NRL: Manly captain wants Matai to stay

Steve Matai has been strongly linked with a move to the Warriors but his skipper Jamie Lyon hopes he stays in Sydney. Photo / Getty Images

Manly captain Jamie Lyon is hoping his centre partner Steve Matai stays at Brookvale Oval despite talk linking the Kiwi with a lucrative offer from the Warriors.

Lyon said he would prefer Matai remain a part of the Sea Eagles but understood why the 29-year-old veteran was keen to make a new start in New Zealand.

"I'm 50-50 on Steve," Lyon said. "He's such a great mate as well and such a very good player. I'd love to see him stay from a selfish point of view, just to keep him in our team. But I can see where he's coming from as well, he's getting a little bit older. I'm just going off rumours, he looks like he's got a good opportunity over there [in New Zealand]. But I'll sit on the fence on that one."

Matai confirmed in an interview with the Herald earlier this month that he had twice requested a release, while forward Anthony Watmough this week refused to deny reports that he is also wanting to exit the club.

Speculation continues to swirl that fullback Brett Stewart is also looking to leave, in the wake of his brother Glenn's enforced departure, after Manly failed to table an offer to the former representative forward.

Lyon denied the club was divided and maintained the playing group were united.

"There's no issue," he said. "There might have been a few boys a little bit angry, but not everyone's going to be happy all the time in any workplace. I really don't think there's an issue. Everyone's starting to move on now."

Coach Geoff Toovey repeatedly refused to answer questions over the status of Matai and Watmough's contracts and would not be drawn on reports the club has offered the pair extensions beyond their current deals.

"I don't talk about individual contracts but those sorts of things happen at every club every month," he said. "I think Steve's been playing exceptional football and I think he'll remain playing exceptional football."

Toovey insisted the Sea Eagles camp is a happy one but admitted they were looking forward to getting away from the intense scrutiny of Sydney media. He also acknowledged the Warriors would be formidable opponents at Mt Smart Stadium, where they are unbeaten in four starts this year.

"It's good, it's really good. They're upbeat, looking forward to going over to New Zealand and probably escaping a bit so hopefully the weather will be a bit better than here but we're looking forward to it. It's always a tough game playing against the Warriors and they're playing some particularly good football and we'll need to be at our best to win.

"The Warriors are always that sleeping giant. They've got a great team, great players within the team. It's just a matter of gelling it together. They have been doing that over the last few weeks. They're a quality side and at home they're particularly hard to beat."

Warriors v Manly
Head to head
Warriors 8 Sea Eagles 17
Last clash
Round 22, 2013: Sea Eagles 27-12 Warriors at Central Coast Stadium