Ok, since all the info has stopped- I'm going to take a wild stab at what's going on behind the scenes.
So.... what I think from all the info that's been shared is this
We have a verbal agreement with
Matt Burton & Brent Naden.
The reason they haven't been announced or finalised as yet is as simple as these few points...
As they are both contracted for 2021 with Penrith, we must be pushing hard to have them released for 2021 to us.
If we were simply looking to have them both on board from 2022 & beyond, then announcing their signatures probably would have happened by now as there are no restrictions for 2022.
This is a good thing as it tells me we are certainly planning to have them for next season......YIPPEE!!!
Further to all this, in order of preference to Penrith, Burton sits behind Luai & Naden sits behind Crichton.
So, before Penrith allow either Burton & or Naden to be released from their contract early, they want to ensure that they have both signatures of Luai & Crichton to long term contracts as they are both off contractfor 2022.
As both Luai & Crichton are in the origin camp, they have both agreed to new terms with Penrith, but won't physically sign their new deals until they leave the Blues camp. If either of them fail to commit then Penrith will hold onto their fall-back plan keeping them for next year & negotiate hard for a new contract.
Anyway, that's how I'm reading it.
I can't wait until origin is over.