Move to Dogs now on the cards for Foran
SYDNEY: Canterbury looks set to land Kieran Foran after one of the club’s favourite sons, Josh Reynolds, announced he was joining the Wests Tigers on a fouryear NRL mega deal.
With Reynolds’ future uncertain after the club was linked with Foran, a deal worth a reported $A3.2 million ($3.5 million) was too much to resist for the fiery No 6.
After the Tigers lost Mitchell Moses, Aaron Woods and James Tedesco, the NRL’s player musical chairs is now in full swing, with Foran expected to soon join Woods at the Dogs under respected coach Des Hasler.
It continues the Tigers’ signing spree after they confirmed the signing of Warriors prop Ben Matulino, on a deal worth a reported $A800,000 per season.
In a short Warriors statement, 23test Kiwis international Matulino (28), who has played 197 times for the Auckland franchise, said he wanted to experience living in Sydney with his family and felt he could not turn the offer down.
With Moses to join Parramatta next year, Reynolds looks set to partner Luke Brooks in the halves.
Since coach Ivan Cleary’s appointment three weeks ago, the Tigers have moved rapidly to fill the gaps left by the departure of three of their socalled ‘‘big four’’ at season’s end.
Former Queensland State of Origin forward Chris McQueen has penned a threeyear deal with the Tigers, who confirmed the signing a fortnight ago, while David Nofoaluma and Michael Chee Kam have recently signed contract extensions.
Reynolds, who has played all seven seasons of his NRL career at the Bulldogs, said last month the thought of leaving the club made him feel sick in the stomach.
But Canterbury is under salary cap pressure after its bigmoney plays for decorated stars Woods and New Zealand international Foran.
Intent on restoring a tough edge at the club, the Tigers are chasing prop Russell Packer and his St George Illawarra teammate, Josh Dugan.