Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has finally landed a major recruitment target with the capture of Frank-Paul Nuuausala from the Sydney Roosters.
The 27-year-old New Zealand Test prop has been granted an early release from the final year of his NRL contract with the Roosters to join the Raiders on a three-year deal.
It represents a watershed moment for Stuart, who has previously failed to lure several high-profile players to join his team which finished second-last in the 2014 premiership.
Tim Moltzen, Brett Stewart, Michael Ennis, Josh Mansour and Kevin Proctor have all reportedly knocked back offers to join the Raiders.
Young Wests Tigers star James Tedesco also left Stuart red-faced when he reneged on a three-year deal in June to stay with the Tigers.
The club has also lost several players since season’s end with Anthony Milford joining Brisbane, Terry Campese heading to England’s Super League and experienced prop Brett White retiring.
Stuart says landing Nuuausala, who played in the Roosters’ 2013 premiership triumph, is a big coup for the club.
“Frank-Paul is a wonderful player and we’re looking forward to him joining us and becoming part of the Raiders family,” the Raiders coach said.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Nuuausala had grown into a leader during his time at the club and wished him well.
“It can never be under-estimated the important contribution Frank has made to the Roosters in his time here,” Robinson said.
Stuart’s raid of his former club might be followed with another, with reports claiming the Raiders are preparing a big-money offer for Nuuausala’s international teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
The hard-hitting prop is off-contract at the end of the 2015 campaign and Stuart has been linked with a multi-million dollar pitch to land the 25-year-old.
Parafan
Guest
Lol. I hear well, training down the house in the states. Was at the game, travelled down to Canberra and can say a few cold ones were had that night. And I'll just correct your statement, I quiet like Canberra and the Raiders, can't stand King Ricky though, and that was before he came and wrecked Parramatta.
George
Guest
Go man!
Greeneyed Pete
Guest
Ah Parra fan I though you had died or something have not heard from you since just before rd 26 when the worst team ! Coached by the worst coach in the world knocked you out of the finals How's Jarryd going!!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
There's only one 'frank the tank' and it's not FPN !!!
Parafan
Guest
Not sure what players you're talking about, I'm guessing Austin who is a good running half, but has very little kicking skills. Frank Paul was on the outer at the Roosters who are freeing up cap space to sign Merrin for 2016. Waqa is passed his used by date and was also on the outer at Melbourne. Sam WiIliams couldn't get a start at St George. I see the Ricky's mentality of blame everyone and never hold yourself accountable is rubbing off. "the crap that goes on with the influential clubs is insurmountable". Really? I agree that Third Party deals make it more difficult for smaller clubs to compete but saying it is insurmountable is nonsense. Best of luck to the Raiders, they have some talented footballers at their disposal but until the two bit hack of a coach and board are turfed I can only see the development of these players going backwards.
George
Guest
Time to build a bridge mate. If, and it's a big if, all Parra fans are so relieved to have lost Ricky, why not enjoy it rather than sounding like a jealous ex girlfriend. If Ricky does nothing else, he sure has coerced a few players down here that wouldn't have come under less influential coaches. Maybe we all should look at how damned difficult it is to coach a footy team, and secondly how hard it is to have disabled children. Ricky and Wayne Bennett deserve lots of credit for this. Ricky will not win a premiership with the Raiders, the crap that goes on with the infuential clubs is insurmountable until such time as the advantages of third party deals and other inducements that aren't known of or counted against the salary cap are taken away.
The eye
Guest
Hope you're right..SKD,Barba,Ennis Bukuya,have to be happy with that..
Muzz
Guest
All that's holding up the deal is the NRL registering Fergo's contract.I think the Tigers and Knights are looking to save some coin next year.Balancing the books is a priority. I'm surprised the Dragons couldn't table an offer for FPN.They showed plenty of interest a couple of years ago forcing the Roosters to upgrade his contract.How quick things change. One big advantage the Sharks have when recruiting is thats it's a beautiful place to live.The WAGs love the great beaches, restaurants, coffee shops,plenty of retail therapy and lots of young families.The Sharks have the potential imo to be one of the power house clubs of the future.
The eye
Guest
You have some inside oil on SKD Muzz ?..I thought JTaylor might have had the required pull at the Roosters to get him for the Tiges..Asada seems to have zero influence on Sharks recruiting....
Muzz
Guest
Folau OR Hayne will do, i'm not that fussy. I'll be a little sad to see SKD leave but what can you do. Onwards and upwards i guess.He's been a fantastic ambassador for the club and a great player.The club must feel confident that Fergo won't let them down. Your roster is looking good.
Parrafan
Guest
You could recruit the whole Australian squad from the 2008 World Cup and Ricky would still lead them to defeat.
The eye
Guest
Roosters want a fullback in the Xmas stocking ? Or wait on the Hayne plane ?
Muzz
Guest
Apparently the Raiders have tabled offer's for JWH, BBQ and Guerra for 2016. Eye - You could be right about SKD.He may be heading your way once or if Fergo gets the green light. Matty Srama had a change of heart so Mcillwraith will start the season while Jake Friend recovers from surgery. FPN was on approximately $350k.I'm assuming Mcillwraith will be on a base salary of around $100K so the Roosters have cleared more room for either upgrades or a major signing. .
Rellum
Roar Guru
I personally am very happy the Raiders have pulled out of the arrangement with Souths. The Magpies will be much better served now they have linked to the Broncs and we may even make a final or two now. Ever since we pared up with the Raiders we have been a nothing team.
Bluebag
Guest
Raiders had a great young side 7-8 years back but injuries ruined a few careers, booze a few others and there were a few other issues that happen in Clubland. I think they have snared a few handy players and Frank The Tank will add some aggro to their pack (hopefully without giving away too many penalties). It'd be good to see the Green Machine at full throttle again.
George
Guest
If there is ONE sure thing next year, the Raiders will beat the Dragons in each game they play. I couldn't stand that gloating Dugan running around Bruce Stadium as though he'd won the Comp. Dugan still acts as though the Raiders did something wrong by him, whereas he walked out on us all. If you acted that way at work, your boss will sack you quick smart (he was on his 23rd warning after all). Lozza has let me down in championing both Dugan and Fergo for SOO next year - it only proves if you are good at a sport you can get away with anything (till you've 33 anyway).
George
Guest
Kiwi just may be very good at the Roosters. He can be the Daniel Mortimer replacement. His knees apparently make it hard for him to be a good hooker but his body shape dictates that's where he'll need to play. He has been a marvelous clubman and I wish him well. Without Milford's speed or Vaughn's size, he wasn't the superman that the Raiders needed in 2014.
George
Guest
Milford's Dad being ill was the most recent example where sportsmen believe they are above others. I've had a heart attack. If you can name 3 other people in normal life (i.e. excluding sportpeople) who moved states because one of their parents was unwell, I will change my mind totally. The "I have to go home" card was played out in the media and social media, making the Raiders out to be the bad guys. The things people believe! Barba and Hannant played the same card, until their perceived ability wasn't appreciated by the new coach, and other options were examined. I'm too grumpy to be that gullible anymore.
George
Guest
Sorry, I shouldn't do that, I thought the mods would blow me out of the water. It's only footy, not cricket, I agree. I do stick by my point though that the Raiders hardly get the cream of the Rugby League crop, and having just developed some cream (Milford), the damn Broncos stole him. We developed Dugan and Carney who would be champions if their IQ was a little higher than that Senator from Tassie. Jeez, I can't help myself.
pete
Guest
Brisbane pretty much ruined it for us. No more developing juniors just for the Broncos to pay their family 300k that does not go to the cap.