Parramatta recruit Isaiah Iongi has declared he is ready to wear the Eels No.1 jersey after the club granted captain Clint Gutherson permission to explore his options at rival clubs.
Iongi has signed a three-year deal after making his debut in Round 22 with the Panthers against Newcastle - his only NRL appearance.
The 21-year-old’s proclamation follows Parramatta’s decision to allow Gutherson to negotiate with rival clubs immediately after they told the incumbent fullback they could not confirm if they would be offering him an extension beyond his current deal which ends next year.
Several clubs are reportedly interested in securing the 30-year-old’s services including the Dragons who are leading contenders to land his signature.
Regarded as one of the most reliable fullbacks in the game, Gutherson is on close to $1 million in 2025 with his next deal likely to be his last big earner.
The Eels have touted a positional switch for the former Blues representative with the club expected to hand Iongi the No.1 jersey regardless of whether Gutherson is at the club next season.
Iongi said he was ready to be Parramatta’s first choice fullback.
“Yeah, I feel like I am,” Iongi told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Obviously that’s the goal. You’ve got to work for it. I’ll get a good pre-season under my belt at Parra, that will help me build the confidence with them. We’ll get that team bonding on.
“There is always going to be challenges and expectations anywhere. At Panthers there was and anywhere else, too. It’s all part of the game, it’s all about how you handle it.”
Iongi was behind Blues fullback Dylan Edwards at Penrith who recently usurped Kangaroos captain James Tedesco in the Australian side.
The flyer said some positive conversations with incoming Eels coach Jason Ryles convinced him to join the club.
“I’m looking forward to working with him,” Iongi said.
“Like every other club, you have to work for the spot and put in your all to get that opportunity for yourself. That’s what he said to me
Replies
Great signing, can't wait to see him in the blue and gold!
Has to happen he has done a good apprenticeship and when he got his chance in first grade he killed it should be fullback round 1
That's the thing Bubba, everyone saying he needed to be groomed from Gutho, and that would have been great, but he already was learning off Edwards who is arguably a better Fullback. Plus not like he is a kid from Flegg and played a handful of Cup at Fullback. Nah he's played 2 full seasons at Fullback and now will hopefully get some game time for Tonga against the likes of Australia and NZ.
Not saying he is a guarenteed star in the making but he is a wonderful acquisition.
I wonder why they are letting Gutherson go. Great player. Not sure if he is the right type of captain JR wants . Maybe he can foresee some major issues for the team if he changes Captains. Sometimes changing and established hierarchy is necessary if you really want to change the relationship dynamics with a different harmony?
Can next season start already? No footy shits me.
Longgg time before that dammit
Yep and to think they want to shorten the season
FML.