Only a day after Mal Meninga was confirmed as head coach of the Perth Bears, two familiar faces have surfaced as potential marquee signings: Gold Coast Titans forwards David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
With the NRL’s newest expansion club gearing up for their debut, the Bears are expected to move early on top-end talent to mirror the impact of the Dolphins, who made waves from the get-go.
According to News Corp, Meninga’s prior ties with the Titans, where he served as a performance and culture consultant, could pave the way for a reunion with either of the star forwards.
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Fa'asuamaleaui, who has a clause in his contract allowing him to weigh up options, is reportedly settled on the Gold Coast for now.
“Tino is happy and committed to the Titans, but we do have a clause in place to consider all options,” his agent, Simon Mammino, told News Corp. “At this point, his sole focus is with the Titans and turning their season around… I would be surprised if he decided to leave.”
Fifita's future less clear amid club tension
While Fa’asuamaleaui seems unlikely to move, David Fifita’s position is far murkier. Recently sidelined from first-grade and demoted to the QLD Cup, the $1 million-a-year forward has yet to rediscover his Broncos-era form at the Titans.
His decision to reject the Sydney Roosters’ lucrative offer last year has only added intrigue to his current status.
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Having reportedly disagreed with club medical advice about returning from injury, Fifita remains in limbo, and firmly on the radar of both the Perth Bears and the Wests Tigers.
“There were some conversations internally about David Fifita and whether they should go there,” The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas revealed on the Wests Tigers Life podcast. “But Kai Pearce-Paul is definitely looking likely at this stage.”