NRL: More clubs after Kieran Foran

Kieran Foran. Photo / photosport.nz

Kieran Foran is a wanted man.

Up to four clubs have been linked with the former Kiwis playmaker, with the Rabbitohs the latest NRL team to make a play.

According to Australian media reports on Tuesday the South Sydney outfit has made a late bid for Foran's signature, after concerns over lack of halves depth at Redfern. Luke Keary will be moving across town to Bondi next year and there is some uncertainty over the long term future of Adam Reynolds.

The Bulldogs have also shown strong interest, with coach Des Hasler under pressure to rebound from a comparatively disappointing 2016 season. Hasler is one of the most successful coaches of the modern era, reaching the playoffs in 12 out of 13 years and making four grand finals (two victories with Manly in 2008 and 2011).

But Hasler has a lot to prove after an underwhelming season at Belmore, where Canterbury unravelled in the second half of the campaign and fell at the first finals hurdle to Penrith.

Hasler, who has a long association with Foran from his Brookvale days, sees him as a player who can breathe new life into his Bulldogs roster and add the spark that was often missing this season. Foran met with Bulldogs officials last week and an offer was said to be imminent.

At this stage Mt Smart remain Foran's most likely destination, but as Warriors' CEO Jim Doyle said last week "the favourites don't always win".

There are plenty of reasons why Auckland would be a good choice for former Kiwis vice-captain, especially with the opportunity to make a fresh start and escape the Sydney spotlight. Foran also has a strong relationship with Doyle and new Warriors coach Stephen Kearney while the challenge of bringing long awaited NRL success to his native country would have great appeal.

But the most important factor is Foran's young children, and the ability to spend time with them, which would be compromised by being based across the Tasman.

Foran also needs to satisfy the NRL that he is mentally and emotionally ready to come back into the game, after his turbelent 2016 season, before they will register any contract.

St George have also been recently linked with Foran, with coach Paul MacGregor effusive about the potential impact of the five eighth. But on Monday Dragons recruitment official Ian Millward appeared to rule out the prospect of Foran coming to Kogarah.

"Kieran won't be a Dragon in 2017," he told Fox Sports.