#KiwiNRL Peta Hiku Gaps To England, Matt McIlwrick Re-Signs
In releasing Peta Hiku, Penrith Panthers appear to have finished their #KiwiNRL cull, well the 'big names' any way. Hiku was released earlier this week, thus opening the passage for Hiku to join Warrington Wolves for the rest of the season. From their Hiku could stay in the Super League if it tickles his fancy - absolutely nothing wrong with getting to see Europe and play some footy, growing as a bloke etc - or he could look to make his way back into the NRL and there would be a few clubs eager to snap up the versatile outside back.
Signed on from Manly Sea Eagles when the Sea Eagles were clearing way for a semi-rebuild, Hiku certainly wasn't on a small deal and that deal looks fairly hefty when you consider that Hiku has been unable to crack Penrith's full-strength backline. Hiku quickly became a Mr-Fix-It and with Tyrone Peachey a fine bench-utility, there just wasn't any room for Hiku in a Penrith-17, let alone getting value for money.
Josh Mansour bounced back as strongly as you'd expect from his knee injury and even Matt Moylan's move to the halves only resulted in Dylan Edwards getting the fullback spot. You'd struggle to make a case that Hiku should be selected over Mansour or Edwards in their respective positions, or Dean Whare and Waqa Blake in the centres, or Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the wing. This resulted in Hiku covering an edge forward spot when Penrith were down on troops and coming off the bench; Penrith just couldn't fit Hiku in.
This is footy business at it's finest and instead of wasting away in reserve grade, Hiku can play some footy for Warrington while he sorts out his next move. Remember that Hiku is only 24-years-old and this isn't a case of Hiku being thrown to the Super League rubbish bin, it's the best option for him right now and there's plenty of time left in his career.
Hiku's departure follows a gang of #KiwiNRL lads leaving Penrith and that there's still a decent #KiwiNRL presence at Penrith shows you just how strong their #KiwiNRL links were. This week two #KiwiNRL young guns were released by Penrith with Hiku joined by Te Maire Martin, earlier this year Martin's Junior Kiwis halves partner Zach Dockar-Clay was released to join Hull KR and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak was allowed to join Wests Tigers mid-season.
Hiku and Martin would have been on decent deals (safe estimate: $200k-$500k), meaning that getting their salaries off Penrith's books is a wise move. Neither Hiku nor Martin were playing NRL footy each week, more importantly though it didn't really look as they would be able to contribute in any major way for the rest of their contracts. Fair play.
Keep a close eye on other Penrith players such as Sitaleki Akauola, Moses Leota and Sione Katoa who have slid down the pecking order and could be handy pick ups for other clubs. Katoa is now behind Mitch Rein and the injured Peter Wallace for the hooking spot, while Leota and Akauola have been over-taken by the arrival of James Tamou and emergence of youngster Viliame Kikau.
In some happier news, Wests Tigers announced that they had re-signed dummy half Matt McIlwrick for two more years. Hailing from Christchurch, McIlwrick had quickly become a bit of a journeyman despite only being in his mid-20s after coming up through the grades with Canberra Raiders. He spent a year at the Roosters, then Cronulla before the departure of Robbie Farah and absence of Matt Ballin through injury has allowed McIlwrick to settle down somewhat.
McIlwrick had been starting games but is named on the bench with Jacob Liddle to start. Expect these two to share hooking duties for the rest of the season and perhaps in the next few seasons as Liddle offers a nice attacking threat but is still a bit small, with McIlwrick a solid defender and slick distributor.
The Tigers already have a deep #KiwiNRL group with McIlwrick joined by Watene-Zelezniak, Elijah Taylor, Ava Seumanufagai, Josh Aloiai, Michael Chee-Kam, Tuimoala Lolohea and Esan Marsters. Chuck in Ben Matulino and Russell Packer and the Tigers could have the biggest #KiwiNRL collection next season.
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