Stefano Utoikamanu has assured Wests Tigers fans he won’t exit the club before the end of the season – but admits he’s unsure if he will remain at Concord beyond that.
Sunday’s opponents Canberra are one of at least four clubs ready to make a play for the highly-rated front-rower.
The Tigers’ hopes of retaining Utoikamanu were dealt a blow at the start of the week when he was again overlooked by Blues coach Michael Maguire. Utoikamanu needed to play at least two Origin games this year to activate a clause in his contract that would keep him at the club.
The only way the Tigers can now trigger that clause and stop Utoikamanu becoming a free agent is by reaching the NRL finals.
While the Tigers remain a mathematical chance of playing September football, rival clubs cannot negotiate with the player. The Tigers have already tabled Utoikamanu a
five-year deal worth around $4 million.
There were suggestions Utoikamanu would push for a release before the June 30 transfer deadline, which would allow him to move to a club in premiership contention and give the Tigers a better chance of signing a quality player in exchange.
But Utoikamanu torpedoed any talk of him cutting and running early.
“I want to be here for the rest of the year,” Utoikamanu said. “I love the Tigers, but it’s hard when we are struggling. I love these boys here. I just want to get as many wins as we can before the season ends.
“I think if you’re in the NRL, you want to win a premiership. It has been a bit hard being here. I came here for an opportunity, they gave me that, I’m grateful for that. But it’s been a tough couple of seasons. I just want to focus on winning.”
Sources with knowledge of Utoikamanu’s contract negotiations not authorised to speak publicly told this masthead the Raiders were ready to negotiate as soon as he became a free agent.
Utoikamanu is seen as an ideal replacement for Josh Papalii, who finishes up at the end of 2025.
The Roosters, who lose Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at season’s end; Melbourne Storm, who were linked to Utoikamanu over the summer; and the Dolphins, about to farewell Jesse Bromwich, are also monitoring the situation.
Pressed on what he wanted to do in 2025, Utoikamanu said: “I don’t know. We’re in discussions now. Anything can happen, really.
“I’ve never really been to other clubs other than here and Parramatta. I came here for the opportunity, and I’m grateful the Wests Tigers gave me that. The main thing I want to focus on now is getting us more wins.
“I just brushed it off to [my manager] so he gets all the heat. It’s been a big talking point in the media. What I’ve got to focus on is trying to get this team back where we need to be.”
The Tigers notched their third win of the season against the Gold Coast Titans last Saturday, and welcome the return of five-eighth Lachie Galvin for Sunday’s clash with the Raiders at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
They came into the weekend seven points adrift of the top eight.
The Tigers have signed Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva from Penrith for next season, but are in the process of trying to move several players on, including Jayden Sullivan and Brent Naden, who have made it clear they have no interest in leaving. Isaiah Papali’i is also heading for Penrith.
