Willie Tonga looks headed to Eels

The North Queensland Cowboys have officially released Willie Tonga and Internet reports have suggested he is on his way to the Eels.

Below is the announcement from North Queensland, while Rugby League Week have claimed via their Twitter account that Tonga is "Parra bound".

Tonga has been linked with the Eels for a number of weeks after former club legend Peter Sterling sensationally pre-announced the signing during a Friday night League coverage. It was denied at the time by Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney, however in the following days North Queensland confirmed they had given Tonga permission to speak to other clubs.

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have today released centre Willie Tonga from the final year of his contract to pursue other opportunities with his rugby league career.

General Manager – Football Peter Parr said Tonga, who has been a valued member of the Cowboys’ squad for the past three seasons, would remain a key part of the club’s 2011 NRL campaign.

The Cowboys and Tonga have mutually agreed that it is best for him to seek a contract at another club from the end of this season.

Tonga said his decision to leave the Cowboys a year earlier than expected was not for football-related reasons, but rather for a change of lifestyle.

“I have nothing but good things to say about the Cowboys, my time with the club, the coaches I have worked with, the players I have played with and the staff here,” Tonga said.

“I’ve had a great time playing footy with the Cowboys and look forward to ending off this season on a high note.

“I have decided that I want to move away from Townsville and that’s the only reason why I’ve come to this decision.

“I’d like to thank the club for letting me chase other options and hope our members and supporters can understand why I’ve decided to leave.

“It’s been an honour to play for the Cowboys.”

Parr said the Cowboys fully respected Tonga’s decision and hoped another NRL club would soon sign the Test and Origin back.

“Willie has been a fine player for this club and we’ll be sad to see him go,” he said.

“We look forward to him finishing his time at the Cowboys in the best possible manner.”

"Paulo is a shadow of what he once was and is getting worse each year. He looks like he hates the collision these days. Sadly that is what he would display if kept around as a leader for our pack for others to follow. Sam T already seems to follow in…"

"Did you watch him play in this years final for Souths? He was owned by old man Gagai. Laurel went missing all game although he did pass the ball from dummy half a lot to the other outside backs to work it out of their end. Massive NO."

Replies

HH - Love You Iongi Time! July 26, 2011 at 4:18pm

So nothing official still? Wow.
- LegendTHECROWEELS > HH - Love You Iongi Time! July 26, 2011 at 4:22pm
  
  probably not coming to parra
Alan Hunt July 26, 2011 at 4:27pm

We'll probably hear something in the next few days.
big black guy July 26, 2011 at 4:30pm

good to hear, lets hope we snap him up.
anyone who thinks we might get izzy are dreamin'!
- Matthew McKay > big black guy July 27, 2011 at 7:10pm
  
  apparently they have a big signing not to be released until the end of the season and it could be folau or SBW
PARRADISE July 26, 2011 at 4:32pm

Phil,
I heard that Tonga has a meeting with fat head Gould tommorow has an offer that will be hard to refuse, maybe he is penrith bound, and also there may be truth in that Jennings to parra rumour after all????
- LegendTHECROWEELS > PARRADISE July 26, 2011 at 4:33pm
  
  Was just thinking the same thing after seeing this blog
HH - Love You Iongi Time! July 26, 2011 at 4:34pm

The Tigers, Dragons, Bulldogs and Panthers could also be in the hunt for him from what i have heard?
- LegendTHECROWEELS > HH - Love You Iongi Time! July 26, 2011 at 4:34pm
  
  so we miss out yet again????????
- KING STIFFLER: GOODBYE > HH - Love You Iongi Time! July 26, 2011 at 4:35pm
  
  surely he will come here to play under super coach kearney