Sydney clubs are interested in Warriors forward; surprise club focuses on veteran: Whispers
Josh Curran, a forward for the New Zealand Warriors, is expected to depart the club after being granted clearance to engage with other clubs.
According to the WWOS, at least two Sydney clubs are interested in signing Curran.
The Warriors have a deal with Curran until the conclusion of next season, but due to salary cap constraints, they are willing to let him go a year sooner if he can find another home.
Curran had one of his best first-grade seasons this year, appearing in 23 games for a squad that advanced to the preliminary final.
For the Warriors, he usually came off the bench, playing 45 minutes per game. He averaged 52 meters and 21 tackles per game.
Curran was suspended for two games last year for his role in a bar fight.
SHOCK CLUB LEADS VETERAN PLAYMAKER RACE
Anthony Milford, a Dolphins playmaker, is ready to join the UK Super League after it was claimed that the Leigh Leopards are close to signing a contract with him.
According to Sky Sports Jenna Brooks shared the news during Friday night’s Super League semi-final between St Helens and the Catalans Dragons.
Milford’s time with the Dolphins didn’t start well, as a bad preseason meant he wasn’t even selected in the Round 1 triumph over the Roosters.
The 29-year-old had some brilliant moments in 2023, but his record was erratic at best, with only 11 appearances.
Milford is now under contract with the Dolphins until 2024, but it has been suggested that the NRL’s newest team will have no problem releasing the playmaker early.
LOOMS LUAI’S $300,000 DECISION
Five-eighths Penrith Jarome Luai will be available for purchase on November 1st, and many clubs in need of half are expected to make a move for the divisive Panther.
The main question is whether Luai will stay at the foot of the mountains for far less money than he could get at other clubs.
This season, Penrith has already re-signed Dylan Edwards, Issah Yeo, and Liam Martin to long-term contracts, with Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, and Moses Leota signed until at least 2027.
According to Michael Carayannis of the Daily Telegraph, Penrith’s dwindling cap capacity may force the club to only offer Luai a deal worth “$800,000-$850,000 per year,” despite the fact that he may be tabled a far larger offer elsewhere.
“His situation at Penrith is that he could receive $300,000 more per year on the open market… “At another club, he could command more than $1 million per year,” Carayannis said Tuesday on SEN.
“It’s a lot of money to throw away, so Jarome will have the most interesting discussion about his future.”
“There’s a stigma surrounding Jarome in that if you take him out of the Penrith system, how good does he look?” That is true for many of Penrith’s players, but I believe he would easily command more than $1 million on the open market.”
Luai worsened a shoulder injury in Penrith’s historic grand final victory over Brisbane and will miss Samoa’s Pacific Championships.
However, opposing teams will go all out for him because “halves are so rare” to get, according to Carayannis.
“Some clubs are already dealing with the uncertainty of their halves situation for next year.”
“Neither the Dragons nor the Raiders have replaced Jack Wighton… The Bulldogs and Tigers have signed a plethora of halves, but are all of them true long-term six and seven options?
“There are question marks around many clubs.”
