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The Warriors are preparing a lucrative offer for Joey Manu and it comes as the Roosters star has reportedly requested a positional switch that could force the Tricolours to let him walk.
While the Warriors are certain on Manu, they aren’t so sure on Chanel Harris-Tavita, whose future at the club is under a dark cloud.
Meanwhile, a Fijian international is eyeing an NRL comeback after winning three Super League grand finals.
Read on for the latest NRL Transfer Whispers.
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MANU WANTS POSITIONAL CHANGE AS WARRIORS PREPARE CHASE
One of the hottest names that will be on the market for 2023 as of Monday is Roosters superstar Joey Manu — and the Warriors will be one of many clubs tabling him an offer.
The Warriors have previously confirmed their interest in the Kiwi Test star and CEO Cameron George has reaffirmed that interested to Stuff NZ, although he predicts it won’t be a one-horse race.
“There will be as stack of clubs in for Joey and we’re just one of many,” George said.
“We’ll wait and see what happens with this, but we’re certainly not the only club.
“All we know is he’s part of our intentions from November 1, so we’ll see where we land with it.”
It’s understood the Warriors are prepared to offer the 25-year-old $1 million, which trumps the $800,000 that the Roosters are expected to cap their offer at.
What gives the Warriors an edge is that, according toThe Sydney Morning Herald, Manu wants to move to fullback or five-eighth. The Roosters have those positions occupied by two of the game’s best in James Tedesco and Luke Keary, but the Warriors could easily reshuffle their spine to allocate Manu.
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STAR HALF ON THE OUTER
Chanel Harris-Tavita’s manager will begin shopping him around on Monday to rival clubs for 2023.
The 22-year-old comes off contract at the end of next season, meaning he is free to negotiate with rivals and Stuff NZreports that is exactly what his manager, Stan Martin, plans on doing.
Martin also manages Storm star Brandon Smith, who is also off-contract at the end of 2022. He told Foxsports.com.au that on November 1 he will email every club asking them to submit their best offer for Smith.
And according to Stuff NZ, he will use the same approach for Harris-Tavita given the Warriors haven’t offered him an extension yet.
It comes after Stuff NZ reported in September that the Warriors want to see Harris-Tavita play half a dozen games in the halves alongside star recruit Shaun Johnson next season before making a call.
Harris-Tavita doesn’t have a permanent spot in the halves next year by any means. He will have to battle Kodi Nikorima and possibly new recruit Ashley Taylor — who signed a train-and-trial contract.
Harris-Tavita was an exciting prospect when he debuted in 2019. He was considered the club’s long-term half after the Warriors chose to invest in him rather than Adam Keighran at the time.
However, he hasn’t quite hit the level that was expected of him, although his 2021 season was marred by injury so he only managed 11 games.
The Warriors have been linked to Sharks utility Luke Metcalf, however it’s understood Cronulla won’t be giving him up without a fight.
NAIQAMA’S SURPRISING NRL SWANSONG
When Kevin Naiqama left for the Super League in 2018 it was assumed we had seen the last of the Fijian international in the NRL.
However, the 32-year-old is reportedly heading back after winning man of the match recently in the Super League grand final.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Naiqama has hired well-known player agent Sam Ayoub to find him a deal and the Roosters and Wests Tigers are both interested.
News Corp reports the Roosters have gone one step further and have tabled him a one-year offer.
Naiqama played 113 NRL games over stints with the Knights, Panthers and Tigers before joining St Helens, whom he’s now won three Super League premierships with.
Watch ‘Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town’ an exclusive Fox League behind-the-scenes production on demand on Kayo > Click here to watch
NU OPPORTUNITY FOR UNLUCKY BROWN
Also returning from the UK is Fa’amanu Brown who, as Foxsports.com.au understands, has signed a train and trial deal with the Roosters.
The 26-year-old made his NRL debut for the Sharks in 2014 and went on to play a total of 24 games over four seasons with the club.
He joined the Bulldogs in 2018 and played 12 NRL games before heading overseas.
Brown had a horror run with injuries during his time in the NRL and had three operations in two years but is now coming off a much happier and injury-free season with the Featherstone Rovers.
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