Former St Helens star Kevin Naiqama is set to leave Sydney Roosters at the end of the 2022 season after just one year.
Daily Telegraph columnist Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield had previously said that, due to salary cap restrictions, the Roosters will have to let a number of stars go.
One is Fijian international Naiqama, whilst Siosiua Taukeiaho has already been announced as a Catalans Dragons player whilst another Sydney have upped sticks and left mid-season.
“I’ll tell you how much pressure their salary cap is under, Angus Crichton agreed to terms and the deal wasn’t signed because they cannot lodge it with the NRL because it would put them over the cap for next year,” Rothfield previously said.
“Ronald Volkman and Freddy Lussick have left to go to the Warriors. Sio Siua Taukeiaho goes at the end of the year. Kevin Naiqama goes. Sam Verrills will probably go.”
Naiqama was, of course, part of that St Helens side in Super League that won three Grand Finals in a row as he underlined his winning credentials in an incredible spell on Merseyside.
The Fijian was set to retire at the end of 2021, but was lured by the Roosters to go around again.
Now, though, Naiqama has been linked with a surprising move to the Dolphins as they begin their NRL quest in 2023 under Wayne Bennett.
With Konrad Hurrell also being linked with a move to the Dolphins, it could end in a rather remarkable scenario with two former Saints centres ending up at the same NRL club.