Sam Moa to leave the club at the end of the year

[Rooster_6]

SYDNEY Roosters prop Sam Moa has knocked back a deal in excess of a $1 million from English Super League powerhouse Leeds.

Moa instead wants to chase a three-year deal that will see him continue his remarkable back-from-the-dead NRL career in Australia, possibly with the Manly Sea Eagles.

The Sunday Telegraph can confirm Moa will leave the Roosters at the end of this year should he be able to find a long-term NRL deal, with his incumbent club agreeing to release him a year early to secure his financial future.

But Moa will not be moving back to the UK - the country he established himself in after playing just one NRL game with the Sharks - after knocking back an offer to join Super League competition leaders Leeds as their marquee player.

“There was a very good offer from Leeds to go back to the UK on a marquee player deal,’’ said Moa’s manager Sam Ayoub. “But Sam has indicated he wants to continue in the NRL and that is what he will do.’’

Moa, 29, is intent on continuing his remarkable late blooming NRL career and may find himself at Manly next year, with the Sea Eagles the latest club to show interest in signing the 105kg wrecking ball on a long-term deal.

The Sea Eagles are expected to officially join the Panthers in the hunt for Moa this week after Kieran Foran confirmed he would be leaving Brookvale at the end of the year to play for the Eels.

“He is in career-best form and is only 29,’’ Ayoub said of Moa.

“He wants a long deal and deserves one. He has established himself as a fine prop since coming back and is a complete professional both on and off the field.’’
Moa quit the English Super League in 2012 after a four-year stint with Hull FC to become a surprise NRL sensation.

Recommended to the Roosters by former Sydney and Hull FC player Craig Fitzgibbon - now part of Trent Robinson’s coaching staff - Moa won a starting spot in a star-studded Roosters forward pack.

Moa, with his punching runs and quick play balls, helped the Roosters to the premiership in 2013 in his debut year for the club.

The 183cm prop also became a Test player for New Zealand when he was selected to play for the Kiwis in the 2013 World Cup.

Despite being regarded as both a leader at the Roosters and one of their most valuable forwards, the club has agreed to let Moa leave at the end of the year as they battle the salary cap.

The Roosters are also in a strong position when it comes to the front row with Kane Evans and Dylan Napa establishing themselves as future stars, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was re-signed on a long-term deal.

[Burnt Rooster]

A million dollars for Sam, how stupid is that, sure he's a solid player, but that sort of money for player who comes and goes off the interchange bench is just crazy. But good luck to him where ever he goes, he's been a good toiler for the Roosters.

[Guest]

If our club can not afford to keep players such as James "Jimmy" Maloney and Sam "Victa" Moa then I do not hold much hope that we will be able to find the ready made marquee fullback replacement that has been suggested. It appears that the club are hoping that Sam Moa leaves much the same way the club did not try very hard to retain James Maloney and i would see this more to ease salary cap pressure than to fit in a marquee player.

[2026]

A million dollars for Sam, how stupid is that, sure he's a solid player, but that sort of money for player who comes and goes off the interchange bench is just crazy. But good luck to him where ever he goes, he's been a good toiler for the Roosters.

That would be for 3 years i'd assume which is about right.

[Easts75]

[QUOTE=2026;n609957]
That would be for 3 years i'd assume which is about right.[/QUOT

1million for 3 years with today's cap isn't much. Personally I think that he's worth that and if anything possibly unders a bit. Good props are very rare, hope he continues his good form wherever he ends up.

[ism22]

A million dollars for Sam, how stupid is that, sure he's a solid player, but that sort of money for player who comes and goes off the interchange bench is just crazy. But good luck to him where ever he goes, he's been a good toiler for the Roosters.

Hey if they're willing to pay then good on him.

$1 million dollar deal often means $500k a year for 2 years. In this case it's a 4 year $1 million deal so... $250k a season? Not excessive (probably a bargain) and would give him a job until retirement pretty well.

[roostersrule2]

That's gay, why doesn't he just get a two year deal next year? Plenty of clubs would offer it.

Also I'm pretty sure it's a mil a year, he's on $400k a year here so why would he go to England for less money?

Especially considering they just passed a rule that allows clubs to spend as much as they want on a player and only about £150k will count towards the cap.

[ism22]

That's gay, why doesn't he just get a two year deal next year? Plenty of clubs would offer it.

Also I'm pretty sure it's a mil a year, he's on $400k a year here so why would he go to England for less money?

Especially considering they just passed a rule that allows clubs to spend as much as they want on a player and only about £150k will count towards the cap.

400k a year here... doubt it? He came over as an untested bench player from England who nobody expected to play any footy. He wasn't a star signing.

[Bigchook]

Did his job for us. Now for our young pups to step up. We will have received the best Moa has to offer and that's all we can ask for from a club perspective. Getting players at their peak and then moving them on.

[Johnny.]

Somebody's coming! And it ain't Santa.

[Guest]

400k a year here... doubt it? He came over as an untested bench player from England who nobody expected to play any footy. He wasn't a star signing.

He then re-signed for the club on an upgraded deal

[John Corey]

If our club can not afford to keep players such as James "Jimmy" Maloney and Sam "Victa" Moa then I do not hold much hope that we will be able to find the ready made marquee fullback replacement that has been suggested. It appears that the club are hoping that Sam Moa leaves much the same way the club did not try very hard to retain James Maloney and i would see this more to ease salary cap pressure than to fit in a marquee player.

That's exactly why they can't afford Maloney, Sam and possibly Toups. And only offered SKD unders. To leave room for that fullback you are suggesting.

[Tommy Smith]

Someone is definitely coming. It's the only reason we'd release Moa. Liu has shown enough recently to suggest he can replace Moa at prop.

Welcome Ben Te'o.

[Guest]

I know first hand Shaun Kenny Dowall's preference was to stay at the club even on reduced wages because of his love for the club. I do find it hard to believe that we can move players on who are not on outrageous wages and themselves will need replacing in the squad to sign a fullback of any prominence when we were unable to afford to retain our current departing fullback.

Perhaps I will be proven to be found incorrect but aside from Jarryd Hayne I can not think of a fullback who we could be making salary cap room for and Mr Hayne himself will cost more money than Roger Tuivasa Sheck. It is just as possible that players are being shown the exit door so that Blake "Fergo" Ferguson can be retained.

[John Corey]

I know first hand Shaun Kenny Dowall's preference was to stay at the club even on reduced wages because of his love for the club. I do find it hard to believe that we can move players on who are not on outrageous wages and themselves will need replacing in the squad to sign a fullback of any prominence when we were unable to afford to retain our current departing fullback.

Perhaps I will be proven to be found incorrect but aside from Jarryd Hayne I can not think of a fullback who we could be making salary cap room for and Mr Hayne himself will cost more money than Roger Tuivasa Sheck. It is just as possible that players are being shown the exit door so that Blake "Fergo" Ferguson can be retained.

I think it is definitely Hayne. The good judges o'seas have said he will not make the cut at NFL. I get your point about Fergo. He will want good money.

I should point out that I have no inside info at all. I just think too many players have been signed for unders, released early, or still not re signed (like they are waiting for something) for someone big not to be coming. For all we know, when RTS wanted 800K they may have thought if they are going to pay that much for a fullback it will be Hayne. They may very well have made some enquiries about him and we know his manager has a great relationship with our club. I think they are prepared to wait until August. If Hayne makes the NFL we go with Mitchell or Fergo. If he don't make it I reckon they make room even if the contract is back ended to the max. And if he comes I imagine Toups is gone.