Cronulla Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce has released an official statement relating to media reports linking the club to potential new recruits.
Noyce was reacting to an unofficial report that the Sharks football department had made an informal approach to North Queensland Cowboys five-eighth Robert Lui about joining them in 2015 and beyond. The Sharks play the Cowboys tonight, Friday, at Remondis Stadium, Woolooware.
Lui was sacked by the Wests Tigers and banned by the NRL for 12 months after he was found guilty of assaulting his partner, Tahleah Backo, who was pregnant at the time.
There were rumours that Lui was being courted to replace sacked Sharks five-eighth, Todd Carney.
“Club recruitment and retention is a very important aspect of our business and it’s one that requires much thought and plenty of homework,’’ Noyce said.
‘‘In response to speculation in the media today, it must be explained that the events of the past couple of weeks has resulted in a bombardment by every manager in the game offering various players for our consideration.
‘‘Although it is pleasing that players are actively seeking to join our great club, we will ensure that any players being recruited or retained add to our playing roster on the field and to our culture off it while fitting in with the policies and procedures we have in place.
‘‘We were pleased to announce earlier this week the re-signings of Jacob Gagan and David Fifita, which comes on the back of Sosaia Feki and Fa’amanu Brown signing new long-term contracts.
‘‘It means we have a talented crop of young players committing to the Sharks, and to the team and club culture we are continuing to build.
‘‘We anticipate more exciting signing news in the near future but will continue to conduct player contract negotiations in confidence and will not make media comment on such matters until finalised.”
Who should the Sharks look to recruit and replace sacked five-eighth Todd Carney next season?
