Siosiua Taukeiaho has revealed he will take charge of his own contract discussions, with the Manly prop confirming he will enter the 2026 negotiations without the backing of a player agent.
In a season dominated by headlines around managers and public stoushes, the 32-year-old has chosen to stick with the same approach that helped him secure a train-and-trial with the Sea Eagles earlier this year.
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Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, the former premiership winner admitted it is a tougher path, but one that gives him more control.
“I don’t have a manager,” Taukeiaho said. “I’m just trying to do everything on my own, which is a bit harder.”
Only comfortable with familiar clubs
Taukeiaho explained that his confidence in negotiating is tied closely to his personal connections with certain clubs and coaches.
“That’s the thing, it’s hard for me to talk to other clubs,” he said. “It depends if I was going to talk to a team like the Roosters, I’ve got a good connection there. It’s easy for me to talk to them or clubs that I’m close with the coach.”
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However, he conceded that if he decided to test the open market, he would likely need representation to navigate the process. “But if I do want to jump on the open market, then I’ll need a manager for that,” he said.
For now, though, the hard-running forward is determined to back himself at the negotiating table, just as he does on the field.