The National Rugby League is refusing to assist Parramatta in their pursuit of Wallabies rugby union star Quade Cooper, a chase which is threatening to derail the Eels' late charge to the finals.
Departing star Feleti Mateo, man of the match in last week's win over Brisbane, yesterday revealed his disappointment that the club could not re-sign him yet had the money to launch an audacious bid to snare Cooper.
Coupled with the growing uncertainty over the future of coach Daniel Anderson, with Melbourne assistant Stephen Kearney reportedly being lined up as a replacement, the Eels are a far cry from the unified outfit which took all before them in marching into last year's grand final.
Mateo along with Eels local junior Krisnan Inu have both been squeezed out of the club next year with the pair accepting three-year deals with the Warriors.
The Eels are rumoured to have offered 22-year-old Cooper $NZ1.9 million over three seasons to switch codes.
