NZ Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck feels the club will be premiership contenders if they manage to sign teenage sensation David Fifita from the Brisbane Broncos.
The 19-year-old is one of the brightest prospects in the game, and is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2020, but is free to negotiate with rival NRL clubs.
The Warriors expressed interested in the forward earlier this year, but the Sunday Telegraph is reporting the New Zealand franchise is preparing a $1 million-per-season offer for Fifita.
The massive deal would deliver Fifita the richest contract in the Warriors' history.
Other teams including the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Roosters, Canterbury Bulldogs and his current club the Broncos are also interested.
"We're very close to being a [premiership] contender, but Fifita is one of those players that can take you that extra step and fill the ultimate package for a club," Tuivasa-Sheck told the Telegraph.
"He's a perfect fit for every club. He's got the speed, he's got the power.
"He's a prop, too, but he's got skill. He'd be a massive win for us if we're able to land him.
"But if we do or if we don't, you've just got to go with what we've got here, and I'm confident we can do something special in the 2020 season."
Tuivasa-Sheck said he plans to reach out and try to speak to Fifita about a move across the Tasman.
One player the Warriors have signed for next season is hooker Wayde Egan from the Penrith Panthers. Egan will likely share the role with Nathaniel Roache or Karl Lawton.
"I've heard big raps about him as a hooker, so getting someone like that is always special," Tuivasa-Sheck added.
"I'm looking forward to getting into some work with Wayde and seeing what we can produce.
"We started last year working out who our key middles are, and that's really important, finding our alpha-male and someone who is going to lead the pack."
Meawhile, the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting the Warriors will open their 2020 season against the Knights in Newcastle.
The full schedule for the 2020 NRL season is expected to be announce in the next week.
Join us next Saturday for live updates of the Kiwis v Great Britain rugby league test.
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