Parramatta cult figure Maika Sivo will this week ink a new contract locking him down in the blue and gold fold until at least the end of 2022.
The hero of the Eels epic upset over premiers Melbourne, Fox Sports has learned Sivo will shun big-money offers from European rugby union to put pen to paper to remain in Parramatta.
The Fijian wrecking ball further underlined his value to the Eels with another rampaging display against the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night.
Sivo, 27, scored the opening try of the game and then sealed the big scalp of premiers Melbourne by catching a towering Mitchell Moses bomb at speed and powering across for the match-winner.
According to the Fox Sports Lab, the powerful left winger had 18 runs for 170m, four tackle busts, one line break and scored two tries.
Sivo continues to be one of the NRL’s feel good stories after being scouted from Fiji and moving to Australia to play for the Gundagai Tigers.
The Eels flyer is originally from the tiny Fijian village of Momi where his family work in farming.
Since joining the Eels for pre-season training in 2019, Sivo has quickly established cult figure status at BankWest Stadium and scored 39 tries in just 48 NRL appearances.
The Eels may not have added any big name recruits to the blue and gold roster this season but undoubtedly two shrewd purchases have been forwards Isaiah Papali’I and Keegan Hipgrave.
The other unsung hero for Parramatta was makeshift right centre Marata Niukore. Forced to mark-up on Storm pocket dynamo Justin Olam, Niukore more than held his hands up in the unfamiliar position.
Niukore is expected to remain in the centres for the Eels with Waqa Blake ruled out for between four and six weeks with a calf injury.
Sitting on top of the NRL ladder after claiming the heavyweight scalp of premiers Melbourne Storm, the Eels will meet the Sharks at BankWest Stadium on Fox League’s Super Saturday on March 27 in round three.
Replies
He looks 47 lol
How does he look 47? Cheap shot lol
Yeah, he took the long road to get here.
if you read it properly, it's until at least 2022, meaning they have no idea of the length but confirmed he is going to sign
no I'm not having a go at you. I wasn't even sure who I was replying to lol. yea my bad for being a bone in that instance head all good.
Well, were you asking a question ?
We seem to like these 12 month deals
Doubt it was our doing in this case, no doubt we'd have wanted more.
I think this is his manager keeping doors open and creating the oportunity to get more out of us this time next year.
It's a 12 month extension on his current deal, probably with an option year at the end. Clearly the new policy @ the Eels with regards to R&R is to hand out long term deals very sparingly, and only for key position players & cornerstone forwards. The days of handing out 4 & 5 year deals to any Tom, Dick & Harry are done & dusted.
It's prudent salary cap management.
Makes sense. His manager is also BA's manager. BA is contracted till the end of 2022. If eels do nothing this year and next they be both gone. A lot of players off contract at the end of next year. Hopefully and i believe we can be in the big dance this year and finally win it.
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