Jake Turpin is out in the cold after the Broncos confirmed he will not be at the club next season, while a potential suitor has denied they are interested in his services.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are ready to give Kobe Hetherington a pay rise in a bid to ward off NRL rivals and Eels star Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union.
Read on for all the latest NRL transfer whispers.
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BRONCOS HOOKER AT NRL WILDERNESS
Jake Turpin is out in the cold after the Broncos confirmed he will not be at the club next season, while the Knights have denied they are interested in his services.
Newscorp reported that Turpin will not be at the Broncos next season, while the Knights have denied they will make a move to lure him to the Hunter.
The Broncos are willing to invest in starters Billy Walters and Cory Paix, as well as rising rookie Blake Mozer, as mid-fancy options moving forward.
Broncos manager Kevin Walters confirmed Turpin is not in the club’s long-term plans and will not be offered a new deal in 2022.
“At the moment, there’s nothing for Jake with us for next year, unfortunately,” Walters told Newscorp.
“The reality is that it would be hard to keep Jake.
“We’ve got Billy (Walters) and Cory Paix on our roster at the moment, so as much as you’d like to keep all your players, with the salary cap it’s difficult.
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“‘Turps’ has played some big games for the Broncos, and he’s good in those low-effort areas, especially on defense, but with our roster, we don’t have any spots left at the hooker position.”
Knights director of football Peter Parr has poured cold water on reports that Newcastle will target Turpin as Jayden Brailey’s replacement.
“He’s a whole-hearted player, but his name hasn’t been mentioned to me at all (by director of recruiting Clint Zammit), so we’re not planning to sign him,” Parr said.
The 25-year-old has scored four tries in 56 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2018 and won the club’s most consistent player award last season.
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Jake Turpin is looking for a new club. Source: Getty Images
THE STARS OPEN TO CODE SWITCH
Eels youngster Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union in the future as the club look to lock him down to a long-term extension.
Newscorp reported that Penisini, who played the rival school code with Roosters star Joseph Suaalii at Kings College, has not closed the door on a possible move to the 15-man game in the future.
“I’m not closing the door on rugby union,” Penisini told News Corp.
“Right now, I’m happy with where I am at Parramatta and I’m loving rugby league at the moment. I’m just at the start of my career and I want to build my game and focus on playing consistent football for Parramatta and try not to look too far ahead on the decision between rugby league and rugby union.”
The Eels are already trying to extend Penisini beyond his current deal, which expires in 2023.
The 20-year-old center has scored seven tries in 25 games for the Eels since his debut in 2021 and has already played a test for Tonga, who he is likely to play with at the World Cup.
Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union.Source: Getty Images
OFFER BRONCOS UP TO YOUNG GUN AS A CIRCLE OF RIVALS
Broncos lock Kobe Hetherington is set for a massive pay rise as Brisbane look to fend off approaches from rival clubs for his services.
Newscorp reported Hetherington will earn a $200,000-a-year pay rise as the club look to lock him down to a two-year extension.
However, Hetherington, who starts for Brisbane in the absence of the suspended Patrick Carrigan, is believed to command more than $300,000 on the open market.
Hetherington is a versatile forward who can cover back row, front row and hooker, with no shortage of clubs interested in a player of his ability.
The 23-year-old has scored three tries in 33 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2021 and has been a mainstay in Kevin Walters’ pack rotation this season.
Kobe Hetherington is set for a pay raise. Source: Getty Images
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