Warriors rubbish Lodge reports
The Warriors have dismissed reports they are close to signing Matt Lodge from the Broncos.
Over the past few days there have been a number of media outlets saying that the club is interested in the 25-year-old prop on a three-year, multi-million dollar deal.
However, Warriors’ recruitment and development manager Peter O’sullivan told Stuff on Sunday that the reports couldn’t be further from the truth.
‘‘Where all the speculation has come from, I have no idea,’’ O’sullivan said.
‘‘Neither myself or anyone from the club has spoken with Matt or his manager about any offer to come to the Warriors.
‘‘It’s just pure speculation and I have no idea where it started from.’’
The Warriors have plenty of players for the middle next season, with Addin Fonua-blake, Kane Evans and Ben MurdochMasila all joining the club for 2021 and beyond.
‘‘We’re right for our middles, obviously when we signed Addin, that closed us off in that department,’’ O’sullivan said.
‘‘It’s not anything we’ve talked about and right now, our spots are full.
‘‘So it’s complete rubbish and I have no idea who’s fuelling it, to where it’s coming from, but certainly nothing is coming from my end, or Matthew’s end.’’
The Warriors have all 30 places on their roster filled for next season, so the only way the club could bring someone in would be if they were able to move on one of their current players.
Meanwhile, Warriors coach Nathan Brown has also recently shut down reports that they are talking to the Melbourne Storm’s Jahrome Hughes about amove to the club for 2022, when the playmaker comes off his current contract.
‘‘I can honestly say we haven’t spoken to Jahrome Hughes,’’ Brown told Triple M’s Rush Hour with MG.
‘‘What a terrific player, he’s been outstanding but we feel very confident in young Chanel Harris-tavita, he played under ‘Mooksy’ [Stephen Kearney] and got around 30 games and Kodi Nikorima had his best year last year too.’’
The Warriors have HarrisTavita locked in until the end of the 2022 season.
Nikorima has an option in his favour for 2022 and until he indicates that he won’t take that option up, the club won’t go seriously looking for another experienced half.