Sport Confidential: Selwyn Cobbo makes a bye round bolt to Cherbourg
As the final stage of interviews approach, Queensland assistant coach Josh Hannay has received a glowing endorsement in his fight to succeed Brad Arthur at the Eels.
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Queensland coach Billy Slater and Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans have emerged as trump cards in Josh Hannay’s battle for the Parramatta post.
Sport Confidential can reveal Slater and Cherry-Evans agreed to be personal references for Queensland Origin assistant Hannay as part of his job application to succeed sacked Eels coach Brad Arthur.
Former NSW Origin forward and Cronulla skipper Wade Graham was another respected figure to endorse Hannay for the Eels top job.
Hannay and former Storm assistant Jason Ryles have received the final stage of interviews, with Slater’s right-hand Maroons man to deliver a formal presentation to Eels bosses after Origin II next week.
The 44-year-old has coached 30 NRL games as a caretaker for Cronulla and the Cowboys and Maroons mentor Slater will not stand in Hannay’s way if he beats Ryles to the prestigious Parramatta gig.
It is understood Eels lock J’maine Hopgood has been impressed with the coaching of Hannay in Camp Maroon after making his Queensland Origin debut in Game One.
Hannay has served a fine apprenticeship, coaching Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup for two seasons before cutting his teeth as an assistant at the Cowboys, Sharks and Maroons.
Slater has previously lauded the contribution of Hannay to Queensland’s success in winning back-to-back Origin crowns and is adamant he is ready to be an NRL head coach.
“He could be (an NRL coach) one day, I’ve got absolutely no doubt about that,” Slater said.
“Josh is probably one of the most important people in our little group, players, coaches ... our whole group (in Camp Maroon).
“He brings a lot of footy knowledge and he has a passion to coach and I certainly see him as a head coach in the future.
“He has already had experience as a caretaker coach of both the Cowboys and Sharks so it is only a matter of time until Josh will be a head coach at an NRL club in the future.”
COBBO’S BUSH GETAWAY AMID BURNOUT FEARS
Selwyn Cobbo’s shock Origin omission has taken another twist with the Broncos and Maroons young gun having returned home to Cherbourg amid fears he is suffering NRL burnout.
Sport Confidential can reveal the Broncos gave permission for Cobbo to take a period of leave in the wake of his surprise demotion for Origin II this Wednesday night.
Queensland’s Game One super sub spent last weekend visiting family and friends to clear his head before returning to Broncos training for rehab on his “banged-up” body.
There have been concerns about Cobbo being potentially homesick, but the Queensland ace is expected to play in Brisbane’s next clash against the Warriors in New Zealand on Saturday week.
As revealed by this masthead, Cobbo was overlooked for Origin II, with the 22-year-old having a heart-to-heart with Queensland coach Billy Slater to indicate he wasn’t in the right headspace to back up for Game Two.
Cobbo has been secretly battling injury for a number of weeks and it is testament to his toughness that he produced a barnstorming bench display in Origin I despite requiring a painkilling injection.
But the physical demands have taken a toll on Cobbo mentally, prompting the Broncos centre to take a brief break from the game by heading home to Cherbourg to refresh his body and mind.
There is no suggestion Cobbo is having second thoughts about playing NRL. The Broncos have a bye this week and coach Kevin Walters believes that will be sufficient time for Cobbo to heal and be ready for Brisbane’s round 17 clash against the Warriors.
A proud Indigenous man, Cobbo has not forgotten his roots and enjoys returning home to Cherbourg, much like NSW rival Latrell Mitchell, who seeks solace in soul-soothing trips to Taree.
Queensland and Broncos lock Pat Carrigan said Maroons players were fully supportive of Cobbo’s decision to go bush for some rest and relaxation instead of playing Origin II.
“Selwyn is good,” Carrigan said.
“We chat pretty regularly. Bill has already touched on a number of little things, and it’s also for him to get his body right.
“He is taking some time away. He has been playing really tough for us and even in Origin I he was busted, too.
“He was heading back out to Cherbourg when I was talking to him and he is going to have some time away and that’s of his accord.
“He is a special player in this arena and we will get him back for the Broncos this year.”
The 26-year-old Carrigan said up-and-coming stars like Cobbo can find it difficult coming to terms with the weekly grind of the NRL.
“I am a couple of years older than him, but I know having gone through the NRL season, it is a tough slog mentally,” he said.
“Especially if you pick up an injury early on in the year.
“For a lot of the competition you are needling for six or seven weeks and it’s tough.
“The best version of Selwyn is when he is healthy for us.
“He has shown a lot of courage to date so I’m keen for him to have some time off and enjoy himself and come back refreshed.”
REECE ON CLOUD NINE
Reece Walsh is the rockstar of rugby league and Channel 9 is keen to leverage the power of the most popular man in rugby league.
Sport Confidential understands Channel 9 powerbrokers have held talks with Walsh’s management to discuss ways for the Broncos and Queensland Origin star to have a more prominent role with the network.
Walsh has become a social-media phenomenon with his Instagram following surging past the 500,000 mark in recent weeks _ three times as many as the 161,000 followers of Australian Olympic swim sensation Ariarne Titmus.
Mindful of Walsh’s social-media power, Channel 9 bosses are keen to tap into the Maroons maestro’s popularity to broaden their reach to a fresh younger audience.
The arrangement, naturally, comes at a cost and it’s understood Walsh’s asking price could be out of the network’s league budget as an increasing army of sponsors clamour for his services.
The tangible evidence of Walsh’s appeal was seen at the Maroons fan day on Tuesday when 7500 locals filled Toowoomba Sports Ground, screaming with delight every time he waved to the masses.
Queensland Origin skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has been blown away by the swell of support for Walsh.
“When I first got into the Origin side, probably Billy Slater, ‘JT’ (Johnathan Thurston) and Greg Inglis were as big as I had come across,” he said.
“They were as close to league rockstars as I had seen, but I would say Reece has now surpassed that level of fame.
“He gets a lot of love from the fans and it’s great to see how he connects with them.”
QUADE BACKS TITANIC MOVE
Former Wallabies star Quade Cooper believes Carter Gordon will be a success in the NRL and admits he wished he had the courage to also embark on a code switch to rugby league.
Wallabies flyhalf Gordon has signed a two-year deal with the Titans worth around $400,000 a season and will link with Gold Coast coach Des Hasler in 2025.
Cooper was on the verge of joining the Parramatta Eels in 2011, but got cold feet at the eleventh hour and remained in rugby.
It’s why he admires Gordon’s ambition and he believes the 23-year-old, who is set to wear the Gold Coast No.7 jumper, has what it takes to become an NRL regular at the Titans.
“He’ll be a natural at the game,” Cooper said of Gordon.
“He has the ability in rugby to sit on the gain line and still look like he has time, so with rugby league, the extra space between the attack and defence will be a thing of luxury for him.
“His kicking game, size and speed will be suited but the big difference is his pass.
“He has an amazing passing game, especially the length and speed, so that’s what I’m excited to see when he plays.
“Congrats to him for making the switch.
“It was something I always wanted to do but never had the courage to.
“It shows Carter’s mindset that he’s not afraid of this challenge and stepping outside his comfort zone.”
KIWI ORIGIN HITS SNAG
The NRL is awaiting a response from the New Zealand government before making a definitive call on whether to take State of Origin across the ditch.
As revealed by this masthead, the NRL is keen for an historic Origin clash in New Zealand in 2027, which would celebrate the 40th anniversary of the code’s first offshore NSW-Queensland clash in America.
But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo concedes there are a number of hurdles to clear, including a kick-off time, noise restrictions at Auckland’s Eden Park and how much the NZ government is prepared to pay.
“There are key issues which they are working through which we will wait for their feedback,” Abdo said.
“We think the idea has merit, but we have to work through the practical considerations and we look forward to their feedback when the time is right for them.
“There’s obviously a time difference so for it to be played in prime time in Australia means it kicks off quite late in New Zealand live.
“At the moment at Eden Park, there’s some restrictions around when they can have live events, so we would need exemption for that.
“That would be one issue, then investment would be the other factor.”
Abdo said Origin rights broadcaster Channel 9 would also be consulted on a possible 9pm kick-off time in New Zealand, which is 7pm in Sydney.
“Channel 9 would have to agree to it and that’s a challenging time for them,” he said.
“It requires a bit of work and requires them (NZ government) to come back to us with a proposal.
“We’re talking about 2027 so we’ve got a bit of time.”
BRONCOS ADAM BOMB
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds is targeting Brisbane’s Queensland derby against the Cowboys in round 23 as his comeback match from injury.
Reynolds tore his biceps in May against the Roosters and the Broncos are sweating on the return of their champion captain after losing their way in recent weeks.
The Broncos dropped to ninth after their third consecutive loss last Friday night against Souths and a frustrated Reynolds has been consigned to the coaching box watching on alongside Kevin Walters.
The sad news for Broncos fans is Reynolds won’t be back any time soon, with the classy No.7 still facing another six or seven weeks on the sidelines.
“It is a bit early to predict when he will be back but he is running well and his body weight is good,” coach Walters said.
“He looks fresh and happy.
“His return will probably be a bit later than (round 20).”
Broncos playmaking legend Darren Lockyer says Brisbane can’t rely solely on Reynolds to fix their issues.
“There’s no point talking about it because the Broncos can’t get him (Reynolds) back any time soon,” said Channel 9 analyst Lockyer.
“Every time we talk about it, I think it’s a distraction for someone like Ezra (Mam) and Jock (Madden). It is what it is.
“Bring Reece back in, there’s points there, but they still have to find a way to build pressure to create opportunities.
“At the moment, the Broncos are trying to force those opportunities without building pressure.”
NRL ON FIJI TIME
Rugby league’s expansion race has exploded with another applicant joining the battle for an NRL licence from Fiji.
Sport Confidential can reveal a Fijian consortium has contacted the NRL expressing interest in being part of the ARL Commission’s plans for a 20-team league by the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Papua New Guinea remains the favourite to win an 18th licence, with Perth, North Sydney Bears, a second New Zealand team and the Brisbane Tigers among other options for NRL expansion.
The NRL is keen to expand the sport to the Pacific as part of a “soft diplomacy” tactic to keep China at bay and the code has a history of producing wonderful Fijian talent.
Broncos legend Petero Civoniceva, Canberra’s Noa Nadruku, Canterbury’s Viliame Kikau, Semi Radradra and Parramatta’s Maika Sivo are just some of the many Fijians who have been crowd favourites in the NRL.
QRL BOSS’ POWER PLAY
Queensland Rugby League chief executive Ben Ikin flew to Sydney on Thursday for talks with NRL boss Andrew Abdo in a bid to secure a $30 million funding package.
The QRL is at war with the NRL in the courts over funding matters but Ikin is hoping he can eventually strike a deal to help rugby league in the Sunshine State.
The QRL’s lodges funding requests on an annual basis but there is a push for the NRL to sign off on a five-year term in line with the code’s next TV rights deal, which will run from 2027-32.
“As long as we get the base level funding right, there shouldn’t be the drama that’s gone on,” QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said.
“We’re well and truly at the table. It’s just a matter now of making sure the NRL understands why we are seeking what we’re seeking.
“Our funding hasn’t been approved at the moment, but we’re at the table and this is the most sensible way to sort it all out moving forward.
“I’m all for consensus. We’re all on the one side, it’s just understanding where all the pieces fit.
“Over the next few weeks, hopefully we will get to a reasonable outcome.”
SHOWTIME SMITH’S SAVAGE KO
Western Bulldogs premiership hero Clay Smith has made a stunning transition to boxing with a savage knockout win in just his third professional bout.
Smith put Australian boxing on notice that he is no mug after ‘Showtime’ produced a brutal 33-second KO of hapless rival Jamie Phillips in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
The 2016 premiership great wasted no time pulverising Phillips before finishing the job early in the first round with a devastating right hand which left his opponent sprawled on the canvas.
Australian boxing legend Barry Michael was commentating the fight for Channel 7 and was blown away by Smith’s one-punch power, simply declaring: “Oh wow” as Phillips hit the deck.
Smith played just 55 AFL games in an injury-ravaged career, retiring in the middle of 2018 due to a persistent knee problem, but he remains a Bulldogs favourite due to his heroics in the run to the 2016 premiership.
He famously kicked four goals to inspire his side’s preliminary final defeat of GWS before kicking a major on grand final day to claim a premiership ring as the Bulldogs disposed of the Sydney Swans.
Now Smith is kicking goals in the fight game. Since turning pro six months ago, the 31-year-old has won three consecutive bouts, all by stoppage, but his knockout of Phillips was his most brutal performance yet.
“He dropped him like a bad habit,” said Australian kickboxing great Mark ‘The Hammer’ Castagnini in commentary.
In AFL retirement, Smith turned to driving forklifts and after deciding to jump into the ring, his description of his boxing style proved prophetic as he iced Phillips with two lethal right hands.
“In boxing you don’t get paid overtime, so you go in, get the job done and get out,” he said.
“There’s not a lot of fancy footwork from me. I’m sort of stand and deliver.
“My punches seem to hit harder than my opponents’ do and they end up on their back and I don’t.
“Hopefully it stays that way.”
Panthers poach Parra young gun, Eels target Storm star
The Panthers have dealt a huge blow to their bitter rivals Parramatta, poaching Blaize Talagi in a stunning coup. But the Eels have already identified a superstar replacement from Melbourne.
Panthers to hold talks with restless To’o
Penrith Panthers have scheduled a meeting with winger Brian To’o’s management following revelations the State of Origin star is restless at the club.