NRL: Warriors make another play for Matai

The Warriors have made another approach to Manly centre Steve Matai to secure his services for next season. Photo / Getty Images

Agent confirms Auckland NRL franchise in second approach this year to sign Manly centre for 2015

The Warriors have continued their pursuit of Manly centre Steve Matai and remain hopeful the Sea Eagles will grant him a release for next season in the NRL.

The Warriors made an initial approach in July, tabling a four-year deal reportedly worth $2.4 million. Matai has twice asked Manly for a release but the club has resisted.

The 30-year-old's agent, Gavin Orr, yesterday confirmed the Warriors had made another approach in recent weeks and are awaiting the outcome of further discussions with Manly.

"The Warriors have spoken to me again and they've asked me to ask the question back to Manly, which I will, and I'll wait for the answers on where Manly stand on everything," explained Orr.

"They've [Warriors] made their thoughts clear that they still want him in the last couple of weeks and they want to pursue that.

"All I can do is ask the club [Manly] and be up front with them and see where they're at."

Matai recently knocked back a $1 million two-year extension offer from Manly after discussions stalled over whether they would upgrade his 2015 deal, the final year of his contract.

Orr will approach Manly on Monday and get their response to the likelihood of an upgrade or whether they will grant Matai a release to join the Warriors.

Manly faced the Rabbitohs in their qualifying final last night.

"I'll wait until Monday and then I'll have a talk to them. I've spoken to Steve and just said 'you've got to concentrate on the finals'. I don't talk to the players from Thursday leading into a game because they are distractions and it's not fair on them.

"There is interest and those questions will be asked again and we could get the same answers. But if we get the same answers, well, it is dead in the water again."

Warriors general manager of football Dean Bell admitted the acquisition of Matai could not be discounted, if he were to be granted a release. "It's something we would look at. If he did [come on the market], it's a thought, but he's under contract and there's not much we can do about it," he said.

"As far as we're concerned we've been told that's the end of it and we've left it at that. But if he did, that would be a different matter I suppose. We'd have to explore that if it happened."

The midfield has proven problematic for the Warriors in recent years, and although Konrad Hurrell continues to develop into a top class right-centre, the club has struggled to find a suitable left-edge partner.

Dane Nielsen has failed to live up to expectations since arriving from Melbourne in 2013 and despite having a year to run on his contract the Warriors are prepared to let him go.

The versatile Ngani Laumape has proven his ability in the midfield and this season formed a promising combination with Hurrell, but can be just as effective on the wing. Former Canberra centre Matt Allwood has been secured for 2015, but faces strong competition from Laumape, Nielsen, and other midfield contenders, Ben Henry and Dominique Peyroux. With Storm back-rower Ryan Hoffman arriving over the off-season, a hardened and experienced campaigner such as Matai would give the Warriors a midfield general to compliment the likes of captain Simon Mannering, halfback Shaun Johnson, veteran five-eighth Thomas Leuluai and fullback Sam Tomkins.