Nathan Peats ready to move on as Eels take on Souths
The Australian
May 13, 2016 12:00AM
Margie McDonald
Sports reporter
Sydney
Nathan Peats cannot bring himself to watch tonight?s match *between Parramatta and South Sydney, where his former teammates begin the battle to keep their season alive.
?I don?t think I will be watching it, but I wish the boys all the best,? Peats saidyesterday.
?They have all been so supportive of me this week and they are a great bunch of guys.
?I will be taking my partner on a good date night, as it has been just as tough a week for her as it has been for me.?
When asked if he had a parting message for the club administrators who had precipitated the Eels? salary cap crisis, he replied: ?I think that a lot of people have sent messages to them, so I don?t need to buy into that.
?I will say that I certainly don?t think that this mess was restricted to just those five (club officials).?
Peats, his partner Jade and 14-month-old son Leyton will now make their way to the Gold Coast for him to take up an 18-month offer after Parramatta were forced to lose three players to become compliant to the salary cap by kick-off against the Rabbitohs *tonight. Anthony Watmough (injury retirement) and Ryan Morgan (Melbourne) are the other two players to depart.
Peats made a final trip to the Eels? home ground of Pirtek Stadium yesterday to bid farewell to his teammates of the past 2½ seasons.
There were hugs all around and few later took to social media to express their feelings.
?Going to miss our little buddy. All the best with the next chapter brother. Love ya,? wrote club captain Tim Mannah.
Centre Brad Takairangi praised Peats for his self-sacrifice: ?Putting the team b4 himself goes to show what kind of person he is. From boys to Family! Guna (sic) miss u brother ull (you will) kill it up there.?
Peats said that while he was extremely disappointed to be leaving the Eels, he was looking forward to a fresh start.
?Obviously they are the cards that I have been dealt, and as much as I didn?t want to leave the Eels, I am happy with the final outcome. The Titans are certainly a club on the rise.
?I am looking forward to playing under (Titans coach) Neil Henry as I have heard a lot of good things about him. Hopefully we click because that?s important,? Peats said.
?I want to play good football for him and the club.?
Henry said he was more than happy to create room in his roster for Peats, who was ?a possibility? of playing the Sydney Roosters on Monday at Cbus Stadium.
?He?s a utility player, as he?s played a fair bit in the back-row (South Sydney) and 90-odd NRL games, so he?s a very tough *competitor.
?He brings depth and class to our forwards,? Henry said, adding he was down two hookers in Matt Srama (knee, season) and Daniel Mortimer (hamstring).
In fact, all four Titans hookers ? Srama, Mortimer, Nathan Friend and Kierran Moseley ? are off contract this year.
Peats already has friends at his new club. Shaun Edwards, a member of Henry?s staff, worked with him at Souths, along with the former Rabbitohs on the Titans? roster, Chris McQueen and Eddy Pettybourne.
Titans forward Ryan James yesterday said the players were hopeful Peats? arrival would help turn around their season, with the team currently in 13th spot after losing five on the trot. ?It?s great for the club, hopefully it means some more wins,? James said.
NSW Origin backrower Greg Bird told the NRL website that Peats would be a great addition to a rebuilding squad.
?He?s got good ball skills, he?s tough, he can play a few different positions and he?s probably going to be a NSW player in the next couple of years,? he said.
