Jackson_1994
Kennel Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2018
- Messages
- 2,293
- Reaction score
- 7,207
Four NRL clubs are circling reigning John Eales medallist Marika Koroibete in anticipation Rugby Australia will not be able to guarantee his $600,000 contract next year.
However, RA is already working on a counterpunch to retain their best Wallabies stars by emulating Cricket Australia’s central contracting system with an elite pool of their top 30 players taking the bulk of money available and the mid-tier forced to take huge wage cuts.
Koroibete, a former NRL star, won Australia’s player of the year in 2019 after starring during their World Cup campaign
He is signed until the end of 2021, however like other Wallabies on long term deals, is exploring his options given RA have yet to secure a broadcast deal for next year and therefore doesn’t know how much cash will be at their disposal
Koroibete’s former league clubs Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers, as well as St George Illawarra Dragons and the Bulldogs, are in now play for the powerful winger.
Ironically, the Storm is set to lose winger Suliasi Vunivalu to rugby after this season.
Vunivalu has signed a two-year deal with RA and Queensland Reds to begin in 2021, but again due to the uncertainty surrounding rugby’s finances, is keeping his options open and could stay in Melbourne or defect to the Dragons.
Melbourne has also agreed to release State of Origin centre Josh Addo-Carr so he can be closer to family in Sydney – the Dragons and Bulldogs are keen to sign the speedster.
Those two clubs are also keen on Koroibete at the right price.
However, none of the NRL sides will be able to meet Koroibete’s rugby salary.
If RA can guarantee his full salary, Koroibete won’t be released and will remain in the XV man code
Koroibete’s manager Sam Ayoub did not return calls.
However, RA is already working on a counterpunch to retain their best Wallabies stars by emulating Cricket Australia’s central contracting system with an elite pool of their top 30 players taking the bulk of money available and the mid-tier forced to take huge wage cuts.
Koroibete, a former NRL star, won Australia’s player of the year in 2019 after starring during their World Cup campaign
He is signed until the end of 2021, however like other Wallabies on long term deals, is exploring his options given RA have yet to secure a broadcast deal for next year and therefore doesn’t know how much cash will be at their disposal
Koroibete’s former league clubs Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers, as well as St George Illawarra Dragons and the Bulldogs, are in now play for the powerful winger.
Ironically, the Storm is set to lose winger Suliasi Vunivalu to rugby after this season.
Vunivalu has signed a two-year deal with RA and Queensland Reds to begin in 2021, but again due to the uncertainty surrounding rugby’s finances, is keeping his options open and could stay in Melbourne or defect to the Dragons.
Melbourne has also agreed to release State of Origin centre Josh Addo-Carr so he can be closer to family in Sydney – the Dragons and Bulldogs are keen to sign the speedster.
Those two clubs are also keen on Koroibete at the right price.
However, none of the NRL sides will be able to meet Koroibete’s rugby salary.
If RA can guarantee his full salary, Koroibete won’t be released and will remain in the XV man code
Koroibete’s manager Sam Ayoub did not return calls.