Vuna re-signs

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Newcastle sweeten deal in hope of holding onto speedster
By ROBERT DILLON

NEWCASTLE Knights officials have used incentives for representative selection in Cooper Vuna's contract offer to try to tempt the winger to re-sign with the club.

Vuna is a free agent at season's end, and the Knights are eager to retain him, but the 20-year-old is yet to accept a two-year deal the club has tabled.

Knights football manager Warren Smiles said he had held further negotiations with Vuna's manager yesterday and revealed the Auckland-born speedster would receive an upgrade if he graduated to the New Zealand Test team.

"We're not trying to pressure him; we've made an offer that we believe is fair," Smiles said yesterday.

"We've added some incentives and things in the deal, and we're hoping he'll agree to it.

"If he played for New Zealand, there would be bonuses and opportunity to earn more money in future years."

Smiles said that if Vuna did not accept Newcastle's offer, it would not be withdrawn, but he warned the youngster that "if we sign other players then a bit of the pie becomes smaller".

Vuna said yesterday that he was still waiting to hear from his agent but was hopeful of reaching a decision soon, after negotiations kicked off more than a month ago.

"I want to get it done as soon as I can so I can concentrate on footy," he said.

Meanwhile, Knights coach Brian Smith will give veteran Adam MacDougall until later in the week to prove if he is fit to tackle Parramatta on Friday night.

MacDougall missed last week's win against Manly with a knee injury but has been named in an 18-man squad.

Smith has also retained halfback Scott Dureau, although he said it was likely the 21-year-old would be spending time in Central Newcastle's NSW Cup team before the season became much older.

"It's a long haul," Smith said. "The season is physically and mentally demanding, and especially so for a rookie playing halfback.

"It's a big thing for him to get his body and his mind ready to play every weekend.

"We'll keep monitoring it, but we'd prefer to take the pressure off him before he shows any signs that it might be affecting him.

"At the moment he's handling it pretty well."
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Source: Herald
 
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Hope Vuna resigns.

I reckon Smith will play Dureau this week, but will drop him against the Warriors.
 
Throw in a years supply of Head & Shoulders, I'm confident he would sign for life!
 
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Good news I guess. His still young, and surely hasn't reached his full potential yet.
 
It seems weird how he is still so young, he is definately mature beyond his years. He will be in the Kiwis squad come WC time i rekon, on the verge of a spot in the 17
 
I cant see another club chasing him. If anything he would go home, but the Warriors offloaded him and he wasnt happy about that. He will re-sign, its a matter if Aku will. Something tells me if he cant crack FG this year, he wont with the Knights. Another club will snap him up.

It also has alot to do with the club culture at the moment. Heaps of 'Poly's' (As K4P would say) are making them all stay :)
 
Hmm Ive Heard a few things that scared me from some reliable sources yesterday, And i can say at the moment its between Newcastle and another club. The Person Said He Is Wanting o remain in newy tho
 
oh no

i hope he stays

he was good last night especially his kick returns

he just went for it ,lol

that bloody try he scored nearly gave me a heart attack though....just put the ball down
 
Im just trying to think who would be the other club trying to sign him. No one is really short on wingers? K4P any idea if its a Sydney based club?
 
Because Serah asked me not to because he is deciding on the two offers. But he feels more inclined to stay in Newcastle, he doesnt want to start moving around clubs every year or two. At one stage he wanted to leave, but it seems now his family is there with him he is more settled.
 
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