Roosters star Luke Keary has put his hand up to play for Ireland in this year’s World Cup — throwing his support behind a raft of NRL stars opting to represent their heritage.
Reports surfaced that Maroons gun Josh Papalii will ply his trade for Samoa, joining Jarome Luai and Brian To’o, while Felise Kaufusi, Siosifa Talakai, Daniel Tupou and Kotoni Staggs are set to represent Tonga.
While Keary may not have been in Meninga’s Kangaroos plans, the 30-year-old has expressed his desire to represent Ireland after being ruled out of the 2017 World Cup with a hip injury.
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“I stuck my hand up to play for Ireland in 2017,” Keary said to the SMH.
“It didn’t eventuate, I had a few [injuries] at the back end of the year. We’ll just see how the next few weeks go but I’ve told the [Irish officials] that I need to tell.
“I’ve always had a connection there since I was a kid. Dad’s family is still over there. I haven’t been over there but you just feel proud whenever I’ve talked about it. It makes me feel good thinking about it.”
Keary welcomed players who wanted to represent their heritage, explaining “it’s great for our game”.
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“It’s going to be a great World Cup with so many great players putting their hands up for their nations of birth or their heritage. I think it’s great for our game,” he said.
Ireland have been drawn in group C, alongside Jamaica, Lebanon and one of the competition’s heavyweights — New Zealand.
The Kiwis boast one of Keary’s Roosters teammates, who plays at fullback for his national team, Joseph Manu.
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Meanwhile, young gun Joseph Suaalii will be attending the World Cup — whether it be for the Kangaroos or Samoa.
The 19-year-old could be set for a potential starting berth with Samoa should he choose to go down that path, but the young gun outlined his preference.
“I honestly haven’t thought about it too much but I want to be there playing at the World Cup,” Suaalii said.
“I’m trying to make that Australian team and if I’m lucky enough I’ll make that Samoan team as well.
“If I get picked for either of them it would be an honour. If I’m playing at the World Cup I’ll be happy.”
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Newcastle legend Matthew Johns says the Knights overreacted by issuing David Klemmer with a “show cause” notice and standing him down after he blew up at a trainer last weekend.
Klemmer refused to come off the field late in the second half of his side’s 14-point loss to the Bulldogs, spraying trainer Hayden Knowles.
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The saga surrounding the front-rower sparked rumors he could be sacked, while reports emerged of an unhappy camp at Newcastle — who are in danger of claiming the wooden spoon at the end of what’s been a disastrous season.
the Sydney Morning Herald reports Klemmer was stood down due to the company policy of the Wests Group, who own the Knights, after a formal HR complaint was lodged against him.
Rumors about Klemmer’s potential axing from Newcastle have since died down and coach Adam O’Brien reportedly has no issue with his prop. But there are suggestions changes are afoot in Newcastle after too many years of mediocrity.
Club legend Johns said the Knights are at a low ebb and criticized how Klemmer’s situation has been handled, given he saw players refuse to come off “a thousand times” during his career.
“It’s led to a big situation. The situation itself (isn’t a big deal) – I’m really surprised. I sprayed a trainer, I didn’t want to come off. He’s been stood down, apparently his Knights career is in the balance for refusing to leave and giving a trainer a spray, ”Johns told Fox League on Thursday night.
“I’ve seen that a thousand times. I just think it’s an overreaction. Even if it isn’t, and you want to address it, I don’t know why and how it’s turned up in the public domain … I can’t get my head around it.
“You see it a million times, a bloke’s going (off) to the trainer – there’s always argy-bargy.”
Former NSW forward Bryan Fletcher said it would be a “disgrace” if the Knights were trying to use this episode to justify moving Klemmer on, in order to free up space in the salary cap.
However, reports this week say that’s not the case.
The drama comes after O’Brien was criticized for his post-match press conference after the loss to Canterbury. Speaking to reporters, O’Brien said he’d been involved in four grand finals as an assistant coach with the Roosters and Storm, so he knows what it takes to win — even though he’s overseen underwhelming results at Newcastle.
Johns said it’s been an “absolute bludger of a week” for his former club, adding: “The press conference after the game, (after which) Adam O’Brien was criticized for a lot of his comments, talking about his four premierships as an assistant.
“I can’t be too critical of Adam with this – he’s a coach without answers for a fanbase asking a lot of questions. He’s really at a loss at the moment.”
David Klemmer could reportedly receive a public apology from the Newcastle Knights as the club seeks to defuse the saga following the player’s expletive-laden rant at a trainer.
Klemmer was publicly issued a show-cause notice and stood down from training in the wake of Sunday’s galling defeat to the Bulldogs, in which Klemmer refused to leave the field when directed by trainer Hayden Knowles.
Klemmer reportedly labeled Knowles a “c***” and told him to “shut the f*** up”.
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O’Brien’s time at Knights running out? | 02:43
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The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas initially reported Knowles lodged an official complaint to HR, with the Knights following the official policy of owners Wests Group by standing down the player.
On Friday I clarified it wasn’t actually initiated by the trainer.
“Management of the Newcastle Knights (Wests Group) instigated the investigation by HR,” he tweeted.
“Bizarre choice of action from head office. Might all be sorted today.
The Herald claims that Klemmer was set to front Newcastle’s board next week, but discussions are ongoing with the player’s union and Klemmer’s management which could see him return to the fold on Friday.
After suggestions Klemmer could even be terminated over the issue SEN’s Michelle Bishop claimed the tables had turned to the point the show cause notice could now be retracted.
“David Klemmer won’t be sacked,” Bishop said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“In fact, my sources say there could even be a public apology coming his way.
“I understand that’s what he’s requested out of the investigation so far.”
Bishop reported that Klemmer had been able to prove that his actions were “common practice” at the club.
It comes amid a scathing critique of the incident from club legend Matty Johns, who labeled Newcastle’s public handling of the incident an ‘overreaction’ to a scene he witnessed “a thousand times” in his successful career.
Johns told Fox League on Thursday: “It’s led to a big situation. The situation itself (isn’t a big deal) – I’m really surprised. I sprayed a trainer, I didn’t want to come off. He’s been stood down, apparently his Knights career is in the balance for refusing to leave and giving a trainer a spray.
“I’ve seen that a thousand times. I just think it’s an over-reaction. Even if it isn’t, and you want to address it, I don’t know why and how it’s turned up in the public domain … I can’t get my head around it.”
“You see it a million times, a bloke’s going (off) to the trainer – there’s always argy-bargy,” he added.
There have been widespread rumors this week that the Knights were considering tearing up Klemmer’s contract in the wake of the incident, something which former Roosters and Souths star Bryan Fletcher declared would be ‘a disgrace’.
Fletcher said on Fox League: “Are they trying to move him on? We know he’s on big money. If they are and this is the reason, I think it’s a disgrace.”
Major “Reboot” need for Knights – Buzz | 01:08
O’BRIEN ‘AT A LOSS’
Johns labeled it “an absolute bludger of a week for the Newcastle Knights”, from the announcement that superstar Kalyn Ponga would take no further part this season due to repeated concussions, to Sunday’s home defeat to the Canterbury Bulldogs, and even O’Brien’s controversial comments in the post-match press-conference.
Johns said: “the press conference after the game, (after which) Adam O’Brien was criticized for a lot of his comments, talking about his four premierships as an assistant.
“I can’t be too critical of Adam with this – he’s a coach without answers for a fanbase asking a lot of questions. He’s really at a loss at the moment.”
O’Brien reportedly has ‘no issue’ with Klemmer, who sent a message apologizing to the coach on Sunday night for his behavior on-field.
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NRL great Cameron Smith has called on the Newcastle Knights to “be better” as further details emerged related to prop David Klemmer’s incident over the weekend.
Klemmer allegedly refused to leave the field and verbally abused trainer Hayden Knowles during Newcastle’s 14-point loss to the Bulldogs last Sunday.
The star forward was also dropped for this weekend’s crunch clash with the Wests Tigers, amid reports he could have his contract torn up by the Knights.
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The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read understands that the former Blues representative has apologized to head coach Adam O’Brien, as he acknowledged that he could’ve handled things differently.
The Telegraph reported on Thursday further details of Klemmer’s spray, claiming he called Knowles a “c***” and told him to “shut the f*** up”.
The report also revealed an exchange of messages between a Knights player and a senior member of staff about Klemmer, in which the member signs off with “FEC”.
“Confidential understands is an acronym for “F*** every c***. It suggests that the language was part of everyday life at the Knights and largely driven by some members of staff,” the report adds.
Weighing in on the news on Thursday morning, former Australia captain Smith couldn’t believe that a formal complaint had been submitted against Klemmer for an incident which he suggested happens regularly.
Klemmer sanctioned for abusing trainer | 02:55
“Well it’s strange really. If words were spoken between a player and a trainer, that’s happened a thousand times before,” Smith said on The Captain’s Run on SEN on Thursday.
“I’ve seen it first hand, I think you have as well. It’s not a new thing. I’m really confused as to why this is such a huge problem.
“The way I’ve seen it dealt with and sorted out in the past is that if there’s an issue… it’s dealt with in-person after the match.
“It’s just unnecessary. Like seriously, how bad have the words been spoken between David Klemmer and this trainer, to have a formal complaint made. It’s just ridiculous. Deal with it man to man.
“Do we go running to people now to double on each other? Like seriously, footy clubs, you’ve got to be better than that.”
Smith, who holds the record for the most NRL games played with 430, couldn’t understand why the Knights would make the complaint considering their form.
The Telegraph have reported that Newcastle players will be involved in the investigation, as they provide witness statements of what they heard.
Newcastle are currently 14th on the ladder, but they would drop back to second-last with a loss against the Wests Tigers on Sunday.
“The football is one thing, they’re not going great, they’re not going great at all,” he added.
“Even their performances at home, they’ve let their members and their fans down at home, who are extremely good supporters.
O’Brien’s time at Knights running out? | 02:43
“We’re starting to come to the end of the 2022 season, they’ve had a bludger of a year, they’re trying to get their season done as best they can with the remaining games.
“Now their starting prop, one of their enforcers, he’s been stood down. They’ve got several players now being pulled in now to be part of this investigation, and give their account of events.”
Smith played a lot of rugby league against and with Klemmer, with the pair helping the Kangaroos to a tense 6-0 win in the World Cup final against England in 2017.
The former Melbourne Storm hooker described Klemmer as “very respectful”, and felt that he would’ve worked through the situation alongside the club if given a chance.
“I’ve had a little bit to do with David Klemmer, like I’ve played many, many times against him, and look he is one of the most competitive and passionate blokes that I’ve played against in my career. He loves footy, he loves playing for the teams that he represents.
“But once the games over, he’s a very, very respectful man. He’ll deal with those situations the way he needs to deal with them respectfully. I don’t know why they’ve gone down this path.”
The Parramatta Eels reported attempted to sign Klemmer on a loan deal for the rest of the 2022 season, but the move was blocked by the Knights.
Klemmer is currently on a deal worth up to $900,000 at Newcastle until the end of next season, but a number of teams could be interested in acquiring his services if he becomes available.
Paul Gallen is set to end his boxing career in the most spectacular way possible: by fighting twice in one night.
Foxsports.com.au understands negotiations are nearing completion for the unique boxing extravaganza, with Gallen to feature in two fights on a star-studded card being planned for a date in September. And in another twist, the NSW Blues legend will attempt the feat deep in enemy territory in Queensland.
Gallen is already regarded as one of Australia’s toughest athletes but the prospect of trying to defeat two opponents on the same night — something rarely seen in professional boxing — will put that reputation to the ultimate test.
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One of Gallen’s opponents will likely be a fellow former NRL star Justin Hodges, who recently won two fights in the space of three weeks by defeating Ben Hannant (via UD) and Jordan Simi (via UD).
Gallen’s second opponent is yet to be decided but foxsports.com.au understands the shortlist includes several former footy stars. Hannant, Sam Thaiday, Russell Packer and Chris Walker are among those to have been sounded out.
With several of the prospective opponents hailing from Queensland, Gallen has the chance to realize a dream he teased recently.
Paul Gallen will need plenty of time to cool down in between fights. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
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speaking to foxsports.com.au ahead of Hodges’ fight against Hannant in June, Gallen claimed the opportunity of “getting to bash two Queenslanders in one night would be fun.”
Hodges and Gallen have engaged in a war of words after the pair made a bet that whichever state won this year’s Origin series would host a fight between the two.
Despite the Maroons great being willing to give up hometown advantage, such is his desperation to fight Gallen, Hodges is set to get to fight in front of a hometown crowd for just the second time in his boxing career.
The time frame between fights is one element yet to be confirmed. Gallen could either take on one opponent earlier on the card and return to the ring for the main event, or fight back-to-back fights in a grievous test of endurance.
Gallen has suggested on numerous occasions he will hang up the gloves at the end of the year, if not before.
But in a career that boasts wins over UFC legend Mark Hunt and Aussie former world heavyweight champion Lucas Browne, the chance to win two fights in the same night would be the perfect way to bow out of the sport for good.
Maroons star Ben Hunt is not short of suitors amid reports the Gold Coast Titans are ready to launch an audacious bid for his services.
news corp revealed that the Titans are considering a play to lure the Dragons captain north to from the 2023 season.
The Titans are believed to be one of six clubs trying to acquire Hunt’s services from at least the 2024 campaign.
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But considering he doesn’t come off contract with the Dragons until the end of next season, the Titans will have to wait until November 1st to submit an official offer.
It was reported last week that Hunt was set to sign a two-year contract extension with St George until the end of 2025.
“We have started the process to extend Ben, and we’re very hopeful we can keep him at the club long-term,” St George Illawarra chief executive Ryan Webb said.
Madge’s take on Tigers coaching plan | 02:04
“He is an important person on the field and has a tremendous impact off it.”
Hunt, who was leading the Dally M race before the count behind closed doors, signed a
mammoth five-year deal worth more than $5 million with the Dragons in 2017.
The 32-year-old has proven himself to be one of the premier players in the competition since, after starring in State of Origin again this year.
The party was well and truly on in Queensland as Hunt ran away for a long-range, game-winning try in the Origin decider in Brisbane last month.
But considering his age, it’s believed that he could commit to a smaller deal.
If Hunt does sign with the Titans, he would potentially line-up in the halves alongside another key signing in Kieran Foran.
The New Zealand international has signed a two-year deal which is reportedly worth $400,000 per season.
Dragons captain Ben Hunt is reportedly eyeing a move to the Gold Coast Titans. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Before entering contract negotiations, Hunt revealed that he was happy playing under the “right coach” in Anthony Griffin at the Dragons.
“It’s no secret I enjoy being coached by Hook (Anthony Griffin),” Hunt said.
“I know we’ve had some setbacks for the past two games, but we’ve got the right foundation in place – and we have the right coach.
“I’m loving my time at the club and enjoying myself. I know I’m also getting to the back end of my career and want to win (a premiership).
“My manager will meet with the club next week so we’ll see what happens. I still think I’ve got at least three years of footy in me. I’m contracted for next year, and I’d like another two after that.
“I’ve been lucky with injuries. I don’t see why I can’t go until at least the end of 2025.”
Carrigan cops 4-game ban for tackle | 02:14
RABBITOHS SET TO LAUNCH BID FOR MANLY ENFORCER
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have reportedly entered the race to secure Sea Eagles’ prop Martin Taupau’s signature for the dawn of the 2023 season.
According to Zero Tackle, the club believe that Taupau would be a suitable replacement for departing prop Mark Nicholls, who will join the Dolphins for their inaugural season.
The Bunnies are reportedly set to table the 32-year-old a two-year contract which will see him at South Sydney until the end of the 2024 season.
The Eels were close to locking in Taupau for the rest of the season, however the Sea Eagles chose to wart the move in a last ditch attempt at securing a spot in the top eight come finals time.
If Taupau is to link up with the Rabbitohs for the 2023 season he would he would add to the club’s depth in the forwards joining the likes of Thomas Burgess, Liam Knight, Tevita Tatola, Davvy Moale and Daniel Suluka-Fifita.
With the Manly prop now in the latter stages of his career, a two-year deal with South Sydney could very well be his last in the NRL.
While the Dolphins have expressed an interest in Taupau, the experienced prop ideally wants to play for a club based in Sydney.
Newcastle’s torrid season has gone from bad to worse, with enforcer David Klemmer issued a show cause notice over an on-field disciplinary issue.
The incident in question, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Kent, came in the 71st minute of the Knights’ 24-10 loss to the Bulldogs.
Klemmer is said to have refused to come off the field and allegedly verbally abused Newcastle trainer Hayden Knowles, who was trying to make the substitution happen.
“It happened over a series of tackles throughout the last minutes of the game, where they continually tried to get him off the field,” Kent said on Fox League’s ‘NRL 360’.
“Now Klemmer just refused to go. He’s been disciplined, he hasn’t been chosen after this weekend’s game.”
The Knights released a statement on Tuesday confirming an on-field disciplinary matter had taken place, although they opted against going into any further details.
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The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley described the show cause notice as “strange” given Newcastle had taken action by dropping Klemmer before giving him a chance to explain himself.
That was not all Crawley had to say though, with the veteran rugby league reporter claiming that Klemmer’s incident was only a smaller part of much bigger problems in the Hunter.
“It’s bigger than this,” Crawley said.
“There’s a problem up at Newcastle that everyone’s ducking and covering from, there’s players up there that aren’t happy. There’s a division within the club and no one can deny it. You’ve just got to look at their performances.
“There’s obviously some players out there that aren’t real happy and David Klemmer on the weekend has probably fired up.
“Something’s happened to him on the field, he didn’t want to come off but I assure you there’s got to be more to it.”
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David Klemmer is out of the Newcastle line-up this week. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Crawley’s theory was supported by Braith Anasta, who said blow-ups like the one Klemmer had on Sunday afternoon to being substituted off “happen every weekend”.
“That happens every weekend at a club where a player doesn’t want to come off the field or will argue with his trainers,” Anasta said.
“I don’t know to what extent, but a show cause notice is very dramatic at 6pm on a Tuesday night where they haven’t picked him in the side. There’s got to be more to it. There just has to be.”
As Kent went on to point out, there were reports that Parramatta was looking to snare Klemmer before the mid-season transfer deadline, only adding fuel to the fire.
“It’s interesting yesterday Parramatta approached the Knights to get him on a loan deal,” Kent said.
“My understanding is Klemmer was willing to go, but he’s got next year at Newcastle. He wanted next year at Parramatta plus the year after, which they were not willing to go to, which suggested the fact that maybe he was happy to leave Newcastle.”
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Inside Klemmer’s failed move to the Eels | 02:08
Former teammate James Graham said that Klemmer “looks very frustrated” and could understand why he may have pushed against coming from the field.
“He has very high expectations of himself and takes pride in his performances and especially his numbers,” Graham said.
“He can be one of those guys who is reluctant to leave the field of play. This is against his old club from him as well. I can understand why he may have wanted to stay out there.
“There were times the rotation with those middle forwards and Klemmer would protest leaving the field of play if he thought he could have an impact on the result.”
Corey Parker though called it “a load of BS”, taking aim at Newcastle for disciplining Klemmer, who he called a “the alpha male of the club”.
“Seriously, dropping someone because he said no to coming off to the trainer,” Parker said.
“I played 16 years and everytime I was asked to come off I was reluctant to a point where I would say to the trainer a few expletives to let him know I didn’t want to come off. He’s the alpha male of the club playing against his former club.
O’Brien’s time at Knights running out? | 02:43
“Are we playing rugby league? He’s the front rower of a rugby league club, is he just going to bow and come off? I played with and against Klem and he’s a tough, uncompromising, resilient front rower.”
Graham though responded by pointing out that sometimes a player has to put their own personal thoughts to the side and prioritize the team’s best interests.
In this case, even though he thought the decision to take Klemmer off was “strange”, Graham said coach O’Brien may have been trying to set a standard by dropping the enforcer.
“No one wants to come off but if your club is seeing something and you’re part of a rotation and it’s coming from the top,” Graham said.
“It does seem strange [to take him off then]. We’ve all sprayed trainers. I think it’s the fact he didn’t come from the field of play. Personally, I think it’s they’ve had a bad week, O’Brien is trying to set a precedent and build his club from him.
“We’ve heard about O’Brien setting standards for next year.”
‘This is what gives me the s****!’ | 02:04
The drama is hardly what Newcastle needed as it looks to arrest a concerning form slump which has seen the club drop four-straight games and lose 14 of its past 17 to plummet down the ladder.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien came under fire earlier in the week for his comments after the latest loss to the Bulldogs, in which he pointed out his involvement in “four grand finals.”
“It is a hard one for me as well,” O’Brien said at the post-match press conference.
“Previous to getting this job here I was involved in four grand finals.
“I know how those teams prepared. I know the systems they used defensively.
“You don’t unlearn that knowledge. Applying it and getting it ingrained is going to take some time clearly.
“Week to week we can talk about one area of that defense and we can fix it in seven days, but then we will let another area of our defense down.
“It is going to take a bit of time and I know some people don’t want to wait that long, but it is.”
Adam O’Brien’s coaching has come under scrutiny. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
O’Brien spoke to the media again on Tuesday to clarify those comments, admitting he would “like to have” that press conference back.
“I clearly did not articulate the message I was going to get across and I apologize for that,” he said.
“It looks like I’m an egomaniac. I was trying to get my message across to the supporter who sits on the hill that must be wondering do they practice defense and tackle technique? Are they fit, tough?
“I was trying to talk to them that the boys are training at a really high standard. I’ve tried to give hope to people on the hill that we are training at a high level – that’s not translating to the field and that responsibility is squarely on me.
“I’m not taking the accolades of the success at those clubs, that is Craig (Bellamy’s) and Trent (Robinson’s) work. I’m trying to create that here. We are on the path but we aren’t there yet.”
The Parramatta Eels reportedly were blocked in their attempts to sign Knights enforcer David Klemmer for the remainder of the 2022 season on a loan deal.
Reports circled Sea Eagles prop Marty Taupau would make the short move, but that play was rejected by Manly coach Des Hasler.
Brad Arthur then turned his attention elsewhere in a bid to secure a front rower before the August 1 deadline but Knights powerbrokers also denied the request according to The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield.
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“They contacted Clint Zammit, who took it to Adam O’Brien and the senior management at the Knights… they made the decision, and they made it about an hour ago that they would not realize him,” Rothfield said on NRL360.
Rothfield revealed there were a number of sticking points that were unable to be negotiated, including the length of the deal.
The Eels reportedly wanted Klemmer on a short-term loan, but the bustling prop wanted a longer contract to extend his stay at Parramatta past 2022.
“I think there were too many issues involved in the deal, David Klemmer, to join Parramatta for these five games, wanted two years, not just the last year of his contract,” Rothfield said.
“And there were a lot of things like this they couldn’t sort their way through.”
Is O’Brien under pressure at Knights? | 05:59
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“So he would have gone for the remainder of this season and then another couple of seasons on top of that,” Fox League’s James Hooper said.
While the 28-year-old has been one of Newcastle’s best in 2022, Rothfield believes a move for Klemmer was entertained by Newcastle powerbrokers and could have been finalized.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien was said to have met with club bosses on Monday afternoon who reportedly “wouldn’t have fought too hard to keep him”.
“I can’t sit here and say that definitely, but what I am hearing within the club they wouldn’t have fought too hard to keep him,” Rothfield said.
“If the right deal could have been done, why would that have been? He is only 28, he has been around, he has played Origin, he has played Test matches.
V’landys moves transfer deadline | 03:02
“I think there is a feeling around the club that Klemmer hasn’t fitted into game plans like they’d probably hope he had had this year.
“That he might take one or two too many carries each half, when Joey has trained them during the week to switch it or spin it or whatever.
“I just think he can be a hard guy to coach, and that is why I am saying that I don’t think they would have tried overly hard, they wouldn’t have kicked him out the door, but that is why they entertained it today.”
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Fuming Sea Eagles players reportedly sent angry text messages to each other after the decision of seven teammates to stand down from the club’s crucial Roosters clash.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the players demanded to know why the seven players in question put the Sea Eagles’ final hopes in danger over the pride jersey saga.
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With their season in danger of imploding, the Manly playing group then organized an emergency meeting on Sunday hoping to smooth things over and mend relationships ahead of the last five rounds of the regular season.
Reports suggest the squad relieved tensions prior to the group’s return to training.
The emergency meeting was reportedly sparked by a breakfast between Josh Aloiai, one of the players who boycotted the match, Jake Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker and another team member.
Aloiai alongside Tolutau Koula, Haumole Olakau’atu, Jason Saab, Josh Schuster, Toafofoa Sipley and Christian Tuipulotu refused to play on religious grounds, angering teammates.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield provided details on the crisis meeting on Big Sports Breakfast.
“The club brought in a professional mediator to get the group of players to get together to try and get a sympathetic understanding from both sides,” Rothfield said.
“I don’t think they’re ever going to agree on the fact that the players did the right thing by withdrawing from the match last week but what they want is for the players who did play to get a better understanding of what and why they did it.
“That’s why everything was put on the table yesterday and there were discussions.
“I was told late last week the risk amongst the players in the team was basically it was not reversible it was quite deep and the boys who did play and played very bravely against the Roosters could not comprehend why their teammates took such drastic actions.
“I think after they got together yesterday there is an understanding, I still think there’s a very long way to go before it is completely sorted out to a satisfactory position where they’re prepared to like all NRL clubs to have full time camaraderie and strengths and spirit.
“I think you can call it an uneasy trick between the players.”
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It comes amid fears within the playing group that the pride jersey saga could continue next season after players denied they would be willing to don the kit in 2023.
“I’m certainly aware the playing group is getting together,” Manly chairman Scott Penn said on Big Sports Breakfast last week.
“It’s really important everyone gets together and just talks it through. There needs to be a ‘clear-the-air’ session which is perfectly normal in these circumstances.”
“There’s not a deep divide which has been reported but I think there is some frustration in terms of the way all this played out.
“I met with six of the seven – Josh (Aloiai) was injured and wasn’t training but I spoke to him a little bit later. They are very determined and they were put in a difficult position but there are absolutely no hard feelings at all. As I discussed with them at the time, their focus now is on Parramatta.
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“The seven were very clear in their view and religious beliefs and we totally respected that. They have copped it from certain circles and that is unfortunate because we didn’t ever want to put them in that position.
“We will see a very cohesive team for the next five weeks. It was an emotional week and the circumstances put everyone in a difficult position.”
Reports suggest the meeting was not to try and change views, but to clear the air and find a common group as to why the group stood down.
As it stands, the Sea Eagles sit in 10th place, one win behind the Roosters and Raiders.
Des Hasler’s side will face the Eels, Titans, Sharks, Raiders and Bulldogs to close out the season, and every game is a must-win encounter.
