Watch Australia\u2019s Tour of South Africa Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n The Tricolours are also rumoured to be pursuing Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth too.<\/p>\n According to The Daily Telegraph, Utoikamanu has been offered a contract extension by Craig Bellamy but he\u2019s yet to sign on the dotted line.<\/p>\n The 26-year-old will play for the Storm in 2027, but the Roosters want him to take over from Lindsay Collins as the forwards\u2019 leader from 2028 when his current contract is up.<\/p>\n Utoikamanu is entering his prime and could command about $1 million.<\/p>\n The Roosters do have room in their cap after they lost Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Daniel Tupou and Leniu for 2027 and beyond.<\/p>\n They want Utoikamanu and Farnworth who are representing Tonga and England respectively.<\/p>\n The Tongan prop told The Daily Telegraph that he was only focused on the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to really say about that. I\u2019m just kind of focusing on my footy now, and after this, I\u2019ll sit down with my manager,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n The Storm want to keep Utoikamanu who is their best big-man player. <\/p>\n Stefano Utoikamanu of the Storm celebrates scoring a try during the round 20 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm at Allianz Stadium, on July 17, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n CHIEFS CLOSE IN ON $3M SIGNING<\/p>\n The PNG Chiefs are closing in on their eighth signing after young Titans forward Cooper Bai told the club he won\u2019t extend his contract after flying into Papua New Guinea for a secret meeting.<\/p>\n The 19-year-old is contracted to the Titans until 2027 but has told the club he is looking elsewhere, with Gold Coast now granting Bai permission to speak with rival clubs ahead of a move in 2028.<\/p>\n The SMH reported that the Storm and Roosters are keeping an eye on the situation, but the Chiefs are the favourites to secure Bai\u2019s signature. <\/p>\n The Chiefs are weighing up an offer of around $3 million over four years for Bai.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have some outstanding young middle forwards coming through, including Bodhi Sharpley, Viliami Fifita and Torino Jackson, who we believe can become key members of our squad in the coming seasons,\u201d Titans coach Josh Hannay said.<\/p>\n \u201cCooper has grown a lot as a player and a person over the past 12 months, and we\u2019re proud to have played a part in supporting his development.\u201d<\/p>\n The promising youngster was supposed to represent the PNG Kumuls in the World Cup but had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n He grew up on the Gold Coast with his dad Marcus being a PNG international who won the 1999 premiership with the Storm.<\/p>\n News of Bai\u2019s potential signature comes after the Chiefs unveiled their inaugural logo and jersey<\/a> in a \u201cwatershed\u201d moment on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Cooper Bai of the Titans. (Photo by Chris Hyde\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n TIGERS EYE MAJOR WIN<\/p>\n The Wests Tigers are set to have a big win on the transfer market, with impressive young forward Samuela Fainu expected to re-sign with the club on a $1.6 million upgrade.<\/p>\n That is according to Code Sports<\/a>, who reported that Fainu is in the advanced stages of negotiations on a two-year extension that would see him stay put at the Tigers until at least the end of 2029.<\/p>\n It is a huge boost for the Tigers given Fainu was the club\u2019s biggest name set to hit free agency had the club not struck a deal with him by November 1.<\/p>\n Instead, Fainu looks set to follow brother Sione in committing to the Tigers, who Code Sports reports are confident in securing his signature before next Sunday\u2019s deadline. <\/p>\n The publication reported there was interest from at least three rival clubs in Fainu, whose new deal with the Tigers is expected to be worth around $800,000 a season with ratchet clauses that will eventually bump it up past $1 million as the salary cap increases from 2028.<\/p>\n The Tigers are tipped to turn their attention to the third Fainu brother, playmaker Latu, once Samuela\u2019s contract is locked in.<\/p>\n Latu injured his pectoral last week on World Cup duties but the injury is not said to be serious, with the talented half set to play a key role in Tonga\u2019s campaign. <\/p>\n Former Tigers CEO Shane Richardson previously told Code Sports that he believed Samuela was worth \u201cat least $750,000\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cSamuela is as good as it gets,\u201d Richardson said.<\/p>\n \u201cSamuela is a true superstar. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a line-breaking back-rower who can play 80 minutes without a problem and he\u2019s an excellent defender. There\u2019s no downside to him, he ticks all the boxes.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great kid with a great attitude and he\u2019s only going to get better.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt for me he can play State of Origin – Samuela is the future of the club.\u201d<\/p>\n Samuela Fainu of the Tigers. (Photo by Brett Hemmings\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n BIG DEVELOPMENT IN WALKER TALKS<\/p>\n It sounds like Sam Walker could be locked in as a Rooster for life as early as next week. <\/p>\n The star halfback\u2019s future has been one of the biggest talking points in the NRL since he helped the Tricolours to a grand final win over Newcastle.<\/p>\n The expectation was that Walker may wait until after the Rugby League World Cup to sign a new contract, which would have seen him head to November 1 and test his value on the open market. <\/p>\n However, that looks set to change with Code Sports<\/a> reporting that the Roosters have told Walker\u2019s management that they want an answer by next Monday \u2014 and the young playmaker is happy to play ball.<\/p>\n According to the publication, Walker is not interested in heading to free agency and has told his agent Clinton Schifcofske that he would prefer to stay at the Roosters.<\/p>\n Walker is currently on approximately $1.05 million but has been offered an upgraded deal which will see him get a $350,000 pay rise annually.<\/p>\n While the looming threat of the PNG Chiefs would have had Roosters fans nervous, all signs at this stage point towards Walker staying put and partnering Hugo Savala. <\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n “He’s just come off winning the comp!” | 05:29<\/p>\n \u2018NEVER HEARD OF\u2019 TWIST IN WALKER\u2019S SOUTHS CONTRACT<\/p>\n Sam isn\u2019t the only Walker whose future has been making headlines this offseason, with plenty of eyes also on South Sydney and whether the Rabbitohs would strike a deal with Cody Walker.<\/p>\n Well, a one-year extension is imminent for the veteran five-eighth after initial fears that a low-ball offer could force Walker to look elsewhere.<\/p>\n Instead, retired veteran rugby league reporter Phil \u2018Buzz\u2019 Rothfield said on Triple M<\/a> this week that Walker will sign the \u201clast contract of his career\u201d worth between $400,000 and $450,000.<\/p>\n \u201cWhich is huge step up from the insulting $300,000 they offered him,\u201d Rothfield added. <\/p>\n None of that is a surprise as it had been trending that way in the past month. But there is a twist, with Rothfield claiming that Walker has asked for an incentive to be added to that contract and it is one has \u201cnever heard (of) before\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve heard incentives if they make the top eight and incentives if they play 15 games to cover for injuries… he\u2019s saying to Souths I want an incentive that if the Rabbitohs win the grand final I want extra and he\u2019s talking around $50,000 to $100,000,\u201d Rothfield said.<\/p>\n \u201cHow they manage that in the salary cap I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n But the overwhelming sentiment from Rothfield was that if anything, Rabbitohs fans should see it as a sign of Walker\u2019s confidence in South Sydney\u2019s premiership hopes for 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a terrific sign of the mood Souths are in right now… I just think it\u2019s a lovely story that he\u2019s backing himself to lead that football club to a premiership,\u201d Rothfield said.<\/p>\n It is hard not to see why Walker would be confident, with Payne Haas off to South Sydney while the hope will be that a healthy Latrell Mitchell can make a consistent impact in the centres.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n 2027\u2019S BEST OFF-CONTRACT STARS: Dogs eye flyer… and an axed veteran\u2019s lifeline<\/a><\/p>\n Souths ‘draw line in the sand’ | 01:33<\/p>\n FOUR-WAY RACE FOR KANGAROOS BREAKOUT STAR<\/p>\n While both Walkers appear close to finalising their future, the same can\u2019t be said for Dolphins flyer Jack Bostock.<\/p>\n In fact, he only upped his asking price last week with a hat-trick on debut as the Kangaroos pipped the Kiwis in a thriller. <\/p>\n It would have been a bittersweet sight for the Dolphins, who face a serious fight to keep Bostock and it sounds like there are at least three other clubs showing interest. <\/p>\n Unsurprisingly, the Dragons are keen on bringing the impressive Illawarra product back home and Rothfield believes they will be the biggest threat to the Dolphins.<\/p>\n \u201cSt George were so excited watching him at the Test match the other night… I reckon they\u2019ll use all their Val money and make the biggest play of all, being a south coast junior,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Rothfield also reported that the Sharks are expected to make a \u201cmassive play\u201d, having lost veteran outside backs Jesse Ramien and Sione Katoa to North Queensland.<\/p>\n The other team to watch is Parramatta, with CODE Sports journalist Brent Read reporting that the Eels will enquire about Bostock if they miss out on Knights centre Bradman Best.<\/p>\n \u201cBradman obviously is Parramatta\u2019s priority, but if they miss out on Bradman they\u2019ll definitely look at Jack Bostock as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Bostock was asked about his future in a recent interview with 2GB\u2019s Sports Today and was coy on the topic, telling the radio program he is leaving contract talks to his manager.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not too sure mate, that\u2019s with my manager now that I\u2019m here (in Kangaroos camp), I can\u2019t really be worrying about negotiating contracts,\u201d Bostock said at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not fair on anyone, especially me while I\u2019m in here. My manager\u2019s got to get his money\u2019s worth because that\u2019s his job and he can do it without me.\u201d<\/p>\n Bostock hatty seals win in DREAM debut | 00:43<\/p>\n EELS CONSIDER SURPRISE LIFELINE FOR FLYER<\/p>\n In other news, it sounds like the Eels are doing their homework as they canvas potential replacements for Josh Addo-Carr.<\/p>\n The veteran winger is expected to learn his fate as early as this week as he sits down with Eels powerbrokers in a crunch meeting. <\/p>\n Addo-Carr is awaiting the B sample after allegedly testing positive to cocaine at a roadside drug test. <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792626252_944_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n