Concerns are mounting that the Wests Tigers could lose star fullback.
Bula was outstanding in Fiji’s 44-24 victory over the Cook Islands in the Pacific Championships over the weekend, scoring four tries in a dominant display.
The 23-year-old continues to cement his reputation as one of the NRL’s brightest young talents, and his strong international form adds another layer of intrigue to his contract situation with the Tigers.
Bula remains signed for 2026, with a mutual option for 2027 that would see his salary rise from $700,000 to $900,000, a figure the Tigers are reportedly reluctant to approve.
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Since debuting, Bula has scored 23 tries in 57 appearances for the Tigers, who are also juggling contract discussions with Jarome Luai, as the club seeks to remove an exit clause from the star playmaker’s deal.
Adding to the uncertainty, WWOS’ The Mole reports that Bula has been left frustrated by the club’s decision to release his wife, Aaliyah Bula, from its NRLW squad.
The 20-year-old, daughter of former first-grader Solomon Haumono, featured for Parramatta in the 2024 NRLW season before joining the Tigers on a development deal earlier this year.
The couple, who married late last year, are said to be upset by the move, fuelling speculation that Bula could look to move on from the Tigers.
If the mutual option for 2027 is not triggered, Bula will be free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.
His agent, Isaac Moses, also manages Lachlan Galvin, whose own departure from the Tigers to the Bulldogs was handled earlier this year.