Moses Mbye’s manager says Wests Tigers skipper open to a move to Gold Coast Titans
Moses Mbye’s manager says the Queensland Origin utility will consider a move to the Titans if he is squeezed out of the Wests Tigers for salary-cap reasons.
The Tigers are assessing their salary-cap situation as they
explore ways to potentially retain star hooker Harry Grant, on loan from the Storm, and Mbye has been identified as one possible big-money casualty.
Mbye is on $815,000 this season and is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2022, but the Maroons ace
has been rocked by reports the club is prepared to subsidise a release to free-up room under the salary cap.
A prospective move to the Titans would be a good fit for Mbye. The 26-year-old is a Noosa Pirates junior and has previously spoken about one day returning home to finish his NRL career in Queensland.
Mbye’s agent Simon Mammino says he has not had a formal approach from the Titans but is prepared to open discussions with the Gold Coast as a contingency if the Tigers look to offload their captain.
“Moses is a Queensland boy so he would definitely consider coming home to play for the Titans,” Mammino said.
“We’ve had no approach from the Titans, but if the Tigers have a salary-cap issue and want to move Moses on, he will be professional and explore all options, which would include the Gold Coast.
“At the moment, he is under contract to the Tigers for two more years. He is very happy captaining the club and has no intention of leaving, so this certainly isn’t being driven by Moses, myself or the Titans.
“Going to the Titans is a hypothetical scenario at this stage ... his preference is to honour his contract.”
While the Titans have bolstered their pack for next season with the signings of David Fifita, Herman Ese’ese and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Mbye could bring some experience to their youthful backline.
He has played 131 NRL games since his debut in 2014 and is highly-respected by teammates, having broken into the State of Origin arena with Queensland last season.
Mbye is capable of playing fullback, centre, five-eighth, halfback and even hooker, where he slotted in last week in the Tigers’ 44-4 loss to Newcastle.
“Moses has been battling injury but he is still busting his gut for the Tigers,” Mammino said. “He made 56 tackles last week against the Knights moving back into hooker from the outside backs. Not many players in the game have his versatility.
“He leads the competition for try assists for any outside backs this year so he has a lot to offer.
“Moses is very loyal and doesn’t want to leave the Tigers, but he understands the professional nature of the game and if he had to move on, he will explore his options.”