Warriors staying mum on approach to de Belin
keen they are to lure the 29-year-old across the Tasman.
But Stuff understands yesterday’s reports of the club talking about contract terms to de Belin’s management have come as a surprise at Warriors headquarters.
The Tigers are another club keeping an eye on the situation after earmarking de Belin as a potential target.
The Sydney Morning Herald also reported the Warriors are also interested in young Dragons prop Josh Kerr who is baulking at taking up his St George Illawarra option for next season.
The developments come as Englishman James Graham’s imminent departure could be just the beginning of a shake up of the Dragons pack.
Kerr has an option in his Red V contract for 2021 in his favour, but won’t be taking it up in its current form given it doesn’t represent his value as a starting prop.
While his preference is to stay, Kerr would require a significant upgrade for that to happen.
Graham’s 185-game NRL career is poised to end after the Dragons confirmed they will release him to the English Super League as soon as suitable replacement is signed.
St Helens approached the Red V about the prospect of the 34-yearold finishing his career back at the club where it began and the jointventure outfit won’t stand in their way.
St Helens are keen for a highprofile replacement after granting Luke Thompson an early release to join Canterbury and Graham fits the bill. Thompson is currently serving a two-week quarantine period in a Melbourne hotel before being available for NRL selection.
Graham is contracted until the end of the year and has been named at lock for the clash against the
Go to stuff.co.nz for coverage of the Warriors NRL match last night against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.
Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium. However the English international, who chalked up the remarkable 400-top-grade-game milestone across both the Super League and NRL last year, has been under increasing scrutiny during the Dragons’ run of poor performances.
Should Graham, de Belin and Kerr all leave it would represent a huge turnover of forwards for a side that has won just three of its past 15 games.
Issac Luke left for the Broncos this week after just three games under coach Paul McGregor, while Jason Saab again requested a release this week.
SMH