Sport Confidential: NRL power couple Millie Boyle and Adam Elliott’s wedding taking backseat to finals
NRL gun Adam Elliott admits his wedding to NRLW superstar Millie Boyle is taking a backseat to their premiership aspirations.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It could be a huge few weeks for Adam Elliott. The Newcastle back rower has been at the centre of Newcastle’s grand final charge and is due to marry NRLW star Millie Boyle the week after the grand final.
At the moment, their big day is taking a backseat to their premiership aspirations.
Elliott insists even a grand final win won’t overshadow his wedding day.
“It’s not on the day so I should be right to go,” Elliott said.
“I think I owe it to Mill to make sure I am right to go. We’re both the cruisiest people to organise a wedding.
“We speak to some of our friends and how organised they were and they think we are taking the piss out of them when we say how last-minute we have left some stuff.
“We have some really good friends and family around us.”
After a nomadic few years, Elliott has found a home at the Knights. If things go to plan, he and Boyle will settle in Newcastle when their playing careers are over.
“I feel like when you sign a three-year-deal you get the sense of it being a home,” Elliott said.
“It wasn’t like I moved on from Canberra - I had signed a one year deal there. When I signed this deal I felt would get up here and it would feel like a home.
“There was never any intention of me leaving become the three years and I am hoping afterwards I can stay here as well.
“I absolutely love the town and the culture of the town. It really resonates with me - hard workers and people you just bump into down the street with the hard edges.
“I am probably stating the obvious here - I really resonate with the people who are a bit rough around the edges. It makes me feel at home.
“Me and Mill absolutely love it here.”
FAN FURY SPARKS TIGERS REVIEW
The owners of the Wests Tigers have commissioned an independent review into the operations of the embattled club in a move that could have sweeping ramifications for the most powerful figures in Tigerland.
Sport Confidential was given a statement outlining the parameters of the review, which was rubber-stamped after more than 2000 club supporters signed a petition urging a review following a decade of abject disappointment.
The review will be conducted by former NRL chief financial officer Tony Crawford – now the managing director of Benchmarking Matters – and Gary Barnier, the managing director of Cooperage Capital Pty Ltd.
The stunning development comes as it emerged that the club had waved farewell to experienced assistant coach David Furner and failed in a bid to prise respected head of football Peter Parr out of Newcastle.
The Tigers have aimed high in their search for a new football chief and Sport Confidential understands key officials sounded out Parr about his interest in joining the club.
Parr is believed to have offered a polite thanks but no thanks. His priorities are on continuing the revival that has begun at Newcastle.
While the Knights are flying, the Tigers have languished at the foot of the ladder and their owners have taken the extraordinary step of commissioning a review into the club’s governance in response to the pleas of frustrated fans.
“The board of the Holman Barnes Group has commissioned an independent report into the governance of Wests Tigers,” the club said.
“The board would like to thank all members and fans of Wests Tigers for their feedback in relation to this matter, especially all those that took the time to sign the petition that was submitted through the hosts of Wests Tigers podcast.
“While we are unable to set a specific time frame for the completion of the report, we are hopeful it is completed in a timely manner.”
The Tigers have been under immense scrutiny in recent seasons following a run of wooden spoons, the latest leading to the early departure of head coach Tim Sheens.
Chief executive Justin Pascoe has been at the centre of supporter concerns, having presided over nearly a decade of mediocrity at the Tigers.
Fans made their feelings known over the closing weeks of the seasons as they held damning signs in protest at the performance of the club and its chief executive.
The Holman Barnes Group – named after Wests legend Keith Holman and Balmain icon Keith Barnes – was established in 1955 to support the Western Suburbs.
It has grown exponentially since then including its ownership of the Wests Tigers – the group owns 90 per cent of the club with the remaining 10 per cent in the hands of Balmain.
COACHING CAROUSEL
Paul McGregor was linked with the job at Newcastle as coach Adam O’Brien teetered on the brink earlier this year but he insists he has taken great delight in watching the Knights turn the corner.
McGregor says he never sat down with Newcastle officials for talks. Nor would he have out of respect for O’Brien. While he covets a return to NRL coaching, he is glad it hasn’t come at the expense of the Newcastle coach, who is now expected to have his contract extended.
“I am happy for him,” McGregor told Sport Confidential.
“I was in that position. We went from leading the comp for 20 rounds to being sacked 14 months later.
“That is how it rolls - if you don’t win, you don’t go anywhere. I am happy for Adam. I am glad he is doing well.”
‘BIGGER’ TINO
Big Tino is about to get even bigger. Gold Coast superstar Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has revealed that incoming coach Des Hasler wants him to pack on some muscle ahead of next season as he looks to make one of the game’s most fearsome forwards even more scary.
“Nothing too overboard but a little bit more weight,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“I agree with him. I haven’t hit my full capacity in the gym so I need to keep working on that. I think it is just my gym strength.
“My first sort of gym session was down at the Storm at 17. I think a lot of boys have been in rugby league and rugby union schools where they were exposed to the gym at an earlier age.
“I haven’t even hit my stride or capacity at the gym. Des and the high performance have picked that up and I have too.
“I can definitely get bigger and stronger. I need to pick it up a bit and be even more powerful and stronger next year.”
Hasler has kept a respectable distance while waiting to take over at the club, having allowed interim coach Jim Lenihan to lead the Titans through the latter stages of the 2023 season.
However, he has also taken the opportunity to watch from afar and work on building relationships with his key players, most notably Fa’asuamaleaui.
The Queensland and Australian forward will be a key figure for the Titans next season, just as he will for the Prime Minister’s XIII after being picked in the side to travel to Papua New Guinea next week.
“He has been really good,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“I have been enjoying having meetings with him and talking to him about the future. I believe in what he is bringing. The Gold Coast people and us as a team really want to win.”
THE CHAMP IS HERE
NBA Champion Jamal Murray has been taking in the sights around Sydney this week. The 26-year-old guard was spotted at UFC293, Taronga Park Zoo and has been doing some training with Aussie world champion Alex Volkanovski.
Murray will farewell Sydney with a camp at Alexandria Basketball stadium on Sunday with star struck fans given a chance to shoot hoops and meet the NBA champion before he returns to the US.
Tickets are available through https://throwbackstore.com.au/collections/jamal-murray-future-pro-camp
PENRITH PRODUCTION LINE
Penrith’s coaching production line will continue with their highly rated assistant Ben Gardiner expected to land the Samoan head coaching job.
Samoa have been on the look-out for a coach after long-term mentor Matt Parish stood-down following a finals appearance at last year’s World Cup.
Gardiner has now emerged as the front-runner to lead Samoa at the end of season tri-nations against New Zealand and Australia. Penrith are aware that Samoa is circling and it is understood they are supportive of any potential move.
Gardiner is largely considered as one of the next head coaches in-waiting in the NRL as he undergoes an extensive apprenticeship. He was recruited by Ivan Cleary to join his coaching staff this year after the Panthers lost Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster to head coaching positions.
Gardiner has had international experience before, having most recently been Michael Maguire’s assistant coach at the Kiwis. He also worked alongside Maguire at the Tigers.
He has also coached at South Sydney, Cronulla, North Sydney, NSW under-20s plus the Maori All-Stars.
Working in Gardiner’s favour is the fact that most of Samoa’s key players are Penrith stars. The likes of Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Taylan May and Spencer Leniu will be the cornerstone of the Samoan side ahead of the next World Cup in 2026.
Luai is expected to be ruled out of the end of season tournament as he needs surgery to repair his damaged shoulder.
BURGESS SIGNS EX DRAGON
A heart to heart with former teammate Sam Burgess has led Zane Musgrove to follow Burgess to Warrington next season.
Musgrove has been released from the final year of his Dragons contract to link with Burgess in the Super League for at least the next two years.
The 27-year-old played just 11 games for the Dragons this year after signing a two year deal to join the club from the Tigers.
The prop started his career at South Sydney where he played alongside Burgess. The pair met recently to discuss the deal.
Musgrove was granted permission to leave the club by new St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan.
He is the third player to be moved on since Flanagan took over. Musgrove joins Jayden Sullivan (Tigers) and Jaiyden Hunt (Broncos) as contracted players who have been released.
Max Feagai and Paul Turner are the other players told to look elsewhere. As it stands, Feagai will see out the final 12 months of his contract.
PANTHERS LOCK-UP LOCAL JUNIOR
Penrith’s impressive nursery continues to build with the premiers locking in emerging prop Lindsay Smith on a long-term deal.
Smith, who still had 12 months left on his contract, is expected to re-sign for a further two seasons, keeping him at the club until at least the end of 2026.
He is another local product having come through the ranks at St Marys.
The 23-year-old has established himself as a mainstay in the Penrith squad this year playing in 21 matches – having played just four since making his NRL debut in 2021.
He is expected to have a bigger role with the team next season when Spencer Leinu leaves for the Roosters.
PM’S CALL-UP
St George Illawarra forward Michael Molo has been added to the PM’s XIII side. Molo has been picked as part of an extended bench with the 26-year-old being drafted into the squad. The team will come together in Queensland next week before travelling to PNG to play next Saturday.
LEAGUE HITS UFC
The mighty Warilla Gorillas have been immortalised in an upcoming UFC game with Alexander Volkanovski donning his former club’s jersey. Volkanovski has openly spoken about his love of rugby league and now he is taking the game global. Players can fight as Volkanovski in the game while he wears a Gorillas jersey.
BUDDING COMMENTATOR
The ABC is giving listeners a chance to have their junior football game called by commentators including Andrew Moore and Luke Lewis next year. The promotion dubbed local footy legends allows people to nominate their club with the winners having the ABC NRL team on hand next year to commentate the match. The winner will be announced on grand final day. For more details abc.net.au/footylegends
FLASHBACK
A refereeing error engulfed the NRL finals series on this day 10 years ago. The Sharks scored a try on the seventh tackle in their 20-18 win. Cowboys coach Neil Henry questioned if there was a conspiracy against his side to ensure an all-Sydney final.
More Coverage
Originally published as Sport Confidential: NRL power couple Millie Boyle and Adam Elliott’s wedding taking backseat to finals
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.