‘Very unusual clauses’: Tigers boss vows to keep Utoikamanu

Wests Tigers officials say they are not threatened by Penrith’s interest in Stefano Utoikamanu, and remain confident they can secure him on a long-term deal.

As James Fisher-Harris hinted he was missing family in New Zealand earlier this week before announcing he would join the Warriors, Utoikamanu, the prop at the top of the premiers’ wish list, will not be given up without a fight.

Utoikamanu has clauses in his deal that allow him to leave the Tigers at the end of the year if they fail to make the top eight, or he fails to play at least two Origin games for NSW.

Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson was not at the club when the clauses were added , but said a lot had changed since that contract was finalised.

“We want to retain him for the rest of his career, and we’ll do everything we can to do so,” Richardson said.

“They’re very unusual clauses. But they were based around the club we once were, I understand that, and we’re not that club any more.

Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu is in great demand.

“I’m not worried that there’s interest from Penrith or whoever – the reality is we want him to stay, and I believe he’ll stay.

“We’ll work something out in the next 60 to 90 days. He’s in a good headspace, and he gets along really well with Benji.”

Utoikamanu told this masthead: “I want to stay at the Tigers; I’ve loved every minute I’ve been here, and they’ve given me my big opportunity to become the player I am now.”

Fisher-Harris was given permission to return to New Zealand on compassionate grounds, which has left the premiers on the lookout – and with money to spend – for a front-rower.

‘They’re very unusual clauses … We’re not that club any more’

Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson

Fisher-Harris spoke to this masthead on Monday, a day after he reached out to the Warriors about joining them, and detailed how he had this year delayed returning to the NRL in order to spend time with family following the death of his grandfather.

“It was his time, everyone is at peace, but it was good to get back and see all the family,” Fisher-Harris said.

“He was fighting dementia for a bit. Then he had a bit of a fall. He pretty much went downhill after that, really quickly.

“I booked the flights home, but he passed [before I got home].

“We were as close as we could be. He was in the mines, he spent time in Australia for a long time. He was on the Goldie [Gold Coast], and whenever I play against the Goldie or Brisbane, he’d get there. He also came down here a few times. We made it work.

“I missed two games [in rounds three and four]. I took my time and stayed there, instead of rushing back to try and play against the Roosters.

“I was pretty adamant I didn’t want to rush home, and I wanted to be with my family.”

Even when Fisher-Harris won the Golden Boot in December, he made a point about needing to take time out to catch up with loved ones, and his love of New Zealand.

Fisher-Harris was even keen to go against Benji Marshall’s Tigers on Saturday in Bathurst and said of his former teammate who is now the head coach: “Benji is the man. I have a heap of respect for him, especially being a Maori and New Zealander.

“He’s done everything, man. And there are not too many Maori coaches. That’s something we can all strive for.”

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