ABC NRL commentator Andrew Moore hospitalised after serious heart attack
Popular ABC rugby league broadcaster Andrew Moore is in intensive care at Westmead hospital, after suffering a serious heart attack that required emergency surgery.
Popular ABC broadcaster Andrew Moore is recovering after suffering a serious heart attack on Wednesday morning.
Moore, who heads up ABC Sport’s rugby league coverage, had emergency surgery on Wednesday and remains in intensive care. Moore is expected to make a full recovery.
“I am grateful for the quick response from the ambulance paramedics who were amazing and the staff here at Westmead who go above and beyond,” Moore said. “I look forward to being back soon and thankful to all those who have reached out with their well wishes.
It is unclear when Moore will return to the commentary box. Moore has led ABC’s rugby league coverage since a highly publicised move from 2GB in 2015. Before that his four decade media career included stints at 2UE and 2SM. He has hosted his own shows before turning his hand to full-time sport since making the move to the ABC.
ABC’s sport content director Tim Verrall was full of praise for Moore.
“Andrew Moore is one of the most respected and loved broadcasters in the country,” Verrall said. “The ABC Sports team are enormously relived that our valued colleague is getting the care he needs. We look forward to welcoming him back when he’s recovered and we send our thoughts to Andrew and his family.”
Just last round Moore called four matches including trips to Melbourne and Newcastle. His co-commentary partner Luke Lewis said Moore was an invaluable asset to the team.
“Andrew is the best in the business,” Lewis said. “We are going to miss him in the next little period but his first priority has to be getting his health right. I know he will be back and at the top of his game again soon.
“He has already taught me so much about broadcasting and we all can’t wait to work alongside him again.
Long-term colleague Matt Elliott added; “Andrew’s commitment to what he does, the people he works with and our listeners reflects the quality of person that he is.”
Moore was replaced by Brett Sprigg on Thursday night for the clash between Melbourne and Penrith at CommBank Stadium. Sprigg made mention of Moore’s condition at the start of the broadcast on Thursday night before they were inundated with text messages offering their support to Moore.
CHANNEL 9 SNUBS NRL POST-GAME COVERAGE FOR EPL
Channel 9’s rugby league coverage is again under fire after it emerged the NRL’s free to air partners are dumping their post-game show on Saturday nights to televise the English Premier League.
Last Saturday, Channel 9 had a 30 minute post-game show following the Bulldogs and Warriors clash. However, this Saturday the post-game coverage has been culled to accommodate the second game of the Premier League season involving Aston Villa and Newcastle.
The NRL broadcast will finish at 925pm just after full-time of the Parramatta and South Sydney clash at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Channel 9 have only recently acquired the English Premier League rights from Optus Sport and will be shown matches for the first time on free to air since SBS broadcasted games in 2019. All matches will be shown on Stan Sport while a selection of matches will remain on free to air.
It is understood the post-game blackout will last three weeks and the NRL finals will not be impacted.
Under the broadcast agreement, Channel 9 will simulcast the final five 730pm games of the regular season alongside Fox League.
Fox League will continue their post-game commitments led by NRL 360 host Braith Anasta on Saturday nights.
Nine’s decision to reduce their coverage comes as the code steps up negotiations with broadcasters over a new deal from 2028. ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo recently flew to America to meet streaming giants as well as the bosses of DAZN.
Nine Managing Director of Streaming and Broadcast, Amanda Laing backed the move. “We know Australians love big sporting moments and it doesn’t get any bigger than two of the world’s most exciting and dynamic sporting competitions on the same night,” Laing said. “We think this is a win for sports fans.”
MANLY POISED TO POACH DOGS DUO
Manly are planning a poaching raid on a Canterbury duo after agreeing to terms with winger Blake Wilson.
It is understood that Wilson has inked a two year deal to join the Sea Eagles from next season but he might not be the only Bulldog on the move to Manly.
Hooker Jake Turpin is also in talks with the Sea Eagles about a move to the club. Turpin has been restricted to just seven games at Canterbury since joining them after one-season at the Roosters.
He played 60 games in five years at the Broncos between 2018-22. The Sea Eagles have long-term concerns regarding Lachie Croker returning to the field as he battles another concussion.
The Sea Eagles have some internal decisions to make as well given Matt Lodge and Tommy Talau are among the players off contract at the end of the season.
Lodge, currently on a train-and-trial contract, has an option for next season and looks certain to stay while Talau is in talks with the club.
Lodge has been working on a building site to supplement his earnings but his deal for next year will mean he returns to the club’s top 30.
“I want to stay here,” Lodge said.
”I made a decent sacrifice not moving this year (to Super League) to stay on a train and trial.
”I literally walked off the job site and started playing NRL midway through the year. I am looking forward to a full pre-season and hopefully it is at Manly.
”I haven’t done a full pre-season in three years. I am looking forward to rebuilding myself.”
STARS SET FOR SUPER LEAGUE SWITCH
Flying winger Mikaele Ravalawa is set to join Super League club Castleford where he could be joined by Canterbury outside back Blake Taaffe.
Ravalawa is expected to join the Super League when his season-long loan with South Sydney expires at the end of the season. He was due to re-join St George Illawarra next year but the Dragons have been open to letting the Fijian international leave the club for the past few seasons as they looked to free up some significant salary cap space.
The Dragons allowed him to join South Sydney this year but he has been hampered by significant injuries – initially a hamstring and more recently a pectoral. Ravalawa, 27, has played just three games for the Rabbitohs this year.
He played 98 games for the Dragons scoring 67 tries but fell out of first grade last season.
Ravalawa signed a contract extension with the Dragons in 2023 until the end of 2026.
Taaffe is also in the mix to join Ravalawa at Castelford after limited appearances in the top grade in recent seasons.
The 26-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season. He has played just 13 top grade games since joining the Bulldogs last year from South Sydney.
Taaffe played fullback in South Sydney’s grand final loss to Penrith in 2021 in what was just his eighth first grade game.
Castleford remain on the look-out for a coach with St George Illawarra assistant Ryan Carr linked to the job.
SEA EAGLES STAR OPENS UP ON JURBO WOES
Manly back rower Corey Waddell has been a long-time teammate of Jake Trbojevic. He also happens to be his brother-in-law after his sister Alix married the Sea Eagles star at the end of last year.
It means Waddell can provide a unique perspective on the future of his Sea Eagles teammate following his latest concussion last weekend.
“I have been in that situation before where I have had concussions and been knocked out,” Waddell said.
”My sister is going to be there for him. It is a big worry having a family member like Jake – being my brother in law – go down like that.
“We’re very close. I love playing with him, I love seeing him do well. So to see him get concussed like that is pretty confronting.
“Hopefully he can play again this year.”
Trbojevic has already been ruled out of this weekend’s game against the Wests Tigers and there is every chance he may not play again this season given he has now suffered three concussions in the space of 12 months.
Some have questioned whether he should take some time to consider his future in the game. Waddell wants to see Trbojevic return, although he insists the club and his family will prioritise his welfare.
“We know for Jake, he is a massive part of this club and this team,” Waddell said.
”Firstly, we are going to look after him and then we are going to see how he pulls up next week. I want his welfare to come first.
”Everyone is going to have their opinions and say these things, but at the end of the day we are going to look after Jake. Hopefully we do see him back on the park because we need him out there.”
DOLPHINS RECRUIT DARES TO DREAM OF NRL RETURN
One of the feel-good stories of the rugby league season has been quietly unfolding in the lower grades at Redcliffe over the past fortnight.
Karl Oloapu was once considered one of the most promising stars in the game – the Bulldogs were so enthralled they paid $500,000 to secure his release from the Broncos as a teenager.
Oloapu was on his way to fulfilling that potential as well when he played seven games in his inaugural season in 2023 but his career was rocked when he suffered a neck injury that brought his rise to a shuddering halt.
He went underwent neck surgery, was released by the Bulldogs and returned to southeast Queensland to regain his health and reignite his career.
Oloapu has been training with Redcliffe’s Queensland Cup side in recent months and last weekend he took another significant step on his comeback when he played 80 minutes for the club in the Brisbane A grade competition.
The previous week he had played 20 minutes. It has been a hell of a journey for a kid who was so good as a teenager, Phil Gould personally pursued his signature and leaned on pub baron Arthur Laundy to help get the deal over the line.
Life threw him a curve ball but he is now back on track after a battery of medical tests and strict parameters around his return.
Redcliffe have done their best to keep his comeback out of the limelight. Hence there were no pictures of his return on the club’s social media sites. They didn’t make a song-and-dance about it.
The people who have guided his comeback can still see the silky skills, although they are taking a careful approach with Oloapu given what he has been through.
“Great kid,” said Scott Clarke, the chief executive of the Redcliffe Dolphins district club.
“He comes from a great family. It’s been a really cautious and controlled approach to his return to footy and we are going to continue to take that approach for the rest of the year.”
That said, the signs have been promising. Those who have watched him train this season and saw his two games insist he still has the talent that threatened to make him a household name and convinced the Dogs to shell out big bucks to sign him.
ROOSTERS ROOKIE SET FOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT
Sydney Roosters and Queensland sensation Robert Toia is on the verge of capping his stunning breakout season with his international debut – for Tonga.
Sports Confidential understands that Toia has been named in a preliminary squad for the Pacific Championships by coach Kristian Woolf.
The Maroons centre has played 17 games for the Roosters and been a constant handful for the opposition. Throw in three games for his state and little wonder Toia is in contention to win the Dally M rookie of the year award.
Toia could have his choice of nations. He was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia when he was six, but qualifies for Tonga via his family heritage.
The Kiwis and potentially the Kangaroos are likely to take a good look at Toia, but Tonga has their nose in front as they look to secure one of the best young players in the game.
FLASHBACK
Cricket legend Shane Warne again fell agonisingly short of the one landmark he was unable to fulfil during his decorated career – a Test century. Warne was on the back page on this day 20 years ago when he fell short of a Test 100 after he was caught for 90. He had resumed day four on 78 in the Ashes in England.
RISING STAR BACKFLIPS ON PANTHERS
A young Warriors forward used the 10-day cooling off period to backflip on the Panthers with Kayliss Fatialofa opting to remain in New Zealand.
Fatialofa was on the brink of joining the Panthers late last month before the Warriors came in with an improved offer to keep the back-rower.
The 20-year-old – who is yet to make his NRL debut – has been a mainstay for the high flying Warriors NSW Cup side this year.
He has played every minute in the past 16 matches where the Warriors reserve side have lost just one plus a draw.
GALVIN OPENS UP ON INJURY BLOW
Lachie Galvin says he was in no doubt for last weekend despite confirming he had a broken hand.
Galvin made headlines leading into the clash against the Warriors after being sent for scans with fears he faced a stint on the sideline.
“I knew all along (that I’d play),” Galvin said. “I have a little fracture in the hand but nothing bad. I had it strapped up and I was always going to play.
“No pain. (The injury) is all right.”
PUBLIC TO DECIDE PNG TEAM NAME
PNG has taken another giant step towards making sporting history with the official launch of the name our team competition.
People are encouraged to submit their ideas for the team name online. The likes of the Angels and Chiefs are the frontrunners, while there is also support for the Hunters moniker.
“This is more than a name – it’s a symbol of national pride and a reflection of who we are as a nation,” PNG NRL bid chief executive Andrew Hill said. “Our team will carry the hopes and dreams of our country onto one of the biggest sporting stages in the world.
See the full details here.
RAIDERS POACH REDCLIFFE COACH
The Raiders are set to add Redcliffe Dolphins’ Queensland Cup coach Eric Smith to their coaching staff from next season.
Smith has coached Sunshine Coast and Northern Pride Queensland Cup teams before taking on the Dolphins this year.
He has previously worked with the Storm and Newcastle.
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