There could be a multiple number of reasons and I'll give you a few possibles:
- Drugs - after past issues, Fifita's manager could have insisted on a clause relating to drug use at the club.
- Salary - Fifita's manager could have insited of an automatic pay rise if the cap goes up. Maybe the Sharks are not in a position to honour this clause.
- Options - the two years left on his contract may be an option in Fifita's favour.
There are many clauses that could be in the contract and that we are not aware of. I agree it is a very big long shot however, it cannot be ruled out until Fifita's manager has ruled it out or until Millward announces who this marquee player to replace either Dugan or Packer is.
Possm
Your intentions are honourable no doubt but the logic you apply can be fashioned to any player.
Just rate all the players 1 - 350 start at the top of the list and say
Do you want to come to the StGI, if so how much do you want and are you willing to break your contract?
So under your theory every single player is an option, so let's take that as a given from your perspective.
Therefore under your model every time Millward gets a no he is therefore responsible for poor recruiting and should be sacked.
Now I don't think Millward is as great as some see him and I think he has dome some dumb shit but he can't be held totally responsible all the time.
Instead of grasping at straws, posters need to understand exactly who is really an option and put all the rest in the "they are not coming no matter what we do" basket.
For mine if we lose 2 internationals and replace them only from within I see that as "pathway" and can live with that on the proviso that we don't give up after 4 weeks.
If we lose 2 internationals and replace them with high quality SOO type players I can live with that.
If we lose 2 internationals and replace them with pie eater / journeymen / depth players / other club discards who get a walk up 1st grade start and hamper our internal pathway programme I certainly cannot live with that.
So a little bit of time until all the announcements are done so let's sit back and see what actually happens.