NRL 2024: Clubs begin talks for Kurtley Beale signing, Corey Harawira-Naera cleared for surprise return
A host of NRL clubs have started internal discussions over the prospect of signing Kurtley Beale, after the former Wallabies star was cleared of sexual assault charges earlier this month.
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A host of NRL clubs, including Canterbury, have held internal discussions regarding the prospect of signing former Wallaby Kurtley Beale.
Sport Confidential can reveal that Bulldogs bosses were recently asked whether they would be open to speaking to Beale, who was cleared of sexual assault charges earlier this month.
The Bulldogs top brass have held discussions and have yet to rule out pursuing Beale although their strong pre-season showing has prompted the club to press pause on immediate plans to strengthen their roster in the halves.
French rugby clubs are also looking to secure the 35-year-old.
Beale openly declared an interest in rugby league last week after being cleared by the NSW courts. However, it is understood he is more likely to chase a deal in rugby union overseas.
That hasn’t stopped NRL clubs being asked whether they would be interested in signing Beale for at least this season, allowing him to scratch a long-held itch to play rugby league.
Beale grew up in western Sydney and has openly admitted an admiration for rugby league. He played 95 Tests for the Wallabies but was not selected for last year’s World Cup due to the court case.
Beale has been keeping fit under the watchful eye of sprint coach Roger Fabri.
EXCLUSIVE: CHN CLEARED FOR NRL RETURN AFTER DEFIBRILLATOR IMPLANT
Canberra back rower Corey Harawira-Naera has set his sights on making a surprise rugby league return after he was given the green light to resume his first grade career.
It is understood Harawira-Naera met with specialists this week who have told the 28-year-old that he is free to return to the field just months after suffering a seizure during a match.
This masthead has also learnt that Harawira-Naera has a defibrillator attached inside his body — just under his arm — as part of the new health reality he now faces.
It is unclear how that device will impact Harawira-Naera’s ability to return to the field. It is likely he will need to have some cushioning around the device to prevent damage to not only Harawira-Naera but to opposition players who attempt to tackle him.
It is believed Harawira-Naera underwent the same procedure as English Premier League footballer Tom Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Luton Town in December.
Lockyer was effectively dead for two minutes before he was revived. He had a cardioverter defibrillator device fitted in his chest to prevent a repeat of the incident and hasn’t given up hope of making a EPL return.
“It took a while to get used to, because it’s a lot bigger than I thought it would be,” Lockyer said in an interview with BBC Breakfast.
Lockyer is also sporting a scar on his side where the device was fitted.
Luton captain Tom Lockyer explains how his newly-fitted defibrillator will 'give him a shock' if his heart-rate goes outside of the normal parameters 💠pic.twitter.com/pYFps3A5vF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 20, 2024
While Harawira-Naera has privately told people he wants to return and is confident he can do so, there is understandably believed to be some reservations from the Raiders given the nature of his collapse the last time he took to the field.
Harawira-Naera suffered the seizure against the Rabbitohs last May after an apparent delayed reaction to a head knock.
Since then he has undergone countless medical examinations including MRI scans of his head and heart before finally getting the verdict he desired.
There has been no certainty in determining exactly why he collapsed.
Despite being unable to train, he has been a constant at the Raiders during the pre-season trying to assist in any way as he awaited medical clearance.
Harawira-Naera is in the midst of a rich $700,000 contract which includes an option in his favour for 2026.
The Raiders had explored the prospect of signing Luciano Leilua as a potential replacement for Harawira-Naera but Leilua has opted to ink a three-year deal with the Dragons.
LEILUA'S GALLEN CALL-OUT
Joey Leilua has unfinished business with and has called on Gallen to come out of retirement for one last fight.
Ahead of his bout with Curtis Scott, Leilua wants a fight with Gallen to settle an old score.
“I wanted to fight him,” Leilua said on the No Limit Boxing Podcast. “I still want to fight him if he wants it but I think he’s retired. He stepped on my hand in my rookie year and he still remembers it because I’ve always brought it up to him. I just want to punch his head in.
“I remember playing the ball and as I’m about to stand up, he stood on me …
“He literally stood on my hand and looked at me and I thought you f---ing grub. That’s when I knew, he is a grub.”
Leilua is preparing to fight Scott on March 13 to keep his three fight undefeated streak alive.
“We are the most hated people in NRL I think, after Gallen,” Leilua said. “He’s one person more hated than me. That’s weird. But for us, it’s about showcasing there’s more to us than people think we are … they only see me, the grub, apparently.”
PNG’S EXPANSION PUSH
PNG’s push for entry into the NRL has received a major boost with the launch of its bid academy across the nation.
The academy will identify the best 15-19 year-old males and 18-year-old females. There was a pilot program in Port Moresby last year with the academy now creating development centres in Port Moresby, Lae, Mt Hagen, Goroka and Rabaul.
Joey Grima will head up the 700-strong junior player base which includes 25 staff.
PNG bid boss Andrew Hill said it was another important step in creating a natural pathway ahead of their potential introduction into the NRL.
“We have said from the early days of establishing the bid that we would focus on getting the best systems in place in respect to pathways and coaching for our top junior players,” Hill said.
“There is absolutely no doubt that there is an abundance of talent in PNG. The next generation now needs the best coaching and development opportunities.”
STORM TARGET FIJI’S GENERATION NEXT
The Melbourne Storm flew into Fiji this week determined to not just win their final trial, but to also strengthen their foothold in a renowned rugby league nursery.
On Thursday, about 15 Melbourne players travelled to Viseisei Primary School, which has already produced its share of stars in both codes.
In the battle to win the hearts and minds of Fiji’s generation next, it was a significant step and the kids lapped it up.
It is part of a concerted bid by the club to gain a footprint in the Pacific nation, having struck up a partnership with Fiji Airways.
FLASHBACK
The obituary for the Western Suburbs Magpies started on this day 25 years ago. Chief rugby league writer Peter Frilingos labelled the Magpies as “wasting their time competing in the 1999 premiership”. Frilingos’ prediction would be spot on with the Magpies finishing last with just three wins before merging with Balmain ahead of the following season.
NRL TRIAL’S TV RATINGS SURGE
The Charity Shield between St George Illawarra and South Sydney was the most watched trial match as rugby league returned to our television screens. Viewership was up 18 per cent across the weekend compared to week one of trials last year. The excitement and anticipation of Las Vegas has added an extra dimension to the pre-season this year. The second most watched game was the Cowboys and Broncos last Sunday.
TSZYU BRO’S TAKE VEGAS
Tim Tszyu will soon be joined by his younger brother Nikita in Sin City as he continues his preparations for his historic fight against former unified champion Keith Thurman on March 31.
The younger Tszyu will join his brother and trainer Igor Golubev next week, the same time as the NRL’s Round 1 festivities kick off. Tim will play a lead role in helping to promote.
Nikita has only recently returned from a conditioning trip in Thailand, with his own fight preparations ramping up now he is stateside with his brother.
No Limit Boxing is expected to announce the Australian super welterweight’s champions first fight for 2024 in the coming weeks.
MAGICMAN CALLS OUT UFC CHAMP
Mark ‘Magicman’ Schliebs continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons ahead of his fight against Sam Goodman in Wollongong on March 13.
Still riled by being on the receiving end of a slap from Goodman at the launch press conference earlier this month, the Melburnian has now gone after the former pound for pound UFC king, Alex Volkanovski.
“That slap was f***king soft just like Volk’s chin on the weekend. It’s not going to be a good month for the Gong. Volk got iced first, and it’s Sam Goodman’s turn next.
“He’s not putting his hands on me again. I hope he’s with Volk next time we face off. I’ll do them both, and I don’t care who’s there with him.”
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