Utility forward Jazz Tevaga has confirmed he's in discussions with other NRL clubs but would prefer to remain with NZ Warriors.
The 25-year-old is off contract at the end of this season and reports from across the Tasman have already linked him with Canterbury Bulldogs.
Tevaga says he's unable to reveal any detail regarding those discussions - for obvious reasons - but says he's currently working with the Warriors to come to terms on a potential extension to his current deal.
"Ideally, I want to stay at the Warriors," Tevaga says.
"We're going through negotiations at the moment. I really just want what's fair.
"I love the Warriors. I love where we're headed. I've been a Warriors fan since I was a young kid so ideally, I want to stay here at this team."
Tevaga has played his entire NRL career with the Auckland-based side, working his way through the reserve ranks to register 77 first-grade appearances since his 2016 debut.
As keen as he is to stay with his boyhood club, Tevaga is realistic about and open to the possibility of a move, noting the last season and a half spent based on NSW's Central Coast have prepared him for a career outside of New Zealand.
"I know this is a business first and I'll go where I see a good opportunity or the money's right," he says.
"I'm pretty much living away from home at the moment and I've done it last year as well, so I think I'd adapt pretty easily if I had to move, but like I say… I hope I stay here at the club."
The Samoa international has established himself as a intergral member of the Warriors squad, cementing his role as a workhorse off the bench with an effective offload game.
In 2018, his impact off the pine was recognised by the NRL, winning the inaugural prize for interchange player of the year award at the iconic Dally M awards.
Although he'd prefer to play in the back-row, Tevaga realises the versatility to also slot in at hooker is where his true value lies, and it's where coach Nathan Brown has made very clear his role will remain going forward.
"I prefer to play 13 but I know that if i want to prolong my career, I'll have to be able to play hooker because that just adds more value to me being in the team, playing that utility role," he says.
"I've just got to accept and get over that. [Brown] has explained… if I'm to stay here at the club, that's the role that I'll be playing."
"I want to get it sorted out sooner rather than later, because the longer it goes the more it plays on your mind."
But Tevaga is also well aware of the demand that exists across the competition for players of his ilk.
"There are a couple of clubs that are interested, because everyone is sort of looking for that mould of player," he says.
"Nowadays, the position that I play is very important in teams and every team sort of needs one, so there's a couple teams out there that are keen. That's all I'll say."
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