ANTONIO Kaufusi and Mark Taufua are the latest contracted Newcastle players to have been shown the door as Knights management prepares for the arrival of master coach Wayne Bennett.
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Just days after Cory Paterson was advised to "investigate other playing opportunities" for next season, the Newcastle Herald can reveal Kaufusi and Taufua have been given similar instructions.
Like Paterson, Kaufusi and Taufua are signed for next season.
But all three have been told Bennett was unlikely to retain them at the end of the 2012 campaign.
Newcastle's strategic-development manager, Keith Onslow, confirmed last night that Kaufusi and Taufua have been given permission to explore other options.
"I spoke to their agent and we had a conversation along those lines," Onslow said. "We acknowledge that they are on contract for next year, but we won't be extending their tenure past 2012.
"We've let them know that if they want to get in the marketplace and find a longer deal somewhere else, we're giving them that opportunity."
It is understood Taufua has already attracted interest from rival clubs.
Onslow said such player movement was becoming commonplace in the NRL.
He said Nate Myles, who has been released from his 2012 deal with the Roosters to sign a four-year deal at the Gold Coast, was a "perfect example" of the possible benefits when clubs and players are flexible about contractual arrangements.
"We're giving blokes 18 months head start to secure their futures," Onslow said.
"It might seem cold and callous at face value, but in reality we're doing the right thing by them."
Knights coach Rick Stone said yesterday there was "no real confirmation" on whether Paterson, Kaufusi or Taufua would definitely be leaving Newcastle at the end of the season.
"Obviously it might have a bit to do with who else might come to the club," Stone said.
"But I think that will sort itself out in the next couple of weeks.
"I think once we get a bit clearer idea of what that landscape will look like, it will make it easier for everyone."
A home-grown Novocastrian, Taufua joined the Knights when then coach Brian Smith signed him on spec in 2007 after representing Newcastle and NSW Country in rugby union.
The rugged 29-year-old has since played 59 first-grade games.
He missed only one game in each of the 2009 and 2010 seasons, but has made just two appearances this year after tearing ligaments in his little finger in a trial match.
Kaufusi joined the Knights a year ago after being thrown a mid-season lifeline.
A Test and Queensland Origin representative during his time at Melbourne, Kaufusi had fallen out of favour at North Queensland and been dropped to their Queensland Cup feeder team, Mackay.
Since linking with Newcastle, the giant 26-year-old has not missed a game, but he has been struggling for form in recent weeks.
After being relegated from the starting line-up to the bench three games ago, he has been named 18th man for Sunday's clash with the Roosters at Sydney Football Stadium.
AAP reports: NSW forward Dean Young has all but admitted the chronic knee injury that will restrict his Origin preparation is likely to shorten his career.
Young will train just twice with the Blues, on Friday and Tuesday, a situation coach Ricky Stuart was fully aware of when he made the St George Illawarra utility part of his plans.
Young is also on a restricted program at the Dragons, whose physiotherapist Andrew Gary is working with the Blues, and compares his career prospects with a former teammate who also suffered knee problems, Shaun Timmins.
"He's obviously been through a very similar situation," Young said.
"It happened to him at an early age, I think he was 23 and finished at 30 so that's seven years of putting up with it.
"I was 22 when I did mine and I'm 27 now so I've had five years."
