After a civil dispute, the 35-year-old was compelled to pay his ex-wife over $500,000 in damages, which presented additional off-field challenges.
After the Roosters’ 28-22 loss to the Panthers on Saturday, Jennings said in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald that he never thought he would be advocating for an NRL comeback.He remarked, “I didn’t think I’d be coming back and giving it one last go.””I can assure you that those three years were extremely difficult and challenging. It was very, very, very hard.”I’m determined to play NRL. To return to it, though, I need to take a couple more actions with the NRL.
Jennings played with the Roosters for 71 of his 298 NRL appearances, which included the team’s 2013 Grand Final victory. Conversations on his return to the professional rugby league began at Daniel Tupou’s wedding in 2021 and continued during the club’s 10-year reunion for that premiership, when he was speaking with Trent Robinson. “Robbo asked me to return and assist with various tasks around the club.
When it was time for our tenth anniversary, I ran into him once more. “To be honest, I don’t know what’s going on,” I responded in response to his question about my plans. If I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity, he continued, it was here at the Roosters. I also did. In November, Jennings signed a train-and-trial deal worth $1200 with the Roosters.
He clarified that he is essentially playing for no money when he stated that his intention to rejoin the NRL is “not about the money.” I’m not giving up; I’m just playing to make my kids proud.”I think everyone who knows me still stands by my innocence (in relation to the doping ban); only myself and the people around me really know the truth about everything,” the fan responded when the Herald questioned her about criticism from her followers.
The Cowboys are getting closer to re-signing Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Heilum Luki, two talented second-row players.While Finefeuiaki currently has no contract for the upcoming season, he has drawn interest from other rival teams. Luki, on the other hand, has an option in his favor for 2025. But the Cowboys are eager to hold onto both, as CEO Jeff Reibel told AAP, “We are confident,” in response to a question regarding the extensions.
“We continue to communicate with Heilum and Kulikefu’s management.” He continued, “They are both excellent young men who do well both on and off the field.They want to be a part of our system in North Queensland and have fully embraced it.”We’ll keep chatting with their management to make sure we get the best result.”
Considering the direction the two are going, it will be a major coup for the Cowboys. The Dragons are keeping an eye on 22-year-old Luki, who is thought to be an Origin player in the future, and 20-year-old Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who garnered attention following his rookie season.