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Monday Bunker: Crisis could deliver superstar to NRL strugglers
The Daily Telegraph
March 30, 2020 2:19pm
Subscriber only
The coronavirus crisis could have a silver lining for a battling NRL club: the most sought-after signature in rugby league.
While contract talks have been put on hold amid the NRL shutdown, the Gold Coast Titans are firming as a serious contender to snare rising Broncos superstar David Fifita next season.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield recently reported that Justin Holbrook’s side had emerged as favourites to sign the off-contract forward.
And with the NRL scrambling to find funding to keep the competition afloat in 2020, the current climate could play into Gold Coast’s hands.
Clubs are bracing for a reduced salary cap in 2021, which could further damage Brisbane’s chances of retaining Fifita on their roster.
“If anything it probably increases the Titans’ chances of getting David Fifita,” Rothfield said on The Monday Bunker.
“You look at the Broncos roster — they’ve already re-signed Matt Lodge, Payne Haas and Tevita Pangai Junior.
“They’ve got Anthony Milford and Jack Bird, who have got options their way. They’re on $1.8 million between them (and) they won’t get that money elsewhere — they’ll take up those options.
“They’ve also got to keep Kotoni Staggs who is free to negotiate with other clubs from November onwards.
So the Broncos are in a bit of trouble there to find room.
“There’s no question at all the salary cap next year will be decreased so it’ll be interesting to see how that one plays out.”
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