League: Warriors star could be the next to seek riches abroad

Sione Faumuina has sounded out a UK move. Picture / Fotopress

Mystery surrounded Sione Faumuina yesterday as strong rumours abounded that he was on the verge of tying up a deal that would see him follow Andrew Johns to the UK for a short stint in the Super League.

It had been suggested that the 24-year-old Warriors second-rower, who still has two years left on his contract, was unhappy about what he was earning at the club so tested the waters among Super League clubs. It's understood the Warriors then found out about Faumuina's plans, prompting the Kiwi representative to demand an upgrade.

As a compromise, the Warriors agreed to release him to play in the Super League if they missed out on the playoffs and then give Faumuina an upgraded contract next season.

Warriors chief executive Mick Watson vehmently dismissed this version of events giving a "categorically not" when asked about it.

He suggested that, in light of Johns' temporary move to Warrington at the end of the NRL, agents for players at bottom-four clubs were rushing to see whether Super League outfits would be interested in any of their players.

Faumuina is believed to be earning about $275,000 at the Warriors and could earn as much as $400,000 in a season in the UK.

He could have picked up about $40-$50,000 by playing in the Super League at the end of the NRL season.

Faumuina would be an attractive proposition for a host of English clubs because, as a Samoan passport holder, he would avoid being considered one of the three quota players clubs are allowed.

Also, assuming the Warriors don't make the top eight, their season finishes one game before other NRL clubs because they have the bye in the final round - meaning he would be available to play one more game than other NRL players.

But any deal could hit a snag, considering the Tri Nations is due to start on the same weekend as the Super League grand final - something that Johns is having to face.

Watson said he would never consider letting a player join a Super League club if they missed out on the top eight because "I'm not looking at anything but making the finals".

Faumuina's apparent desire to leave would be yet another PR nightmare for the club and come on the back of Francis Meli and Stacey Jones requesting an early release from their contracts, which still had a year remaining, as well as Iafeta Paleaaesina's decision to join Wigan rather than re-sign with the Warriors. 

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