Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Tigers comms officer switches NRL clubs; Knights target Sharks cult hero
Ray Warren’s son and long-time Wests Tigers communications officer, Chris Warren, has jumped ship to a rival club. Plus, the Knights identify Leo Thompson replacement.
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Chris Warren has joined the Sea Eagles to head up its new-look communications team.
Warren, the son of legendary rugby league commentator Ray, left his job at the Tigers before Christmas to take up a similar position with Manly.
Warren, who played five games for the Magpies, replaces Manly’s popular long-term media manager Wayne Cousins.
KNIGHTS TARGET CULT HERO
Newcastle have wasted little time trying to secure a Leo Thompson replacement with the Knights looking to sign Cronulla cult hero Tom Hazleton.
The Knights are in the market for a prop given Thompson’s decision to quit the club at the end of this season to link up with Canterbury on a four-year contract.
Newcastle want to secure the 25-year-old when his deal expires at the end of 2025.
The Sharks are in the midst of a salary cap squeeze with Hazleton in line for a bumper payday having established himself as an NRL regular – playing 25 of Cronulla’s 27 games last season. They have added marquee Addin Fonua-Blake and have already re-signed back-rowers Briton Nikora and Teig Wilton to multi-year deals in recent weeks.
Cronulla are still looking to do new deals with Oregon Kaufusi, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Will Kennedy.
The Sharks took up their option on Hazleton to retain him for this season.
Since making his debut he has become a fan favourite among the Sharks faithful.
Following Thompson’s decision to join Canterbury and Fonua Pole re-signing with the Tigers, the prop forward playing market has dried up quickly.
Sharks duo Hazleton and Kaufusi sit at the top of that list as does South Sydney young gun Davvy Moale.
Despite landing Thompson, the Bulldogs are still keen to sign Titans prop Josiah Pahulu.
SAINT
Pat Cummins showed everything which makes this country great. The Australian cricket skipper rolled his arm over for some park cricket with locals on New Year’s Eve. How many countries would you be able to do that in?
SINNER
The moronic people who have posted online that Sam Konstas should receive the “Phillip Hughes” treatment. We are loving the combative nature of the Test series but it is insensitive and extremely poor to even mention Hughes’ name in such a way.
SPOTTED
Plenty of big names have got around the opening two Tests at the SCG. Sport stars past and present included; Steve Waugh, Laurie Daley, Ajit Agarkar, Phil Waugh, Ian Roberts, Jim Courier, Adam Goodes, John Dyson and Swans chairman Andrew Pridham.
Media types and actors included; Patrick Delany, Yvonne Sampson, Chris O’Keefe, Rose Byrne, Jessica Rowe, Peter Overton, Mark Ferguson and Brendan Cowell.
SPOTTED
Addin Fonua-Blake trying to control the action at Jamberoo Action Park.
SPOTTED
Sharks star Ronaldo Mulitalo courtside at a Sydney Kings game.
SPOTTED
Returning South Sydney prop Tevita Tatola loading up at Costco.
SPOTTED
Former Manly forward Anthony Watmough at the Big Banana Fun Park at Coffs Harbour.
SPOTTED
Bulldogs utility Jaeman Salmon driving off from Woolwich Baths with his drink bottle on top of his car until a friendly punter saved him.
SHOOSH
Which highly influential rugby league man has implored the NRL’s top brass to try to purchase Australian rugby?
SHOOSH
It was a case of mistaken identity on the court lists after eyebrows were raised when a player who had the same name - but a different spelling with his unique first name - was listed to appear.
KONSTAS’ TIGERS TIES
Expect plenty of Wests Tigers action surrounding new cricket sensation Sam Konstas with the Tigers staff well aware of his passion for the club.
It comes as his brother Billy is the club’s physiotherapist for the Macarthur Wests Tigers’ Laurie Daley Cup under-18 team.
Sam was born on the same day the Tigers won their only premiership – October 2, 2005.
Just on Konstas, Canterbury head of football Phil Gould expressed his concern on X for the young opener.
Just for clarification, I offered this observation well before the final over altercation … I was referring more to his batting attitude and technique … I don’t claim to be a cricket expert … I hope I’m wrong and he ends up a cricketing great … But I highly doubt he can… https://t.co/t09GVrwZzJ
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) January 3, 2025
“I fear for this young man,” Gould wrote before Konstas’ day one verbal stoush with Jasprit Bumrah.
He then went on to write: “I offered this observation well before the final over altercation … I was referring more to his batting attitude and technique … I don’t claim to be a cricket expert … I hope I’m wrong and he ends up a cricketing great … But I highly doubt he can.”
TIGERS BACKFLIP ON UNWANTED FLYER
Brent Naden has gone from the chopping block at the Wests Tigers to transforming himself to becoming one of the most impressive players before the Christmas break.
Naden was given the opportunity to join the likes of Jayden Sullivan and John Bateman to exit the Tigers however the outside back indicated he wanted to fight for his spot.
Despite the speculation, Naden has responded in a way which has left the Tigers impressed with the way he has handled himself since returning to pre-season training.
“He has come back with a great attitude,” Tigers boss Shane Richardson said. “He is a completely different player.”
He is now pushing for a starting wing spot. Naden is off-contract at the end of this year. He played just 17 games for the Tigers in the past two years.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CEO … WITH PANTHERS BOSS MATT CAMERON
First job?
Trolley Collector at Franklins Parramatta at 15. My next door neighbour worked there. Started on the trolleys, graduated to the freezer section then left 6 months later to go and work part time at a surf shop in Westfields Parramatta called Shady Haze. Go the westies…
Greatest personal sporting achievement?
Helping the Panthers win 4 consecutive grand finals. It’s been a great journey. A lot of people have done a lot of work to get the club to this point.
Sporting team you supported as a kid?
Souths – my dad was a diehard South Sydney man. He marched when they removed from the competition. He used to chase the Foxtel people off the front porch back in the day when they went door to door selling subscriptions.
Who was your sporting to my hero?
Tom Carroll – He was a goofy footer, he was ‘the man’ when I was 13 and learning to surf. He won the 1983 and 1984 titles back to back. There is an iconic image of him doing a cutback in the 1991 Pipe masters that was UNBELIEVABLE. I went to Hawaii a few years ago and that board is on the wall in a surf shop in Haleiwa.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Professional cricketer. It all went out the window when my dad bought me my first surfboard.
Most famous person in your phone?
Nick Youngquest. I knew Nick was modelling in the US after he finished playing but we caught up in New York one year andI had no idea how big (and sexy) the “Paco Rabanne guy” was.
What’s at the top of your 2025 wish list?
Help the club win five premierships.
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Originally published as Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Tigers comms officer switches NRL clubs; Knights target Sharks cult hero
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