We're still to meet with Orr tomorrow, so who knows, maybe we will still get Matai, even if at a slightly inflated price now that Manly is keen to retain him.
Without knowing his current contract, and assuming $400k from Tate leaving, I'd be comfortable with us paying up to $350k for Matai.
After a read through his stats this season, he's in the top 10 NRL centres as far as attack goes, and is no slouch in defense either. Miles ahead of Ropati and Tate, and as played just as many games thanks to a nicer injury run of late.
Tate is awesome for us when on the field but I think a creative centre like Matai would suit us far better, considering we don't have superstar halves we need outside backs who can pull a try or try assist out of nothing - Matai has this.
As for Blair, I wonder how he (and others on "modest salaries" as mentioned in that article) feel now knowing that their "mates" have been receiving $185k illegal top ups to their already huge pay packets? I certainly wouldn't be happy... definitely wouldn't want to remain in that environment. That's what I am hoping could swing him our way. A clean break, with an honest and untarnished club, alongside a return home to play with a team stacked with fellow Kiwis.
