Panthers eyeing budding schoolboy superstar

2 years ago 86

Premiers Penrith are adjacent to adding 2 of the champion young prospects successful New Zealand to their ranks.

Francis Manuleleua , a inferior backmost ranked the fig 1 twelvemonth 11 schoolboy successful the country, is connected the Panthers' radar, on with Warriors' back-up hooker Taniela Otukolo.

Manuleleua is an 18-year-old inferior backmost who plays some five-eighth and centre for renowned Auckland shot nursery Kings College.

He was chased by some league and rugby national scouts but is believed helium opted for the Panthers aft watching their demolition of Parramatta successful the NRL expansive final.

Tongan-born Otukolo is simply a 20-year-old hooker who has already played 9 NRL games for the Warriors since debuting successful 2021.

He is being looked astatine by Penrith arsenic an other back-up for Mitch Kenny and rookie Soni Luke pursuing the nonaccomplishment of prima hooker Api Koroisau to the Wests Tigers.

To date, the Panthers person signed conscionable 1 'name' subordinate - back-rower Luke Garner from Wests Tigers.

But rival clubs person been speedy to swoop connected the 2021-22 expansive last winners with Koroisau, Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Robert Jennings (Dolphins), J'maine Hopgood (Eels) and Sean O'Sullivan (Dolphins) each leaving.

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