Penrith Panthers recruit Peta Hiku 'couldn't believe' he was shown the door by Manly Sea Eagles
Peta Hiku reported for his first day as a Panther still stinging after being shown the door by Manly.
Hiku was left shocked when he was told he could leave the Sea Eagles, despite being contracted for a further two years, after Manly signed South Sydney discard Dylan Walker.
While Hiku was featuring for the Kiwis in their Test series against England, his future was being determined behind the scenes by new Manly coach Trent Barrett.
New Panther: Peta Hiku, Penrith Panthers. Photo: Jeff Lambert (Penrith Panthers)
A phone call from Hiku's manager, Stan Martin, while Hiku was in transit in Los Angeles on his way back to Sydney following the Kiwi tour, left Hiku surprised when he was told that he could leave Manly after playing 61 games and scoring 28 tries since making his debut in 2013.
"I couldn't believe it," Hiku said. "I waited to get back to Sydney and see where it went from there.
"At first I was disappointed. I wasn't expecting it. It wasn't something I wanted to happen but everything happened for a reason. Being [at Penrith] is something I'm looking forward to."
Hiku met with Barrett before throwing himself on the open market. The 23-year-old said a desire to play fullback or centre was being blocked at the Sea Eagles by veterans Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai, while rookie Tom Trbojevic has been earmarked as Stewart's long-term replacement in the No.1 jersey.
"I gave [Barrett] a call and had a meeting," Hiku said. "It was pretty good. I couldn't be a centre or fullback. I had to wait a couple more years.
"[Barrett] guided me along about the decisions that would be best for me. I respect him a lot."
Hiku was introduced to his Penrith teammates for the first time on Tuesday after undergoing a medical and given a Christmas training program. He will resume full training with the rest of the squad in the new year having been given an extended break because of his representative commitments.
Late interest from the Panthers saw Hiku reject offers from St George Illawarra and Parramatta to sign a three-year deal at Penrith.
"It was actually pretty exciting seeing where I would end up," Hiku said. "They had a spot for an outside back after losing Jamal Idris. I thought I would take the opportunity."
Hiku has played with Dean Whare for the Kiwis and Elijah Taylor in the lower grades at the Warriors, while he played his junior football alongside fellow new recruit Sitaleki Akauola in New Zealand at Manurewa Marlins.
Hiku will move from the northern beaches to Penrith in the new year with partner Lisa Watson, who is expecting the couple's first child in June.
"It was pretty welcoming today," Hiku said. "I saw all the boys and the coaching staff. I've come in before, but I only met Anthony Griffin and Phil Gould. Today I came and saw everyone."
Hiku joins Trent Merrin as a key Panthers recruit.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...sea-eagles-20151215-glnypn.html#ixzz3uO76xVWN http://ec.tynt.com/b/rf?id=aBfWCmwwCr37XTadbiUzgI&u=sydneymorningherald
- Date December 15, 2015 - 5:14PM
Peta Hiku reported for his first day as a Panther still stinging after being shown the door by Manly.
Hiku was left shocked when he was told he could leave the Sea Eagles, despite being contracted for a further two years, after Manly signed South Sydney discard Dylan Walker.
While Hiku was featuring for the Kiwis in their Test series against England, his future was being determined behind the scenes by new Manly coach Trent Barrett.
New Panther: Peta Hiku, Penrith Panthers. Photo: Jeff Lambert (Penrith Panthers)
A phone call from Hiku's manager, Stan Martin, while Hiku was in transit in Los Angeles on his way back to Sydney following the Kiwi tour, left Hiku surprised when he was told that he could leave Manly after playing 61 games and scoring 28 tries since making his debut in 2013.
"I couldn't believe it," Hiku said. "I waited to get back to Sydney and see where it went from there.
"At first I was disappointed. I wasn't expecting it. It wasn't something I wanted to happen but everything happened for a reason. Being [at Penrith] is something I'm looking forward to."
Hiku met with Barrett before throwing himself on the open market. The 23-year-old said a desire to play fullback or centre was being blocked at the Sea Eagles by veterans Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai, while rookie Tom Trbojevic has been earmarked as Stewart's long-term replacement in the No.1 jersey.
"I gave [Barrett] a call and had a meeting," Hiku said. "It was pretty good. I couldn't be a centre or fullback. I had to wait a couple more years.
"[Barrett] guided me along about the decisions that would be best for me. I respect him a lot."
Hiku was introduced to his Penrith teammates for the first time on Tuesday after undergoing a medical and given a Christmas training program. He will resume full training with the rest of the squad in the new year having been given an extended break because of his representative commitments.
Late interest from the Panthers saw Hiku reject offers from St George Illawarra and Parramatta to sign a three-year deal at Penrith.
"It was actually pretty exciting seeing where I would end up," Hiku said. "They had a spot for an outside back after losing Jamal Idris. I thought I would take the opportunity."
Hiku has played with Dean Whare for the Kiwis and Elijah Taylor in the lower grades at the Warriors, while he played his junior football alongside fellow new recruit Sitaleki Akauola in New Zealand at Manurewa Marlins.
Hiku will move from the northern beaches to Penrith in the new year with partner Lisa Watson, who is expecting the couple's first child in June.
"It was pretty welcoming today," Hiku said. "I saw all the boys and the coaching staff. I've come in before, but I only met Anthony Griffin and Phil Gould. Today I came and saw everyone."
Hiku joins Trent Merrin as a key Panthers recruit.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...sea-eagles-20151215-glnypn.html#ixzz3uO76xVWN http://ec.tynt.com/b/rf?id=aBfWCmwwCr37XTadbiUzgI&u=sydneymorningherald
