Shock guest at Luke Brooks’ wedding, Semi Radradra NRL return | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh

Luke Brooks’ decade-long stint at Wests Tigers ended in unceremonious fashion, but one high-profile figure at the club still made his wedding list.

NRL 2023 QF Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders – Jacob Saifiti Daniel Saifiti

The Sunday Session runs the rule over the weekend that was in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.

SPOTTED

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe at the wedding of Luke Brooks and partner Tahlia Kormanyos last weekend. Warriors coach Andrew Webster, David Klemmer and Robbie Farah were also there, while Mitch Moses was best man for his good mate.

Luke Brooks with wife Tahlia Kormanyos.

SHOOSH

Which club made a serious play for ex-Parramatta flyer Semi Radradra? What killed any prospect of the deal though was the near $900,000 transfer fee to buy the winger out of his Lyon rugby union deal.

SAINT

Penrith Panthers star Jarome Luai, who took time out from his own surgery recovery to visit other people in their hospital beds.

Penrith star Jarome Luai spent time with a Panthers fan after undergoing shoulder surgery. Credit: Instagram.

SINNER

Those people who have called for players to be stood down from the Australian Test team for failing to sing the national anthem. Payne Haas, Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo were singled out but were among the Kangaroos’ best in the big win over Samoa. They all did their country and the jersey proud.

SHOOSH

Which player agent is set to quit his job to link up with an out-of-Sydney NRL outfit to work in the club’s recruitment team?

SHOOSH

Which NRL coach will start next season under serious pressure to hold his job, despite enjoying plenty of success. He is seemingly starting to wear thin on some of the club’s heavy hitters.

SPOTTED

Former Eels NRLW coach Dean Widders in deep discussion with Parramatta winger Monique Donovan at a Thai restaurant in Mt Druitt on Monday night.

SPOTTED

Tonga players watching on as Wigan beat Catalans in the Super League grand final.

SPOTTED

Sam Burgess jumping on a plane on Thursday bound for England to kickstart his coaching career at Warrington.

NRL REJECTS KNIGHTS’ PAY CUT OFFER

It was a gesture of brotherly love after Newcastle star Daniel Saifiti offered to take a pay cut to ensure twin brother Jacob remained at the club long-term.

The Knights are locked in advanced talks with Jacob and NSW Blues centre Bradman Best as the November 1 transfer window looms.

Despite Newcastle’s tight salary cap situation the Knights have been able to offer Saifiti and Best competitive long-term deals.

But in a bid to try and ease the cap pressure on the club, Daniel made the selfless suggestion to cut some of his pay packet to help the club afford Jacob, with the 27-year-old NSW props wanting to play out the rest of their careers alongside each other.

Daniel is on a mega deal worth more than $800,000 until the end of 2026 while Jacob has just 12 months left on his contract.

The pair both inked their current deals with Newcastle at the same time — back in 2021 — when Daniel had entrenched himself in the NSW team while Jacob had just become a consistent first grader.

Daniel Saifiti has offered to take a pay cut to help keep twin Jacob at the Knights long term. Picture: NRL Imagery

Jacob has now gone on to become one of the best props in the game and the Knights want to keep the pair together.

While Daniel made the noble offer, the Knights had little option but to reject the push.

Under NRL rules, players are unable to take less money than what they are contracted for.

Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary tried to do the same to keep the multiple premiership-winning Panthers together.

His plea was rejected by the NRL, however his current $1.3 million contract goes slightly backwards when his new contract starts in 2025.

That is despite the NRL’s salary cap rising.

The Panthers were able to receive some discount on Tyrone Peachey after the NRL approved a $100,000 sacrifice he was willing to make to leave the Tigers to join Penrith this year.

Which NRL club was keen to make a play for Semi Radradra but baulked at the $900k transfer fee? Picture: AFP