HAVE Cronulla already found a replacement for the retiring Michael Ennis?

Meanwhile, their coach Shane Flanagan has responded to whether he’d be interested in out-of-favour Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah.

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TIGERS SNARE CHERRINGTON

Round 20

Cronulla have signed young Wests Tigers rake Manaia Cherrington.

Fox Sports’ chief NRL reporter James Hooper revealed on NRL Tonight that the former Junior Kiwi will join the Sharks next season on a two-year deal.

Manaia Cherrington at Wests Tigers training. Source: News Corp Australia

Cherrington was long touted as Robbie Farah’s successor at the Tigers, but like Farah, has found himself down the pecking order at the club and has been linked with an exit for much of the season.

The 21-year-old has made 16 appearances for the Tigers since making his NRL debut in 2015.

Special guests Michael Ennis and Benji Marshall join the Market Watch podcast to chat about Benji’s future, Ennis’ retirement and what’s next for Robbie Farah.

FARAH’S SHIRE CONNECTION

Does Michael Ennis’ retirement open the door for Robbie Farah at the Sharks?

And could Farah’s friendship with Paul Gallen play a part in the No. 9’s next move?

“You’d have to think it does,” Fox Sports’ reporter James Hooper told NRL Tonight.

“We all know Robbie Farah is great friends with the NSW and Cronulla captain Paul Gallen.

“They’ve obviously just finished representing the Blues in this year’s losing series.

“Certainly from that point of view, it’s only early days, but with Michael Ennis now leaving, and Wests Tigers looking to get Robbie Farah out the door yesterday it does open a window for Cronulla if he fits the bill and he’s the style of player they’re looking for.”

FLANNO DOESN’T RULE OUT FARAH

Meanwhile, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan hasn’t ruled out making a play for the out-of-favour Robbie Farah.

“I think he’s a good player,” Flanagan told Channel Nine.

“But we won’t be going down that path before the end of the season.”

THE MEN WHO GUIDED ENNIS

Sharks hooker Michael Ennis has revealed three men who he spoke to in the lead up to his shock decision to retire from the NRL.

“I had some good conversations with some people that I really trust that always tell me the truth,” Ennis told NRL 360.

“Obviously Wayne Bennett, I’ve got a great relationship with Wayne.

“Shane Flanagan is another guy I’ve built up a really great relationship with over the last 18 months.

“Corey Parker was the other guy, he’s been through it himself.

“I had a great conversation with Corey late (Monday) night about things and he certainly made me feel really comfortable with the decision that I made.”

TAPINE TARGETS KIWIS

Canberra forward Joseph Tapine has set his sights on a New Zealand jersey.

The 22-year-old has showed touches of class since his move to the nation’s capital from Newcastle this season.

“That’s always the big goal for me, is to play for my country. If I get the chance I’ll take it with both hands and I’ll love it,” Tapine told The Canberra Times.

“I don’t know [if this year is realistic], but it’s a goal of mine over the next couple of years to try and make that team.

“I’m hoping it happens and with good luck I reckon I’ll get it.”

Joseph Tapine in action for the Raiders. Source: Getty Images

RLPA LASHES DRAGONS

The Rugby League Players’ Association has claimed St George Illawarra did not undertake the correct procedure when the club decided to immediately stand down Siliva Havili and Tim Lafai.

Havili and Lafai were allegedly involved in a drunken brawl in Wollongong on Sunday night that left one man with a head wound.

Tim Lafai is in hot water. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

“While we are still in the process of gathering all of the relevant information, we have concerns generally about players being stood down, effective immediately, without the proper process being followed as appears to be the case here,” the RLPA’s general counsel Tim Lythe told Fairfax Media.

“I need to emphasise that we absolutely support players being held accountable for their actions and that a process can be completed in a very short time frame. But for the sake of fairness, consistency and integrity for all regarding how these matters are managed by the game, the agreed process must be respected.”

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