Brisbane star Jamayne Isaako snubs Parramatta to sign with the Gold Coast Titans

Parramatta’s desperate search for a winger will have to continue after Brisbane Broncos star Jamayne Isaako snubbed the Eels and will instead play for the Gold Coast Titans for the remainder of 2022.

The 25-year-old fullback has signed with new franchise the Dolphins from next season and was granted a release early by the Broncos.

He was widely expected to join the Eels, but instead decided to stay in Queensland and will move down the M1 to the Gold Coast.

Isaako will fill a need for the Titans: while injured Corey Thompson is expected back shortly, the club has lost Jayden Campbell to injury and former fullback AJ Brimson has now completed his transition to the halves.

The Kiwi international provides cover at both fullback and wing, but it had been expected he would sign for the Eels who are experiencing a full-blown injury crisis.

Parramatta have lost Haze Dunster for the season, Maika Sivo won’t return until the latter rounds of the competition after rupturing his ACL late in 2021 while Sean Russell suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung last weekend in a tackle by Titans fullback Campbell.

The Eels have an injury crisis in the backs. Sean Russell was the latest to get injured after breaking ribs and suffering a punctured lung against the Titans.

It has been reported that the Eels asked about the availability of Isaako twice and were on the brink of clinching the deal, only for the goal-kicking back to sign with  Gold Coast instead.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook hailed the signing of an experienced international. 

‘He adds great depth to our outside backs and provides us with coverage across both the fullback and wing positions,’ Holbrook said.

“We’ve got strong competition across a number of positions and adding Jamayne gives us another exciting option to choose from in our backline.

‘We had kept a spot on our roster open and we’re thrilled that we are now able to add Jamayne to our team.

‘With a number of talented young backline players on our roster, Jamayne will no doubt be able to help with their development during his time with the Titans.’

Isaako is versatile and can cover the wing and fullback positions as well as take over goal-kicking duties when required.

The Broncos had earlier released a statement saying the team was happy to grant Isaako the release.

‘The Broncos were happy to facilitate the request and wish Jamayne and his young family all the best in the future, both on and off the field,’ the statement said.

Meanwhile, former Eels winger Blake Ferguson is shopping himself around for a potential NRL return after his controversial exit from Japan.

The 32-year-old joined NEC Green Rockets, a top rugby union team in Japan, but was released after being caught with cocaine in a Tokyo restaurant and spent 29 nights in jail.

The Daily Telegraph reports Ferguson’s manager, Sam Ayoub, will approach clubs next week regarding a possible return to the NRL.