Manly is poised to offer a big new deal to a young gun to keep him out of the hands of rugby union.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports the Sea Eagles are tabling an extension to outside back Tolutau Koula that would tie him to the club until the end of 2027.
The 20-year-old has caught the eye of Rugby Australia already in his young career, which only began last year and is 24 NRL games in.
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Before that he was a schoolboy sprint sensation, and played rugby alongside Joseph Suaalii when Australia beat the New Zealand schoolboys team in 2019.
The Herald reports Rugby Australia was prepared to pay Koula $800,000 a season to switch codes, which is half what Suaalii will be paid when he jumps ship next year.
The 15-man code is busy trying to lure some of rugby league’s top talents in time for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
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The Herald also reports a deal to bring Kyle Flanagan to the northern beaches is dead in the water.
Wide World of Sports reported last week Flanagan was poised for a mid-season switch from the Bulldogs to provide halves cover for the Sea Eagles.
But the two clubs haven’t been able to reach an agreement and Flanagan – son of Manly assistant coach Shane – will remain at Canterbury, at least for now.
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