NRL News: Tigers re-sign Naden but Tamou going, Titans nab Verrills, Warriors loom if Papali’i backflips

After an unsettled year in which he has gone from Penrith to Canterbury to Concord, Brent Naden has settled at the Wests Tigers, re-signing until the end of 2025.

The 26-year-old utility back joined the club midway through the season on an 18-month deal which has now been extended by a further two seasons.

He made his Wests Tigers debut in Round 11 against his former Bulldogs teammates and made his 50th NRL appearance in the win over Brisbane in Round 20.

Naden, who has scored four tries in his past three games, becomes the third outside back in less than a week to extend his stay at the club, joining Starford To’a and Asu Kepaoa.

NRL 300-gamer James Tamou concedes his time in the competition might be ending, but says he’ll be playing on somewhere next year as he mulls over Super League interest.

Tamou, who’ll be 34 when the next NRL season starts, is out of contract with Wests Tigers and doesn’t appear to be part of the club’s future plans as they move to re-sign younger talents.

Quizzed on Wednesday on what his future held, Tamou said it was international interest that had piqued his interest.

“I definitely want to play on … I’m hearing there’s opportunities overseas,” he told reporters.

“I’m not one to worry about that too much, I’m really concentrating on this next month in football and letting all that take care of itself.”

Asked if his preference was to stay in the NRL, should interest present itself, Tamou said he’d weigh up any offer with the impact on his family, particular his four young sons.

He also refused to rule out a return to the Tigers, telling incoming coach Tim Sheens he knew his decreasing role and value should they need depth in the forward pack.

“They’re looking into the future … I know where I’m at now on the pecking order, if you ever need a front-rower that’s happy to fill in, I’m here,” he said.

“At this point in time, money’s not an issue.

“Am I willing to keep pushing my body to contribute positively to a team? I still think I can, so until that day comes where I’ll look in the mirror and say I can’t then that’ll be me.”

While his future is uncertain, Naden is relieved to have certainty as the Tigers move towards Sheens taking over as coach before Benji Marshall in 2025.

“I’m just very excited about where the club’s going, we’re seeing these changes coming next year,” Naden told reporters.

“(Marshall) gave me a call last week, we just had a little bit of a chat about his style of play. It’s also a big opportunity to be under Tim Sheens, one of the greatest coaches to be in the game, so to be under him for the next three years, it’s going to be pretty exciting.”

His season was interrupted by a four-week ban for a spear tackle on Manly’s Jake Trbojevic.

Brent Naden. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Titans nab Verrills

Gold Coast have scored a coup by signing Roosters hooker Sam Verrills on a two-year deal to bolster their inexperienced spine.

Verrills, who scored a try as part of the Roosters’ grand final winning side in 2019, is leaving the club after the acquisition of Kiwi international Brandon Smith.

The last-placed Titans have struggled with an inexperienced spine of Erin Clark, Aaron Booth, Toby Sexton, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell so Verrills, along with the recent signing of Manly veteran Kieran Foran, will give them two more-experienced options in 2023.

“Sam has great vision and is a real threat from that hooker position,” coach Justin Holbrook said.

“He’s learnt his craft under Origin hooker Jake Friend and has been able to really shine in that number nine jersey for the Roosters in recent seasons.

“We’ve got great experience joining our spine next year with the arrival of Kieran Foran and our key positions will be further bolstered with Sam’s arrival.

“When you add those two players to our mix of exciting young players who have come through our pathway programs here on the Coast like AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell and Toby Sexton, we’re really confident with the squad we are building for next year and beyond.”

Verrills said he was grateful to the Roosters, particularly Trent Robinson, for giving him a start in the NRL and the coach described him as someone with a “team first ethos”.

“The Sydney Roosters have been such a big part of my life, and I’ll always be grateful to Robbo, the players and all the staff at the club for everything they have done for me, and for the memories and lifelong friendships I’ve made along the way,” Verrills said.

“While it’s good to have my future sorted, my only focus right now is on continuing to work hard and play my role for the Roosters for the rest of the season.”

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Warriors option for Papali’i as Tigers seek answers

The Warriors have emerged as an option for Parramatta star Isaiah Papali’i as doubt grows about whether he will honour his contract with the Wests Tigers next year.

Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis insists he is confident Papali’i will stick to the three-year deal he signed last November, joining Penrith hooker Apisai Koroisau as the club’s big recruits for next season.

However reports emerged in July that Papali’i was considering going back on the move after his New Zealand national team coach Michael Maguire having been axed by the Tigers.

And now the Warriors could be an option for the 23-year-old forward with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting he could seek a release for personal reasons to be with his partner, New Zealand netballer Elle Temu, who plays for the Auckland-based Northern Stars in the ANZ Premiership.

The Warriors released fellow second-rower Eliesa Katoa earlier this week so he could take up a two-year deal with Melbourne and are on the lookout for reinforcements after Matt Lodge and Kodi Nikorima left mid-season and Reece Walsh, Euan Aitken and Chanel Harris-Tavita won’t be at the club next year.

Papali’i kicked off his NRL career at the Warriors in 2017 and played 63 games over four seasons before becoming one of the best edge forwards in the premiership at the Eels over the past two years in 45 appearances.

Given the chance to clarify his position on Monday, Papali’i instead claimed he would wait until the end of the season before talking with the Tigers about the issue.

Hagipantelis said on Tuesday that he would meet with the player’s management to clarify the comments, but was adamant the back-rower would still be at Concord in 2023.

“We have a contract. It’s in black and white and has been signed by both parties and we’re very comfortable with where we sit,” Hagipantelis told SEN.

“I don’t put a lot of stock (to what he was saying) being anti-Wests Tigers or anti-contractual obligation.

“I don’t want to read into his comments and create any angst between the club and the player.

“It’s well known that we enjoy a contractual relationship with Isaiah and we very much look forward to welcoming him to the club in 2023.”

If Papali’i were to attempt to back out of the deal, it would come as a big blow to the Tigers and the coaching duo of Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall.

The club has let go three edge forwards – Luciano Leilua, Luke Garner and Kelma Tuilagi – in the past 12 months. 

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Gallen to fight two old Maroons

Paul Gallen is pledging to knock out two Queenslanders in one night after committing to a boxing challenge not attempted in more than 130 years.

The retired rugby league great and former NSW series-winning captain will take on former State of Origin rivals Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant on the same card in Brisbane on September 13.

Gallen (12-2-1) will be following in the footsteps of Australia’s first ever world champion, Albert ‘Young Griffo’ Griffiths in 1890, in lining up two opponents back to back.

Former Maroons teammates turned pugilistic foes Hodges and Hannant taunted each other before their June showdown that the winner should get to face Gallen, before Hodges prevailed in a unanimous points decision.

But now Gallen wants both.

“I said in the lead-up to their last fight that there’d be nothing more enjoyable than getting to bash two Queenslanders in one night and here we are,” Queensland’s public enemy No.1 said on Tuesday.

“These two couldn’t get my name out of their mouths in the lead-up to their last fight. Be careful what you wish for guys because I’m coming to swing and swing hard and I won’t stop until you are both on the floor regretting the decision.

“I’m actually pumped that the fight is in Brisbane and I couldn’t care less about the crowd. They can boo me all they want but that will only give me more energy to go out and put on a show.”

Promoter and fellow former NRL premiership winner George Rose from No Limit Boxing is tipping Gallen to live up to his promise.

“Paul Gallen is one of Australia’s toughest ever athletes,” Rose said.

“But there’s no question that this is going to be a massive challenge for him. He’s attempting to defeat two opponents in a single evening, deep inside enemy territory.

“Gal’s never once backed down from a challenge, so when we told him there’s an opportunity to take not one, but two Queenslanders in one night, he said ‘where do I sign down?’

“We’re working through the details of exactly how the fights will take shape but I guarantee you won’t want to miss it.”

In the co-main event, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Harry Garside – undefeated in three professional bouts – will look to defend his Australian lightweight title against Miles Zalewski (11-2).

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