Parramatta centre Waqa Blake is considering making a switch to rugby union after the off-contract Eel spoke with the Western Force.
Unsigned beyond 2023, Blake is unlikely to be retained by the Eels for next season after playing only seven NRL games this year through injury and selection.
The 28-year-old has options both in Australia and overseas, with the most likely scenario being he will be able to remain down under and potentially in the NRL.
But AAP has been told one club Blake has spoken to is the Force.
Blake headlines a raft of players who will officially be out-of-contract in a little over a fortnight, with Corey Allan, Nathan Brown and Charlie Staines also on the list.
Blake was was born in Fiji but spent his teenage years in Perth, and has family in Western Australia.
The outside back also grew up watching the 15-man code, and spent time playing it while living on the west coast.
Blake’s potential Force move comes after the club closed in on Sydney Roosters star Angus Crichton, before a public breakdown in his negotiations with Rugby Australia.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Parramatta have added Manly centre Morgan Harper to their 2024 squad.
Harper had been expected to move to the English Super League next year to link up with Warrington after the Sea Eagles confirmed he would depart at year’s end.
However the Eels have now secured the 25-year-old on a two-year deal.
Born in New Zealand, Harper has been selected twice for the Maori All Stars representative team.
Nat
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing:
Nat
Roar Guru
He’ll be a starting WB next year.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Blake’s career has headed down hill ever since his inability to defuse bombs became apparent to everyone. Reckon the cowboys should be looking at Tass, comes from up that way & early career spent in the bronco’s development program where he was unlucky not to get a call up (or lucky based on what they served up when he was in the wings). Corey Allen would also be a reasonable pick up, he handled centre ok in that late season form surge by the Roosters & is a reliable depth back. Only problem I see is I recall they’re both basically left side players & Holmes has that left centre locked down. Might be worth a punt on Billy Smith, Cory Allen or try for an early release for Tass & turn any of them into a predominantly right side centre.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
They didn’t want Peachey , Garner or Laurie anymore either. Peachey got fit & did a pretty good job last season. Garner not as good, but played a part in the Finals. Laurie was a big signing for the Tigers & they had high hopes for him. I’m hoping that he’ll really reach new heights, back at the Panthers next season. Charlie Staines might be worth another try back at the Panthers? If he still has the pace & if he’d be willing to try the NSW Cup again to start with?
Bernie
Roar Rookie
Flicka will be playing fullback remember.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
poor old Charles, goes from premiership winner ... to playing for the Tiges .... to being unsigned. you know things are crook if the Tiges wont resign you.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
just watching the dragons makes me cry.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Bring a tear to a few ol’ blokes eyes.
andrew
Roar Rookie
His namesake was a great half.
Noel
Roar Rookie
Good call on Tass. He'd be wanting clarity on exactly where Wighton will play in '24. He's too good to miss out, in my view.
Noel
Roar Rookie
I'd be stunned if the chooks didn't re-sign Smith. They stuck with him during a shocking run of injuries, it would be odd to turf him when he's starting to come good.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Could he play halfback.. now and then.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
And hands for shoulders
andrew
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't mind Smith, he'd look good in the Red V.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Don't know what Parra see in Harper, Manly probably got a new bar b que in exchange.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I'm a big fan of Billy Smith. I would be surprised if the Chooks don't sign him for longer ? Although the one downside is his pretty lengthy injury history ? But he seemed to get through 2023 pretty well.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Would definitely have been sniffing around Rabbitoh Tass or Dog Skelton who would fit straight into the left side and move Simmonson out one.. for starters.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Talk about burying the lead. Blake maybe goes to the Force. Outside his immediate family and friend, who honestly cares? The Eels signing Morgan Harper is utterly perplexing. They need a centre, no doubt as they only have one, and trying to convert a bunch of middling wingers into centres hasn't worked. But Harper is no better than any of those middling wingers and he has been around NSW Cup/the NRL for 5 years. We have all seen what he can do by now and it is nothing worthy of an NRL contract. Especially when Billy Smith - a left centre, which is what they need, remains unsigned (unless i missed something). If Harper is signed as their starting centre for 2024, then they are not trying to win. If he is signed as a back up, it is still an utter waste of cap space and Eels Management should flat out resign.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Waqa will be lucky to get a run in Shute Shield. Morgan Harpers departure is highly unlikely to cause sleepless nights for the Brookie faithful. It’s not that he was a bad player but let’s just say the rocks far outnumbered the diamonds… by lots
Dutski
Roar Guru
Don’t think so yet but Robbo is a massive fan so I expect it to happen.