Monday Buzz: Roosters boss responds to ‘crazy’ Cameron Murray signing rumour

Question marks over Canterbury’s big recruit, crazy NRL signing rumour and more — check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another big weekend.

St Helens prop Alex Walmsley was superb against the Roosters. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

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Check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another big weekend in sport.

HIGHLIGHT

The magnificent atmosphere inside Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens with a near full house of 16,108. This is a fantastic boutique venue that sure beats playing NRL games in Sydney at big empty stadiums.

LOWLIGHT

We’re wondering if Canterbury have signed the wrong front-rower. Inexplicably, new signing Luke Thompson was named St Helens’ man of the match. He ran the footy for only 80m and was outplayed by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Siosiua Taukeiaho. The Saints’ best player was Thompson’s front-row partner Alex Walmsley. He ran for a game-high 170m.

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St Helens prop Alex Walmsley was superb against the Roosters. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

SHOOSH

There has been a crazy rumour doing the rounds that the Roosters are poised to entice glamour forward Cameron Murray from arch-rivals South Sydney later this year. Chairman Nick Politis is a fan but insists the story is not right.

SPOTTED

Ricky Wilby, the chief executive of New York’s rugby league franchise, having a coffee with Roosters coach Trent Robinson in Manchester and chatting about the challenges of setting up a new team in the UK Super League. They are old mates from Catalans.

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SPOTTED II

Most of the Roosters’ high-powered board members were here for the big game. Yet unlike other clubs and their freeloaders, directors paid for their own airfares, accommodation and meals. It’s the same when the team travels in Australia. They always pay for themselves.

A BRISSIE BEAVER?

Your columnist broke the story from Perth about Wayne Bennett’s time running out at the Rabbitohs. It would be wonderful for the game if the 70-year-old super coach moved back to Brisbane to become the face of a 17th team. His first game against the Broncos would sell out Suncorp.

Could Wayne Bennett return to Brisbane? Picture: Getty Images

CHOOK SHORT-CHANGED

Trent Robinson had to apologise to young hooker Sam Verrills after the win over St Helens. When Angus Crichton had to be replaced after a head knock, it forced a change in rotation plans. Verrills only got the last five minutes, instead of the planned 30.