Premiers Penrith are close to adding two of the best young prospects in New Zealand to their ranks.Francis Manuleleua , a utility back ranked the number one year 11 schoolboy in the country, is on the Panthers' radar, along with Warriors' back-up hooker Taniela Otukolo.Manuleleua is an 18-year-old utility back who plays both five-eighth and centre for renowned Auckland football nursery Kings College.He was chased by both league and rugby union scouts but is believed he opted for the Panthers after watching their demolition of Parramatta in the NRL grand final.Tongan-born Otukolo is a 20-year-old hooker who has already played nine NRL games for the Warriors since debuting in 2021.He is being looked at by Penrith as an extra back-up for Mitch Kenny and rookie Soni Luke following the loss of star hooker Api Koroisau to the Wests Tigers.To date, the Panthers have signed just one 'name' player - back-rower Luke Garner from Wests Tigers.But rival clubs have been quick to swoop on the 2021-22 grand final winners with Koroisau, Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Robert Jennings (Dolphins), J'maine Hopgood (Eels) and Sean O'Sullivan (Dolphins) all leaving.
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