Apr 29th, 2019

Apr 29th, 2019

New Zealand and Tonga are fighting a bitter battle for the services of boom Manly youngster Manase Fainu.

The talented hooker, who shone in last weekend’s upset win over Canberra, was born in Sydney and has lived in the harbour city all his life.

But his mother is a Kiwi and his father comes from Tonga, making him eligible for both countries.

The two countries will be in action in the representative round mid-season and are putting the heat on the 20-year-old to declare his allegiances.

Fainu is starting games on the Manly bench behind Apisai Koroisau but is proving a ‘super sub’ for Des Hasler with his electrifying running from dummy-half when thrown into the fray.

Manly's Manase Fainu is hot property. (AAP)

RAMIEN WANTS OUT OF KNIGHTS

A frustrated Jesse Ramien is set to quit the Knights when his contract is up at the end of next season - if not sooner.

Ramien plays right centre for the Knights and feels he is being starved of possession, with halfback Mitchell Pearce and the freakish Kayln Ponga launching almost all of their attacking raids on the left side.

Ramien only joined the Knights this year and is a quality attacking player who will be in high demand from rival clubs.

The star centre’s management will open talks with teams when NRL rules permit him to in November.

But the powerhouse centre is hoping the Knights give him an early release and allow him to move to a new home before the start of next season - a club where he will see more of the ball.

Jesse Ramien (L). (AAP)

SEZER WANTS OUT OF RAIDERS

Word out of Canberra is that talented five-eighth Aidan Sezer wants out of the club before June 30.

Sezer has been unable to break into the Raiders’ top side in recent weeks, with Sam Williams and Jack Wighton sharing the playmaking duties.

The former Bulldog has been playing for Mounties in the NSW Cup but is an NRL-quality player and could easily find a club - if the Raiders release him before the transfer deadline.

With George Williams coming to the club from England next season, the writing is one the wall for Sezer and he is best to get out of the club sooner rather than later.

Aidan Sezer. (AAP)

BATTLING COWBOYS TO ROLL THE DICE

It’s desperate times for the Cowboys, rooted on the bottom of the NRL ladder with no relief in sight and a crucial clash with the Titans this weekend.

I’m hearing coach Paul Green is set to take a massive gamble to stop the rot, moving giant middle forward John Asiata to five-eighth for the game.

Life has been tough for the Cowboys since Johnathan Thurston’s retirement and Asiata could prove the man to fill the No.6 jersey with his silky skills and ability to read a game.

He may not be named at five-eighth, but the mail is he will play there come Friday night.