Nofoaluma a priority re-signing for Tigers

SOME of his big-name teammates are yet to commit to Wests Tigers but the club is confident winger David Nofoaluma will re-sign after offering the flyer a three-year contract extension.

While the likes of Mitchell Moses, Aaron Woods and James Tedesco are hogging much of the spotlight, the Tigers have not stopped to lock in other parts of their roster despite playing the waiting game with some of their stars.

Nofoaluma recently met Eels coach Brad Arthur, who identified the 23-year-old as the perfect replacement for rugby-bound Semi Radradra.

Despite Nofoaluma’s interest in following Moses to Parramatta, the Tigers believe the Wests junior will reject the Eels’ interest and re-sign until 2020. He would be the second player new coach Ivan Cleary has kept at the Tigers after halfback Luke Brooks resigned for two years.

The Tigers are expected to meet the manager of Woods, Tedesco and Moses this week as their prolonged negotiations draw to a close.

The Tigers have wasted little time in being active in the player market as they look for Moses’ replacement. They have ruled out chasing Melbourne veteran Cooper Cronk but have signalled their intentions to pursue off-contract playmakers including Gareth Widdop, Kieran Foran, Josh Reynolds and Shaun Johnson.

Moses and Nofoaluma will line up for the Tigers against the Eels at ANZ Stadium tomorrow.

The Tigers are yet to receive another request to release Moses to join the Eels immediately, with Cleary to decide on any potential early exit.