Dec 30th, 2019

Dec 30th, 2019

A teenager poached from Kiwi rugby union could be the shock answer to Melbourne's centre problems next season.

Judda Turahui, 18, is training with the Storm's full-time squad and has impressed coach Craig Bellamy with his maturity and skills.

With the Storm losing Will Chambers (released), Solomone Kata (rugby union) and Curtis Scott (Raiders), the centres could prove a real problem.

But Turahui, who hails from Taranaki and attended the famous rugby union nursery Kings College in Auckland, could fill the void.

A fine all-round athlete, he broke records in both high jump and running at school but is now ready to step up to the big boys.

JOEY COLD ON KNIGHTS

The Knights are desperate to get club legend Andrew Johns back 'in love' with Newcastle - but their efforts have so far come to nought.

Johns made back page headlines when he slammed the Knights over the appalling way the club handled the departure of coach Nathan Brown late last season.

'Joey' said what many in the Hunter thought - that Brown's meeting with chief executive Philip Gardner just weeks before the finals, which saw the coach walk, cost the club a spot in the big end-of-season games.

In an angry outburst on Channel Nine, Johns declared the Knights had "sabotaged" their finals hopes with the announcement of Brown's departure at a crucial stage of the season.

Wide World of Sports has been told that the Knights want Johns back in their corner again and have spoken to the Immortal about a job on the coaching staff - but at this stage, Johns won't hear of it.

Andrew Johns in action for the Knights. (Getty)

DRAGONS SECOND-GUESSING RELEASE

The Dragons are having second thoughts about releasing Tongan international forward Patrick Kaufusi.

The club announced a couple of months ago that the big prop was not a part of their plans for 2020.

But several rival clubs have shown interest in the former Cowboys and Storm hard man and at 25, he is approaching his peak in the NRL.

Kaufusi only managed six games for the Dragons last season - but is a player who could give value as a bargain third or fourth prop next year and he will have little trouble finding a new home.

Rabbitohs star Dane Gagai: Gold Coast bound? (AAP)

GAGAI FOR ARROW SWAP?

The Titans have their eyes on Queensland State of Origin utility back Dane Gagai in a possible swap for fellow Maroon Jai Arrow with Souths next season.

Arrow has signed with the Bunnies for 2021 - but has told anyone who wants to listen that he doesn't want to wait that long to make the switch.

The Titans are playing hardball, however, insisting that Arrow sticks to his contract with the Gold Coast.

But they are open to a swap and with Souths having plenty of depth in the outside backs, they may let Gagai go.

The sticking point is whether Souths pay some of Gagai's wage for next year and that could stop the swap from going ahead.