Unwanted Newcastle hooker Danny Levi remains unaffected by the uncertainty surrounding his playing future but is hoping an eye-catching World Nines tournament for Samoa might stir the interest of rival NRL clubs.
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Levi did his hopes of finding a new club no harm after playing a starring role in Samoa's strong showing in the tournament at Bankwest Stadium.
On the outer at the Knights following the signing of Cronulla hooker Jayden Brailey despite having another year to run on his contract, Levi has been shopped around to rivals without success over the past few months. But the uncertainty surrounding his future didn't hinder his performances at the Nines.
He was among his side's best as the Samoan's topped their pool with wins over Fiji, Cook Islands and Tonga Invitational. Their run came to an end in the semifinals when they were out-classed by eventual tournament winners Australia with Levi's Knights teammate Kalyn Ponga scoring the opening try in a dominant 25-8 win.
The Kangaroos accounted for New Zealand in the final 24-10 with Brisbane Broncos backrower David Fifita a dominant force and Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses named player of the tournament after a hat-trick of tries in the decider.
"It was a great experience - I really enjoyed it," Levi told the Newcastle Herald.
"The format probably suits my style of game but I thought all the boys were unreal - we did real well. A lot of people probably doubted us and how we'd go beforehand but we definitely proved them wrong."
Asked if thought his form over the course of Friday and Saturday might spike some interest in him, Levi said: "I'm not too sure what is going on there but hopefully it does."
He claimed he hasn't let doubts over his future affect him and is ready to turn up for the start of pre-season training with the Knights early next month.
"I think I'm pretty good at putting that stuff on the back-seat and not worrying about it too much because I can only control what I can control," he said.
New coach Adam O'Brien was reluctant to comment on recruitment and retention late last week but indicated he will be sitting down with the likes of Levi for a chat.
"At the end of the day, he has a contract and if there are any decisions to be made in regards to that, they won't be made without first sitting down with the player and the club,"O'Brien said.
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Meanwhile, Lebanon coach Rick Stone and his side cause the biggest controversy of the tournament, scoring a boil-over 16-13 win over England before it was realised the Cedars had played an underage player, Cowboys-bound Jacob Kiraz, in their opening game win over France.
"We actually played the kid in a Test back in June and were told back then he could play as long as he had his parents and a doctor's consent," Stone said. "So we obviously thought he was eligible again."