NRL: Matai close to returning home

Steve Matai may return to play for the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis international Steve Matai is expected to finalise his National Rugby League (NRL) future next week, with the New Zealand Warriors firming as the destination.

The Manly Sea Eagles are struggling to retain the hard-hitting centre and apparently have until Monday to negotiate a contract to retain the popular 25-year-old.

Matai is already considering a return home to Auckland after the Warriors tabled a two-year deal - the club view him as a ready made replacement for Brent Tate.

Matai has long feared he could not be accommodated under Manly's salary cap in 2011; the Warriors are not under the same financial constraints, after Tate's move to North Queensland and his brother-in-law Steve Price's retirement.

The Warriors have already signed outside back Krisnan Inu from Parramatta but Matai is still among the Auckland club's priorities - as are Melbourne forwards Adam Blair and Brett White.

It was understood Manly coach Des Hasler was keen to retain Matai, despite a concerning injury history and chequered past at the NRL judiciary.

Matai, who debuted for the club in 2005, has admitted negotiations had been frustrating.

"Now they are just stalling and I need answers so I can sort out my future," he said.

"It's disappointing because I am apparently not a priority for them ... I can't wait until the end of the year when clubs have signed up players and have no room."

The fact it took six years for Matai to reach 100 games for the club - in round 15 against the Rabbitohs - is thought to have made Manly keen to downgrade his deal.

Matai has missed the best part of two seasons through a combination of injury and suspension, the latest setback was a three-match ban after the game against Parramatta in round 10.

"The way I play the game has led to a few injuries and a few charges from the judiciary but I try and do the best for my team and coach," he said.

- NZPA