The Dragons and Raiders have entered the race for star Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu — and have come to the table with big money.
That is according to The Sydney Morning Herald, who reports a Dragons official confirmed the club’s interest.
The Herald reports the Dragons are preparing to offer the 24-year-old a five-year deal worth $4.5 million ($900,000 a season).
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The Raiders are also said to be willing to spend $900,000-a-season on Utoikamanu as the club prepares for life without Josh Papalii, who has a mutual option in his contract for next year.
It comes after the Tigers released a statement on Wednesday confirming that Utoikamanu had been given permission to test his value on the open market.
Utoikamanu has a mutual option in his contract for next season. There is a clause which allows him to become a free agent should the Tigers miss finals and rather than waiting for that to become a mathematic certainty, the club has given him the go ahead now.
In the Tigers’ statement, the club said it remains “hopeful of retaining” Utoikamanu “long term” and are “comfortable” with him looking at other options.
The Tigers had tabled a five-year offer worth $4 million earlier this month — which is around $100,000 less a season than what the Dragons are preparing in their offer.
According to the Herald, the Melbourne Storm are also keeping a close eye on Utoikamanu’s situation. But one club that can have a line put through them is the Bulldogs, who won’t be making a play for the rising forward.
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ONE ROOSTER IN, ONE ROOSTER OUT
The future of two Roosters’ backrowers will be decided soon, with one set to leave the Bondi club and the other likely to secure and extension.
While it’s believed Sitili Tupouniua is set to sign with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, reports claim multiple other clubs are hunting his signature from next season onwards.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Dolphins, Newcastle Knights and Manly Sea Eagles have all joined the race for the experienced edge’s signature.
It follows Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould denying the club have made an offer to Tupouniua.
The 27-year-old has played 94 times for the Roosters since making his debut in 2018 but has fallen down the pecking order this season.
He hasn’t started since the club’s Round Five loss to the Bulldogs, with Angus Crichton, Nat Butcher and Victor Radley preferred on the edge by Trent Robinson, while the club also boast highly rated youngster Siua Wong.
Capable of playing on an edge and through the middle, Tupouniua would be a valuable asset to any club who acquires his signature.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tupouniua’s departure from the Roosters will be softened by the re-signing of star back rower on a new two-year deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2026.
Crichton, 28, has enjoyed a career year in 2024, despite beginning the year in reserve grade.
The powerful back rower has seven tries in 11 appearances this season, with each of them coming in his last seven games.
His performances haven’t been limited to clubland either, with Crichton was arguably the Blues’ best on ground in their comprehensive Game II Origin win. Across 80 minutes the Roosters edge ran for 144 metres, broke sic tackles and made 21 tackles.
An announcement of the deal is expected in the coming days.