NEW ZEALAND Test centre Steve Matai is to remain at Manly after the Sea Eagles made him an improved offer and the Warriors pulled out of negotiations for his signature.
The Warriors withdrew their two-year offer for Matai after he failed to get in contact with the club by a Sunday night deadline.
It emerged that Manly, having hitherto refused to budge on their own offer of a contract extension, last Friday put forward an improved figure to Matai's agent, Gavin Orr.
Cronulla, and up to three English Super League clubs, have also shown interest in Matai, who is now expected to remain at Brookvale Oval.
The Warriors had identified Matai, who turns 26 tomorrow, as a replacement for Brent Tate, who will join North Queensland next year but Warriors recruitment manager Dean Bell confirmed the deal for him was no longer on the table. "The deadline has passed and we've withdrawn our offer for Steve," Bell said. "We are disappointed but you don't get them all. He wanted to stay at Manly for personal reasons.''
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