League: Warriors still keen to sign up Foran

Kieran Foran of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland team admit Sydney’s beaches big pull for playmaker

The Warriors remain determined to snare Kiwis five-eighth Kieran Foran but concede they face a difficult task to lure him away from Sydney's northern beaches.

The 24-year-old is off contract at Manly at the end of 2015 and has made it clear he wants to make a decision on his playing future before the start of the next season.

The Warriors are not hiding the fact they are eager to sign the 2011 premiership winner but realise they face strong competition from rival clubs Canterbury, Parramatta, the Sydney Roosters and Manly.

"We're keen on Kieran. We'd love him to come," said Warriors director of football Dean Bell.

"We'd love to bring him to the Warriors but we respect that things like this, a big decision like this, takes a lot of time.

"Even though he's a Kiwi it's not going to be easy to pull him out of the northern beaches but we're probably one of many clubs that are quite keen to get him."

Bell was reluctant to discuss how negotiations were progressing but when asked if the club had tabled an offer said: "We want to know what his intentions are, yeah."

Speculation began swirling during the Four Nations tournament last month that the Warriors were making a strong bid for Foran's services with the aim of reuniting him in the halves with Kiwis No 7 Shaun Johnson.

A premature tweet from club co-owner Eric Watson, welcoming the tough-as-nails playmaker to Penrose, sent the rumour mill into overdrive before the businessman fired out a second message apologising for raising fans' hopes.

Since then the Warriors have shed some big-name players, with Feleti Mateo, Jayson Bukuya and Dane Nielsen all granted early releases, which should assist the club in preparing what would need to be a big money offer to lure Foran across the Tasman.

Foran told the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday of his desire to sort out his future before the season start but admitted the Manly lifestyle would be difficult to leave behind.

"As long as I get it wrapped up before the season starts I'll be pretty happy," said Foran.

"It would be [hard to leave Manly]. I've been in Manly since I was a 16-year-old, so I've grown to love the place and I love the area.

"Certainly it's very close to home for me. I'll get back to training, assess the options and make a decision then."

Meanwhile, in what will come as a disappointment to some Warriors fans, coach Andrew McFadden has ruled out the possibility of club legend and current staff member Ruben Wiki playing in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.

Speculation was rife the 41-year-old would follow in Brad Fittler's footsteps and come out of retirement to play in the two-day tournament in February, but McFadden says that won't be happening.

"I have spoken to Ruben about it because obviously there was a bit of media speculation but it wouldn't be right for Rubes to play," said McFadden.

"We've got an obligation to go out and have a good crack at the nines tournament and we also see it as an opportunity for some young guys to get a go.

"Rubes has done as much as he can in the game and doesn't need to prove anything to anyone.

"I know that we are all interested and there is even a part of me that would love to see Ruben fold someone in half again but I think it is best if we just go with our current squad."