NRL: Warriors face competition to re-sign Jazz Tevaga

The Warriors are in talks to re-sign off-contract forward Jazz Tevaga but face competition with three rival NRL clubs also chasing his services for next year.

The tough-as nails loose forward or hooker is keen to remain at the Warriors but recently knocked back the club's initial offer and decided to test his market value.

Negotiations are continuing between the Warriors and Tevaga's agent but three mystery clubs - including one Sydney outfit - have also expressed interest but are yet to table formal offers.

The 22-year-old's primary focus remains on continuing his good form and helping the Warriors in their quest to make the finals but hopes the situation can be resolved sooner rather than later.

"I would love to stay at the Warriors but if things don't work out I might have to make the move across the ditch," said Tevaga.

"It's up in the air. If it happens (in the next couple of weeks), it happens.

"I'm just trying to concentrate on my footy and play well and hopefully carry that on into the finals and I can sort that contract stuff out later."

Tevaga has enjoyed a strong season making 18 appearances so far predominantly off the bench as a loose forward replacement and one start in the No 9 jersey while filling in for injured hooker Issac Luke.

The Christchurch-born product has impressed with his high work-rate and tireless tackling and adds another dimension to the Warriors attack with his footwork, ball-playing and offloading ability making him a handful for opposition defenders.

Tevaga is happy to continue juggling both the dummy-half and middle forward roles but admits he wants the opportunity to establish himself as a first-choice lock long-term.

"I still want to work on that hooker role because it adds a lot of value to my game and to me but ideally my goal is to be a 13," he said.

"With Simon (Mannering) retiring at the end of the year and the following year (Adam) Blairy will be another year older, so [it depends] where my best opportunity [might be]."

The Warriors don't have much money to spend with little room left under the salary cap and are still in talks to re-sign Luke for next season.

Tevaga accepts the club have several big name players on their books but hopes they can provide the extra incentive for him to remain in Auckland.

"The club offered me a contract that I turned down initially. The coin wasn't where I wanted it to be but we've got a lot of big signings at the club and they take up a big portion of the salary cap.

"There's a lot of things to weigh up at the moment. I'm just trying to focus on my game week to week and not think about that stuff but it's pretty hard not to."

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney is a big fan of Tevaga and general manager of football Brian Smith is confident the club will re-sign him.

"(Recruitment manager) Peter (O'Sullivan) has been in some pretty heavy dealings with his manager over the last few weeks but it will hopefully come to a conclusion very soon," said Smith.

"The fact negations are still going on suggests there is still some middle ground there.
"Stephen is very hopeful as well that we can not only reach an agreement but do it pretty quickly.

"I know Jazz is keen to stay and we're keen to keep him again and it's just a matter of establishing that price."