Tigers hungry for Shark

Now that the Tigers have pulled out of the race to sign Latrell Mitchell, they have ramped up their bid to sign Cronulla utility Matt Moylan. The Sharks are reportedly happy to let Moylan go after an injury-plaguedseason that saw him play just 11 games in 2019. The Tigers have money to spend following Ryan Matterson's departure and see Moylan as a valuable player given his ability to play almost anywhere in the backline.

Latrell's Teammates give revealing Insight

Even before Mitchell's future was the subject of constant speculation and the star centre suffering several setbacks as clubs turn their back on him, Mitchell was rattled and distressed during the Australian team's end-of-season games. Several of Mitchell's Kangarooteammates have told me he was constantly complaining about the length of the season and the intensity of always being under pressure, just wanting the season to end. The long year clearly got to the talented centre, and hopefully he can resolve his future quickly and set his mind at ease and get a well deserved break from the unwanted limelight.

Arrow's next NRL move a done deal

The most sought-after forward in the game, Jai Arrow, is a done deal at Souths - the only question is when. My sources tell me that Titans forward Arrow has agreed to terms and is the man Souths have designated to replace Sam Burgess. The Rabbitohs are hoping to sort out the issue of whether Burgess' injury goes under the category of medical retirement, in which case his wage would not go into the salary cap. That would allow Arrow to join the club next season - but Souths may have to wait until January for the NRL and their medical team to give a ruling on the injury. The Rabbitohs have offered Arrow around $800,000 per season for four years - money the Titans cannot match. Arrow's partner, former Miss World Australia Taylah Cannon, is also believed to be keen to move to Sydney for greater work opportunities.

NRL to play pre-season trial matches in the Pacific Islands

At least two NRL clubs will play annual trial matches in the Pacific Islands starting from 2020.Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the new deal from Suva on Friday.According to NRL.com, two teams will play official trial matches in the region in 2020, 2021 and 2022.The NRL has not announced which clubs will feature in the trials but has said that they will visit the region for more than just the match.Players will spend a number of days in the region before and after the trial fixtures, participating in a range of programs for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.These include programs that involve "social
inclusion, participation, equality and health and wellbeing" according to NRL.com.The announcement follows the Federal Government providing financial support towards a Fijian rugby league team competing in the NSW Cup competition.Bridget McKenzie, the Minister for Sport, believes that this announcement will help grow the game of rugby league in the region."Rugby League is incredibly popular in the Pacific Islands," she said."If we can translate that into greater grassroots participation, we know that it will lead to more active and healthier participants."The push to get a Fijian team into the NSW Cup follows the success of the Papua New Guinea Hunters in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup.The Hunters won their inaugural Premiership in 2017, and have finished in the top eight in every year they've been in the competition.A Fijian team is expected to enter the NSW Cup in 2020.

Shaun Johnson reveals Warriors 'won't be offering me anything' for 2020

Shaun Johnson is testing the NRL market place after revealing the Warriors have made him no offer to stay beyond next season. The seasoned Kiwis' half took to social media on Monday to clarify his position, saying he was 'spreading his wings' after club bosses had told him they were not prepared to table a contract extension from 2020. The club has previously made it clear the 28-year-old is free to explore his options, even though he's halfway through a two-year deal which is believed to be worth seven figures - the biggest in their history.

Reports had emerged last month suggesting Warriors management might be prepared to offer a downgraded extension, as they've done in retaining veteran hooker Issac Luke for next year. However, Johnson says it is clear that won't happen. "If you saw the article that came out a few weeks back ... in a roundabout way they said they are in no rush to re-sign me. Since then, they have told me again at this stage they won't be offering me anything," Johnson wrote on Facebook. "That means I get to spread my wings and see what's out there so right now that's what I'm doing!" Johnson might ask to leave a year early but it isn't obvious how many NRL clubs are in the market for a highly paid half next season.