Wests Tigers laughed at for ‘nuts’ four-player swap offer
The Wests Tigers have reportedly offered to move on star halfback Luke Brooks as part of a bonkers four-player trade with Canberra.
Fox League’s NRL 360 on Tuesday night revealed Brooks had been discussed as the key plank in a high-stakes player swap with the Raiders.
The deal is reported to have included a request from the Tigers for Canberra to release reigning Dally M Player of the Year Jack Wighton.
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Fox League’s James Hooper said on Tuesday night the four person swap floated by the Tigers would see Brooks and Moses Mbye move to the Raiders in exchange for Wighton and hooker Josh Hodgson.
NRL 360 host Yvonne Sampson described the Tigers’ move as “nuts”.
Hooper reported: “This shows how off the planet the Wests Tigers are when it comes to player negotiations in the player market.
“A Tigers official a couple of weeks ago picked up the phone and rang the Raiders and said what would you think if we gave you Luke Brooks and Moses Mbye and we will take Jack Wighton and Josh Hodgson?”
The Tigers are still just one win outside the top eight.Source:Getty Images
Hooper said the Raiders response would likely have been to laugh in the Tigers’ face.
“I haven’t heard the exact details of it, but yeah, ‘thanks but no thanks’ I would suggest (was their response),” he said.
It comes after Wests Tigers captain James Tamou brushed off trade rumours as his side looks to make a late-season push for the finals.
The Tigers were in the running to recruit Brisbane Broncos star Tevita Pangai Junior but were dealt a major blow when it was confirmed he had instead decided to sign with the Canterbury Bulldogs on a three-year deal worth more than $2 million.
Tamou said it was disappointing to miss out on Pangai Jnr’s signature.
“I was well documented in saying how much a great signing it would be for the club and for the young club that we have and for his short time in the game,” he told news.com.au.
“He’s a bit of a game-changer Tevita Pangai Jnr and it’s unfortunate that these things happen and that if he does go to another club. He’ll definitely be valuable to whichever side he goes.
“I wish him all the best. I know he’ll do great at the Bulldogs under Trent Barrett. I can imagine he’s going to use him attacking-wise how Trent Barrett used Viliame Kikau last year so that’s a bit scary to go up against.
“But you can’t hold everything on one signing there, so I wish him all the best and if that’s the case, we’ve got to look onto something else in the recruitment drive.”
Brisbane Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jnr has decided to sign with the Canterbury Bulldogs instead of the Tigers. Picture: NRL PhotosSource:Supplied
Tamou said his side won’t be distracted by trade rumours surrounding the team, including whispers Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has been linked to the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks.
The Tigers skipper also opened up on David Nofoaluma’s decision to stand himself down from the leadership group.
The winger — who became the Tigers’ all-time leading try scorer in Saturday’s 42-24 win over the Broncos — was too hungover to train the morning after attending the wedding of chairman Lee Hagipantelis’ daughter earlier this year.
“I was pretty impressed,” Tamou said.
“Obviously we all make mistakes and we can’t always get it right but for him to take it upon himself to address us and address the team to stand himself down from the leadership group says a lot about himself.
David Nofoaluma stood himself down from the Tigers’ leadership group after he turned up to training hungover. Picture: Brett CostelloSource:News Corp Australia
“It says a lot to the young ones coming through that we’re not really going to tolerate it.
“He knew he made a mistake and he knew he had to do these sorts of things.
The Tigers moved to 12th on the NRL ladder after defeating the Broncos and are now only win outside the top eight.
The Tigers’ turbulent season has been captured in a four-part documentary series called Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town, which is available to watch on Fox Sports and Kayo.
The first episode aired on Monday night, featuring emotional scenes of coach Michael Maguire tearing up in the change rooms.
Watch new FOX SPORTS Original Production ‘Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town’ four-part docu-series premiering Mon July 19 at 7.30pm on Kayo >
“Kayo and Fox Sports did a remarkable job,” Tamou said.
“They were very incognito about everything and we hardly even noticed them.
“For them to get that close and personal on things, I think it’s a great way and a great concept for the fans to have a look at what goes on behind the scenes.”
How to watch Wild Wests: Tales From Tigertown
All episodes will be available on FOX LEAGUE Channel 502, Fox8 & Kayo
Episode 1: Monday, July 19, 7.30pm AEST
Episode 2: Monday, August 9, 7.30pm AEST
Episode 3: Monday, August 16, 7.30pm AEST
Episode 4: Monday, August 30, 7.30pm AEST
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