Sport Confidential: Lindsay Collins’ new deal, Campbell-Gillard trips up, Cameron Smith’s hot mic moment
The Sydney Roosters are set to deliver a hammer blow to their rivals, a Parramatta prop is issued with a ‘concerning act’ notice and Cameron Smith suffers a hot-mic moment.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Sydney Roosters are preparing to lock in Lindsay Collins to the longest deal at the club despite the prop still being contracted until the end of 2026.
It is understood that Collins and the Roosters are locked in talks for the Kangaroos and Maroons star to remain at the club until at least the end of 2028.
Collins current contract was a four year deal signed in 2021. Since then he has gone on to become a mainstay for the Maroons and Kangaroos and one of the game’s best props. Collins would be 32 by the time the new deal expires.
The Roosters do not have anyone contracted beyond 2027 when the deals of Sitili Tupouniua, Dom Young, Billy Smith, Victor Radley and Nat Butcher’s all end.
Collins has become the Roosters’ forward leader and has been earmarked as the man to lead the middle of the field following Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ decision to join the Super League at the end of this year after a decorated career.
Collins and Spencer Leniu will take up that starting prop role with Leniu in the first year of a three year deal.
The Roosters are also hopeful that a two-year extension will be done with fellow prop Terrell May.
LUAI AND RCG TRIP UP
Jarome Luai was hit with a fine for tripping but Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard footwork also caught the attention of the match review committee.
Campbell-Gillard escaped an official sanction but was still met with a concerning act notice for his attempted trip on Penrith’s Sunia Turuva in the 26th minute.
Despite being wrong footed, the Eels prop did not make contact with Turuva unlike Luai who was fined $1800 for his trip on Mitchell Moses five minutes earlier.
SMITH’S ‘HOT MIC’ MOMENT REVEALS MUNSTER WOES
Cameron Smith has provided an inadvertent insight into Cameron Munster’s ongoing injury frustration after an off-air conversation was accidentally uploaded as part of his SEN podcast.
The conversation, between Smith and co-host Denan Kemp, was quickly removed but not before it was copied and distributed on the internet.
Munster is yet to play this season after aggravating a lingering groin injury when he slipped while getting out of the shower in Fiji.
The Storm have pencilled him in for a return in round five against the Brisbane Broncos – they have Newcastle this weekend and then the bye – but his comeback will be contingent on him proving his fitness.
While the Storm are optimistic he will be back, Smith seemed to suggest there were no guarantees in his conversation with Kemp.
“It’s a bit concerning the Munster thing, hey,” Smith said.
“They have no idea, they actually have no idea when he is going to be okay. He can hardly run. The last I heard was before last week’s game, they (were) just like mate it is a day by day thing.”
JENNINGS CLOSES IN ON NRL RETURN
The NRL have granted Michael Jennings the green light to make his first grade return after the Roosters upgraded the former NSW and Kangaroos centre to a top 30 deal.
Jennings only returned to the Roosters this season on a train and trial deal. Under the NRL rules, train and trial players are unable to play first grade until round 11 unless they win NRL approval. But after impressing in his opening two matches in the NSW Cup, the Roosters have topped up Jennings’ contract to include him in the main 30.
The NRL have cleared Jennings’ return back into the main roster. That means he is now eligible to play his first NRL match since 2020 when he last played for the Eels.
Jennings was named as 18th man for the Roosters’ clash against South Sydney on Friday night suggesting he could take to the field as soon as that match.
Jennings was thrown a career lifeline by Roosters coach Trent Robinson after the pair combined to be part of the club’s 2013 premiership win. Jennings and Robinson spoke about a potential comeback at the Roosters’ 10 year anniversary of the grand final winning side last year. Conversations progressed after that event.
The 35-year-old’s three-year doping ban ended on September 21. He was suspended for using banned substances Ligandrol and Ibutamoren.
Last year, Jennings lost an appeal after a judge awarded his ex-wife $500,000 for abuse during their marriage.
“I still stand by my innocence,” Jennings said after his first match earlier this month. “Going through all of that was a very tough time.
“I’m still trying to get through it all right now. “I didn’t think I’d be coming back and giving it one last crack, but it’s good to be back.”
Train and trial players earn $1200 per week. The lowest paid member of the NRL’s top 30 is on $120,000
He is stranded on 298 first grade games.
In his two NSW Cup games, Jennings has one try assist, one line-break and four tackle breaks in back-to-back 80 minute matches.
If he does return he would become the oldest player in the NRL with Jennings turning 36 next month.
RIVALS CIRCLE GUN YOUNG EELS
Parramatta are already fighting a losing battle to keep gun half Ethan Sanders at the club and they may have their hands full as they bid to sign debutant Blaize Talagi to a new deal as well.
Sanders is expected to join Canberra next season, the Raiders known to be keen on the teenager before the NRL introduced new rules which prevented him speaking to rivals prior to round six.
Talagi is in a similar boat given he is yet to play six games of senior rugby league, which means he is prevented from speaking to rival clubs about his future.
However, the clock is ticking on the Eels as they attempt to tie him down to a long term deal before the round six deadline expires.
Talagi, who will make his first grade debut for the Eels against Manly on Sunday, has an option in his contract for next season.
He is yet to take it up that option and other clubs are watching closely. Even more closely as he prepares to make his dearest grade debut against the Sea Eagles this weekend, lining up opposite Reuben Garrick.
TIGERS SPONSOR MIA
Former Wests Tigers chair and major sponsor Lee Hagipantelis won’t be at Leichhardt Oval this weekend as the club play their first home game of the season at their spiritual home.
It has nothing to do with his bitter falling out with senior club officials. Hagipantelis through his company Brydens Lawyers is a major supporter of NSW Police Legacy, which will hold its annual ball on Saturday night.
The clash of dates has ensured there will be no showdown between Hagipantelis and the officials who voted for his removal as chair prior to Christmas, when the club conducted a boardroom overhaul.
Hagipantelis hasn’t forgotten what happened. Sport Confidential understands he still feels a sense of betrayal at the way things played out, in particular his belief that he was deceived by former directors who are still involved with the club.
He remains the major sponsor of the Tigers, although the day is fast closing when he must make a decision about whether he stays on the front of the jersey.
Hagipantelis is well aware that his attendance at Tigers games will be a burning issue throughout the season.
EX-BRONCOS BOSS IN BIG MOVE
Former Brisbane Broncos chief executive Paul White is set to make a return to sport as an investor and shareholder in management company Aspire Sports Management.
White, who turned the Broncos into a powerhouse during his decade in charge, will be joined at Aspire by former NRL general manager of clubs Jonnie Stewart.
The company has a growing stable of athletes and clients headlined by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, but have plans to expand.
In White and Stewart, they have two men who are widely respected across rugby league and have an intimate knowledge of the NRL.
Of Stewart, White said: “He’s a very respected executive and has a unique ability to develop superior relationships across the sporting, sponsorship, media and commercial areas, which is vital to attract talent and then maximise brand and personal potential.”
BUSTER MOVE FOR SON OF EELS LEGEND
Buster Hindmarsh, the son of Parramatta legend Nathan Hindmarsh, is about to play against the Eels … wearing the number his father wore with pride in a blue and gold jersey for more than a decade.
Buster was a member of the Eels’ junior system but is now playing for North Sydney in Harold Matthews Cup.
On Saturday, the Bears play against Parramatta and Buster will attempt to topple his former club .…. and that of his father.
MANLY’S HAUMOLE WARNING
Manly forward Jake Trbojevic has warned that the Sea Eagles cannot afford to become over-reliant on destructive forward Haumole Olakau’atu after his damaging start to the year.
Olakau’atu has been arguably the form forward in the NRL over the opening fortnight and there is a sense that the penny has dropped for a player with a unique mix of size and power.
He ripped into the Sydney Roosters last weekend, running for more than 140 metres and busting six tackles as he inspired the Sea Eagles to victory. That performance came after he ran for 180 metres, scored a try and had five tackle busts in the club’s round one win over South Sydney in Las Vegas.
“He is playing well, he has confidence,” Trbojevic said.
“I think it is important – it is only round two. You can’t get carried away. You can’t rely on him.
“There have probably been times where we have thrown him the ball and he has done something out of nothing.
“It is exciting for us. It is great he plays for Manly – I don’t have to tackle him. He is only young. There is still a lot of improvement as well.”
Trbojevic insists that Olakau’atu is being rewarded for his commitment to his career.
“I think it is a testament to him,” Trbojevic said.
“The last few years, but particular this year, his willingness to learn and get better has improved.
“He is not just going out there and being good – he obviously is good – he is buying into meetings, he is writing plenty of notes in his book – he sits near me.
“He is really trying to improve, which I think is great. It is great to see it paying off. It is really noticeable.”
IT’S A TSZYU OUT THERE
It has been a chaotic few days for Tim Tszyu who flew from Australia out to the US on Thursday morning. Tszyu was joined by No Limit Boxing crew George, Trent and Matt Rose alongside his mum Natasha and partner Aleksandra. Tszyu will now face American Sebastian Fundora on March 31 with two world titles on the line after the original bout with Keith Thurman had to be cancelled.
HIP-DROP DRAMA
The hip drop continues to be problematic in the NFL with a potential rule change expected to come down hard on those who commit the offence. A 15-yard penalty has been submitted by the NFL and competition committee against anyone who makes the dangerous tackle. The NFL had previously spoken with the NRL about how to handle the tackle.
“It just happens,” Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor told this column in December. “It’s not like a defender is going in to say I am going to hip drop them. It’s about trying to get him down. People aren’t doing it on purpose.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Sport Confidential: Lindsay Collins’ new deal, Campbell-Gillard trips up, Cameron Smith’s hot mic moment
Defiant Reynolds hits back at Tallis over call for captaincy strip
Embattled Adam Reynolds has hit back at Gorden Tallis over calls for him to be sacked as Broncos captain, going on to slam suggestions the Broncos players are acting like “rock stars”.
SuperCoach teams analysis: Why Ponga move makes no sense
Kalyn Ponga is one of the most purchased SuperCoach players of the week but the move makes no sense. ROB SUTHERLAND analyses round 22 teams