Payto & Panda: James Slipper to join Quade Cooper and co in Reds’ cashed-up naughty corner

JAMES Slipper to join Quade Cooper and co in Reds exile, deals near for Wallabies stars, Rebels coach gets his man and an Irish day off with a difference. Check out all the gossip right here!

James Slipper looks set for a lengthy stint on the outer. Picture: AAP

• Cheika hits back at former Ireland player over Pocock sledge
• Michael Cheika’s historic Wallabies squad selection for Ireland clash

JAMES Slipper is set to be the fourth highly-paid Queensland player collecting cheques for doing not much.

The Wallabies prop, suspended for two months for a second positive cocaine test, had signed a two-year extension with the Reds prior to his bust.

Slipper’s deal takes him through to the end of 2020, but word is Reds coach Brad Thorn will not pick him to play another game.

Thorn has taken the same stance against Karmichael Hunt, while Quade Cooper and Nick Frisby are also earning big money but not being selected to play by the coach for cultural reasons.

James Slipper looks set for a lengthy stint on the outer. Picture: AAP

We’re told other Australian franchises are keen to sign Slipper, but the 29-year-old is caring for his mother who has terminal cancer.

It’s unlikely Slipper would want to leave her at this difficult time — he blames much of his spiral into drugs on her diagnosis — to play for another team in a different state.

That means he could remain in Brisbane and earn his guaranteed contract money in 2019 and 2020 while Thorn refuses to select him.

With Slipper, Cooper, Hunt and Frisby all in that boat, it’s close to $1 million of the Reds’ salary cap sitting idle.

Rebels raid Brumbies’ back-row stocks

THE Melbourne Rebels have poached Isi Naisarani from Canberra and down to the Mexican capital next year.

The Fijian No.8 was a member of Dave Wessels’ team at the Western Force, and was voted the club’s best player in their final Super Rugby season.

But unlike many of the Force crew who followed Wessels to Melbourne, Naisarani elected to join the Brumbies this season.

Isi Naisarani will reunite with Dave Wessels at the Rebels. Picture: Getty

Pieces of the puzzle have moved again for next year, however, with the Rebels needing a marquee backrower. Japanese star Amanaki Mafi is due to return home ahead of the World Cup, and Lopeti Timani released to go overseas.

The Brumbies have suddenly got a surplus of top-line backrowers, too, with Pete Samu to join David Pocock, Rob Valetini, Locky McCaffrey, Tom Cusack and Lolo Fakaosilea.

Wessels was keen to reunite with Naisarani and we hear the deal is done.

Naisarani will be eligible for the Wallabies next year.

Wallabies close to signing star duo

TWO of the three big Aussie rugby stars off contract next year are set to be locked away in the very near future.

We hear Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and No.10 Bernard Foley are both very close to signing new deals.

Israel Folau’s future is not as clear, yet, but the mail that Izzy will live in Brisbane next year just doesn’t go away.

New deals are near for Bernard Foley and Michael Hooper. Picture: AFP

Irish putter about in Melbourne

PLENTY of footballers use their day off on tour to play golf but how many play minigolf — in a pub?

Some of Ireland’s biggest stars were spotted enjoying their day off in Melbourne by having a hit at Holey Moley; one of the minigolf bars that are dotted around Australia.

Gordon’s just fine thanks Alan

GORDON is not on the verge of oblivion as Alan Jones has asserted, according to club boss Matt Glascott.

Jones used Gordon as an example of how Rugby Australia is again failing at numerous things, citing the club’s woeful Shute Shield record of late, conceding 351 points in their past five games.

But Glascott told the North Shore Times: “We all understand Alan has an agenda at the moment — but it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s right.

Gordon Rugby Club president Matt Glascott says plenty is going right. Picture: AAP

“Our Colts are actually doing well, and our depth in the juniors is why we’re confident of having a bright future. Don’t think we’re struggling for players; it’s more of a concern at the first-grade level.”

We’re reliably informed that Gordon’s first grade Colts team is running second behind Randwick, and at the club’s recent Ladies Day in Chatswood 1000 supporters turned up.

Pack your bags for Bali

BALI and rugby. If that sounds like a good mix to you, get around the Bali Junior Sevens tournament being held in September.

The event — being put on by the Jakarta Rugby club — will have boys, girls and mixed categories from under 8s through to under 16s and promises to be a great end-of-season tour option.

It will be held at Finns Recreation Club, at Canggu, on September 22 and 23. Google for more info.

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Originally published as Payto & Panda: James Slipper to join Quade Cooper and co in Reds’ cashed-up naughty corner