Rabbitohs’ Kirisome Auva’a reveals desire to become an ambassador for domestic violence
KIRISOME Auva’a has revealed his desire to become an ambassador for domestic violence. Get the latest news on every NRL club with MATT LOGUE.
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ROOSTERS
JARED Waerea-Hargreaves is on track for a Round 11 comeback against the Bulldogs thanks to a specialised training program under the watchful eye of rehab co-ordinator Adam Bentley.
Waerea-Hargreaves has been sidelined since last August due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but Bentley has worked overtime to ensure the former Kiwi Test prop returns on schedule.
Trainer Hayden Knowles said Waerea-Hargreaves has greatly benefited from Bentley’s different approach to recovery.
“Adam was the same guy who took Blake Ferguson over to America to work on his foot injury and he is great at looking outside the square with activities like gymnastics,’’ Knowles said.
“I’ve personally enjoyed working with such a pro when I’ve been handed him from the physio staff.
“Recovering from an injury should be a really tough time for a player, but Jared just brings this energy to every session.”
DRAGONS
ST GEORGE Illawarra is in the process of extending the contract of fullback Josh Dugan.
Dugan doesn’t come off contract until the end of 2017, but director of rugby league pathways Ian Millward confirmed the club was keen to lock in the Origin and Test star on a long-term deal.
“Josh is a player we are looking to upgrade and that’s part of the juggling act we face with the salary cap,” Millward said.
Dugan is set to shift from fullback to the centres for NSW, opening the door for coach Laurie Daley to select in-form Tigers fullback James Tedesco at the back.
TIGERS
HE has ruled his club for just a month, now Aaron Woods is ready to lead the state.
That is the belief of West Tigers coach Jason Taylor, who backed calls from retiring NSW State of Origin skipper Paul Gallen for Woods to succeed him at the end of this year’s interstate series.
“Yeah, I think the way he’s taken this in his stride, I’m sure he could do that,” Taylor said.
RABBITOHS
KIRISOME Auva’a has revealed his desire to become an ambassador for domestic violence, pending approval.
Auva’a copped a nine-month suspension from the NRL for domestic violence charges last season and now he wants to make a difference in the community.
“I’m still waiting to go through a process to become an ambassador and we are halfway there,” Auva’a said.
“Hopefully it happens soon, because I still want to help others by passing on my story. I know I did wrong by my ex-partner and it wasn’t in line with the code of conduct and that’s why I’ve worked with the NRL to come out the other side.”
BULLDOGS
CANTERBURY five-eighth Josh Reynolds admits he imploded under the pressure of trying to retains his NSW State of Origin jumper last season.
Reynolds was dropped by NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley after he was suspended for the sixth time in 12 months and his form dropped away.
But with Mitchell Pearce suspended and Trent Hodkinson uot of touch at new club Newcastle, the in-form Reynolds is being touted for an Origin recall.
WARRIORS
The Warriors’ Kiwis contingent woke from their slumber last week to snap an 11-game losing streak against Newcastle — form that has Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga on edge heading into the Anzac Test at Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium on May 6.
“I’m extremely wary,” Meninga said of Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck finding form against the Knights.
“They are all great players in their own right. They all play for the same club now, so you’d think their cohesion and combinations would be fantastic.
“They are getting there and I think it makes them even more dangerous.”
COWBOYS
THE Cowboys took on the Dragons in Townsville on Saturday night in a match the club was expected to win.
After a relatively quiet start to the season, skipper Johnathan Thurston sprung into action last weekend with a powerful performance that ensured the Cowboys firmed in the premiership market as punters believed they saw enough of the Premiers to back them again in 2016.
KNIGHTS
TARIQ Sims may have had a few sleepless nights over the past month following the birth of his second daughter Vayla but no-one in the NRL has been counting the days quite like the Knights back rower.
Forced to sit out the opening five rounds of the premiership because of suspension, Sims is understandably champing at the bit with his long-awaited return only a week away.
He hasn’t played since the Auckland Nines but the Knights co-captain will be a certain selection in the 17 for next Sunday’s Hunter Stadium clash against Wests Tigers.
Sims has had a gruelling couple of weeks on the training paddock under the watchful eye of club conditioning coach Col Sanctuary.
PANTHERS
YOU could forgive rookie five-eighth Te Maire Martin for letting his meteoric rise go to his head, but halves partner Jamie Soward insists the prodigious playmaker will be perfectly fine.
“Te understands it’s a learning process and he is very early in his NRL career,” Soward explains.
“I think he has learnt a lot, not only in the pre-season but in the last two weeks.
“It’s a lot of hard work to stay in the first grade side but he is very humble and willing.”
SEA EAGLES
JAMIE Lyon’s manager George Mimis will meet with the club this week to discuss the veteran centre’s future beyond this season.
Lyon has indicated he’d like to extend his career for another year, but he is yet to formally discuss any plans with Mimis or the Sea Eagles.
The former Test and Origin representative believes he still has plenty to offer at the highest level and it’s understood the Sea Eagles are keen to keep him at the club.
Manly fought hard in their close loss to Souths and will look to hit back when they take on the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.
RAIDERS
IT’S full steam ahead for Blake Austin, with the Canberra five-eighth unconcerned about whether his knee will hold up when he makes an earlier-than-expected return to the NRL on Monday.
Coach Ricky Stuart said last week he wasn’t counting on the star No.6 or halfback Aidan Sezer (eye socket) making a comeback until at least round six.
By Roje Adalmy, AAP
EELS
ANTHONY Watmough is training daily on his chronic knee injury in a desperate bid to save his career.
Watmough faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines, but the former Test and Origin star refuses to give up on a return to the field.
Watmough’s manager George Mimis is keeping a close eye on the forward’s progress, hopeful the knee injury won’t end his client’s career.
That said, Mimis is also being realistic and will look to plan the back-rower’s post-football options if he fails to recover.
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement also protects the income of players, which will ensure Watmough receives a significant pay-out if he is forced to retire with two years remaining on his contract.
SHARKS
CRONULLA have been linked to off-contract Brisbane forward Matt Gillett, but the club is yet to open formal discussions with the Queensland origin representative.
It’s understood the Sharks are focused on landing the signature of Newcastle backrower Robbie Rochow.
The club will make a formal decision on the futures of veteran forwards Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen in the coming weeks.
TITANS
TITANS rookie Ashley Taylor is sweating on the return of five-eighth Tyrone Roberts after admitting he had a target on his back as the Gold Coast’s only playmaker.
Taylor performed admirably in Friday night’s 24-16 loss to the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium.
In just his sixth NRL appearance, the former Broncos young gun had the bulk of the playmaking duties, as Greg Bird filled in at five-eighth.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself. I wasn’t getting into the right position because they were shooting hard at me,’’ he said.
“They (teammates) rely on you a lot more and the defence targets you when you’re kicking.’’
BRONCOS
THE Brisbane Broncos continued on their merry way with a hard-fought win over the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night.
Centre James Roberts showed how vital he is for the club by scoring the first try of the match but was hampered for the rest of the game with a hip injury.
Anthony Milford tried hard in attack but a potent Titans defence kept him in check.
STORM
TEST halfback Cooper Cronk admits his ongoing contract negotiations may be contributing to his inconsistent NRL form for Melbourne.
Ahead of Storm’s clash with Newcastle, Cronk acknowledged sorting out his future had played on his mind.
“If I’m completely honest I’m not exactly stoked with the level of my performance in the last four weeks so there was probably a little bit of a weight,” Cronk said on Friday.
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Originally published as Rabbitohs’ Kirisome Auva’a reveals desire to become an ambassador for domestic violence
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