It’s possible that two of the Wests Tigers’ greatest players are on their way out.
Stefano Utoikamanu, the Wests Tigers’ star prop, is set to be extended under contract, but he is anticipated to look into other alternatives on the open market.
If the Tigers don’t place in the top eight in 2024, Utoikamanu is free to depart. But an intriguing condition in his contract requires him to remain with the team if he participates in one more Origin match this season.
Rival teams are expected to show a great deal of interest in Utoikamanu.
Journalist Brent Read stated on Triple M, “Their (The Tigers) plan was to put an offer to Stefano, a long-term extension and they want to keep him obviously.”
Although it hasn’t happened yet, I anticipate it will happen within the next two or three weeks. However, I believe Stefano will go to market and not accept it.
Whether or if Utoikamanu is chosen to play again will determine when he becomes available to the market.
“He can basically go to market whenever they are mathematically eliminated from finals contention if he doesn’t play Origin. However, they wish to retain him,” Read clarified.
Although the Panthers have previously expressed interest in Utoikamanu, they also just announced the signing of Isaiah Papali’i, a former Parramatta Eel and teammate of Utoikamanu’s from the Tigers.
In theory, Utoikamanu stands to gain monetarily from his contract condition.
Read went on, “It was a protective mechanism, and looking back, it was probably a good move because he’s on the market straight away if he doesn’t play Origin.”
“Right now, he’s a very valuable commodity.”
The Tigers are under pressure because of rumors that young player Lachie Galvin may be looking to leave the team after the team had a sluggish start to the season and because Jarome Luai will soon be joining the team.
“It was well documented that he requested a few releases during the off-season,” Read said.
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