KNIGHTS ENTER THE CHASE FOR MUNSTER
NRL gives playmaker nod to resurrect career in time for grudge match
THE demand for Cameron Munster has gone to extraordinary levels with almost half the NRL indicating their interest in signing the Test star.
It can be revealed the hottest prospect in the NRL has seven clubs chasing his signature and surprisingly, one of them is Newcastle.
The Knights’ appetite to enter the race alongside The Dolphins is the first sign that Newcastle is preparing for the potential loss of gun fullback Kalyn Ponga.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien has a relationship with Munster having previously worked with the Storm playmaker when he was an assistant coach in Melbourne for 11years.
Ponga is yet to decide whether he will take-up an option in his contract to continue playing with the Knights beyond this season.
He, too, is being swooned by the Dolphins, who have the salary cap room to sign Ponga and Munster.
The Knights’ captain met with the head coach of the NRL’s newest franchise, Wayne Bennett, only a fortnight ago.
Publicly, Newcastle is saying it is prepared to wait patiently for its top signing to make a call, but privately the club is eager for the 24-yearold to end the conjecture – one way or another.
The Knights are no clearer on Ponga’s future ahead of an Easter Sunday clash with St George-Illawarra.
Munster must wait until November 1 to meet with rival clubs as he isn’t off-contract with the Storm until the end of the 2023 season.
He rejected an offer to extend his tenure beyond 2023 with the club earlier this year.
That deal was considered on average $500,000 less over the term of the contract compared to his current $1.25 million per-season deal.
ANTHONY Milford is set for a blockbuster NRL return against former club Brisbane after the NRL granted him the green light to resurrect his career with Newcastle.
NRL boss Andrew Abdo rang Milford on Saturday morning to tell the 27-year-old he was free to resume his career with the Knights from Monday.
But while he will be allowed to train with the club, the NRL has banned him from taking the field until round 11 – which coincides with the Knights’ clash against the Broncos, who cut him adrift last year after seven seasons.
Milford will have to complete multiple courses.