The Gold Coast Titans might be hunting Harry Grant’s signature, but the Kangaroos hooker says his future can wait as he focuses on leading Australia to World Cup glory on Sunday night.
While he has a multimillion-dollar deal from the Melbourne Storm on the table, the 28-year-old Grant is one of several Kangaroos stars whose future beyond 2027 is far from clear.
Titans part owner Matthew Johns has reached out to the Queenslander about a potential move home, believing he can help turn the fortunes of the perennial NRL underachievers – especially with young stars Zane Harrison, Keano Kini and Jayden Campbell on the books.
Grant is the latest Kangaroos star whose future has come under the spotlight since the November 1 free agency window opened, with Australian teammate Sam Walker linked to both the PNG Chiefs and South Sydney after failing to agree terms on a new deal with the Roosters.
Walker’s management had cast a line out to Australian rugby, but sources speaking on the condition of anonymity indicated that any move to Super Rugby was unlikely, with Rugby Australia content with their playmaking stocks ahead of next year’s World Cup.
The future of flying winger Jack Bostock has also been the subject of regular discussion, with the 23-year-old Dolphins star heavily linked to a move to the Dragons, while Penrith’s Liam Martin could be a target to replace PNG-bound second-rower Hudson Young at Canberra.
Speaking to reporters following Sunday night’s 44-12 win over Samoa in Sydney, Grant said he wasn’t surprised the contract talk was keeping the rumour mill humming, but insisted his attention was solely on taking down the Kiwis this weekend at Suncorp Stadium.
“I think it’s become a big deal because there’s a lot of attention around it. For us, our attention is on the World Cup,” he said. “Across the board, I know that you don’t want to miss these opportunities. They don’t come around too often.
“I think you’re trying to eliminate distractions and really lock into what’s most important now. For us right now, that’s the World Cup. I think everyone’s professional enough to be able to do that.
“Clubs have been respectful enough to allow that and understand that. There’ll be times to get all that stuff. We’ll have those more mature conversations in the coming weeks.”
While the Kangaroos breezed through to another World Cup final, Kevin Walters’ forwards have been accused of failing to muscle up against opposing packs throughout the tournament.
However that was far from the case on Sunday, when Pat Carrigan continued the fine early onslaught from Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Keaon Koloamatangi to stop Samoa dead in their tracks.
“I thought they stood up really good,” Walters said after full-time. “They’ve been questioned and criticised by some people, but not within the group. There’s a lot of respect for what they do and they did a great job tonight.”
Fa’asuamaleaui said the outside noise had been “extra motivating”, while Carrigan, who ran for a team-high 163 metres off the bench, laughed when asked if he had been keeping receipts.
The Brisbane powerhouse acknowledged it had been impossible to miss the criticism, but said the Kangaroos were keeping their heads down ahead of Sunday’s final.
“In today’s world, with phones … you see things, but I think all the outside noise doesn’t really affect us,” he said. “I’m really passionate and proud to play with these boys and play for our country. There’s no egos here and whatever job you need to do, you just got to get it done.
“We’ve got great leaders, guys like Yeoy [captain Isaah Yeo] that keep us calm and collected. I thought the boys did an outstanding job tonight and we just jumped on the back of them.
“So, yeah, privileged to go to another World Cup final and [I’m] really excited to play the Kiwis.”
