Sport Confidential: Dolphins target giving off Sonny Bill Williams vibes, Ash Taylor’s career limbo
The Dolphins are going global in their attempt to attract the best talent in rugby league, while Ash Taylor’s footy career has hit a stumbling block all in SPORT CONFIDENTIAL
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The Dolphins are going global in their search for the best talent with Wayne Bennett eyeing off England’s version of Sonny Bill Williams.
The NRL’s 17th team are circling Wigan sensation Kai Pearce-Paul, who has taken the Super League by storm since he burst onto the scene with the Warriors at the end of the 2020 season.
Still just 21, Pearce-Paul is back-rower or centre who stands 196cm, tips the scales at 100kg and was blooded in Super League by former Wigan coach and ex-Queensland Origin halfback Adrian Lam.
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Such is his talent, Wigan upgraded Pearce-Paul on a four-year deal in 2019, meaning the highly-skilled utility forward would not be available to play in the NRL until 2024.
But even if Pearce-Paul won’t be part of the Dolphins’ foundation NRL season in 2023, the expansion newcomers are prepared to set aside money in their salary cap to eventually lure him to Australia.
Pearce-Paul has previously attracted attention from NRL clubs, with the Melbourne Storm first linked with the British young gun two years ago before he signed a new deal with Wigan.
The Warriors sensation is currently sidelined for up to two months after injuring his knee a fortnight ago in a Challenge Cup clash against Salford.
Pearce-Paul’s older brother Kam, who plays for London Skolars, believes Kai would be a revelation in the NRL.
“How good can Kai be? The best, 100 per cent, and I’ve been saying for years that he will be the next Sonny Bill Williams,” Kam told British media.
“He’s got those same long arms and offloading game, plus he’s very rugby smart as well.
“I honestly think he will go right to the very top. There is no doubt in my mind about that.”
IS THIS THE END FOR ASH TAYLOR?
Former Dally M rookie of the year Ash Taylor is fighting for his NRL future as injury threatens to send him into an early retirement.
Taylor has been sidelined indefinitely at the Warriors due to a lingering hip problem that is preventing him from performing at first grade standard.
Taylor, 27, had surgery on his hips in the lead-up to the 2021 NRL season, his last at the Gold Coast Titans, but it didn’t have the desired effect.
Taylor struggled last year and found himself in-and-out of the Titans’ top team, eventually finishing the season on the sidelines as he wasn’t offered a new contract.
Now there are genuine fears his days in the NRL are numbered.
A schoolboys sensation who signed with the Broncos as a 12-year-old, Taylor was tipped to become the NRL’s next great playmaker.
Matty Johns infamously said Taylor had the potential to be better than four-time Dally M medal winner Johnathan Thurston.
But now he is facing a fight just to play in the NRL again, with his 116-game career on ice as the Warriors attempt to get him back to full fitness.
Taylor has made one NRL appearance this year, against his former club the Titans in round 2 where he was hesitant to run the ball and had a poor game overall.
The Warriors may be forced to play Taylor as the year goes on but as it stands, he isn’t fit enough to compete in the NRL in what is a major concern for his future.
He is only on a one-year contract at the Warriors and if he isn’t playing consistent NRL football it may be tough to secure a new deal.
HUGE PURSE REVEALED FOR GALLEN VS. SBW MEGA FIGHT
Talks are underway for Paul Gallen to go toe-to-toe with Sonny Bill Williams in a $4 million NRL super fight.
Sport Confidential can reveal Gallen has personally contacted the SBW camp and kicked off preliminary negotiations in a bid to make their heavyweight blockbuster a reality — 10 years after a fight between the pair was first touted.
It is understood the retired NRL legends would pocket $2 million each from the proposed mega bout, with Gallen happy to take a 50-50 split to entice SBW into the ring.
Sonny Bill (9-0, 4KO) continued his unbeaten professional record a fortnight ago when he belted AFL great Barry Hall in a 115-second debacle in their mismatch in Sydney.
A Gallen-SBW showdown could hit the 100,000 par-per-view mark.
The Hall capitulation has only buoyed Gallen, who would present a far more dangerous challenge to SBW and is confident of beating the former All Blacks ace after his impressive bouts against Justis Huni and Lucas Browne last year.
Gallen (12-1-1, 7KO) stunned the boxing world with his first-round knockout of former WBA world-champion Browne in April, before almost going the distance with Huni in a 10-round slugfest that saw heavyweight champ ‘JPH’ miss the Olympics due to injury.
Gallen’s next fight is against Kris Terzievski (10-1-1, 8KO) in Newcastle on May 11, but he is hoping his follow-up bout will be an explosive showdown with Sonny Bill that could be a pay-per-view bonanza.
The former Sharks and NSW skipper turns 41 in August and time is running out. He has given Sonny Bill an ultimatum to make the fight happen this year – or Gallen will consign the much-vaunted bout to the trash can.
It is understood SBW is not as keen on the bout as Gallen. One possible impediment is their broadcasting ties. Gallen’s fights are screened on Fox Sports, while Sonny Bill’s butchering of Hall was broadcast on rival network Stan.
In the aftermath of his fight with Huni, Gallen admitted he was on borrowed time as a footballer-turned-boxer.
“I started out fighting in 2011 and that’s when the Sonny Bill chat started,” Gallen said. “I was a bit reluctant at the time and we’re still waiting for that fight to happen.
“I take one fight at a time and see what fight is available and how much money is on the table. Sonny Bill is the only guy we have ever said we wanted and it has escalated from there. We’ll see what happens.
“I’m hoping we can do it. I’m ready to do it. It has to happen in the near future. I am 40 years old so time is running out.
“I have done well in my career with sport financially so I don’t need to be doing this for money, I’m doing it because I actually respect the sport and enjoy the challenge of it. But I don’t see myself doing this for another three years.”
TITAN IS FLIPPING OUT
IS Titans veteran Corey Thompson headed for the exits at Parkwood?
The 31-year-old is weighing up his future at a time when super coach Wayne Bennett is monitoring Thompson as a possible foundation recruit for the Dolphins in 2023.
The Titans have an option in their favour for next season, meaning Thompson is technically a free agent. He has been dropped for Saturday’s game against the Sea Eagles, with Greg Marzhew and Phil Sami to start on the wings.
Thompson would be a handy buy for the Dolphins, having amassed 111 NRL games and played in a grand final for Canterbury since his debut in 2014.
BRIMSON FINE WITH BIG HIT
TITANS five-eighth AJ Brimson had no problems with Junior Paulo’s bone-jarring tackle that has seen the Parramatta monster suspended this weekend.
Paulo was sin-binned and placed on report after smashing Brimson during Parramatta’s 26-20 win over the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
While the initial contact was shoulder-to-shoulder, it appeared as though the whiplash caused Paulo to collect Brimson in the head.
Brimson suffered an AC joint injury in his shoulder but didn’t have any head injury symptoms and was allowed to stay on the field.
Sport Confidential bumped into Brimson the following day as he watched his brother Will Brimson play for Tweed Heads against Burleigh in the Hostplus Cup.
While he was sporting a sore shoulder, Brimson said he didn’t feel Paulo hit him in the head and he was happy with the tackle.
The Eels weren’t taking any risks with the inconsistent NRL judiciary after Paulo was hit with a high tackle charge and took the early guilty plea to avoid risking a two-game ban.
TSZYU EYES SUNCORP WORLD TITLE FIGHT
THE ball is rolling for Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu to potentially host his maiden world-title fight at Suncorp Stadium.
Sport Confidential can reveal the home of Queensland rugby league could host another boxing blockbuster – five years after Jeff Horn’s stunning world-title defeat of Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao before 50,000 fans at Suncorp in 2017.
Tszyu is awaiting his next move after his gutsy defeat of Terrell Gausha in his American debut a fortnight ago. Unbeaten in 21 fights, he is hoping his next bout will be a much-anticipated inaugural world-title shot against the winner of the Brian Castano-Jermell Charlo blockbuster unification bout on May 14.
Castano or Charlo will likely ask Tszyu to travel to Vegas but the Australian’s promoters No Limit are keen to stage his world-title debut at a sold-out Suncorp.
Another super welterweight big gun, Tony Harrison (29-3-1, 21KO), the American who inflicted the only loss of Charlo’s 36-fight career so far, blasted Tszyu, saying he has no hope of winning a world-title.
Harrison was mentioned as a possible opponent for Tszyu before the Sydney slugger eventually opted for Gausha.
“There are so many loopholes in that man’s game – I don’t see him getting to the top and being the champ,” Harrison told Fight Hype after his defeat of Sergio Garcia last week.
“I don’t really duck fights. I would’ve loved to fight him in Australia. If that fight is going to be made for me, take me to Australia.
“I want to go to Australia. Take me on a vacation. Let me see the kangaroos and rattlesnakes and shit like that. I want to fight him. The fight was always appealing to me and I’d love to do it in his hometown.”
VUNIVALU’S NRL RETURN UP IN THE AIR
THE Dolphins have formally tabled an offer to Suliasi Vunivalu as Wayne Bennett ramps-up his plan to bring the flying Fijian back to the NRL.
But whether the Dolphins get their man remains in doubt, with Vunivalu said to be in two minds about an NRL comeback as he keeps one eye on rugby’s 2023 World Cup.
The Queensland Reds flyer is off-contract at season’s end, prompting the Dolphins to table an offer in the hope of adding former Storm winger Vunivalu to their Melbourne scalps Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi.
Despite making a formal play for Vunivalu, the Dolphins are not sure where they stand with the 26-year-old. There were whispers Vunivalu’s move to the Dolphins is a done deal, but that is not the case. Vunivalu has told the Dolphins he wants to take his time to make a call, with the Reds speedster having designs of representing the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup.
Vunivalu has had a turbulent stint in rugby since his cross-code switch in 2021, but he was a revelation in the NRL, scoring 86 tries in 111 games for the Storm and winning two premierships in 2017 and 2020.
BIG GUN WANTS A SLICE OF BONDI LIFE
WHICH NRL superstar is keen to play for the Sydney Roosters? And no, it’s not Broncos prop Payne Haas. The player in question has told his management he wants to talk to Roosters coach Trent Robinson as soon as he becomes a free agent. Let’s hope Roosters supremo Nick Politis is a fan of this column and makes inquiries.
GREAT SCOTT AS DOLPHINS AND BRONCOS SQUARE OFF
THE Dolphins and Broncos could find themselves locked in a derby battle for the signature of Cowboys playmaker Scott Drinkwater.
Sport Confidential understands three NRL clubs, the Dolphins, Broncos and Wests Tigers, are keeping a close eye on Drinkwater as he faces a fight for regular NRL action in North Queensland.
Drinkwater started the season in Queensland’s Hostplus Cup, with Cowboys coach Todd Payten opting for a halves pairing of Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend. Drinkwater returned to the top grade last week after an injury to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, scoring a try in the Cowboys’ narrow loss to the Warriors.
But when ‘The Hammer’ returns, Drinkwater faces relegation to reserve grade. The Broncos, Dolphins and Tigers rate Drinkwater’s playmaking ability and have indicated preliminary interest to his management.
The Cowboys have told Drinkwater’s management they have no interest in releasing the 24-year-old, who is contracted until the end of 2023. But Drinkwater naturally has no interest in languishing in the Hostplus Cup for an extended period.
CAPED CRUSADER A QUICK HEALER
BRONCOS forward Kurt Capewell has shown tremendous healing powers to get back on deck for Brisbane.
It can be revealed Capewell suffered a grade two tear to the soleus calf muscle during the Broncos’ round 3 loss to North Queensland.
The injury usually results in players spending – weeks on the sidelines.
But Capewell only missed Brisbane’s round 4 loss to the Warriors, where Brisbane played so poorly he refused to sit out another week.
Capewell returned in Brisbane’s tight loss to the Roosters and said he was fully fit to face former club Penrith on Friday night.
INGLIS SECURES BIG NAME
Maroons legend Greg Inglis is kicking goals off the field with his booming Goanna Academy project.
Inglis has just secured sportswear giant Asics as a major sponsor for the mental health social enterprise.
“I’m thrilled to have Asics on board as a Gold Partner to the Goanna Academy,” said Inglis.
“I have been working with Asicsfor over 10 years during my playing career, and I’m looking forward to working together for another 30 as my focus shifts to growing the Goanna Academy. We’ve formed a great relationship and I’m so happy to have them on board.
“Our commitment to each other ensures that we are best placed to achieve our vision of improving health outcomes by delivering our community clinics, schools program, and workplace talks throughout Australia.”
As a gold partner to the Academy, Asics is investing in improving mental health outcomes in all Australians, particularly higher risk groups such as youth, regional communities and First Nations people.
MAROONS SPREAD THE LOVE
The Queensland Maroons will provide an uplifting experience for the people of Warwick and surrounding areas during this year’s State of Origin series.
With the backing of the Southern Downs Regional Council and the Queensland Rugby League, the Maroons will engage with the local community as part of their annual regional fan day.
The fan day festivities include a community fundraising dinner at the Warwick RSL on Tuesday, July 5.
Billy Slater’s Maroons will throw their support behind this event, with profits from the evening going to the Warwick Junior Rugby League.
There will also be a street parade along Palmerin Street and a best-dressed window competition for local businesses and residents to show their support for the Maroons.
Budding rugby league players will have the opportunity to take part in a junior clinic (6-12 years and 13-17 years), while fans will be able to view a Maroons training session from close up at the home of the Warwick Cowboys.
“These fans days have a long and proud history of supporting regional townships who have experienced hardship due to natural disasters like floods and drought,” Slater said.
“Like many other towns, Warwick has endured its challenges recently and we’re really pleased to know that our group is going to have an opportunity to make a difference to the community in the area.
“At the same time, it gives us an opportunity to connect with the people of Queensland. This is an important part of our Origin campaign.”
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