Tensions seem to be running high at the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, but players Marty Taupau, Kelepi Tanginoa and Moses Suli insist the rumours are far from the truth.
Come the end of 2018, Suli will be off-contract with Tanginoa expected to take up a short-term deal with the club, and whether coach Trent Barrett stays or goes isn't affecting their decision.
Suli told reports on Monday he is quite happy to stay at Manly regardless of all the external drama.
"Not really. I'm enjoying my time here. If they're willing to re-sign me, I'm ready to take the deal," Suli said.
Tanginoa is at his third club with Manly after stints at Parramatta and the Cowboys, as he too said he wants to remain a Sea Eagle.
"I really want to stay," Tanginoa said.
"It's the playing group. There's a good vibe about it – everyone is down to earth, everyone talks to each other. I feel part of a family here."
As for forward Marty Taupau, he has another two years left on his contract, but not for the first time this year as been linked to an exit from Manly.
Taupau explained he still continues to have no idea where all these rumours are coming from.
"I got told this morning something was said last night. I want to know where this is coming from. I haven't had any conversation with anyone, anywhere," Taupau said on Monday.
"I think you guys (in the media) all know that is a breach of contract. I know that. I have read my contract inside and out. I haven't had a conversation with anyone."
When asked about the current situation surrounding coach Barrett, Taupau remained unphased.
"Not worried at all. At the end of the day we as rugby league players do the best that we can do to our ability on the rugby league field," Taupau said.
"Baz (Barrett) is our coach and he is a grown man. With everything that is happening externally, he is dealing with it to the best he can deal with it."
With the Sea Eagles currently sitting 14th on the ladder with seven wins and 15 losses in 2018, and after another loss this season, halfback Daly Cherry-Evans indicated he would like to shed some light on the rift between the football department and the clubs administration.
Despite Cherry-Evans' comments, Taupau says there is no division between the playing group and the administration.
"It is obviously very difficult being where we are in our position on the ladder," Taupau said.
"For (Cherry-Evans) to make that comment, it was coming on the back of a loss, it was fresh. So it is not dysfunctional. We are all striving toward a goal. Everyone is doing their part in the administration, coaches and players. There is no division between any departments."
Manly's training facilities seem to be a problem for Barrett, but Tanginoa reveals Parra had the same set up and it worked fine.
"Every club is different but the Parra was the same as here – demountables and we just went from the field to the gym. It's similar here (Manly) to Parra," Tanginoa said.
"The Cowboys were a bit different as they had the stadium right there and the gym – everything was together.
"You've got to walk to everything here, but that's like its own training session."
Taupau also chimed in stating Manly is just going through a development stage.
"We have a really good gym out here and it wasn't there when I first came here in 2016. We are getting a few things here and there. It is always developing," Taupau said.
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