St. George Illawarra are set to table Damien Cook a two-year deal, but it comes with a few headaches.
Cook is currently on contract with the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2025 season. The Dragons would therefore have to contribute to Cook’s salary in order to ship him across before then.
The Sydney Morning Herald have reported Cook’s management are in discussions with the Dragons, as the Bunnies are not interested in extending the No.9’s current deal.
The 32-year-old is currently sitting on a salary worth $650,000 – with Super League club Huddersfield also seeking his services.
The Rabbitohs have recently extended the contract of standby hooker Peter Mamouzelos until 2027, meaning Cook has been put on the back-bench.
Jeremy Marshall-King was linked to a switch with the Dragons earlier in the year, although the Dolphins hooker has pledged his allegiance to Redcliffe, having just resigned.
Johns switches verdict on Suaalii send-off
Andrew Johns has slammed all theories about replacing the send-off rule, saying Joseph Suaalii deserved to be sent off for his high shot on Reece Walsh.
Writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, Johns wrote there was only one way to avoid the send-off rule.
‘And if you want one way to prevent it happening in the future: stop hitting people in the head and you won’t be sent off. It’s simple,’ the Blues legend wrote.
‘Forget about what it means for the millions of people watching on television or those at the ground wanting to watch a close game, we need to commit to a safer sport. It doesn’t matter if NSW had no chance once Suaalii went from the field.’
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
During the Origin one contest, the immortal believed Suaalii’s hit was nothing more than a sin-bin – arguing the Origin arena should impose a different level of jurisdiction for send-off offences.
“At clubland yes,” he said after the contact.
“It’s a shame. It is a send-off but at this level but I’m really surprised they sent Joseph Suaalii off.”
Johns believes the dangers of concussion are too unknown, arguing there must be way to ‘deter’ the type of tackle showcased at Accor stadium last Wednesday night.
The Origin diehard went on to wish Walsh the best in recovery, hoping to see the Maroons No.1 in Origin two.
Cleary return rumoured a fortnight away
The NRL’s best halfback in Nathan Cleary has been tossed up for an Origin three return.
Speaking on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast, Mathew Thompson and Gus Gould discussed the upcoming availability of Cleary.
“So I’ve heard on Cleary some whispers, that if New South Wales can win in Melbourne, it’s not beyond the realms he might be available for game three,” Thompson said.
“Well he should be,” Gould replied.
“I don’t think he’s far away from playing with the Panthers.”
“I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t play for Panthers the weekend after this.”
If NSW manage to pull off a game two win, the return of Cleary would inspire a gripping game three decider, headlined by the matchup of Cherry-Evans and the Panthers No.7.
Katoa ready for showdown with Blues Origin No.7
Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa has been spoken about as a future NSW No.7, which is why he is relishing the prospect of taking on incumbent Blues half Nicho Hynes in Cronulla.
The 20-year-old Tonga international, who moved from New Zealand to Australia when he was nine years old, is in no hurry to announce himself as a true Blue.
“I was born in New Zealand, but I also do qualify to play for NSW,” Katoa said.
“At the moment, my sole focus is on the Dolphins and then Tonga (in the Pacific Cup) at the end of the year.”
But rest assured, the Blues brains trust will have been watching his stellar development this year as his composure, game management and craft has played a key role in elevating the Dolphins into the NRL’s top four.
There are few greater challenges this season than facing the second-placed Sharks at their home ground, and the Dolphins will become the latest to take that test when they travel south for Thursday’s clash.
Hynes will return from the calf injury that ruled him out of Saturday night’s 22-12 win over Brisbane and he will be keen to prove to NSW coach Michael Maguire he is worth persevering with in game two of the State of Origin series.
“Nicho is an awesome player. He plays with a lot of flair but he also knows how to control a team and he does that so well for the Sharks,” Katoa said.
“We’re going to have to try and nullify his involvements and touches of the footy.
“When he touches the ball, magic seems to happen.”
Katoa is a hard judge of his own performances and was not happy with his display in the Dolphins’ 26-25 loss to Canberra in round 13.
“I don’t think I had the greatest game, but something Wayne (Bennett) is always harping on about – especially to me – is getting over the mistakes that you make and making sure that you’re doing everything you possibly can to make it up for your team,” Katoa said.
That attitude is a quality coach Bennett has a lot of time for.
“The good ones are like that. The good ones are never satisfied,” Bennett said.
“They always think they can do better. That pleases me.
“He’s young and doing a good job, but he could do better.”
Pangai charging up for Dolphins debut
New Dolphins recruit Tevita Pangai jnr will be available for selection for the NRL round-16 clash with Melbourne, coach Wayne Bennett has revealed.
Pangai trained with the club on Wednesday after the 28-year-old Tongan international signed last week for the rest of 2024.
He has a minor hamstring injury sustained a fortnight ago with Queensland Cup side Souths-Logan and is unlikely to play in the second tier this weekend.
“We are happy to have him here and he wants to be here. It’s all positive for us,” Bennett said ahead of Thurday’s clash against Cronulla.
“He will be right to go next week. The season is getting away from us so we can’t keep him here and not play him.
“Jesse Bromwich is not playing tomorrow (due to a rib injury) and Thomas Flegler, we don’t know when he will be back. We know that Tom Gilbert won’t be back. That’s three forwards so we are a bit light on.”
Pangai has played 138 NRL games, 96 of them at the Broncos where he was coached by Bennett. He was released by Canterbury last year to take up boxing but has given a career in the ring away to return to the NRL.
Bennett said he would offer more than just impact off the bench.
“He might be starting yet. Let’s worry about him next week,” the coach said,
Pangai will be vital with Flegler’s future still a concern due to nerve damage to his shoulder.
“He (Flegler) is in a situation where we don’t know whether he will play again or when he will play,” Bennett said.
“There are so many unanswered questions. If it’s improving it is very slow but it is nowhere near being able to play or determine what his future looks like.
“I think he has handled it well. He’s got the best advice from the medical people and staff and he is dealing with it
“The nerve hasn’t repaired itself and there is not much they can do until it repairs itself.”
Five-eighth Kodi Nikorima returns from a calf injury against the Sharks on Thursday night after missing the round-13 loss to Canberra.
Nikorima will captain the side in the absence of Bromwich and has been one of the club’s best players for the past 18 months.
Fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns after missing the Raiders clash due to State of Origin duty where he scored three electrifying tries in Queensland’s 38-10 win over NSW..
PVL slams send-off critics
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has blasted calls from legends like Andrew Johns and Paul Vautin for separate send-off rules in State of Origin, labelling such suggestions “ridiculous”.
V’landys has praised referee Ashley Klein for the action he took in sending Joseph Suaalii from the field in Origin I and reiterated that head office would be protecting players rom any illegal acts.
“What do people expect – a free-for-all in State of Origin? No, it’s not going to be,” V’landys told NewsCorp. “We’re not going to have players like Reece Walsh taken out just because they are brilliant – we won’t tolerate that.
“All players should be protected, including Reece Walsh. Nobody should be targeted with illegal play and by all means we will do everything possible to protect Reece Walsh.”
His comments will not go down well with Blues coach Michael Maguire who has denied claims that his players had been instructed to target Queensland’s speedy fullback.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“Hits should stay within the rules, and if they are outside the rules, they will be penalised severely. The referee was 100 out of 100 in how he treated that incident. We aren’t changing anything,” he added.
“We are maintaining our stance on high shots and the ref’s stance was perfect … I applaud Ashley Klein for what he did.
“This is the ridiculous situation that some people are looking for,” he said when asked about potentially being more lenient on high shots in Origin.
“This idea of replacing players sent off in Origin is nonsense. It just opens it up for players to be taken out. I don’t understand why a serious breach of the rules should be interpreted differently between an Origin and club game.
“We’re not going easy in Origin.”
Hynes upbeat despite Origin disappointment
Nicho Hynes has returned to Cronulla training showing no ill effects from NSW’s opening State of Origin disappointment, with Sharks players adamant the No.7 remains his old self.
Hynes on Tuesday had his first session back with Cronulla since the Blues’ chastening series-opening loss last week, showing no signs of his problematic calf at Shark Park.
His return came on a good day for Blues coach Michael Maguire, with Dylan Edwards, Haumole Olakau’atu and Liam Martin all receiving positive injury news.
Edwards has been named by Penrith to play fullback against Newcastle on Sunday, while Martin has been listed on an extended bench.
That will give Edwards one game to make his case to regain the NSW No.1 jersey from James Tedesco for Origin II on June 26, after an ankle injury denied him a debut in the opening match of the series.
Martin is battling a quad injury suffered in the game one, but is expected to be fit to run out at the MCG for Origin II.
Olakau’atu is expected to turn out for Manly against St George Illawarra on Sunday afternoon after scans eased concerns around his sore calf.
The powerful second-rower came off the bench for NSW in game one, and is pushing to hold his spot as Maguire prepares to make several calls for the must-win match in Melbourne.
Cameron Murray has been named to play for South Sydney against Brisbane on Friday, and could also push for a Blues recall on return from a hip injury.
But the biggest call of all surrounds Hynes.
Cronulla Sharks
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Thu, 13 Jun 2024, 19:50
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Sun, 16 Jun 2024, 16:05
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The Sharks No.7 has taken most of the spotlight after NSW’s loss at Accor Stadium last week, including questions about a lack of polish at the end of sets.
Blues legend Andrew Johns is among those calling for Mitch Moses to take over as NSW halfback, with the Parramatta star two games back from a foot injury.
But Cronulla players have thrown their support behind Hynes, who was axed after one game on the bench last year for NSW.
“He’s been good. He rocked up today with a smile on his face,” Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey said.
“He’s joking, playing pranks. That’s what he normally does around the club. We didn’t hear anything different from him.”
Hynes has spoken at length about his confidence being dented after his NSW debut last year, but Brailey said there had been no signs of that this time.
If anything, Brailey said the situation could motivate Hynes in Cronulla’s top-four clash against the Dolphins on Thursday night. “He’s happy to be here, still loving his footy … trained great today,” Brailey said.
“It’s not great to see (the fallout from Origin) for such a close friend, (but) he’s been such a great player for so long. He’s deserved that spot. He’s a competitor, so I’m guessing that’ll drive him or motivate him.”
Brisbane beast Willison back for impact against Souths
Brisbane have welcomed back Xavier Willison, their 21-year-old beast on the bench, and his impact against South Sydney will be pivotal to last year’s grand finalists’ quest to get their season back on track.
Willison’s partner gave birth last week and he missed Saturday’s 22-12 loss to Cronulla, in which Brisbane’s bench offered no punch.
Coach Kevin Walters axed prop Fletcher Baker and brought back Willison as a matter of priority for Friday night’s showdown at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Willison averages 35 minutes per match this season through nine games and has made them count.
Xavier Willison takes on the defence during a Brisbane Broncos NRL Captain’s Run at Clive Berghofer Field on May 09, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
He makes an average of 109 metres and two tackle breaks per match, as well as 20 tackles.
He is also two metres tall and has a tough streak to his game.
The Broncos are eighth on the ladder and not in dire straits, but they have lost their last two matches.
State of Origin will drain key forwards Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas, and they need a lift from the rest of the pack.
They did not get it against the Sharks, but Willison has shown he can provide some added thrust.
“Xavier makes an impact when he comes on,” bench hooker Tyson Smoothy said.
“He has been massive for us this year, he is going to make a big difference for us with his carries.
“Xavier is so young. He has only played a handful of games and is only going to get better as he goes on.”
The best sides in the competition have benches that make a difference.
The Sharks got a positive injection from Royce Hunt, Thomas Hazelton and Jack Williams last week.
The Broncos need it from Willison, Smoothy, Jack Gosiewski and Kobe Hetherington against a Rabbitohs side that has scored 88 points in two successive wins.
Terrell May of the Roosters is tackled by Tyson Smoothy of the Broncos during the round one NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“Our bench had a solid game (against Cronulla), but all round we were disappointed in the result,” Smoothy said.
“That is our role, to come on and make a difference.
“We are always looking to be better as a bench. We have a big game on our hands this week.
“Latrell (Mitchell) is a great player and we are going to have to look out for him.”
The Broncos led 12-4 at halftime against the Sharks but collapsed after the break.
“We switched off and the Sharks caught us sleeping. We have to have the mindset to start the second half like the first half,” Smoothy said.
“It was a disappointing result, but there were plenty of positives – we had a pretty solid first half.
“If we can do that for 80 minutes we will get the result. We are looking to bounce back.”
with AAP