LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Parramatta Eels have put the kibosh on whispers swirling around their star front-rower Junior Paulo potentially leaving the club.
Paulo, who returned to the Eels in 2019 after a stint with the Canberra Raiders, has hit a rough patch this season.
Struggling to find consistent form on the field and often coming off the bench, he missed out on a State of Origin spot for the first time since 2019.
Despite representing Samoa 17 times and making 11 appearances for the NSW Blues between 2020 and 2023, the seasoned pro found himself edged out of the team by a slew of rising stars.
Coach Michael Maguire opted for the likes of Jake Trbojevic, Spencer Leniu, Haumole Olakau'atu, and Hudson Young instead.
As Paulo nears the twilight of his career, rumors have swirled about a potential early exit and the possibility of exploring options with other teams, much like his teammate Ryan Matterson.
But for now, the Eels are standing firm and focusing on the task at hand.