Tigers release Maumalo, joins Titans immediately

Wests Tigers winger Ken Maumalo has been granted an immediate release to join NRL rivals Gold Coast, while Manly have re-signed Christian Tuipulotu

KEN MAUMALO.
KEN MAUMALO. Picture: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

Ken Maumalo has signed with Gold Coast through 2025 after being granted an immediate release from the remainder of his Wests Tigers NRL deal.

The 2019 Dally M winger of the year had been contracted with the Tigers until the end of 2023 but did not feature at first-grade level in the first three rounds of the season.

The arrival of ex-Penrith winger Charlie Staines forced the 28-year-old further down the pecking order under new coach Tim Sheens, who did not recall the New Zealand international even after dropping winger David Nofoaluma for Friday night's clash with Melbourne.

Maumalo helps replenish a Titans backline that lost Greg Marzhew, Esan Marsters and Jamayne Isaako in the off-season and he will compete with the likes of Jojo Fifita and Alofiana Khan-Pereira for a spot on the wing.

"We've had a couple of roster spots left and we identified that we wanted to fill one of those with an experienced outside back who can add real value to our team," said Titans coach Justin Holbrook.

"Ken knows what it takes to perform at NRL level and we think he will be a great addition to our roster."

Elsewhere, Manly have re-signed young winger Christian Tuipulotu until the end of 2025.

The 22-year-old had already been contracted until the end of next season but his contract has been extended in a show of faith from new coach Anthony Seibold.

"One of the things I like about CT is he is a really coachable guy who works really hard on his game,' Seibold said.

"I feel like he is only going to continue to get better over the next couple of years."