Parramatta Eels prop Junior Paulo has entered yet another argument with the club, this time over whether he should play in the Rugby League World Cup or not.
Paulo has been in a standoff for much of the year with the blue and gold over the value of a potential future contract.
Mid-way through the year, it appeared as if Paulo was a certainty to leave the Eels, with the Perth Bears understood to be deep in negotiations with the experienced campaigner.
The prop is off-contract at the end of 2026, but it's understood the Bears, who have a tight salary cap following 28 other signings, baulked at an asking price believed to be around the $900,000 per year mark from Paulo.
The Bears ultimately went in another direction, signing Corey Horsburgh from the Canberra Raiders to go with their other alreadys signed middles led by Liam Henry from the Penrith Panthers, and Horsburgh's Canberra teammate Morgan Smithies.
Paulo has since been back in negotiations with the Eels, and it's believed price and value has again been the sticking point. The Eels are understood to be stuck around the $600,000 mark on a deal for 2027.
Paulo now has a second issue to contend with though, with the club wanting him to pull out of Samoa's plans for the Rugby League World Cup.
It could be a sign that Paulo has, or is about to, re-sign, but Parramatta, per Channel Nine's Danny Weidler, have requested Paulo pull out over a chronic knee problem that could do with recovery time during the off-season.
It's understood Paulo won't pull out of the tournament over the issue, and would only do so if ruled not fit to play by medical staff.
The Eels enforcer is one of Samoa's most experienced players, and the nation's forward pack leader as they look to navigate the tricky combined Group B and C at the tournament.
If they do that, they would progress to a semi-final against either the first or second Group A team - likely Australia or New Zealand - with a spot in a second consecutive World Cup final on the line.
