Jahrome Hughes has been nudging Melbourne halves companion Cameron Munster to recommit to the NRL membership amid sturdy curiosity from the Dolphins in his dwelling state of Queensland.
The NRL newcomers, led by the legendary Wayne Bennett, are coming arduous at Munster with a reported deal price greater than a $1 million a season as they put together to enter the competitors subsequent 12 months.
The Redcliffe-based franchise has already secured the signatures of Storm veterans Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi forward of their debut season.
State-of-Origin hero Munster is contracted till the tip of the 2023 season however curiosity has already shifted to his future with fellow backbone stars Hughes, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen now locked away on the Storm long-term.
Hughes, whose re-signing on the Storm was introduced with these of Grant and Xavier Coates earlier this month, has been giving the five-eighth some mild encouragement to pen a brand new deal.
“I have been getting caught into him (Munster) truly, however he is given me nothing in the intervening time,” Hughes mentioned on Wednesday.
“Hopefully he can keep, that was one of many key elements of me staying was hopefully him staying as nicely.
“However he is acquired to do what’s greatest for him together with his younger household.”
Munster entered a rehab clinic within the low season, later revealing he’d handled playing and binge consuming points.
“He is all the time been an superior bloke however he had just a few issues he wanted to type out,” mentioned Hughes.
“You simply can inform how completely satisfied he’s with the way in which he is enjoying and the way skinny he is wanting in comparison with the final couple of years.”
The Storm have loved one other advantageous begin to the season to take a seat 4-1 forward of Saturday evening’s blockbuster conflict with Cronulla (additionally 4-1), and former teammates Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes, at AAMI Park.
Grant believed the main target needed to stay on successful one other premiership and making up for final 12 months’s last heartbreak reasonably than off-field issues.
“He (Munster) has nonetheless acquired this 12 months and subsequent 12 months so we do not need to look too far forward,” mentioned Grant.
“Everybody within the squad’s simply centered on this season.
“He is aware of all of the boys love him and wish him to remain right here.
“He is a participant you positively need to play alongside, you do not need to play towards him.
“I performed towards him after I was on the Tigers and it wasn’t enjoyable.”