Knights not interested in signing Arana Taumata
BY ROBERT DILLON
TALENTED but troubled youngster Arana Taumata was effectively sacked by two NRL clubs in the space of a few hours yesterday after the Bulldogs terminated his contract and the Knights withdrew their offer to sign him.
It was a case of three strikes and you're out for the teenage utility back, who has now been punted by a trio of clubs in consecutive years.
He was released by the Broncos in 2006 and then cut by the Roosters last season, and the Bulldogs made it a hat-trick yesterday when they off-loaded him after an an alleged incident several weeks ago that left a man with a broken jaw.
Knights coach Brian Smith and strategic-development manager Keith Onslow discussed Taumata yesterday and decided that they would steer clear of the wayward rookie, who has played five NRL games for Canterbury, scoring three tries.
It is understood that he had agreed to terms with Newcastle and the only reason the deal had not been formally signed was because his manager did not have NRL accreditation.
Onslow briefed Newcastle's board of directors last night, and chief executive Steve Burraston said a unanimous decision was reached to withdraw from negotiations.
"Once it becomes anti-social behaviour and a misdemeanour that leads to a player being sacked from a club, it's probably not the sort of image we're looking for," Burraston said.
"We're happy to be lenient if someone has made a first mistake, because we all do that in life.
"But in this situation, it wasn't the first time and we weren't prepared to take that on."
Knights management have made a conscious effort in the past 12 months to introduce a new culture at the club, after its reputation was damaged last year by the Andrew Johns drugs scandal.
The sacking of Terence Seu Seu in the pre-season for repeated off-field indiscretion was evidence of Newcastle's new stance on discipline.
"We have to uphold our values," Burraston said. "There are certain things that we do expect, and unfortunately that sort of behaviour doesn't fit with our organisation."
Onslow, who worked for the Bulldogs until re-joining the Knights in March, was responsible for Canterbury signing Taumata.
He said yesterday that he was well aware of Taumata's track record and the 19-year-old had transgressed once too often.
"[Bulldogs coach] Steve Folkes and [assistant coach] Kevin Moore rang me to say that there had been an incident and it was being investigated," Onslow said.
"His manager rang me last night to say there was going to be a story on Channel Ten.
"The kid knew where he stood with me. When I signed him for the Bulldogs, it was under the proviso that his conduct was expected to be exemplary.
"But he's let his guard down, and I'm resigned to the fact that he won't be coming here.
"Now we all just have to move on."
Tamuata would appear unlikely to find another club in the NRL but Onslow said he understood he had attracted interest from rugby union outfits.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said on the club's website that they had "been left with no choice but to terminate his contract".
"It's always a difficult decision, particularly when someone like Arana is playing some good football on the field," Greenberg said.
"But we gave him a one-year contract, his behaviour had to be exemplary, it hasn't been and we've terminated his contract.
Taumata's sacking adds further drama to the Bulldogs, who are still dealing with the aftershocks of Sonny Bill Williams's shock departure last Saturday to pursue a rugby union career in France.
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. He seems to be quite the loyal bloke and club man (considering he's stayed around for so long), let's quash his 1 year extention and make him a decent offer.
