Ten World Cup stars playing to pump up their price as big contracts loom
For a host of stars gearing up for the Rugby League World Cup, national pride, family heritage and tournament glory aren’t the only motivating factors.
Many of the leading World Cup players are headed for NRL free agency on November 1, which lands during the showpiece tournament.
Cameron Munster, Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Latrell Mitchell are all coming off contract. Nine
And for the stars in that boat – Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are among them – the World Cup looms as a golden opportunity to pump up their value.
Nine.com.au takes a look at 10 stars playing for sweeter deals in the month-long tournament, beginning with a crunch clash between Australia and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.
Latrell Mitchell
There isn’t a better centre in the world than Mitchell when the South Sydney superstar is fit and healthy. The problem is he often isn’t fit and healthy.
A wide range of injuries, most recently back and calf issues, have limited the Kangaroos ace to just 98 NRL games in his seven seasons as a Rabbitoh.
If he can stay on the park in the World Cup and inflict the kind of damage he is capable of, it’ll pay off in his contract talks.
On the topic of Mitchell’s next contract, will he recommit to the Rabbitohs or continue his career elsewhere?
Speaking at a Kangaroos media opportunity last week, the two-time premiership winner brushed off questions about his contract negotiations.
Cameron Munster
The champion five-eighth turned up his nose when Melbourne offered him a reported two-year extension worth $750,000 a season – significantly less than his current contract is worth.
A bumper Kangaroos campaign – the kind of campaign he produced to win man of the series in the UK Ashes last year – would pay off handsomely in his contract talks.
Will the two-time Storm premiership winner finish his career as a one-club player? Or will he return home to Queensland, pop up in Sydney, or be lured west by an irresistible Perth Bears pay packet?
Sam Walker
In early August, just over a month out from their premiership triumph, the Roosters put a four-year deal worth $5 million on the table for Sam Walker.
The gun halfback turned it down, backing himself to attract more lucrative offers on the open market from November 1.
He did himself a huge favour while his contract talks were on hold by winning a premiership ring.
With Mitchell Moses and Tom Dearden also bobbing around in the Australian World Cup squad, it’s uncertain how much game time Walker will get.
It is a white-hot selection battle and contract dollars are at play.
Sam Walker in green and gold. Getty Images
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
According to The Courier-Mail a month ago, the Dolphins will need to stump up $1.4 million a year to retain the electric fullback.
The Hammer will be able to demand even more from the Dolphins, and the rival clubs circling, if his debut campaign for Samoa turns out to be a blinder.
Herbie Farnworth
Where will the classy English centre be playing in 2028?
As the Dolphins brace to lose at least one of their off-contract stars – Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock and Selwyn Cobbo are among them – there’s rampant speculation Farnworth is bound for Bondi.
He is reportedly making $850,000 a year at Redcliffe.
Expect his next price tag to dwarf that – not just because of the force he has become since last putting pen to paper, but because the NRL salary cap will balloon in 2028 in line with the new multibillion-dollar broadcast deal.
Bradman Best
The strike centre is due for a very healthy pay rise on the back of his heroics for NSW in this year’s State of Origin decider and the hand he played in Newcastle’s improbable charge to grand final day.
It appears he will test his value on the open market rather than rushing into an extension with Newcastle.
Bradman Best in action for Newcastle. Getty Images
His teenaged brother Baxter has signed with the Knights and that could persuade him to stay put.
Expect Bradman Best to run amok for the Kangaroos.
Jack Bostock
The value of the star centre/winger skyrocketed when he was called up for NSW this year – and has again with his Kangaroos selection.
He forms part of a lethal back five at the Dolphins and will undoubtedly attract plenty of rival interest if he goes to free agency, which is looking likely.
Is a breakout Kangaroos campaign coming?
Moses Leota
The Panthers are in a battle to keep their enforcer.
The club’s trying to secure Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin, while Nathan Cleary has put his contract talks on hold.
“If one of those blokes (Cleary or Yeo) don’t stay, the Panthers can afford Moses. But if they both stay, it makes it hard,” Leota’s manager Gavin Orr told News Corp.
“They (Penrith) won’t give me any idea until they know what their two skippers are doing. That’s their priority and that’s OK, so it looks like we just have to wait until the 1st of November. All I can do is work within the rules.
“Nothing has been done to my knowledge with Nathan and Isaah ... I think Moses wants to see what the Panthers have got left for him.”
Moses Leota celebrates scoring a try for Penrith. Getty Images
At 31, Leota is heading towards the back end of his career, but quality props are a wanted commodity in the NRL.
David Fifita
It’s hard to see a world where David Fifita leaves the Rabbitohs considering his career resurrection under Wayne Bennett.
However, his head’s been turned by money before.
And if he is to remain in red and green, an impressive World Cup campaign may well extract more money out of Souths.
Valentine Holmes
The former Origin representative hasn’t provided value for money at the Dragons and he’ll be 32 come the end of his current contract.
He will be Cook Islands’ star player and all the attention will go towards him.
If he leads the country with some unexpected performances, there’s every chance he could extend his career.
