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NRL market watch: Wests Tigers in talks with Corey Horsburgh, Jack Bird and Royce Hunt
Sharks front-rower Royce Hunt has joined a Canberra enforcer and a Dragons veteran as the latest rival players to be linked with the rebuilding Wests Tigers. See the latest transfer news.
Michael Carayannis and Brent Read
Fresh from an upset win over Manly, the Wests Tigers have turned their attention to signing a trio of stars including a pair of former State of Origin stars.
It is understood the Tigers have had discussions about Jack Bird and Corey Horsburgh, as well as Sharks big man Royce Hunt in the hope of securing the trio from next season.
Bird even met Tigers boss Shane Richardson recently as part of discussions aimed at luring the former NSW State of Origin star to the club for at least the next two seasons.
Their latest interest in both Hunt and Horsburgh is interesting, given the pair engaged in a public war of words last season.
Injury and suspension have prevented the two fiery forwards from settling the score on field.
“I was looking forward to the showdown,” Hunt said after a shoulder charge ban last year. “Shit happens. We have to wait until next year to get our redemption game.”
The Tigers are busy in the market place as they look to spend a chunk of the $2 million they have sitting in their coffers for next season.
Following Stefano Utoikamanu’s decision to reject the Tigers’ offer to instead link with the Storm from 2024, the Tigers have been looking at adding some muscle to their forward pack.
Instead of replacing Utoikamanu with a like-for-like front rower, the Tigers plan to use the $800,000 that was set aside for him to add two players to their ranks for next season.
Hence their interest in securing Hunt and Horsburgh.
It is understood the Tigers can afford both – the problem for the Tigers remains freeing up potential roster spots to be able to accommodate the pair.
Horsburgh’s time at Canberra looks like it will come to an end despite playing Origin last season. He has already met with the Bulldogs and Broncos but a move to those clubs appears unlikely given they have tight salary caps.
The Tigers are also in talks to secure Hunt who – at this stage – only has permission from Cronulla to sign with a rival club for the 2026 season.
The Sharks allowed Hunt to move forward the November 1 transfer window to enable their prop to test the market.
While Cronulla may be open to releasing Hunt they would only do so if they were able to receive something in return – either a financial windfall or a player.
Hunt, who just turned 29, is looking for a multi-year deal which may be his last contract.
Richardson has led the pursuit of Bird, having identified the 29-year-old as the sort of experienced head who could help some of the younger players coming through their ranks.
Bird, who has been granted permission by St George Illawarra to speak with rival clubs, is also able to handle a number of positions.
His signing along with that of Horsburgh and Hunt would add to the signings that are already in place for next season led by Penrith duo Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva.
The club’s other priority at the moment is to extend the deals of Fonua Pole and Lachlan Galvin. Pole is off contract at the end of next season while Galvin has two years to run on his deal.
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