The New Zealand Warriors have targeted Ben Murdoch-Masila and Matt Eisenhuth as potential loan signings in a bid to overcome a crippling NRL injury crisis.
Bunty Afoa, Leeson Ah Mau, Jazz Tevaga, Jackson Frei and Adam Keighran will be on the sidelines when the season resumes in just over a week, testing the depth of a side already disadvantaged by being stationed far from home.
Their only acquisition to date to offset those losses is Canberra forward Jack Murchie.
While Paul Gallen and Sam Thaiday have expressed some interest in resuming their careers for the Warriors, the trans-Tasman outfit has other targets in mind.
Murdoch-Masila will join the Warriors on a three-year deal from 2021, but has expressed an interest in joining them earlier on a loan deal while the Super League competition remains suspended.
Another player of interest is Wests Tigers forward Eisenhuth, who may struggle to crack Michael Maguire’s starting 17.
The Tigers made history as the first club to engage in a player “loan” arrangement when they secured Storm hooker Harry Grant for the remainder of the year in a temporary trade for centre Paul Momirovski.
The NRL initially knocked back the Warriors' request for loan signings, but the club is hoping head office will revisit the issue.
Murdoch-Masila, contracted to Super League club Warrington until the end of the season, said he was open to the prospect of a loan arrangement.
“I’m still contracted to Warrington at the moment, but if they are willing to put me out on loan or something like that, it could be good for the club and myself,” Murdoch-Masila told the
Sydney Morning Herald.
“It will keep me fit so that when they need me and the Super League first starts back up, I’m ready and raring to go and they could have me back.
“I’m not opposed to it if the club grants a loan deal.”NRL.COM
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Murdoch-Masila started the Super League season in spectacular fashion, running over the top of Wigan prop George Burgess to score a memorable try.
The 29-year-old praised the Warriors for their commitment to fulfil their contractual obligations and participate in the premiership when it resumes, despite the prospect of being away from their families for an extended period.
“Big hearts for doing that, they are sacrificing time with their family,” he said.
“That was one of the main reasons I signed with them for next year, to be with my family (in New Zealand). For them to do that, a big congratulations to them. I know how hard it would be for them as well because I’ve been away for five seasons now and it has taken its toll.
“I know what they’re feeling and big hearts for doing what they are doing.”
Murdoch-Masila said he was still training hard on his own in a bid to be fully fit whenever he was required to return to the field.
“I look forward to training even though there isn’t any game on the weekends,” he said.
“I’m just trying to keep in that routine just in case the competition springs up and we’re all ready to go. I’m always looking forward to being active.
“You kind of analyse things now that you’re not playing, you look at what you could do in your game.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...urdochmasila-matt-eisenhuth-in-nrl-loan-deals
