Mose Masoe’s amazing progress despite spinal injury
For six weeks, Mose Maseo had been lying in bed, almost motionless. Now the former Roosters prop is amazing his medical team with his determination to recover from a spinal injury.
NRL
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SAINT
A year ago we smashed the ground staff at the SCG over the disgraceful playing surface for the footy codes. Miraculously they then produce a pitch and outfield fit for a World Cup semi-final despite days of torrential rain. We wouldn’t be in the T20 final without them.
SINNER
Poor old England getting eliminated from the World Cup because of the rain. That an event of this magnitude had no backup plan for a spare day is a disgrace. No team should be eliminated from a World Cup by bad weather.
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SINNER II
The Herald Sun in Melbourne has been forced to shut down all website comments on AFLW stories because of the constant trolling, harassment and disgusting remarks from online sickos.
SHOOSH
There is mail that former Knights, Panthers and Storm forward Clint Newton is in the running to become the new chief executive of the RLPA. He is highly respected and would be a great choice.
SHOOSH II
Which NRL coach was apparently involved in a punch-up with a fan in Byron Bay recently? His club is denying the story but a local source insists it is right.
SPOTTED I
Administrator and chairman of Parramatta Leagues Club Max Donnelly packing up his office after being retired by the Liquor and Gaming Authority now the club has its administration sorted. He is replaced by Greg Monaghan as the new chairman.
SPOTTED II
Newcastle Knights boss Phil Gardner at an important meeting in Newcastle on Thursday with Andre Ponga, the father and manager of Kalyn. The Knights have offered to substantially bump up Ponga’s contract for the next two years if he agrees to a three-year extension.
SPOTTED III
Four Manly Sea Eagles legends — Ken Arthurson, Bob Fulton, Peter Peters and Max Krilich — enjoying an early morning coffee at Driftwood cafe in Narrabeen on Thursday.
SPOTTED IV
Fox Sports star Megan Barnard leaving her gym in Paddington, where she works out to cope with her increasingly busy work schedule. Barnard is a commentator on the T20 World Cup final in Melbourne then will rush home to resume NRL duties.
SPOTTED V
Salary cap guru and club legend Ian Schubert returning to work at Sydney Roosters headquarters in Moore Park this week, six months after suffering horrific leg injuries in a motorbike accident.
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MOSE’S UNBEATABLE SPIRIT
THIS is the photo rugby league fans have been desperate to see.
Two weeks ago we visited footy star Mose Masoe in a Wakefield hospital where he is recovering from a serious spinal injury.
He had been lying in bed for six weeks, almost motionless.
On Saturday, Mose’s partner Carissa Crews sent us the picture of the former Roosters prop sitting on the edge of his bed.
He has also been getting around the hospital in a wheelchair and managing to feed himself.
His physios are amazed by his determination.
“He’s got a long way to go but he’s making positive progress,” Carissa said. “We are so touched from all the support and that fans are so interested in his progress.”
STICKING TO HIS GUNS
RICKY Stuart has declined an invitation to join the new NRL coaches’ association which is being headed up by Mal Meninga as chairman.
Some big names are on board including Trent Robinson and Des Hasler but the Canberra Raiders coach is not interested.
Stuart refuses to align himself with certain coaches in the game.
He does have a fair point too — in the cutthroat world of NRL they often steal each other’s players, have been known to stab each other in the back or push their own personal agendas.
“Look, at the end of the day, everyone has differing views and objectives in their working life,” Stuart said. “I respect that position but at the moment it’s not a priority for me, my team or my club.”
Listen in to our brand new The Daily Telegraph NRL Podcast every Thursday. In episode one Phil Rothfield, Dean Ritchie and Adam Mobbs discuss the Cronulla Sharks’ salary cap mess, Todd Greenberg’s future and expansion.
LATRELL SOLD FOR A SONG
THERE’S talk Latrell Mitchell was paid only $1000 to play the lead role in the controversial new Tina Turner NRL TV advertisement. This is why his agent Matt Rose was spotted at Moore Park headquarters during the week to discuss future promotional and marketing activity for Latrell, for which he will be properly compensated.
The NRL has set aside a publicity fund to entice the highest profile players to get more engaged in promoting the game in the media. Rest assured we’ll be seeing a lot more of Latrell in advertising campaigns throughout the season, especially before the Rabbitohs v Roosters clash in round three.
TWIN-POWERED ROOSTERS
THE Roosters are becoming the NRL’s new family club. There is every chance by round five of the competition they will have two sets of twins brothers at Moore Park, the Morris boys Brett and Josh plus Kiwi youngsters Moala and Lani Graham-Taufa. The two rookies are playing in the club’s undefeated S G Ball this year but are good enough to get a taste of first grade next year when they turn 18. Moala is a fullback, who has scored four tries in three matches, while Lani plays on the wing.
PREMIER PARTY
TODD Greenberg hosted a 50th birthday party for his wife Lisa at his local watering hole, the Oatley Hotel, last weekend.
It was a huge gathering that included NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, ANZ Stadium CEO Daryl Kerry, Brett Kimmorley, George Peponis, Daryl Brohman, and old Bulldogs legend Steve Price. No sign of independent commission chairman Peter V’landys.
TOP OF THE WORLD
FOR the first time in history, Australia’s female cricketers have outrated their male counterparts in the TV ratings.
Last Thursday night in the T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa at the SCG, the Aussie girls attracted more than 175,000 viewers.
Admittedly the girls were in prime-time while the men are in South Africa and their ODI didn’t start until 10pm. Aaron Finch’s boys got only 147,000. Fox Sports is expecting record figures for Sunday evening’s MCG final from 6pm.
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LEAGUE COMMUNITY UNITES FOR GOOD CAUSE
NOTHING brings the rugby league community together like adversity.
Former Hurstville United junior, St George Harold Matthews player and Canberra Raiders tragic Robert Harold was diagnosed with brain cancer five years ago. The 37-year-old has fought the disease courageously but was recently diagnosed with untreatable Stage 4 of the terminal disease and passed away on Thursday.
Prior to his passing the Canberra Raiders heard of his battle. Jarrod Croker, Sam Williams, Jack Wighton, Iosia Soliola and Robert’s all-time favourite Brett Mullins sent personal video and phone messages.
His partner Tara and their one-year-old son Rory face an uncertain future. An appeal has already raised over $4000. Fans can unite and donate at www.gofundme.com/f/robert-harold
BEST OF FRENEMIES
THERE might be some friction at the almost always independent Nine newspapers over the continuing attacks on former independent commission member Mark Coyne. Coyne is Phil Gould’s great mate and next door neighbour on the waterfront in Gymea.