Cronullla's Ava Seumanufagai may be forced out of Cronulla, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Sharks must be salary cap compliant before the season starts and the 27-year old might be the player who has to make way.
It is understood that Seumanufagai has drawn interest from the Super League's Leeds and will make a call on his future soon.
When asked about his future, the prop said the hardest part of his decision was the prospect of leaving a potential premiership contender.
โItโs probably just the playing squad,โ Seumanufagai told theย Herald.
โItโs a tough squad this year, really experienced. Just the move over there, Iโve got a daughter who is one-and-a-half.
โIโm not too sure whatโs going on. Iโve been reading that Leeds has been interested, but in terms of my decision, I havenโt made a formal decision yet.โ
Cronulla reportedly need to offload $353,000 of salary, which is in line with the money Seumanufagai is on, while it is understood that Leeds are prepared to offer Seumanufagai a three-year contract.
The front-rower added that he was not being pushed out of Cronulla.
โNo, everyone has been fine,โ he said.
โNo one has spoken to me about that, no one has spoken to me about cap pressures either.
โAs far as Iโm concerned, Iโm coming to training and doing my job, nothing has changed.
โIโm not too sure whatโs going on. I canโt put any [timeframe] on it, Iโm not sure myself.
โItโs all up in the air, Iโm sorry I canโt give you a scoop.โ
Outgoing Sharks CEO Barry Russel lamented the idea that a player had to make way to meet their salary cap.
โ[Seumanufagai] has obviously been in the press and thatโs one scenario that I think is looking positive and will be a good outcome for Ava and for the club,โ Russell said.
โThatโs one scenario. Weโre in discussions with the salary-cap auditors on a whole range of options, whether we prepay some money, whether we can call some of that back. They are all the levers weโre looking at but ultimately weโre looking for what least affects the playing squad and is most beneficial to the player who goes.
โIโm mindful of the players because we have such a tight group. Itโs delicate, thatโs why I canโt come out and say โheโs going to go, itโs going to be him.โ
โThey have families and lives and kids and weโve got less than [a week until round one]. Thatโs why we are taking our time. We meet every day, weโre providing updates on situations and are talking to managers and clubs.
โWeโll get the desired outcomes and Iโve got no dramas we will be compliant.โ
Hold on…..
If he is released they become salary cap compliant. $330k. OK.
But he needs to be replaced in the squad of 30. So they need to release a big fish?
They’re already under by about $200K, so if Ava goes they’ll be well under and can then register Seggyaro
He wonโt make the nrl side anyway barring two or three injuries…..