Off-contract Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello says he’s unfazed by rumours the NRL glamour club is chasing Manly star Brett Stewart to wear the tri-colours’ No.1 in 2013.
The Roosters are considered favourites to snare the prolific tryscorer, who is believed to be chasing a $2.4 million four-year deal for what would be the 28-year-old’s last big contract.
Minichiello, 32 in May, had little to say on his own future beyond this season, but said he’d need to see the Stewart signing to actually believe it.
“There’s always rumours that everyone’s coming to the Roosters so that doesn’t worry me at all,” Minichiello said on Wednesday.
“Any player that’s off contract is always linked with the Roosters … that’s always been (the way) since I’ve been at the club the past 15 or 16 years.
“There’s always players that are linked to the club and it never happens anyway.”
The signing of Stewart would end Minichiello’s time at the Roosters, with suggestions he could land a deal to finish his career playing rugby union in Europe.
“I’m letting my manager handle all that. Obviously if I wanted to sit down with the Roosters now, they’re willing to sit down and talk about it,” Minichiello said.
“I’m just going to leave that in my manager’s hands and I’m just going to concentrate on playing footy for the Roosters.”
Meanwhile, Minichiello backed calls for 34-year-old Danny Buderus to be considered for a NSW Origin jumper, saying the former Blues skipper’s experience would be of great benefit to the side.
Minichiello himself returned to the Origin arena in 2011 after three years in the representative wilderness, and said Buderus’ age should not count against him at the selection table.
Buderus has not played for the Blues since 2008, having spent three years playing with Leeds in Super League.
Asked if he thought Buderus could still handle Origin football, Minichiello said: “I think he can, yeah.
“Mick Ennis is the incumbent Blues hooker but, obviously, all positions are up for grabs and if he was picked, then I think he’d do a great job.”
Bearfax
Guest
Good luck Sydney City with Stewart. A brilliant player in his time and he may get back that amazing ability to score tries, but he's been fairly pedestrian with Manly this year and seems to have lost much of his pace. Manly is unlikely to contest for him given the number of young players they are trying hard to retain so its good luck to Snake, who quite frankly has been very poorly treated by the law, by the public and by the League and especially Gallop. If he can pull in such a contract in his final years, then all the best to him. Hopefully Sydney City wont be buying a turkey and Brett will regain that scintillating speed and draw in a new set of admirers. As for Minichello, you've still got skill....grab yourself an English farewell bonus.
Sammy
Guest
He'll use his Italian passport and play union somewhere. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Paul
Guest
Id be very suprised if another NRL club offered him a contract for next year. The Roosters appear to have let him play on this year becuase they dont have another option.