NRL 2021: Olympics star Lachie Miller’s bid to play NRL | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh

The 2GB Continuous Call team is still No.1 but it still has taken a major ratings hit. Could it be the show is now too blokey and is without a key ingredient? Check out all the latest NRL chatter and more.

Australia’s Rugby Sevens star Lachie Miller is chasing more than just a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

He also wants to show NRL clubs he is worthy of a contract to play league as a halfback.

Miller has put a new two-year offer from the Australian Rugby Union on hold until after the Olympics when he will decide his future.

Type ‘Lachie Miller highlights’ into You Tube and you will find the most stunning action footage — speed, explosive acceleration, elusiveness and a beautiful passing game.

The 28-year-old Olympian, who leaves for Tokyo on Monday, is a born and bred ‘leaguey’ from Coffs Harbour .

It wasn’t until rugby’s legendary Ella brothers Mark, Gary and Glen, held their sevens tournament in Coffs Harbour four years ago that Miller’s career took off.

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Sevens star will be trying to impress NRL clubs at the Olympics. Picture: Getty Images.

“I played in Glen’s team in the Ella 7’s,” Miller said.

“He told me I’ve got some talent and should be playing for Randwick in Sydney and sevens footy.

“I got into the development system with the ARU and then a contract to play sevens.”

While the Aussies are rated a genuine hope and Miller has thrown his efforts into the campaign, he still has this incredible passion for league.

“I’ve always played league at halfback, fullback or hooker and loved running the football,” he said. “That’s sevens footy. Heaps of running, plenty of space, but it’s really hard.

“The contact isn’t as physical as NRL but in the sevens it’s short and sharp and you’re constantly sprinting — it’s a different fitness to rugby league.”

Miller is looked after by Joe Wehbe and Anthony Field in the same stable that manages NRL superstars James Tedesco and Daly Cherry Evans.

“My focus is a gold medal and we’re definitely a chance,” Miller said, “plus my family and our new baby, Billy. I’m now thinking about setting up for my future.

“Obviously the Olympics could open some doors. I’ve always dreamt of playing NRL. The new rules could really suit me with the faster game and more fatigue.

“Union have been great and offered me an extension.

“I’ve just parked everything until after Tokyo to ensure I’ll be fully focused for Tokyo.”

All the latest NRL chatter and more in Australia’s hottest sport gossip column.

SAINT

The NRL has covered for absolutely everything in moving the comp to QLD. They even put on a special flight for compassionate reasons for Warriors coach Nathan Brown and Sharks warhorse Aaron Woods on Thursday. Brown had stayed back for the funeral of his brother Daniel while Woods attended the birth of his second child — a little girl — at Hurstville Private.

SINNER

The stubbornness of Matt Parish and his refusal to stand down as coach of Samoa for the World Cup to allow Matty and Joey Johns plus Sonny Bill Williams to take over. Many of the biggest names in the NRL will only commit if Parish steps aside. This could be a huge lost opportunity for the international game.

SHOOSH

Which NRL coaching staff was thirsty for a beer on Wednesday night on the Sunshine Coast and rang Jimmy Brings to get a slab delivered. However the driver was turned away at the door due to biosecurity protocols. The coaches watched the big game sipping bottles of water.

SHOOSH

Player agent Sam Ayoub is desperately trying to find a new club for wayward centre Curtis Scott. The Newcastle Knights are his latest target. This guy has so much ability if he can get off the drink and start behaving himself.

SHOOSH

Paul Gallen is in extreme demand for the next stage of his boxing career. Australia’s No.1 promoter Matt Rose and his arch rival Dean Lonergan are throwing huge offers at the 39-year-old warhorse in a tug of war to promote his next fight. Stan Sport and a U.S. streaming service have also been making inquiries.

SPOTTED

The NSW Blues wore the ‘wrong’ jerseys on to Cbus Super Stadium for the third State of Origin game because the jersey manufacturers didn’t have enough time to remove Newcastle’s McDonalds Jones Stadium that had been printed across the front.

SPOTTED

The other Cameron Smith preparing for the British Open golf major, proudly wearing his Maroons cap and mask before their win on Wednesday night.

SPOTTED

The Haas family have gone from Gold Coast battlers to State of Origin corporate high flyers. Payne’s dad Gregor had his own private suite at Cbus Super Stadium on Wednesday night.

Paul Vautin has made peace with QRL boss Bruce Hatcher over his Billy Slater comments. Picture: APP.

FATTY NOT BACKING DOWN ON QRL SAGA

Maroons legend Paul Vautin has reconciled with QRL boss Bruce Hatcher after a disagreement over the Queensland Origin coaching job – but is refusing to back down on his controversial comments.

In a radio interview last week, the veteran Channel 9 commentator caused a stir when he revealed Billy Slater had told QRL officials to “stick their interview where the sun don’t shine”, when the champion fullback was apparently approached to apply for the Maroons coaching job against Paul Green.

Hatcher later criticised Vautin and said he would sign a statutory declaration to prove his information was wrong.

However, Vautin stands by his story, but has revealed the pair spoke at Origin on the Gold Coast.

“We had a great chat,” Fatty said. “Very amicable.

“I’m not in the habit of making stuff up. I got my information directly from Billy Slater.

“The timing of my comments were obviously not the best with a game to go, but I was enjoying my chat on the ABC radio and it just blurted out.

“Paul Green did a great job for the third game and we played to our potential. Wonderful win. Much respect for Bruce Hatcher, who does a good job for the QRL.”

The days after Origin, Vautin played golf on the Gold Coast with his Channel 9 stablemates and fellow legends Cameron Smith and Slater.

“We talked footy for four hours,” he said.

“It was amazing to listen to them talk about individuals and team tactics in both attack and defence. They are both future Queensland coaches, for sure.”

State of Origin’s TV ratings have continued to fall, with Game III on the Gold Coast worse than last year. Picture: Grant Trouville.

ORIGIN APPEAL STILL ON THE WANE

Television ratings for rugby league’s showpiece State of Origin event continue to ­decline.

The Channel 9 five-city-metro audience on Wednesday night for Origin III was actually lower than the third game of the series last year, which was played in November. It almost kills the argument that Origin games don’t rate at the end of the season.

State of Origin used to always be the top three most watched shows on Australian television. It would beat MAFS, The Block and all the top reality shows.

Now, it is out-rated by both the NRL and AFL grand ­finals. In fact, the AFL grand final last year at the Gabba scored one million more viewers than the highest rating Origin game this season.

The figures will raise some important questions around future scheduling.

Is it really worth the NRL competition suffering for six weeks when games after the grand final rate almost as well?

There also needs to be an investigation into why the audiences in Melbourne have fallen off a cliff. Wednesday night’s figures were down almost 50 per cent in the southern capital.

Sydney radio ratings show the Continuous Call team’s numbers are falling after losing Erin Molanto 2DayFM.

RATINGS SHOW 2GB IS MISSING ERIN

The latest Sydney radio ratings show that the 2GB Continuous Call team has retained its place as the No.1 rugby league network.

There is, however, a very interesting sidebar, in that their figures have fallen quite sharply since the departure of Erin Molan to 2DayFM breakfast.

Molan’s final two surveys on the CCT last year rated 10.6 and 10.4, according to official Nielson ratings.

In surveys three and four this year, they have slumped to 7.3 and 7.7. This is in the Saturday afternoon timeslot.

In fairness, the entire 2GB network took a ratings hit in the last survey.

But it would be a fair observation to suggest that without Molan, the show is now too blokey.

SPUDD THE AUTHOR

The usual avalanche of Father’s Day sporting books will no doubt hit the shelves in the near future.

There is a beauty in one of the most colourful players in rugby league history – Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll.

This is a terrific book, written by sports journo Adam Hawse, as Spudd recalls not only the great rugby league moments, but also his days in Hollywood as Russell Crowe’s bodyguard.

Among the tales from Hollywood is a great yarn about the day he almost broke Crowe’s leg.

MONEY AND CLYDE

We love seeing ex-footy players making money doing great things in retirement.

Former champion Raiders, Blues and Kangaroos lock Bradley Clyde is a wonderful success story.

Clyde was last week appointed as a partner with the international executive search and board advisory firm, Blenheim Partners.

Before that, Clyde spent six years as general manager of technology company Chandler.

“This is an opportune time in Australian business,” Clyde said.

“We are at a crucial juncture for leadership in this country as we continue to build the nation and shape the way forward.

“It’s an exciting time to join the industry and I’m really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

MOUNTAIN FOR MOSES

On the day after State of Origin III and halfback Mitchell Moses’ underwhelming performance for the NSW Blues, the TAB eased the Parramatta Eels’ premiership odds out to $10. It’s interesting that the top five teams in the competition have the top five No.7s in the game — Nathan Cleary, Jahrome Hughes, Adam Reynolds, Daly Cherry Evans and Moses. No player will be under the spotlight as much as Moses in the run home to the finals.

ADVANCE AMANDA FAIR

In a huge week for rugby league, Andrew Abdo’s best achievement was to ensure Amanda Barrass got to sing the national anthem at Origin.

Amanda, 37 and mother of two, is fighting stage four breast cancer.

She was set to realise a lifelong dream by singing at McDonald Jones Stadium. When the game was moved to the Gold Coast, Abdo quickly organised tickets for Amanda’s family at Cbus Super Stadium. The gesture was as beautiful as Amanda’s voice.

RUSHTON STAYS AT FOX

Presenter Tara Rushton is staying at Fox Sports despite the pay TV network cutting ties with Australian soccer.

Rushton – wife of rugby league legend Cooper Cronk – will continue to appear on The Back Page and will host the netball coverage from next year when Fox Sports picks up the rights to all major tournaments.

Other soccer commentators at the network, including Mark Bosnich, Robbie Slater, Andy Harper and Archie Thompson, are all finishing up. Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany will host a dinner to recognise their contributions to the network’s soccer coverage over 16 years once Sydney’s out of lockdown.

Match caller Brenton Speed has been picked up by ­Channel 7 to call the rowing at the Tokyo Olympics but will be back to call NRL and AFL on Fox Sports.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Olympics star Lachie Miller’s bid to play NRL | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh