NRL 2021: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak signs with NZ Warriors, Gareth Widdop, Matt Lodge on radar
After securing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for the rest of the season, the Warriors have set their sights on snaring another two bumper signings before the transfer window closes.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Warriors have landed Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and now they want Matt Lodge and Gareth Widdop to join the team immediately.
Watene-Zelezniak’s mid-season move from Canterbury also paves the way for the Bulldogs to make a play for outgoing Cronulla halfback Shaun Johnson from next season.
The Bulldogs met Johnson’s agent recently and are expected to make a decision by next week if they are going to pursue the experienced half to partner Matt Burton. Johnson’s asking price has dropped significantly and could be around the $500,000 mark.
Stream selected Fox League shows on Kayo Freebies completely free this June including NRL 360, Sunday Night with Matty Johns, Big League Wrap & more. No Credit Card. No Brainer. Register Free Now >
The Bulldogs have money to play with after Watene-Zelezniak was released 18 months early with his deal worth about $850,000 next season.
Watene-Zelezniak, a former Kiwi Test skipper, is expected to join the Warriors for the next 3½ years. With Watene-Zelezniak signing as a direct replacement for Ken Maumalo, who joined the Tigers this week, the Warriors are now moving to secure Lodge and Widdop before the August 1 trade deadline.
Lodge’s time at Brisbane will come to an end sooner rather than later as protracted negotiations continue between the parties to work on a split.
The Warriors are the frontrunners to sign the controversial Lodge after protracted talks between Lodge and the Knights fell over last week.
The Warriors have been linked to Lodge multiple times in the past few seasons, including as recently as November. That move never eventuated and the club signed ex-Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake. Lodge’s partner is the daughter of Warriors recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan’s son Sean is also part of the Warriors’ top 30 and will play this weekend.
The Warriors only wanted to sign Lodge for the rest of this season but that was rejected by the Broncos.
The Warriors are also keen on getting ex-Dragons skipper Widdop after Chanel Harris-Tavita ruptured his pectoral last week. Widdop is contracted to Warrington but is desperate to return to the NRL. If Warrington sign George Williams the Warriors will make a move to have Widdop join for at least the rest of the season.
GREEN LIGHT FOR WORLD CUP
The Rugby League World Cup will go on as planned despite concerns the tournament would be cancelled before of ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Officials met on Tuesday night with International Rugby League chair Troy Grant confirming it’s “all systems go” for the tournament in England later this year.
“Obviously the local organising committee are very mindful of what every sporting organisation faces which is the continual moving pandemic challengers,” Grant said.
“Every logistical challenge for player and official welfare and protection is being made and provision for. We appreciate the support of the RLPA and member nations who understand the value of the world cup and the opportunity once every four years for these players get to represent their nation of birth or nation of heritage.”
It is understood players will have to do a two-week quarantine on return to Australia but will not have to isolate when they arrive in England. There are no changes to the tournament structure, which will kick-off on October 23 with 16 nations.
“The Rugby League World Cup is dealing directly with government and the Australian and UK prime minister’s spoke about the world cup this week,” Grant said.
“I applaud the significant investment being made by the UK government and their historical support of rugby league.”
Players who make the final on November 26 will not return to their club side until just weeks before the start of pre-season matches given the leave period and quarantine requirements.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH NRL PODCAST
Phil Rothfield, Michael Carayannis and Adam Mobbs discuss two key players movements, as well as Origin’s detrimental effect on the NRL season, Trent Robinson reading Victor Radley the riot act and David Fifita being lashed with a feather for his latest off-field incident.
BIG HAUL FOR GALLEN-HUNI FIGHT
The Paul Gallen vs Justis Huni fight is believed to have generated at least 50,000 pay-per-view buys, delivering around $3 million, but Tim Tszyu’s camp is confident he will out-rate this with his bout against Michael Zerafa next month.
Tszyu is the No.1 pay-per-view boxer in Australia, promoter George Rose said, and with a world title shot within reach if he defeat Zerafa, the expectation is that fight could pull in at least 60,000 buys.
“I thought Paul Gallen reaffirmed just how tough he is against Justis, that fight was a good entree to the main course when Tim Tszyu fights Michael Zerafa on July 7,” Rose said.
“Australian boxing is in a really healthy position at the moment.
“Tim Tszyu is the superstar of Australian boxing, his performances and the showpiece events he’s been part of so far confirm that.”
Gallen, who earned an estimated $1.1 million, did a tremendous job promoting his bout against Huni, who is still learning how to deal with media frenzy.
Half the money from pay-per-views goes to broadcaster Main Event, while the other half is split between the promoter and all of the fighters on the card.
STARS WALK THE WALK
The rugby league community is rallying behind the Mark Hughes Foundation again this week with the annual Beanie for Brain Cancer round.
But the most committed bunch goes to a trio of men from the Hunter region who are in the midst of a walk from the NRL’s Moore Park headquarters to McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle in time for the Knights’ clash on Saturday.
Luke Alexander, Nathan Hill and Ethan Coker are leading the way and have been joined by a host of celebrities along the walk.
Beanies are available to purchase at all grounds this week or log onto https://challenge.markhughesfoundation.com.au/page/TheBigThree to donate
MAUMALO’S MEMORABLE MOMENT
New Tigers winger Ken Maumalo has spoken about his shock and emotional last game for the Warriors last Sunday which finished in a treble of tries. The next day he was a Tiger.
“It’s a tough one to swallow after being at the club since I was 17,” Maumalo said. “Just to leave the relationships is a massive one. It’s a good move for me and my family. They were tears of joy and sadness, leaving the boys but also looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Maumalo, who will make his Tigers debut against the Storm on Saturday night, was not meant to have a Warriors farewell. But when he spoke with Nathan Brown the pair agreed to give him one last shot in a Warriors jersey.
“I was supposed to be 19th man,” Maumalo said. “Rocco (Berry) pulled up sore with the hamstring. I went to the coach and I said I wanted to play my last game and he was all for it. He gave me a run to thank the fans.
“He hurt it at captain’s run. It was meant to be.”
ABUSE CASE CONTINUES
Police are still investigating social media abuse dished out to Manly players Sean Keppie and Marty Taupau. Both players made reports to police last month.
“There have been no charges over either incident as yet but investigations into the threats are continuing,” a police spokesman said.
FIFITA DUMPED
Andrew Fifita’s NRL return has lasted just 30 minutes with the representative prop dumped already from Cronulla’s side. Fifita did not travel with the Sharks team to face the Cowboys on Friday. Braden Hamlin-Uele is most likely to come onto the bench.
Fifita’s career is at a crossroad with a season left on his rich $800,000 deal. He took aim at former coach John Morris which did not sit too well with some of the playing group.
Morris overlooked Fifita from the start of the season and his recent performances in the top grade may have been a vindication of that decision.
FERGUSON SET FOR SWITCH?
Blake Ferguson could make a cross-code switch with the Western Force linked to the Eels winger. Ferguson has fallen out of favour at the Eels and is expected to leave the club at season’s end.
“I think he might go to rugby union,” colleague Phil “Buzz” Rothfield said on the Daily Telegraph NRL podcast on Thursday morning. “There is a Super Rugby franchise (keen).”
Ferguson was again overlooked for selection this week.
SHUTE SHIELD STOUSH
Cumberland City mayor Steve Christou has blasted the Sydney Shute Shield clubs who are attempting to monopolise the rugby competition by forcing western Sydney clubs to merge or fold.
“I was disgusted to hear of the attempts to force a merger of our local Two Blues rugby team with another club,” Christou said.
“It’s been orchestrated in secret by the elitist eastern suburbs and north shore clubs, just as council is finishing a new $13.5 million stadium and international standard rugby field at Granville Park for the Two Blues.
“The disappearance of the Two Blues will reduce sporting pathways and development opportunities for our young people – many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“It’s typical of the wealthier clubs in wealthier suburbs to dismiss the westerns clubs who have worked so hard to build the sport to provide opportunities for young people from lower socio-economic communities.
“Those hostile clubs, namely Eastern Suburbs, Gordon, Manly, Northern Suburbs, Eastwood and the University of Sydney, met to conspire to end the Two Blues, mainly so they could poach their players and extend their own catchment areas into the western suburbs.
“This behaviour will not be tolerated and the Two Blues will be heavily supported with every resource available to us.
“The hostile clubs have made a list of financial requirements for the Two Blues to continue to be in the Shute Shield competition, knowing they could already meet those standards, but that it would take Two Blues several years to meet them. This includes employing a full-time coach, having a minimum of seven grades, having a doctor at each game and a minimum level of revenue.
“Setting these standards behind closed doors without any consultation with Two Blues is an arrogant and patronising move from the clubs. They should be banding together to build their sport, rather than dividing it.”
ALL EYES ON
Ahh the old anxious wait for the respective Origin coaches. The Blues head into the round of matches fully fit which can only mean one thing. Disaster awaits.
FLASHBACK
Unlike the Maroons, the Blues had a genuine Origin injury concern on this day five years ago. Dean “Bulldog” Ritchie broke the news that Josh Morris was in doubt for Origin II after injuring his leg at training. Morris was later ruled out. Dylan Walker was promoted from the bench and Jack Bird called into the squad. The Blues lost 26-16.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
WILLIE MANU — 87 top grade games (50 for Wests Tigers, 19 South Sydney, 14 St George Illawarra, four Sydney Roosters) from 2001-15.
Willie Manu did well to carve out a 15-year career despite never considering becoming a professional rugby league player. He played Jersey Flegg at the Dragons before moving to south west Sydney where he trialled for the Magpies.
“The NRL wasn’t something I planned, I just love playing,” Manu said. “It wasn’t one of my goals to play first grade.”
So nondescript was his path to the top grade that Manu did not even tell his family he was on the verge of making his debut.
“I just went to training and did my own thing,” Manu said. “I was 18th man and was on standby for Terry Hill. They gave him until the warm-up. He told me to get ready to play.
“I told my brother to watch the game just in case but don’t tell mum and dad just in case I don’t play. In my first tackle I was speared and I was a bit pissed off and then I got speared again which led to a scuffle. My parents wanted to know why I didn’t tell them.”
Manu spent three seasons at the Tigers before switching to the Rabbitohs. He left South Sydney after one season and a wooden spoon before playing for St George Illawarra.
His stint at the Dragons lasted just 14 games because of an off-field incident.
“I got myself in a bit of trouble and it cut my time short,” Manu said. “Clubs in Australia thought I was a bit too much so I went to England.
“I thought I would go for one year and come back. I was at Castleford and we got relegated. I spoke to my manager and wanted to come home – he said it wasn’t long enough so I kept extending.”
Manu eventually spent nine seasons in England and reunited with Dragons coach Nathan Brown at St Helens where they combined to win the 2014 title.
“He was a lot happier the second time he coached me than the first time,” Manu said. “I lived near a pub at St Helens. He goes ‘if it was the old Willie we couldn’t put you near a pub’.
“I settled down.”
Manu finished his career with four games at the Roosters.
Manu, who runs his own concreting business, was part of Manly’s Harold Matthews coaching staff this year.
Woods roasts Tallis as ‘grub’ sledge ignites Origin war of words
Triple M stablemates Aaron Woods and Gorden Tallis are pulling no punches ahead of Origin II, with the former NSW star telling the Queenslander to get his facts right in their war of words.
‘Unnecessary’: Aaron Woods hits back at Slater’s remarks
Former NRL star-turned radio host Aaron Woods has stood by his “grub” sledge against Billy Slater, and argued the Queensland Origin coach went too far with his emotional retaliation.