Sport Confidential: Brisbane Broncos winger Jordan Pereira retires, Maroons U19 star set for Roosters upgrade
He is the monster Queensland under-19s prop going places at the Roosters, with the Bondi club set to prepare an upgrade for the 18-year-old beast. That and more in Sport Confidential.
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He is the monster Queensland under-19s prop going places at the Roosters.
Former Broncos Academy young gun De La Salle Va’a, 18, represented the Maroons’ under-19s in last week’s clash against NSW at Leichhardt Oval and now the Roosters are keen to upgrade him.
Va’a is already contracted until the end of 2026 but such is his talent, the glamour Sydney club want him at Bondi for 2028 after tabling a two-year extension.
De La Salle’s older brother Xavier captained the Queensland under-19s two years ago and the Va’a boys recently played together alongside veteran prop Dylan Napa in the NSW Cup.
The hulking prop is one of the biggest teenagers in Australian sport. At 194cm and 115kg, De La Salle is already bigger than many NRL forwards and the Va’a brothers are being earmarked for first grade at the Roosters.
BRONCOS VETERAN RETIRES
One of Brisbane’s most popular clubmen has announced his immediate retirement from the NRL.
Veteran Broncos winger Jordan Pereira has hung up the boots midway through the 2024 premiership due to a neck injury that has forced him out of rugby league at age 31.
Pereira played six games for Broncos since joining the club from the Dragons in 2022 and it’s understood Brisbane bosses were in talks for the hard-running winger to extend his career Red Hill in 2025.
But the off-contract Pereira has played his last game for the Broncos after suffering a fresh neck problem and nerve damage playing for feeder-club Souths Logan six weeks ago.
Pereira badly broke his neck in 2019 while scoring a try for former club the Dragons and has been advised by Broncos doctors to consider his long-term welfare after football.
Pereira last turned out in early May for feeder-club Souths Logan and was hopeful of returning to the field, but Brisbane medicos warned he could suffer life-changing damage to his neck if he copped another knock.
That convinced the nuggety winger, who scored 52 tries in 98 Queensland Cup games, to pull the pin on his rugby league career.
“It’s been recommended by the doctors and specialists that it’s not safe for me to continue playing rugby league, which is really unfortunate because I love the game and I love being here at the Broncos,” Pereira said.
“It’s something that I’ll definitely miss but it’s something that I will hold onto forever and reflect back on with pride and joy.
The Wellington-born winger amassed 45 first-grade games for the Dragons and Broncos after making his NRL debut at St George Illawarra in 2018.
While Pereira played just a handful of games for the Broncos, he was highly regarded by Brisbane teammates because of his work ethic at training and the example he set for the club’s emerging players.
Pereira is keen to stay on at the Broncos and work for the club in an off-field capacity, with coach Kevin Walters paying tribute to his team-first attitude.
“Jordan has had to work hard to get everything he has got in rugby league,” Walters said.
“That has made him a really valuable member of our team during his time at the Broncos.
“He is someone who you want to have around your club, he helps to mentor the young players coming through and pass on those lessons that you should take nothing for granted.
“He has always played his role and worked hard on his game and always been one of our most consistent performers in the Queensland Cup.
“When we have called on him in first grade, he has never let us down. Jordan will always have a place at our club.”
NRL’S STORM WARNING
NRL football boss Graham Annesley has warned the code’s stars not to take matters into their own hands - and risk being sin-binned - following an incident involving Storm hooker Bronson Garlick.
Players from the Dolphins and Storm almost ended up in a brawl after Tevita Pangai Jr, in his return to rugby league, crunched Melbourne lock Trent Loiero last Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Garlick was one of the first players on the scene and angrily leapt at Pangai Jr, shoving the prop as tensions flared between Storm and Dolphins players.
Dolphins insiders were filthy over Garlick’s actions, which escaped the attention of match officials, who have the power to sin bin or send-off players risking a melee by being third man in.
Annesley put Garlick and all NRL players on notice ahead of the Bulldogs-Sharks clash on Friday night at Accor Stadium to kick off round 17.
“Players need to be aware that running in to join a melee can risk a stint in the sin-bin,” he said.
“It won’t happen in very case, as players are often simply trying to separate others, but what the referees and bunker are looking for is anyone who rushes in to escalate the incident, regardless of how far away they are when it starts.
“To be safe, players would be well advised to just stay out of it and let the referees sort it out.”
TRANS-TASMAN ROMANCE
This is proof nice guys can finish first.
David Nyika is one of the hottest prospects in Australia and New Zealand boxing and the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist has scored a knockout inside and outside the ring.
Nicknamed ‘Nice Guy’, Nyika has signed a deal to join the co-promotional stable of New Zealand heavyweight legend Joseph Parker, who is keen to help his fellow Kiwi in his dream to become a world champion.
Outside the ring, Nyika is relishing his move to Queensland and is dating Gatton glamour girl Alexis Thornberry, the 23-year-old daughter of legendary bush boxing trainer Noel Thornberry.
The eye-catching duo have been a couple for two years and Thornberry has no issue with his daughter dating a boxer, saying Nyika’s ferocity in the ring is only matched by his compassion off it.
“Dave is a wonderful young man,” Thornberry said of his world-title hopeful.
“In his spare time, Dave likes doing animal rescue. He will be on the road and pull over to pick up injured wildlife. He brings them home, nurses them to health and lets them go.
“He is one of the true nice guys of boxing.
“Dave and ‘Lexy’ are a great couple, they are enjoying life.
“She is as mad as Dave with their love for training. She trains twice a day every day and is just obsessed with it.
“Lexy does a bit of boxing training and is quite good. She wants to have a fight but I said you can stay away from that, leave it to Dave.”
Thornberry was the trainer who helped Queensland heavyweight Alex Leapai to a world-title fight against Vladimir Klitschko in 2014 and a decade on, he says Nyika is the real deal.
The 28-year-old is a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, unbeaten in nine professional bouts and fights in the same cruiserweight division as Australia’s current world champion, Jai Opetaia.
“Dave would definitely be keen to fight Jai one day,” Thornberry said.
“Jai is a great fighter and the best in the cruiserweight division, but Dave has a ton of talent and is still on the rise as a pro.
“Another 12 months and Dave would be a real test for Jai.
“They’ve already had some great spars and they have both shaken each other up.
“It’s great that Joseph Parker is getting behind Dave and I have no doubt he can one day fight for a world title.
“Dave has the talent, work ethic and desire to go all the way.”
OLD FOX ‘FOZ’ PLAYING ON
Queensland Origin skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is flourishing at 35 and his old Manly scrumbase partner-in-crime, Kieran Foran, is also playing on.
Sport Confidental can reveal the 33-year-old Foran is putting retirement on the backburner after agreeing terms on a 12-month extension with the Titans.
Foran originally signed a two-year deal with the Titans and was expected to hang up the boots at the end of the 2024 season, especially after a frustrating battle with an array of leg injuries last year.
But Foran is so content at the Gold Coast, revelling in a mentoring role to the club’s younger brigade, that the premiership-winning playmaker will wear Titans colours again in 2025.
In the absence of injured captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, stand-in skipper Foran’s experience has been vital and he was magnificent in the Titans’ club record 66-6 drubbing of the Warriors last week.
The veteran of 293 NRL games posted four try assists, his best tally in a single game since his golden season at the Sea Eagles in 2011.
That was the year in which Foran and Cherry-Evans steered Manly to premiership glory and ‘Foz’ has been inspired by the form of ‘DCE’, who played his 24th game for Queensland in Origin II on Wednesday night.
Foran appeared set for the scrapheap after being unwanted at Manly but his move to the Gold Coast has given the Kiwi Test star a renewed purpose.
Foran is enjoying working with the likes of AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell and Keano Kini and could form a handy halves pairing with Wallabies recruit Carter Gordon next season.
If he stays injury free this season, Foran will reach the NRL’s champion 300-game club and he is on track to surpass some of the code’s great triple centurions including Sam Thaiday (304), Anthony Minichiello (302) and Titans foundation halfback Scott Prince (300).
SHOOSH
Which well-known star has a massive gambling habit that should raise concern at NRL headquarters over his welfare? The player in question has been placing bets as high as $50,000. He is so flat bloke he has been couch surfing at friends’ houses and borrowing money from his teammates.
NIKE’S TITANIC DEAL
He has been labelled the Titans’ version of Broncos superstar Reece Walsh. Now Gold Coast’s man-of-the-moment Keano Kini is making waves with sporting apparel giant Nike.
Kini’s management has begun negotiations with Nike Australia bosses and is keen to sign the Titans fullback sensation to a 10-year deal with the company that made Michael Jordan a global superstar.
Kini’s sponsorship deal with Nike ends this season and the Titans young gun hopes to secure a long-term extension in the wake of his blistering form.
The Kiwi Test hopeful has been in blistering form for the Titans, running for a staggering 570 metres over the past fortnight and scoring two tries in last week’s club record 66-6 rout of the Warriors.
Kini is contracted to the Titans until the end of 2026 and his agent says the 20-year-old can be a poster boy for the Gold Coast on and off the field.
“Keano’s Nike deal ends in October but we’re looking to upgrade him now and hopefully sign him to a 10-year deal,” said Chris Orr of PSM.
“Keano is a great ambassador for Nike, he has a done a podcast with them and they are keen to access his following and promote him on social media.”
Orr was the man who brokered Sonny Bill Williams’ first mega deal with Pepsi two decades ago and he says fellow Kiwi Kini, like Broncos whizkid Walsh, can be a marketing machine.
But for all the hype surrounding the Titans ace, Orr says Kini is keeping his feet on the ground.
“Keano is one of the most humble, nicest young men you will meet,” Orr said.
“He is always thanking you, he is very appreciative of the people helping him to the top.
“He is fast becoming a fan favourite and with his X-factor style of speed and skill along with his off-field presence.
“Keano is a sponsor’s dream which is why brands like Nike have already signed him to their books.”
DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR PHINS
The Dolphins have been rocked by a twin blow with foundation recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan joining Souths-bound super coach Wayne Bennett at the departure gate.
Regarded by many as the NRL’s best recruiter, O’Sullivan - the man who spotted Greg Inglis and Latrell Mitchell as teenagers - has quit the Dolphins after inking a mega five-year deal with the Knights.
O’Sullivan’s exit is immediate, with the father of Dolphins playmaker Sean already having his feet under the desk at Newcastle.
The off-contract O’Sullivan was hoping to ink another deal with the Dolphins but their new offer could not match lucrative bids from the Dragons and Knights.
Bennett remains in charge at the Dolphins and will take up his three-year deal at Souths from November when his commitments officially end at Redcliffe.
O’Sullivan and Bennett were the dynamic duo who helped put together the Dolphins’ foundation roster that has made the expansion newcomers instantly competitive in a huge coup for the NRL.
O’Sullivan’s finest legacy to the Dolphins could prove to be the signing of Isaiya Katoa, the playmaking sensation who was poached from Penrith’s junior nursery.
PNG EYES JD
Sacked South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou is in contention to lead Papua New Guinea to the next World Cup.
Sport Confidential can reveal Demetriou has kicked-off talks to coach the Kumuls following the resignation of former Titans coach Justin Holbrook, who has joined Australia as an assistant to Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.
Holbrook was enjoying his time with PNG but has been snapped up by Meninga to plot the Kangaroos’ World Cup defence in 2026.
That has opened the door for Demetriou, who is keen to get back into the coaching game after severing ties with the Rabbitohs in May
‘JD’ has also been linked with the Leeds post vacated last week, but taking the PNG Test coaching job would enable him to remain in Australia with his family.
It could also be the first step in Demetriou potentially being an option to coach a new PNG franchise should the NRL choose to expand to the Pacific in 2027 or 2028.
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