Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights

Phil Gould’s Canterbury signing spree has left a rising star on the outer — and a host of rival clubs are ready to pounce. Buzz’s weekend highlights and lowlights.

The Panthers celebrate with the NRL Premiership Trophy. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the weekend’s sporting action in his column, Monday Buzz.

HIGHLIGHT

The Big Bash final in front of 53,000 fans at Optus Stadium in Perth. A magnificent sporting contest with the Scorchers winning in the final over. This tournament has been a massive success and far more appealing than the lopsided Test matches.

LOWLIGHT

The arrests of Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton in Canberra. Their alleged actions were probably a 2/10 on the scandal meter but they’ve still created unwanted headlines on the eve of the season.

Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell spent the night lockup.

SHOOSH

Which NRL media personality collected $15,000 on a first four at a Victorian race meeting last week.

SHOOSH

The Bulldogs are confident gun young halback Khaled Rajab will remain at Belmore despite interest from rival clubs.

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo spoke to the Lebanese World Cup halfback on Monday, following reports that he wanted out after missing out on a place in the Bulldogs’ top-30 squad for 2023.

Rajab has found himself well down the halves pecking order, after Gould’s decision to pay a $500,000 transfer fee for Queensland rookie halfback Karl Oloapu and give 33-year-old Josh Reynolds a spot in Canterbury’s top 30.

Rajab is an impressive young talent, who can play anywhere from fullback to the halves and even featured at lock during the Bulldogs’ run to the NSW Cup grand final last year.

Only last October, Gould responded to a question from a fan on Twitter, declaring Rajab would play NRL in 2023.

I’m sure he will debut next year. Probably at 7. https://t.co/1n6HabeW6R

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) October 8, 2022

Both have indicated their goal is to play NRL in Round one 2023. We shall see how they go. Training hard. https://t.co/iNq8BA54FD

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) December 4, 2022

Rajab told The Daily Telegraph in December of his desire to earn a place in Ciraldo’s squad.

“I heard about that tweet. Some of my mates sent it to me saying, ‘Look what Gus said about you’. I was shocked, I thought, ‘No way’,” Rajab told The Daily Telegraph.

“As a kid this is what you dream of.

“For Gus to even mention I might have a chance to play NRL, I’m grateful. It makes me want to work harder to get that shot.”

However, despite Gould’s praise, Rajab wasn’t able to force his way into the top 30.

Not in 2023 https://t.co/4xmsAYtjLq

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) February 1, 2023

SHOOSH

Rugby league plans to host the 2025 World Cup in France have hit a major hurdle. There is talk of the French government withdrawing $12 million worth of funding for the tournament because of financial pressure in European countries.

SPOTTED

Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys having lunch with three club chairmen – the Roosters’ Nick Politis, the Rabbitohs’ Nick Pappas and the Wests Tigers’ Lee Hagipantelis - at the beautiful Italian restaurant Grappa in Leichhardt.

SPOTTED

A stack of rugby league types at the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at Accor Stadium - Brad Fittler, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason Saab, Wendell Sailor, Sam Burgess and his new partner Lucy Graham, Greg Inglis and his wife Alyse, Souths coach Jason Demetriou and Bulldogs assistant coach Mick Potter.

SPOTTED

Broncos stars Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Kotoni Staggs having dinner in Greenacre on Friday night with ex-team mate Tevita Pangai Jr. The Broncos had been in town for TV shoots with Channel 9 and Fox Sports.

BIG BREKKY

Catch you on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning at 7.10am with Laurie Daley, Michael Clarke and Gerard Middleton to discuss the big issues in rugby league.