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Souths in a struggle to re-sign stars

Roar Guru
24th October, 2014
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South Sydney are already struggling to retain the remainder of their premiership-winning roster, less than three weeks after their NRL grand final triumph.

Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o have already departed to rugby union and grand final hooker Apisai Koroisau is headed to Penrith for the 2015 season.

And on Friday, grand final tryscorer George Burgess was linked to a move to English rugby powerhouse Gloucester, despite being under contract until the end of 2016, on a deal reportedly worth around $1 million a season.

Lote Tuqiri, 35, is yet to make a decision on his playing future and Dylan Walker’s rapid rise to the Australian side means he is due for a contract upgrade. Halves Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary are off contract at the end of 2015 and sure to be in demand with NRL rivals.

Fellow premiership players Kirisome Auva’a, Tom Burgess, Alex Johnston, Kyle Turner and David Tyrrell are also all out of contract with Redfern at the end of next year.

Like his brother Sam, George Burgess’ barnstorming efforts in the NRL have caught the eye of British rugby and, if the deal comes to fruition, the England prop could follow his Clive Churchill Medal-winning brother out the door at Redfern.

Sam was allowed to leave despite being under contract, after a hefty transfer fee was negotiated by Souths boss Shane Richardson – said to be around $1 million.

Johnston’s elevation to the Kangaroos’ squad could also lead to an upgraded contract and attention from other clubs.

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Reynolds is one of the key pieces of the puzzle.

The 24-year-old is a proud Rabbitohs junior, he grew up in the neighbourhood surrounding Redfern Oval and is keen to pledge his future to the club.

Reynolds’ manager Steve Gillis is set to open negotiations with Rabbitohs management as soon as next week.

“We haven’t opened formal negotiations yet, but we are getting close to kicking those off,” Gillis told AAP.

“We are keen to get that process moving and sort out Adam’s future sooner rather than later.”

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