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From Spoon Bowl to NRL contenders: Talagi, Utoikamanu break silence on why they’re leaving Eels and Tigers
September 7, 2024 — 10.50am
Opportunities to play with Nathan Cleary and be coached by Craig Bellamy were the simple reasons Blaize Talagi and Stefano Utoikamanu signed deals with Penrith and Melbourne respectively for next year.
It is fair to say Talagi and Utoikamanu will not have to worry about playing in any future Spoon Bowls, as they did on Friday night for Parramatta and Wests Tigers.
Both players broke their silence after the game about their decisions to switch clubs, and why the sustained success at their new employers was simply too difficult to ignore.
Talagi said wearing Jarome Luai’s No.6 jersey alongside Cleary was every young player’s dream.
He added his younger brother, Ryda, an Australian Schoolboys prop and Eels junior, was still weighing up a possible move to Penrith.
“I think there are a lot of things to it, but it was hard to turn down an opportunity like that [to play with Cleary],” Talagi said.
“The only time I spoke to him was after the Penrith game [a few weeks ago]. He had a few nice words.
“It was the hardest decision I have had to make of my life. But I feel like I made the right decision.
“The plan was to play No.6, but whatever happens, I am looking forward to it.
“He [Cleary] has been at the top of his game for the past few years now, so when you get the chance to play with someone like that, it is exciting.”
Blaize Talagi and Stefano Utoikamanu say offers to join NRL powerhouses Penrith and Melbourne were simply too good to ignore.
www.smh.com.au