The Rabbitohs are “seriously wooing” an English international while the Knights have found their new fullback and decision day is looming for Eels superstar Mitchell Moses.
KNIGHTS SOLVE NO.1 ISSUE
Kalyn Ponga’s move to five-eighth is all but locked in amid reports the Knights are set to sign Sharks fullback Lachlan Miller.
News Corp journalist Phil Rothfield revealed on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast that Miller
“They are about to solve the biggest problem at the club, which is finding an NRL fullback,” Rothfield said.
“There’s been talk in the off-season with Kalyn Ponga moving to five-eighth that Dane Gagai, Tyson Gamble or even Bailey Hodgson would have to wear the No.1 jersey in Round 1.
“I can tell you that Lachlan Miller, the former Australian Sevens star, will be the fullback for the Knights in the opening round of the season.”
Miller’s deal will be finalised over the next fortnight, allowing the 28-year-old Rugby Sevens convert to join his new club for the 2023 season, according to aNews Corp report.
The Sharks were initially against releasing Miller, who is contracted until the end of 2023, but are now willing to let him go given they can’t match the money — or opportunity — the Knights are offering.
Rothfield called Miller’s early release a “brave call” by the Sharks because he “can play” and is “an explosive ballrunner.” But Rothfield believes it’s the “right thing” given Miller now has the opportunity to set up his future.
The Sharks are however said to be exploring a potential player swap, according to News Corp.
Miller grew up playing rugby league but forged a successful career as a Rugby Sevens player before reverting to league last year.
He joined the Sharks on a two-year NRL deal with coach Craig Fitzgibbon the only person willing to take a chance on him.
Miller starred at both fullback and five-eighth for Cronulla’s New South Wales Cup feeder side, Newtown Jets before earning an NRL debut at fullback in Round 11.
He went on to play six more games — two on the wing and one off the bench — including the Sharks’ semi-final loss to the Rabbitohs.
It’s unlikely the Tokyo Olympian would get much game time in 2023 though given Will Kennedy has nailed down the No.1 jersey and young gun Kade Dykes is considered the club’s future fullback.
Miller’s signature will allow Knights coach Adam O’Brien to follow through with his plan to move Ponga to the halves.
O’Brien revealed last week that Ponga was thriving in his new position.
“If we were ever going to move Kalyn to six, now is the time,” he said on SEN.
“Essentially, we’ve had five months. He had a very brief break in October and then started training before everyone else. We changed his training program and he’s obviously put some size on in the gym.
“He’s been training at six all summer and he has been doing a really good job at it.”
SOUTHS’ ‘SERIOUS WOOING’ KNIGHTS STAR
Dominic Young was the shining light in what was a pretty miserable 2022 season for the Knights, but the club is reportedly now at risk of losing the gun winger.
Channel 9’s Danny Weidler revealed on Monday that the Rabbitohs have been chasing Young hard with club legend Sam Burgess at the forefront of the pursuit.
Young’s contract expires at the end of this season and is free to negotiate with rivals for 2024 and beyond.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout season with the Knights last year and topped it off with five games for England in the Rugby League World Cup.
The Rabbitohs have struggled to fill the right wing spot over the last few years with the likes of Josh Mansour, Jaxson Paulo and Izaac Thompson getting an opportunity.
D-DAY LOOMING FOR MOSES
Mitchell Moses is expected to make a call on his future before the NRL trials kick off — and in some good news for Eels fans, veteran journalist Phil Rothfield has a “slight” inkling the star halfback will re-sign.
Moses has an option in his favour for 2024 and then remains unsigned beyond that with the Bulldogs and Tigers both circling with offers well over $1 million a year.
The Eels have offered the 28-year-old a little over $1 million but Moses and his manager are hoping to bump that up.
Speaking on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast, Rothfield shared that Moses should make his decision before the season starts.
“It’ll happen in the next six weeks and that’s a massive story. I’ve got a slight leaning towards him staying at Parramatta but that’s only my opinion,” he said.
“I genuinely don’t think Mitchell Moses knows yet what he’s going to do because if he did know what he’s going to do he’d make that decision and get rid of all of that media speculation.”
