Parramatta prop Kane Evans has welcomed talk the club is set to pursue Fijian teammate Reagan Campbell-Gillard for next season, describing the move as "unreal" if he ends up in blue and gold.
The Eels were linked to the Panthers prop on Monday after NRL.com revealed both clubs had been in contact about a possible release for Campbell-Gillard, who was dropped to reserve grade earlier in the season by coach Ivan Cleary.
Campbell-Gillard signed a five-year extension at the foot of the mountains last season and is considered a born-and-bred local after playing his junior rugby league for the Windsor Wolves.
Evans played alongside Campbell-Gillard for NSW City in 2015 and believes the former Test prop is the big forward signing the club is after.
"If the club can organise that it would be unreal to have him here," Evans told NRL.com.
"He's a machine and is one of the forwards I look to – and he's younger than me. I love the style that he plays and it would be mad if we got him.
"We've already lost a few this season and some are off contract. There's some room for a few signings next year and it will be interesting to see what the club does. If he came here I'd hate to play us.
"He's another Australian-Fijian boy too so it's awesome, the Fijian connection we have here. We've got Maika, Waqa and Salesi Fainga'a. A couple of younger boys got signed up this year too in the lower grade. It's all been influenced by Semi when he was here and everyone's done the country proud."
Parramatta have already lost Manu Ma'u (Hull FC) and Tepai Moeroa (NSW Waratahs) in the forward pack for next season, while veterans Tim Mannah and David Gower face uncertain futures with the pair off contract at the end of this year.
Evans' own contract has been questioned in the past but the former Roosters prop has forced his way into Brad Arthur's starting line-up and wants to continue to repay the Eels coach.
The team has recorded four wins from their past five games since the 27-year-old started in the front row.
"It's been better than last year because the body has been sweet," Evans said.
"I'm not getting too high or low with what I do, I just try and keep a routine and stick to it so I stay steady.
"I want to finish the year strong and am happy with where I'm going. I never fulfilled the potential with injuries and other stuff going on in footy at the Roosters so I want to do that here."
Parramatta have named Michael Jennings (knee) and Shaun Lane (finger) to return from injury for Sunday afternoon's clash against the Dragons but will miss Blake Ferguson for at least another week.
Ferguson was a visitor at Eels training on Tuesday but his return to the field following a leg infection remains indefinite.
Link: https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/07/30/evans-throws-support-behind-parras-plans-to-snare-rcg
Replies
Yes seen the footy show with Ben ikin and Paul Kent, rcg will be signed before the week is out, great signing this 1
Yeah, players don’t normally come out and get excited about potential signings unless it’s a done deal.
I just hope we are not getting lumped with him for 5 years at anywhere close to the $800k he is on. His form justifies nothing close to this. No where near the player he once was.
I’m hearing 810 k for 4 year but tpas included
So glad Evans shut a few dopes here. The amount of rubbish he copped, he was injured, they said he was injured but no one wanted to hear that. Rather lay the boot into BA, well they have the last laugh. Lol
Realy Poppa, great imagination, or did he say improve our forward PACK And our team improves.and wife responds well Baby continue to play well and you will be in that side with RCG.
My thoughts are we need to be chasin a good defensive middle forward. We are scoring points but still leakin soft trys in, and givin up 60/70 mtrs a set which puts the opposition in a strong scoring opportunity.
Pops, searching on the net regarding RCG and his jaw break, I can't find much except the incident in which it happened, a JWH, shoulder charge is the cause, happened prior to Origin last year, so I suspect he's very tentative in his play atm, a bit in similar way to French and his injury recovery, and both are not the only players to tread carefully after serious injuries, especially the RCG one.
Its really early days as to his recovery and lets not forget a similar break that the great John Sattler had as well, & IIRC he made a succesful return to the top, along with playing in the grand final with his jaw busted. Different era, different players.
If the eels can sign both Welch and RCG for next year, it would certainly provide the eels with a very formable team, given how many other players are off contract end of year, at least half of them are unlikely to be resigned or maybe for a year only. It will be a balancing act by the coach as to who to keep as far as the Now vses the future, in other words he would need to be astute in keeping experience and rookie, and the potential of losing more of the rookies who really are our future, especially the forwards and a couple of the backs,
No! musta got lost in translation.
I have to say I am a bit worried now that Evans is reccomending him, at least it should mean we don't need Evans for any more time.
The sooner our major recruitments are sorted out the more options we still have over all our currently unsigned players and with those cheaper ones still out in the market place we could acquire more confidently and at a great price because of the latest major acquisitions we procured. The longer we leave it the less the options we have to work with. It will be great if we get at least three forwards secured over the coming few weeks or so, ideally by next week.
RCG, Welsh & Semi are a great start to getting ready for next season. We do have some great young forwards coming through as well so I hope we stick with the development club identity.
The Eels were wooden spooners last season so to play finals this year would be awesome. If they get the recrutment right we will be a powerhouse next season.
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