Knights target Taumata faces sack from Bulldogs
BY BRETT KEEBLE
THE Bulldogs are expected to sack troubled teenager Arana Taumata a player the Newcastle Knights had targeted as one of their major recruits for 2009 as early as today.
The 19-year-old utility is under investigation for an alleged assault.
The allegations against Taumata come as the Bulldogs continue to deal with the aftershocks of Sonny Bill Williams's departure last Saturday to pursue a rugby union career in France.
Bulldogs media manager Frank Barrett said last night that the club was aware of the allegations against Taumata and had hired a private investigator to assist them.
Barrett said that investigation was almost complete and the Bulldogs would "move swiftly once we know all the details".
Knights chief executive Steve Burraston denied speculation that the club had already signed Taumata but said they had been in advanced negotiations and he was worried about the allegations.
"It is certainly cause for concern," Burraston said.
"This will certainly make us sit up and take notice before we proceed any further."
Burraston said the Knights had a regular board meeting scheduled for tonight and would discuss whether to continue with their pursuit of the talented playmaker or withdraw their offer.
"We have been in negotiations with him and his management for some time," Burraston said last night.
"That had progressed to an advanced state of negotiation and we had put an offer on the table but I've spoken to [Knights strategic development manager] Keith Onslow as late as this afternoon and he told me
that had not been accepted as yet and that we have not signed him.
"I don't know all the circumstances or details at this stage so we'll try to determine what has happened and we'll discuss that at our board meeting and determine what action we will take."
At only 19, Taumata has already left a trail of controversy and estranged NRL clubs in his wake.
He had been sacked by the Broncos and Roosters before being thrown a lifeline by the Bulldogs at the start of this season.
Taumata won a national schoolboys title with Matraville Sports High in Sydney's east and represented the Junior Kiwis in 2007.
But his prodigious talent didn't stop the Roosters axing him with a season left to run on his contract for repeated indiscretions.
The Broncos had cut ties with him the previous year after securing the promising halfback on a scholarship when he was 15.
Neither Taumata nor his manager, Cameron Day, could be contacted last night for comment.
Taumata, who made his NRL debut against the Roosters at Sydney Football Stadium on June 27, was not selected for the Bulldogs' game against the Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
But it is understood that decision by coach Steve Folkes was due to Taumata's poor form and was not related to the assault allegations.
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Former Knights and premiership-winning Melbourne Storm forward Clint Newton is back in Newcastle for treatment on a knee injury that prematurely ended his first Super League season with Hull KR.
Newton was one of several former and current NRL players at the Anthony Mundine-Crazy Kim non-title fight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre last night.
The 27-year-old back-rower tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a game against Wakefield last month but is expected to recover in time to return for pre-season training later this year
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