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NRL Daily: Parra panic as Moeroa spotted in boot
In a major concern for Parramatta's injury-stricken pack, forward Tepai Moeroa has been spotted at training with his left foot in a boot. Rolling league coverage.
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Penrith supremo Phil Gould has warned the NRL off the idea of relocation to help expansion, with Kiwi star Shaun Johnson also voicing concern.
Expansion is back on the agenda after NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg backed the prospect of more games in more areas – namely Perth and a second Brisbane side – come the next television dealin 2023.
Greenberg is currently heading a footprint study for the game due by the end of this year, hailed by ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie as the most professional analysis of expansion to date.
In an interview on Nine’s 100 Per Cent Football on Monday, Greenberg was unsure if there was enough talent to add two more teams and floated the idea of criteria and metrics around Sydney clubs.
Former Super League chief John Ribot also called for Sydney teams to be relocated earlier this week, given the nine franchises in a confined space.
But Gould warned there would likely be mixed reaction if a move was forced.
“Can you imagine if Ipswich or Redcliffe was to be given a franchise, but we’re going to move a team from Sydney … Do the locals feel like it’s their team? I wouldn’t think so,” Gould said on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“I don’t know (if it would work in Perth). Relocation is a safe way of saying ‘you’re done, you have to move’.
“I remember distinctly when South Sydney were removed from the competition and the trouble it caused. People walked the streets to have them reinstated.”
Gould also reasoned that if player development was improved, there would be enough talent to expand the game with extra teams.
His comments came as Kiwi star Johnson – whose native New Zealand also remain an expansion option through a second side-argued that fans wouldn’t follow or welcome relocated teams.
“I’ll use this place (Cronulla) for an example: I couldn’t imagine a club with as much history as the Sharks relocating,” Johnson said.
“I don’t know how those fans would react.
“I don’t really get the idea of relocating more than anything. You may as well just start fresh and throw a new team in.”
– Scott Bailey
GOULD, JOHNSON WARN OFF NRL RELOCATION
Penrith supremo Phil Gould has warned the NRL off the idea of relocation to help expansion, with Kiwi star Shaun Johnson also voicing concern.
Expansion is back on the agenda after NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg backed the prospect of more games in more areas – namely Perth and a second Brisbane side – come the next television dealin 2023.
Greenberg is currently heading a footprint study for the game due by the end of this year, hailed by ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie as the most professional analysis of expansion to date.
In an interview on Nine’s 100 Per Cent Football on Monday, Greenberg was unsure if there was enough talent to add two more teams and floated the idea of criteria and metrics around Sydney clubs.
Former Super League chief John Ribot also called for Sydney teams to be relocated earlier this week, given the nine franchises in a confined space.
But Gould warned there would likely be mixed reaction if a move was forced.
“Can you imagine if Ipswich or Redcliffe was to be given a franchise, but we’re going to move a team from Sydney … Do the locals feel like it’s their team? I wouldn’t think so,” Gould said on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“I don’t know (if it would work in Perth). Relocation is a safe way of saying ‘you’re done, you have to move’.
“I remember distinctly when South Sydney were removed from the competition and the trouble it caused. People walked the streets to have them reinstated.”
Gould also reasoned that if player development was improved, there would be enough talent to expand the game with extra teams.
His comments came as Kiwi star Johnson – whose native New Zealand also remain an expansion option through a second side-argued that fans wouldn’t follow or welcome relocated teams.
“I’ll use this place (Cronulla) for an example: I couldn’t imagine a club with as much history as the Sharks relocating,” Johnson said.
“I don’t know how those fans would react.
“I don’t really get the idea of relocating more than anything. You may as well just start fresh and throw a new team in.”
– Scott Bailey
FOND TITANS MEMORIES DRIVE NO.7 JACKS
Ryley Jacks admits he was always a Gold Coast fan, despite growing up in Brisbane.
So it’s no surprise the 26-year-old is nervous as he prepares to don the same No.7 Titans jersey worn by his idol Scott Prince on Saturday.
The halfback played 25 games for Melbourne before taking his chances with a move north this year.
It has only taken one NRL game for an opportunity to arise, with both Ashley Taylor (quad) and Tyrone Roberts (Achilles) on the sidelines.
In Jacks, coach Garth Brennan has a ready-made replacement keen to prove himself against Cronulla on Saturday.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen next week, so I’m going to be treating it like this is my one chance,” Jacks said as he aims to cement a first-grade spot.
“It feels like I’m debuting again.
“It’s a team I’ve followed since I was a kid watching Scotty Prince play and Preston Campbell … (Prince was) someone that I loved watching and hopefully we can bring back that winning culture they had.”
Jacks will partner AJ Brimson in the halves and plans on doing the groundwork required to let the speedy playmaker off the leash.
“AJ’s looking for me to be that calm head out there and call a lot of the plays and that allows him to see what he sees in the defensive line,” he said.
“(In Melbourne I learnt to) be calm, know what plays to call in certain times of the game – you get rattled if you’re not thinking ahead.”
– Murray Wenzel, AAP
BRAILEY'S THRIVE WITH BROTHERLY BOND
Cronulla brothers Jayden and Blayke Brailey are relishing the opportunity to play in the NRL together despite the likely reality they’ll one day have to part to each fulfil their goals of being starting hookers.
Young star Blayke will again come off the bench on Saturday night against Gold Coast, after making his debut in the Sharks’ loss to Newcastle last Thursday.
One of the most in-demand young players in the game, the 20-year-old is off-contract but has put off talks with rival clubs while focusing on the biggest few months of his career so far.
“This stage (of fighting for the same spot) came quicker than we thought,” Blayke admitted to AAP.
“It’s a tough one, I always get asked it but I’m just happy playing with him at the moment.
“I haven’t been talking to any other clubs, we’ve just put that on hold for the moment. We’re just enjoying playing together at the moment.”
The Sharks have already started moves to keep the former under-20s Kangaroos hooker, who has risen through their ranks from local junior club Aquinas Colts.
Considered on the fringe of first grade for all of last year, the dummy-half played under new coach John Morris in under-20s as part of a team that twice finished in the top four.
“This is probably our fourth year together. We’ve got a good bond,” Blayke said. “I know what I’ve got to do for him, he knows what he wants from me.
“Our gameplan is pretty much the same; to fit into the first grade role under Johnny was a pretty easy and comfortable transition.”
Blayke’s debut came two years after Jayden also made his debut as a 20-year-old, under former coach Shane Flanagan.
“It’s hard because we both want to be on top of the game and in a starting hooking role at a club,” Jayden, off contract in 2020, said.
“It’s hard obviously being at the same club. But we’re both only young and only just coming into the game.
“At the moment we’re really just enjoying it but somewhere down the track it (playing apart) might have to end up happening.”
– Scott Bailey
A usually laid back Jordan Rapana’s mission to play two months ahead of schedule was initially laughed off by his Canberra teammates.
But the star winger ramped up his training to complete a miraculous early return from shoulder surgery for the Raiders’ NRL round two match.
An initial diagnosis following his injury playing for New Zealand in November had him back playing for the Green Machine mid-season.
As recently as two weeks ago, the club’s injury reports cautiously had him returning in about round 10.
Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker said the 29-year-old’s new-found training work ethic had been amazing to see.
“He made a bit of a pact to himself about how he wanted to get back early,” Croker told reporters.
“He was telling us all in November how he was going to be back towards the start of the season and we all just laughed it off.
“But he’s worked so hard, done all his rehab … and to his credit got himself ready to go.” Rapana’s return is a major boost for the Raiders as they enter their clash with Melbourne on Friday night buoyant following a 21-0 round-one victory against Gold Coast.
Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson says Rapana won’t be eased into action through limited minutes.
“You can’t be playing someone if you think they’re only going to be punching in 50 or 60 minutes out, especially on the wing,” Hodgson said. “It’s probably the hardest I’ve ever seen him train during his career. “He’s not renowned for being the hardest trainer in the world … but he just knuckled down and did what he was told to in the gym.”
The Raiders were granted salary cap relief by the NRL because his injury happened during an international game, but opted against using it.
– Oliver Caffrey, AAP
PARRA SCARE AS MOEROA SPOTTED IN BOOT
By Nick Walshaw
Parramatta forward Tepai Moeroa was spotted at training today with his left foot in a boot, however Eels officials insist he will be fit for Sunday's clash with Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.
Given prop Nathan Brown is already set to be out for up to three months with a torn pec, another injury to a starting forward would cause serious headaches for Eels coach Brad Arthur.
However when quizzed on Moeroa's boot, a Parramatta staffer said it was simply a precautionary measure to protect "a minor" foot injury".
Moeroa has been named at lock for the Bulldogs clash.
The 23-year-old will switch from prop to Brown, who suffered a torn pectoral in the season opening win over Penrith.
Raiders recruit Junior Paulo, who is set to come into the side at No.10, trained solidly during a team ballwork session at Eels HQ.
Wayne Bennett has hit back at the Sydney Roosters after their criticism of South Sydney playmaker Cody Walker, calling them “immature”.
Walker was labelled “disrespectful” by Rooster Luke Keary for sledging during the Rabbitohs’ 26-16 round-one NRL victory over the defending premiers.
Walker and Roosters star Cooper Cronk exchanged unpleasantries late in the second half, prompting a minor melee between the rival clubs.
“I don’t know what all the noise was about. What I know sledging to be, that wasn’t sledging,” Bennett said on Wednesday.
“There’s three key words we use today, mate: Leadership, disrespectful and consistency. And most of the time it wasn’t disrespectful.
“It’s two guys having a go at each other, simple as that.”
Earlier this week, Keary, a member of the Rabbitohs’ premiershipside in 2014, said it was merely how Walker “plays the game”.
The Roosters five-eighth also said Walker’s comments could come back to haunt him, but Bennett believed the reaction was excessive.
“It’s the immaturity we have in the game today,” Bennett said. “The man psyche is, ‘Get off the field, forget about it andmove on with life.’ Some of the boys just don’t grow up early enough any more.”
Pressed on whether he addressed the issue with Walker, Bennett said: “Haven’t said a word to him. I’m not going to waste my time talking about rubbish.”
– Matt Encarnacion
How Rapana beat the odds for early return
A usually laid back Jordan Rapana’s mission to play two months ahead of schedule was initially laughed off by his Canberra teammates.
But the star winger ramped up his training to complete a miraculous early return from shoulder surgery for the Raiders’ NRL round two match.
An initial diagnosis following his injury playing for New Zealand in November had him back playing for the Green Machine mid-season.
As recently as two weeks ago, the club’s injury reports cautiously had him returning in about round 10.
Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker said the 29-year-old’s new-found training work ethic had been amazing to see.
“He made a bit of a pact to himself about how he wanted to get back early,” Croker told reporters.
“He was telling us all in November how he was going to be back towards the start of the season and we all just laughed it off.
“But he’s worked so hard, done all his rehab … and to his credit got himself ready to go.” Rapana’s return is a major boost for the Raiders as they enter their clash with Melbourne on Friday night buoyant following a 21-0 round-one victory against Gold Coast.
Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson says Rapana won’t be eased into action through limited minutes.
“You can’t be playing someone if you think they’re only going to be punching in 50 or 60 minutes out, especially on the wing,” Hodgson said. “It’s probably the hardest I’ve ever seen him train during his career. “He’s not renowned for being the hardest trainer in the world … but he just knuckled down and did what he was told to in the gym.”
The Raiders were granted salary cap relief by the NRL because his injury happened during an international game, but opted against using it.
– Oliver Caffrey, AAP
Given some of the things Milford has done against the Broncos in the past it's hard to argue with him……
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