Sharks confirm release of Kumul Macdonald from contract

By PARKER TAMBUA
CRONULLA have confirmed that Papua New Guinea Kumul Nene Macdonald has been released by the National Rugby League (NRL) club following the cancellation of the New South Wales (NSW) Cup due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Cronulla media manager Rob Willis told The National on Tuesday that the 27-year-old, who had been playing for feeder club Newtown Jets, had requested a release from the Sharks last month.
Last month, Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) club North Devils announced that they had signed former NRL journeyman for the remainder of the 2021 season.
“We can report that Nene requested a release from his Sharks contract last month,” said Willis, who responded on behalf of chief executive Dino Mezzatesta. “That was around the time when our NRL side went into the Queensland bubble and he (Macdonald) wasn’t required to travel with the squad.
“Our information is, he has indicated he was to join an ISC team, however, we’re not sure of the status of that transfer or of the Queensland competition due to the current Covid-19 situation.
“Nene was performing strongly for the Jets, but due to the Covid-19 situation, the NSW competition has been abandoned for 2021.
“He played eight of the Jets’ 12 games at centre and on the wing.”
Willis said the former North Queensland Cowboy was initially signed by Sharks on a one-year deal.
He said Macdonald couldn’t get a game this season due to their wealth of backline options.
“As we know Nene has NRL experience, he is a big body and a physical presence with the ability to score a try,” he said.
“However, part of the reasoning for his not breaking through into the NRL squad would have been the players in front of him in his position, including Ronaldo Mulitalo, Sione Katoa and Connor Tracey.
“He also had a couple of niggling injuries, hence playing just eight of 12 lower-grade games.”