Parramatta Eels star Waqa Blake linked with Super League move

CALLUM WALKER 15/03/2023

PARRAMATTA EELS star Waqa Blake could be on his way to Super League for the 2024 season and beyond.

Currently on a wage of $500,000 at the Eels – a deal worth almost £275,000 – Blake is set to leave the Eels at the end of the year when his contract ends, prompting a potential move to Super League League Express understands.

The 28-year-old has found form hard to come by in previous years after signing a four-and-a-half-year deal with Parramatta midway through the 2019 season.

Blake came through the ranks at the Penrith Panthers, debuting for the Mountain Men in 2015 and going on to play 88 times, scoring 34 tries in the process.

Whilst at the Eels, the 28-year-old has added to those NRL appearances with a further 28 tries in 72 games.

Born in Lautoka, Fiji, the Blake family moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia when the current Eel was just nine.

League Express understands that rival NRL clubs have shown little interest in the Parramatta star, however, Super League are on red alert for the potential to have a Fiji Test star in their ranks.

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"to me our top 5 juniors that we have that haven't played nrl yet is Lorenzo (20), Petrus (19), Koina (19), Seuseu (16) and Popo (20). Popo hasn't played much this year due to injury but last years form puts him on this list for me. Could argue the…"

"If it was possible to do why haven't other rubbish teams done so? It sounds simple in theory but it just isn't and what it will take to get Yeo and Cleary here would destroy our cap. Added to that Yeo is 33 next year, how long til he declines?"

Replies

- Offside > Clintorian March 21, 2023 at 7:24am
  
  I wish we shipped him off last year and kept Opiciac
DYNASTY.LOADING March 19, 2023 at 10:17pm

I think Cini is signed in the 30 for next year so probably him, he will be on low tier contract too.
Looks like we are hoping to play Asi in the Centres too so he could end up replacing Waqa this year I think.

Paul Momorovski or Adam Keighran would be awesome and they both kick goals.

Looking for young talent? Morkos at the raiders is probably 5th in line. Lebanon team experience at the WC.
Jack March 19, 2023 at 11:05pm

We need some X factor imo to replace him. Or we go with one of cini or Russell and spend the cash elsewhere like the back
Frank The Tank March 19, 2023 at 11:21pm

Are there any other Arthur's coming through that can play center? Might be our best option.
- EA > Frank The Tank March 19, 2023 at 11:25pm
  
  We have another Penis coming through
  - Clintorian > EA March 20, 2023 at 11:28am
    
    I'm all for a bit of DP...
Bob Smith March 20, 2023 at 12:36am

No one wants eels backs, lol
This reply was deleted.
- Axel March 20, 2023 at 11:39am
  
  I thought Russell is being touted as the next fullback to take over from Gutho
Gaz Nelson March 20, 2023 at 7:16am

Lol ... A cargo ship changes direction faster than BA. How long have fans being saying Waqa has to go.

Hoping Russell gets a bit of luck with injuries and gets his shot.
- Brett Allen > Gaz Nelson March 20, 2023 at 11:00am
  
  No coach who values his job woukd ever listen to fans opinions.