Knights ride to the rescue of Kaufusi

ADRIAN PROSZENKO

June 20, 2010

FORMER Kangaroos prop Antonio Kaufusi is close to negotiating an immediate release to join Newcastle.

Kaufusi has been languishing in the Queensland Cup for Mackay after falling out of favour at the Cowboys.

It has been a massive fall for the former Queensland, Australia and Tonga forward, who was welcomed with much fanfare in Townsville after being poached from the Melbourne Storm last year.

Kaufusi is not the only Cowboys star on the Knights' radar, with the cashed-up club also in the mix for the signature of off-contract NSW back-rower Luke O'Donnell. Newcastle are also close to signing his younger brother, Kyle, who has been playingfor Cronulla's under-20 team this season.

Newcastle coach Rick Stone confirmed the club had tabled Kaufusi an offer for the rest of this year and for 2011.

''We have shown some interest,'' Stone said yesterday. ''Whether that will happen before the end of the month will come down to if we come up with some sort of financial agreement with the Cowboys.

''It's going to have to be quick if something is to happen.''

The Knights have plenty of money to spend - and holes to fill - after the loss of Chris Houston and Danny Wicks after their drug charges. The club has been linked to several big-name players including JohnathanThurston, Feleti Mateo, Mark Gasnier, Sonny Bill Williams, Brett Finchand Willie Mason. However, they are yet to secure the marquee signingthey crave and also missed out on another target when Canberra's TrevorThurling re-signed during the week.

Stone said he was hopeful of making an O'Donnell double play but admitted the club was closer to signing Kyle than Luke at this stage.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/knights-ride-to-the-rescue-of-kaufusi-20100619-ynuj.html

"I never said he was joining Manly. Not sure where you got that from. I was just supporting Graham about the concerns of signing Da Silva. Unlike others, I do not change sides to suit the clubs decision. I still hold the same belief. I hope I am…"

"He was back doing full contact training before the season ended. So yeah , it's not as if he lodged a request for annual leave and " took it off ", so yeah ok ya got me on a formaility. I assumed the majority would know what I said was in jest .…"

"Oh come on EA , I thought you of all people would have some more compassion for my error after telling us all how silly old Grayham Porkingbone was on the money all along and Da Silva was off to Manly 😂"

Replies

Hugh June 20, 2010 at 7:42am

Whats become od Wicks and Houston? have they been charged and found guilty?

i could imagine their could be a fair bit of interest in them both and Reni Matua when they have served any suspenions.

Any team with a tight budget would be robbing themselves if they didnt make enquiries.

When Lee Le Tamari (Please forgive spelling) came across were there any restrictions on him playing 1st grade (imposed by parra) to ensure he was committed and not getting involved in any tom foolery?
- Morgs82 > Hugh June 20, 2010 at 6:03pm
  
  danny wicks is playing for the grafton ghosts his court case is still going.
- jake arnold > Hugh June 20, 2010 at 6:47pm
  
  Im actually from Grafton matee, and Wicksy got in a fight the other day in footy and dead set wrecked the other lad.

This reply was deleted.

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