Titans to target Peta Hiku if Kiwi back is released by Manly
NOVEMBER 19, 20157:18PM
THE off-season player market rollercoaster took another twist on Thursday, with South Sydney refusing to grant Dylan Walker an immediate release to join Manly after the Australian Test centre was offered a four-year deal to join the Sea Eagles next season.
Walker looked like being squeezed out of South Sydney as a result of the Sam Burgess-sparked salary cap saga.
And the Titans were set to pounce, with Walker’s move to Manly expected to squeeze Kiwi Test centre Peta Hiku out of Brookvale Oval and onto the open market — where the cashed-up Gold Coast were waiting.
But just days after he was told he could talk to rival clubs as Souths attempt to free up salary cap space to accommodate Burgess’ return, the transfer landscape has changed again with Souths coach Michael Maguire returning from a trip to the UK to tell Walker he would not sign his release papers.
Walker’s manager refused to confirm or deny the South Sydney situation when contacted on Thursday night.
Despite the setback, Manly remain confident of snaring Walker for 2016.
“Give it 48 hours, things will change,” a source close to the deal said.
It is understood Walker wants out of Redfern and is hopeful Souths will still be forced to let him go despite Maguire’s desire to keep him at the club for at least one more year.
RETURN:
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NO CHANCE:
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THROWBACK:
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CONFLICT:
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Should Walker belatedly be granted a release, Manly will in turn need to shed players to accommodate him and the Titans are targeting Hiku to form a potent centre pairing next season with the electrifying James Roberts.
The versatile Hiku played five-eighth for the Kiwis in their recent tour of England but has spent his time at Manly on the wing and as a replacement fullback for Brett Stewart.
The 22-year-old is highly skilled and could fill a number of roles for the Titans, who are yet to finalise their squad despite having 39 players in pre-season training.
Henry is looking to add depth by recruiting a centre, back-rower and prop.
He signed PNG centre Nene Macdonald from the Roosters last season but with the departures of Kevin Gordon (retired) and Kalifa Faifai Loa (Dragons), along with Anthony Don (shoulder) injured, Macdonald could be used on the wing.
There has been a huge turnover in players and staff at the Titans and Henry said it was slowly coming together in what will be his second season in charge.
“We’ve still got a couple of positions to fill and look at,” he said.
“We’re slowly getting some players back.
“There’s been a change up in the staff and players. There’s new faces all around which is pretty fresh.
“They’ve all got involved straight away.”
The Titans have had a depleted squad on the training paddock for the past three weeks.
Luke Douglas, Will Zillman, Matt Srama, Eddy Pettybourne, David Hala and recruits Zeb Taia and Ashley Taylor are on the comeback from surgery.
Utility Daniel Mortimer has been on restricted duties after hurting his foot while holidaying in America and hooker Nathan Friend is managing a nagging knee problem.
Henry has a number of players trialling for contracts and said he’d been impressed by back-rower Leivaha Pulu, who has joined the club from Wyong.
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