Rugby league legend Billy Slater has slammed Isaiah Papali’i’s potential Tigers backflip following the news the 23-year-old would make a decision at the season’s end.
Reports suggest the backrow enforcer will honor his contract and ply his trade for the merger club in 2023, but doubts still linger over Papali’i’s future.
The 23-year-old penned three-year deal with the Tigers late last year, but after the sacking of Michael Maguire the young gun said he wants to have “no regrets.”
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“Obviously people ask me about it, just even on the street or family and friends are hitting me up but that’s kind of for my manager look after and even if I don’t stay here or I do go next year, I want to make sure that this year has no regrets,” he said to 9 News.
“When I did sign it was talking to Madge — he’s an awesome coach. That rattled the cage a bit and I guess you have to have those conversations and I guess that was a massive factor for me.”
Now, Slater has been left stunned that Papali’i could potentially backflip on his deal and urged him to honor his contract.
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“If you sign with a club, go to the club,” Slater said on Nine’s coverage.
“You’re signing with a club. You’re not signing with a coach, you’re not signing with a player — you’re signing with a club. Go to the club.
“You’re not allowed to walk away from a contract. It’s just pressure, public pressure if you want out.
“If you sign with a club, you want to take that money and you sign the deal, go to the club.”
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Cameron Munster put on another masterclass at fullback on Thursday night in a 16-0 win over Penrith and earned plenty of praise, along with a cheeky dig, from teammate Brandon Smith.
speaking to Triple Mpost-game, Smith was at his hilarious best in what James Graham described as a “refreshing” interview from the Melbourne Storm forward.
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“He’s [Munster] as thick as pig s***,” Smith laughed.
“He’s the dumbest bloke in the world but when he gets on the field, he’s a genius. It’s outstanding. I’m glad I’m playing with him and not against him. He’s the most annoying bloke on planet earth but he’s one of my good mates so you’ve got to love him.”
As impressive as Munster was, Smith himself was key to the win, helping Melbourne dominate up front and allowing its playmakers to work their magic in the red zone.
Smith said that it was all part of the plan for the Storm, who had a relatively simple strategy for Thursday’s night game.
“Our whole game plan was to stay in the fight and let our superstars go and put the points on,” Smith said.
The Storm were able to put 16 on the board in the first half, although they could not breach the Panthers’ line in the second, restricted to just 37 per cent of the ball.
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The fact Melbourne was able to hold Penrith (55 tackles in opposition 20) scoreless would have certainly pleased coach Craig Bellamy though.
“I know he’ll be super happy with the zero on the Panthers’ board but still a lot of things we have to work on in attack,” Smith said.
“We had Nick Meaney and Cooper Johns partnering together I think for the first time with Munster at fullback.
“Munster and Justin Olam and Marion Seve, the two centers, deserve massive raps they were outstanding.”
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Smith was not just at his cheeky best post-game, also getting under Panthers front rower Spencer Leniu’s skin in the latter stages of the second half as the two sides briefly came together.
“I didn’t say anything,” Smith said of his exchange with Leniu.
“I just pushed him to let him know that… I think it was an accident but still, he hit me in the head and I wasn’t happy.”
“It still bought about 30 seconds off the clock,” he added, laughing, “that was pretty handy.”
“It was a tough game out there tonight. I don’t think I’ve come off the field with these many bumps and bruises.”
Brandon Smith scuffles with Spencer Leniu. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Jake Turpin is out in the cold after the Broncos confirmed he will not be at the club next season, while a potential suitor has denied they are interested in his services.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are set to give Kobe Hetherington a pay rise in a bid to ward off NRL rivals and Eels star Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union.
Read on for all the latest NRL Transfer Whispers.
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BRONCOS HOOKER IN NRL WILDERNESS
Jake Turpin is out in the cold after the Broncos confirmed he will not be at the club next season, while the Knights have denied they are interested in his services.
Newscorp reported Turpin will not be at the Broncos next season, while the Knights have denied they will make a play to lure him to the Hunter.
The Broncos are set to invest in incumbents Billy Walters and Cory Paix as well as rising rookie Blake Mozer as their dummyhalf options moving forward.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters confirmed Turpin is not in the club’s long-term plans and will not be offered a new deal in 2022.
“At the moment, there is nothing for Jake with us for next year unfortunately,” Walters told Newscorp.
“The reality is it was going to be hard to keep Jake.
“We have Billy (Walters) and Cory Paix in our squad at the moment, so as much as you would love to keep all your players, with the salary-cap it’s difficult.
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“’Turps’ has played some great games for the Broncos, and he is good at those little effort areas, particularly in defense, but with our roster, we don’t have any spots left for the hooker position.”
Knights Director of Football Peter Parr poured cold water on reports Newcastle will target Turpin as a back-up to Jayden Brailey.
“He is a wholehearted player but his name hasn’t been mentioned to me at all (by recruitment manager Clint Zammit), so we have no plans to sign him” Parr said.
The 25-year-old has scored four tries in 56 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2018 and won the club’s most consistent player award just last season.
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Jake Turpin is on the lookout for a new club.Source: Getty Images
EELS STAR OPEN TO CODE SWITCH
Eels young gun Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union in the future as the club looks to lock him to a long-term extension.
Newscorp reported Penisini, who played the rival code at school with Roosters star Joseph Suaalii at Kings College, hasn’t shut the door on a potential move to the 15-man game in the future.
“I’m not closing the door on rugby union,” Penisini told News Corp.
“Right now, I am content with where I am at Parramatta and I’m loving rugby league at the moment. I am just at the start of my career and I want to build my game and focus on playing consistent footy for Parramatta and try not to look too far ahead about the decision between rugby league or rugby union.”
The Eels are already trying to extend Penisini beyond his current deal, which expires in 2023.
The 20-year-old center has scored seven tries in 25 games for the Eels since his debut in 2021 and has already played one Test for Tonga, who he is likely to feature for at the World Cup.
Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union.Source: Getty Images
BRONCOS UP OFFER TO YOUNG GUN AS RIVALS CIRCLE
Broncos lock Kobe Hetherington is set for a massive pay rise as Brisbane aim to ward off approaches from rival clubs for his services.
Newscorp reported Hetherington is set to earn a pay rise of $200,000 a year as the club aims to lock him up on a two-year extension.
However, it is believed Hetherington, who is starting for Brisbane in the absence of the suspended Patrick Carrigan, could command upwards of $300,000 on the open market.
Hetherington is a versatile forward who can cover back row, front row and hooker, with no shortage of clubs keen on a player of his ability.
The 23-year-old has scored three tries in 33 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2021 and has been a mainstay of Kevin Walters’ pack rotation this season.
Kobe Hetherington is set for a pay rise.Source: Getty Images
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Eels star Isaiah Papali’i’s push for a backflip from his $1.9 million Tigers deal has taken a fresh twist with reports he is also angling for a return to the Warriors.
Papali’i raised concerns about his Tigers deal after they sacked Michael Maguire, while the Eels have upped their offer in a bid to retain his services, but a potential return to the Warriors is the latest development in his contract saga.
“Isaiah Papali’i signed a contract with Michael Maguire at the helm at the Tigers and now with Madge not there he is certainly not committing to it,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.
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“There is speculation about whether he will go or stay. I have not been convincing.”
Paul Kent believes the link to a return to the Warriors is a sign Papali’i is trying to make sure he does not end up at the Tigers at all costs.
“He hasn’t been convincing,” Kent said.
“Not only has he floated earlier in the year that he wants to stay at Parramatta, but it has also come out now that he is looking at a return to the Warriors, which is interesting.”
However, The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio believes the links to the Warriors deny the reason he wanted to backflip on the Tigers in the first place.
“That won’t eventuate because the Warriors are the only club that provides wriggle room for Papali’i to get out of the contract because it is the only feasible reason he could use, which is for personal reasons because his girlfriend still lives in New Zealand,” Riccio said.
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Isaiah Papali’I wants to get out of his deal with the Tigers.Source: Getty Images
“That’s not the reason he wants to leave the Tigers. The reason he wants to leave the Tigers is because he wants to stay at Parramatta.
“His angst isn’t with . . . it is not about going home to the Warriors and New Zealand. It is about staying at Parramatta.”
However, Kent believes if the Warriors were able to meet his financial demands, then he could also return to the Warriors for family reasons and leave both the Eels and the Tigers in the lurch.
“That is true but if the Warriors now do come in with a late offer?” Kent questioned.
“Or is it about not going to the Tigers?”
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Isaiah Papali’I wants to stay at the Eels.Source: News Corp Australia
Paul Crawley believes Papali’i can only blame himself for signing with the Tigers, who have a history of sacking coaches.
“If he has any angst it should be with himself and his management,” Crawley said.
“I have signed with the Tigers. I have signed with a club that changes coaches almost annually.
“He took the big money on offer. Yes Michael Maguire was the coach, but the Tigers have gone through four coaches in the last 10 years. It shouldn’t come as any great surprise.
“The Tigers have got to hold their ground on this.”
However, Paul Kent and Braith Anasta pointed out that sometimes the coach is the main reason for players signing with clubs.
“Players sign with coaches,” Kent said.
“My take on this is different because when I first heard this I thought, I have not got to honor his contract,” Anasta said.
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“Then I had to think about it myself and I was in a very similar situation.
“It was the Tigers, but it could have been any club, where I signed at that club and Tim Sheens was the coach.
“He signed me for a specific reason. He wanted a certain something out of me in terms of leadership and direction with a few players there and he made the sell to me.
“He was the coach and the Australian coach and I wanted to play under Tim Sheens. That was the only reason I signed. The sole reason I signed.
“Then he got sacked a few weeks later. I honored the contract, but now I look back at it and I think it was a poor decision from me.
“If I had my time over it would have been in the best interests of me and the club not to go there because it wasn’t the right fit.
“I was taking hit ups off taps, which is one thing, but what I’m trying to say is if he doesn’t want to go there and he only went there because a coach wanted him for a specific role to play his part in that team.
“Sometimes motivation is solely because of the coach.
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“But if he has got the Warriors involved that is taking the piss because that to me is him just saying, I don’t want to go to the Tigers.”
Kent believes the Tigers are being hypocritical of Papali’i breaking his contract when they broke Michael Maguire’s in sacking him.
“The flip side for the Tigers is when they signed him (Papali’i), they had Michael Maguire as their contracted coach,” Kent said.
“They are happy to sack Maguire and break that contract, which then breaks the terms or understanding that was there with Papali’i.”
Regardless, Kent believes Papali’i’s inability to commit fully to the Tigers means the club needs to act fast to ensure their own best interests.
“Even yesterday when he spoke and he was very noncommittal and at one point he said, look I’ll just wait until November and sort it out then,” Kent said.
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“Now the Tigers have got every right to say hang on, you have got to figure out what is going on.
“They have got a salary cap to manage. They can’t sit there and wait for this guy until November.”
Riccio believes the Tigers are better off cutting their losses with Papali’i because he clearly isn’t committed to the club’s new vision for the future under Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall.
“That’s why the Tigers should move on now and use Papali’i’s money before it gets too late,” Riccio said.
“If they wait until November they won’t be able to use their money.
“The Tigers are at a critical point in their history. This is a turning point for the Wests Tigers club under Tim Sheens and the future under Benji Marshall.
“What do we stand for? What is our culture? Who do we want here? That’s all I’ve heard about what it is going to be like under Sheens and Marshall. We want players who want to represent the Wests Tigers and who want to be there.
“Have we heard Isaiah Papali’i say once, I cannot wait to get to the Wests Tigers?”
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has dropped his biggest selection hint yet, revealing Roosters young gun Joseph Suaalii is a “genuine selection option”.
Meninga has a big job on his hands ahead of this year’s World Cup, with a number of players opting to represent their nation of heritage as opposed to the Kangaroos.
Maroons gun Josh Papalii will reportedly 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.
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But in a huge boost, the Kangaroos are set to pick the Tricolours 19-year-old flyer in the Australian squad — should he chose to represent his country of birth.
Suaalii is currently in his first full season of first grade and was included in Brad Fittler’s Blues squad, scoring 13 NRL tries to date.
“I’m a fan of Joseph, absolutely, and he is right in the picture, particularly if the Roosters keep their run going to the finals,” Meninga said to the SMH.
“He is a genuine selection option, definitely. He’s just a talent. He has always been a talent. I like his courage from him.
“I remember ‘Izzy’ (Israel Folau) came in at a young age, so did ‘GI’ (Greg Inglis), so if you’re talking about age, there are no questions about Joseph handling the international stage.”
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Meninga also referenced reports suggesting Australia’s rival code were in pursuit of the young gun, revealing it is “hardly a shock” the Wallabies could make a play.
“I read the reports that the Wallabies are looking at him, which is hardly a shock. They wouldn’t be doing their job if they weren’t looking at league players like him and wanting him to convert,” Meninga said.
“We do the same thing. Because Joseph has played union before, it only made it inevitable. He’s right in the mix for us.”
The Kangaroos incumbent wingers from their last game played in 2019 are Josh Addo-Carr and Nick Cotric.
With Cotric is unlikely to feature, and Addo-Carr being tipped for selection on the edge, Suaalii could find himself in the green and gold.
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Suaalii made his intentions clear earlier in the week, making it clear he wants to compete in the end-of-year showcase.
“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.”
The Sharks have taken the upper hand in the cross town derby, leading 18-12 at halftime.
In the absence of Matt Moylan, Braydon Trindall has stood up with a try and a try assist.
Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey was also sent to the bin for a professional foul before Tautau Moga scored for the Dragons.
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MATCH CENTER: Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons, live scores
45TH MINUTE
The Dragons have hit back, courtesy of a floated pass from young gun Junior Amone to find Tautau Moga.
The Sharks tryline defense had held the Red V out, prompting the five-eighth to look out wide and turn Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo around.
26TH MINUTE
Sharks half Braydon Trindall sliced through the Dragons line to score, handing his side the lead.
Trindall was a late replacement for Matt Moylan, who was ruled out due to a quad injury.
According to Fox League’s Lara Pitt, the 31-year-old playmaker will be fit for Round 22.
But only moments later, Trindall again charged at the line, finding Teig Wilton with a short ball to cross with his first tough.
“Braydon Trindall again, at speed, runs to the line… just look at him, takes off,” Alexander said.
“Braydon Trindall has been the man in this first half.”
“The man who is really shining in the absence of Matt Moylan,” Ginnane said.
Only moments later, Blayke Brailey was sent to the bin for a professional foul.
12TH MINUTE
Dragons veteran Tariq Sims was sin binned for an ugly high shot which forced Sharks gun Connor Tracey to be stretched off the field.
Sims shoulder made direct contact with Tracey’s chin and as a result was given his marching orders.
Fox League’s Dan Ginnane was shocked Sims wasn’t sent off.
“That would be the minimum there and that is a best case result for the Dragons,” Dan Ginnane said.
3RD MINUTE
Sharks marquee star Nicho Hynes opened the scoring only three minutes into the contest, throwing a big dummy before ducking underneath the tackle of Tariq Sims.
The scores sit level at 6-6 in the cross-town derby — and the playmaking responsibility sits on Hynes’ shoulders in Moylan’s absence.
“There is plenty of responsibility on Nicho Hynes tonight,” Greg Alexander said.
“Throws the dummy, gets on the inside of Tariq Sims, and Sims can’t stop him.”
Moments later, Dragons forward Jack De Belin was able to collect a bouncing Ben Hunt kick to score his side’s first.
Sensationally, the star forward is only one try away from being the club’s leading try scorer.
PRE-MATCH WRAP
Craig Fitzgibbon will be without one key playmaker for the club’s local derby — Matt Moylan.
Braydon Trindall has been drafted in to replace the 31-year-old, pairing marquee player Nicho Hynes in the halves, while Lachlan Miller moves onto the bench.
Young gun Kade Dykes will also make his debut at the back after impressing for feeder club Newtown Jets, replacing Will Kennedy after a syndesmosis injury.
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Meanwhile, Anthony Griffin has made changes of his own, with Billy Burns coming out of the side in place of veteran Josh McGuire.
Fitzgibbon’s Sharks will be desperate to come away with the points, currently sitting equal with the Eels after a win against Manly.
If Cronulla can beat their cross-town rivals they will sit in third, above the Melbourne Storm on 14 wins.
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NRL legend Cameron Smith believes Nathan Cleary’s lengthy ban leading into finals will provide “a blessing in disguise” for the Panthers.
Cleary flipped Penrith’s season on its head when he was sent off for a dangerous lifting tackle on Eels playmaker Dylan Brown last Friday.
The New South Wales Origin star copped a five-match suspension and won’t return for the competition leaders before the finals.
Five-eighth Jarome Luai is also out set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines, after suffering an MCL injury against the Sharks.
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Without the two experienced playmakers leading the team around the park, the Panthers will have to rely on some relatively inexperienced combinations until the finals.
Penrith have turned Jaeman Salmon and Sean O’Sullivan for Saturday’s clash with Canberra, with the Panthers currently six competition points clear of second with five games to play.
But Smith said the break for the duo can become a positive for the reigning NRL premiers.
“I think it can work in their favour,” Smith said on SEN’s The Captain’s Run on Thursday.
“I actually think that giving this football side an opportunity side to play a month or five weeks without Cleary in particular and Jerome Luai, their two main men, it’s their go-to men in attack, I actually think when they return they’ll both be fresh.
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“Nathan Cleary, he’s going to have fresh legs, he’s going to be fresh mentality. He hasn’t had to get up for games for five weeks.
“You could see as soon as he made that tackle he knew he’d let the team down, and the club and the fans. He’s going to come out in that final series and think ‘I’ve got to repay this footy club and my fans for missing five weeks’.
“This footy side can benefit so much from these two guys not being there and guys like Api Koroisau and Isaah Yeo… they’re going to have to shoulder more responsibility now with the way the football team plays.
“I just think they’re going to be a stronger footy side again.”
Penrith have one hand on the minor premiership just over a month out from finals, but they could quickly lose that grip with a couple of losses on the bounce.
The Cowboys are their closest rivals in the race for pole position, but the Sharks are also an outside chance – but are four games back and they have a significantly worse points difference.
Open your eyes! Roosters Scold Walker | 00:31
North Queensland host the Panthers in the final round of the regular season, and although it’s unlikely, it’s possible that the two teams clash with the minor premiership on the line.
It’s potentially a season defining a few weeks for the Panthers, who are looking to defend their NRL crown.
“Let’s just say the top four doesn’t change, they take on Melbourne. If they finish first, they’ll be taking on the Storm,” he added.
“The biggest difference this year is they’ll play their first game at home. They’ll be playing at Penrith.
“Whereas last year and I know it was a neutral ground for the Sydney sides, but they played the Rabbitohs up in Townsville and got beaten. They’re a different footy side at home.
“They’ve lost one game there in a thousand years.”
Parramatta are another side who will be without a key player for a majority of their remaining regular season games.
Star playmaker Mitchell Moses has been ruled out with a finger injury, and will spend at least a couple of weeks watching on from the sidelines.
The Eels could potentially drop out of the top eight if they have a bad month, with the Raiders just four-point behind them.
“(Moses) He’s leading the competition for try assists. He’s got 20 try assists, so now with him out, plus his goal kicking, so now they need to find someone to produce points for them.
“They’re going to have to find some points somewhere. Whether Gutho stands up a little bit more, I think Jake Arthur may be playing in the halves this week.
The Panthers have turned to Sean O’Sullivan and Jaeman Salmon in the halves as the defending premiers try to navigate the rest of the regular season without stars Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Cleary will miss the rest of the regular season after he was sent off and banned for five matches for an ugly spear tackle on Parramatta’s Dylan Brown, while Luai continues to recover from a knee injury.
O’Sullivan has shown he can fill in for the rep stars when required, but it’s a huge call bringing in Salmon, given he hasn’t started a game at five-eighth since 2019 when he played seven games for the Eels in the No .6 jumper.
Coach Ivan Cleary could yet spring a late change with rookie Kurt Falls named in the reserves for Saturday’s trip to take on the resurgent Raiders.
In a boost for the Panthers, center Stephen Crichton returns from his sickening head clash with Cronulla’s Dale Finucane which required emergency plastic surgery to repair an ear.
Canberra winger Jordan Rapana is back from suspension and replaces Albert Hopoate on the right wing as the Raiders try to keep their top-eight hopes alive.
The Broncos have named Kobe Hetherington at lock in place of the suspended Patrick Carrigan for Thursday’s blockbuster against the Roosters.
Brisbane’s hopes of returning to the top four have been helped with winger Selwyn Cobbo back for his first game since he was knocked out early in the State of Origin decider.
Lindsay Collins was also knocked out in that game and he’ll miss Thursday’s match after he suffered another head knock against the Sea Eagles last week. Teammate Egan Butcher is also missing through suspension, which means Matt Lodge will start.
The Storm welcome back Brandon Smith after his three-game ban for verbally abusing referee Adam Gee. He’ll start from the bench while mid-season recruit David Nofoaluma starts on the wing to bolster their weakened backline.
That backline has taken more damage with Nick Meaney (shoulder) and Justin Olam (Covid) both sidelined for Friday’s match against the Titans, but there is a chance rep winger Xavier Coates returns for his first game since the State of Origin opener when he hurt his ankle.
Toby Sexton has been “rested” which means AJ Brimson moves to the halves with Jayden Campbell set to start at fullback against the team he made his NRL debut against last year.
Six members of the “Sea Eagles seven” have been included in this week’s squad, but Josh Aloiai will miss Friday’s crucial clash with Parramatta because of injury.
Josh Schuster has been named in the No.18 jersey.
The Eels have called on Jake Arthur to replace the injured Mitch Moses for the rest of the regular season as he nurses a broken finger. It’ll be the young half’s first game since he was booed by some Parramatta fans in Round 19.
There will be a very special debut at Shark Park on Saturday night with Kade Dykes set to make his NRL debut at fullback.
The 20-year-old will become a third-generation Shark after his dad Adam and grandfather John both represented the club.
Dykes comes in for Will Kennedy, who will miss the rest of the regular season with a serious ankle injury.
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has stuck with the same 17 who scored just one try against North Queensland last week, which has their final hopes on life support.
The Cowboys have suffered a setback with try-scoring machine Kyle Feldt ruled out for two weeks with a hamstring injury. His place has been taken by speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Meanwhile, Newcastle prop David Klemmer has been stood down by the club for an on-field incident during the Knights’ clash with the Bulldogs. He is ineligible to play until he responds to the club-imposed sanction.
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.”
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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.
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“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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The Eels haven’t given up hope of landing Martin Taupau — but have until 5pm, Monday to get the deal over the line.
Meanwhile, the Titans may have found a solution to one of their biggest spine problems and the Bulldogs have added two forwards to their pack.
Read on for the latest in NRL Transfer Whispers.
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EELS’ LAST MINUTE CHASE FOR TAUPAU
The Eels arekeen onluring Manly veteran Martin Taupau to the club for the rest of the season — but time is running out.
It was revealed last week that Taupau, who comes off contract at the end of the season, requested an immediate release to join the Eels but was denied.
Eels coach Brad Arthur confirmed his interest in the 32-year-old, saying “he’d be handy for us… but that is Manly’s call,” after his side’s win over the Panthers.
And now, the club are making one last push for the star prop, according to The Sydney Morning Heraldbut have until 5pm Monday to get the deal over the line.
The Herald reports the Eels have been “desperately calling” Manly over the weekend to convince the club to release Taupau but have had no luck.
They will continue their chase on Monday in a bid to secure the 217-gamer before the August 1 deadline closes.
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TITANS TO FINALLY FILL GLARING HOLE
Roosters’ hooker Sam Verrills is reportedly set to sign with the Gold Coast Titans following the Tricolours’ acquisition of Brandon Smith.
Smith signed with the Roosters in December last year, immediately throwing Verrills’ future into the spotlight.
Now, the 23-year-old will make the move north to join the Titans and fill a much-needed hole in the Gold Coast spine according to The Daily Telegraph.
Verrills has been strong in recent weeks, inspiring Trent Robinson’s side to three straight wins.
Prior to the 2022 season, Titans coach Justin Holbrook rolled the dice and deployed the youngest spine in the competition.
The club let Jamal Fogarty walk, but have now signed Kieran Foran to fill their halfback void, and have now moved to lockdown a regular starter in the No.9 jersey.
First-choice hooker Erin Clark has shifted into lock and has been impressive in patches, opening the dummy-half slot for Verrills to potentially take over.
It comes after Holbrook granted following the Titans’ Round 19 loss that he was in the market for a dummy-half.
However, the Titans may have a fight on their hands with Phil Rothfield telling Sky Sports Radio that “St George Illawarra might come in with an offer,” for Verrills too.
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BULLDOGS ADD TO PACK
Bulldogs supreme Phil Gould has reportedly landed two new forwards — Franklin Pele and Andrew Davey.
Davey, who has become a first-grade regular, and Pele, who has just one NRL game under his belt for the Sharks, will make the move to Belmore according to TheDaily Telegraph.
Pele, 21, weighs more than 120kg and has a cult following at Cronulla’s feeder club the Newton Jets.
According to reports the Bulldogs are hoping to get the hulking prop fit and increase his potential minutes.
Meanwhile, 30-year-old Davey, who was a late bloomer in first grade, is set to make the switch.
Davey made his NRL debut at the Eels in 2020, becoming the fourth-oldest debutant in the history of the game at 28-years old.
After making the switch to the Sea Eagles in 2021, Davey suffered a season-ending knee injury but has been strong in 2022.
