Sport Confidential: Cameron Smith close to joining Billy Slater Origin coaching staff
The Maroons will boast one a coaching team packed with Origin legends next season as Cameron Smith moves closer to agreeing a deal to join Billy Slater’s staff.
NRL
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All that stands between Cameron Smith and a return to the State of Origin arena alongside Billy Slater is a signature.
It is understood Smith has a contract in front of him to join Slater’s coaching staff next season and the expectation is that he will sign it at some point in coming weeks.
Smith’s signature will complete Slater’s staff.
He will work alongside Johnathan Thurston, Josh Hannay and Wayne Bennett as Slater digs deep into the Origin archive to ensure the Maroons have a fighting chance of regaining the shield.
While Smith, Hannay and Thurston will be regulars in camp, Bennett will be on call if he is needed and act as a sounding board to Slater where necessary.
BRONCOS HAND NRL OUTCAST SHOCK DEAL
Brisbane has thrown an NRL lifeline to Delouise Hoeter – six years after he last played in the NRL.
Hoeter featured in seven games for the Wests Tigers in 2015 but, since then, he has been an NRL outcast.
The 27-year-old has spent the past couple of seasons bouncing around various Queensland Cup teams – more recently with Wynnum Manly.
The Broncos gave Hoeter a train-and-trial deal but he has impressed so much that it is expected he will be given a one-year contract with a shot of returning to the NRL again.
DRAGONS PLAYING DANGEROUS GAME WITH BIRD
St George Illawarra is playing a dangerous game with Jack Bird as contract talks with the versatile State of Origin star drag on.
It is understood the club held further talks with his management this week amid growing interest from their rival clubs.
Bird, coming back from multiple knee surgeries, was among the Dragons’ best in 2021 and his preference is to remain in Sydney, close to family and friends.
Yet he also has a strong relationship with Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett. Bennett was at the Brisbane Broncos when Bird was lured to the club on a mega deal.
It is understood the pair have remained in contact and it would be no surprise if the Dolphins had a good, hard look at Bird as they continue to piece together their roster.
The Dragons want to keep Bird but they may have a fight on their hands.
ABDO SHOCK: NRL BOSS RUSHED TO HOSPITAL
NRL boss Andrew Abdo had emergency surgery last week after being struck down with illness which forced the postponement of a planned Commission meeting at the 11th hour.
Abdo had his gallbladder removed last Thursday after being rushed to hospital by his wife. He spent a few nights in hospital.
We are happy to report Abdo has bounced back and was back running the game on Monday.
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It has been some baptism of fire for Abdo, who stepped into the role in April last year.
He has impressed many with his handling of the Covid-19 situation after stepping up from the chief commercial officer role.
He is now in the process of overseeing what is tipped to be a record free-to-air deal.
That partnership between the NRL and Channel 9 is closed to being agreed to. Coupled with the Foxtel extension, the NRL are in their best financial position in their history.
Things are expected to get rosier as the game prepares to extend its naming rights deal with Telstra in what shapes as a landmark windfall for the sport.
BIGGEST WINNERS FROM PARRA’S NEW SIGNING
Embattled Parramatta have landed a crucial blow in the player market after striking a deal for Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson to join the club.
Hodgson will link with the Eels from 2023 on a two-year deal, taking the place of Canterbury-bound Reed Mahoney at the end of next season.
The English international will provide experience and leadership to Parramatta, easing the pressure on halves Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses.
Hodgson has 12 months remaining on his current contract in the nation’s capital and his decision to join the Eels in 2023 could prompt Canberra to enter the market for a hooker to work alongside Tom Starling — Sydney Roosters No.9 Sam Verrills and Wests Tigers’ Jacob Liddle look set to explore their options.
Hodgson has been a pivotal figure at the Raiders over the past seven years, having joined the club from Super League side Hull and quickly become one of the most influential rakes the game.
His signing shapes as a coup for the Eels given the recent exodus from the club.
Mahoney, Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali’i have all agreed to join rival clubs from 2023, while the Eels are fighting to retain prop Junior Paulo.
Hodgson’s signing helps stem the tide at a time when Parramatta supporters are asking questions about the club’s recruitment and retention policy.
Meanwhile, Canberra, Parramatta and Canterbury have returned to the negotiating table as they edge towards a deal that will see Bailey Simonsson move to the Eels and Nick Cotric return to the nation’s capital.
The deal looked to have stalled earlier this week but it is understood the Raiders have held talks with the NRL salary cap department about how to accommodate Simonsson’s departure and Cotric’s arrival.
The Wests Tigers are also in the mix for Cotric but it is believed the NSW winger’s preference is to return to Canberra. Raiders officials are now optimistic that will indeed happen and hope to have something finalised in the coming days.
Cotric’s departure will free cap space for the Bulldogs as they attempt to create room for the arrival of Mahoney and Viliame Kikau.
HUNI’S US ADVENTURE
Justis Huni is about to embark on an overseas adventure as he steps up preparations for his return bout against Jo Goodell early next year.
Huni and his father/trainer Rocki will leave for the US on Friday, where they will train with Manny Pacqiuao’s Australian trainer Justin Fortune.
The plan was then to spend some time at Big Bear, home to middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. However, weather conditions in America may mean they remain in Los Angeles.
“I got a phone call from them (Rocki) about a week ago saying they were struggling to get sparring partners,” Huni’s promoter Dean Lonergan said. “The reason they are struggling is because they (sparring partners) keep turning up and getting beaten.
“We were looking at doing two weeks in LA and two weeks at Big Bear. Rocki Huni hasn’t been out of Australia for 30 years so it’s fair to say it is going to be a hell of an adventure for Rocki.
“It is essential we go into this fight properly prepared because we are going to see the best Jo Goodell you have seen. We have to be aware of anything that can happen because we are in for a war. It is probably Justis’ first real test.”
QRL’S BIG CALL ON ARROW
Jai Arrow is expected to be available for next year’s State of Origin series after holding recent talks with Queensland officials.
Arrow was in danger of being ignored next season after breaching protocols during this year’s series. QRL officials insisted any decision on his future would be made after talks with Maroons powerbrokers.
Those talks have been held and it is understood that Arrow will be given the chance to pull on the Queensland jumper under new coach Billy Slater next year.
The news is a big boost for Slater, who no doubt would count Arrow among his certain selections.
SHOOSH
Which high-profile recruit was so delirious from the club’s altitude chamber he grabbed his bag and ran out of the club’s front gates only for the coach to coax him back inside?
LITTLE LOVE FOR DOLPHINS
The Dolphins conservative approach to recruitment has not been lost on punters. Their premiership odds have blown out $6 already to $34 having not been able to land a significant signing.
“A lot can change between now and kick-off to 2023 but it’s fair to say that the initial hype has worn off pretty quickly with the player knock-backs, and their prices have drifted accordingly with TAB,” TAB’s Rohan Welsh said.
“Like most punters, we probably thought they would have a few bigger names locked down by now, particularly in their spine and especially considering some of the notable targets who they’ve been linked with or spoken to.”
They have drifted from $13 to $17 to make the grand final and are at $3.50 to finish in the top eight in their first season.
COACHING SWAP ON CARDS
After reappointing Rugby Sevens coaches Tim Walsh and John Manenti prior to the Tokyo Olympics, then announcing they would have to reapply for their roles, Rugby Australia is set to swap them.
Walsh is coaching the men’s team and Manenti the women, but Walsh is tipped to return to coaching the women who he led to a gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016, while Manenti will take over the men.
Manenti has made a tremendous start to this World Sevens Series with back-to-back wins in Dubai. Walsh’s previous record with the women’s team saw him preferred for the role.
The men and women have recently started training against each other, and their programs will be closely aligned.
Meanwhile, RA has punted Scott Johnson as their director of rugby. As revealed in these pages on November 12, Johnson was told at the end of the Wallabies’ spring tour he is no longer required.
ALL BLACK ROC’S ON WITH JAY-Z
Rap mogul Jay-Z has signed All Blacks star Ardie Savea to his management group.
In a surprise move, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company announced the signing this week, with high-profile music producer DJ Khaled posting a video welcoming Savea to the stable.
Roc Nation has a multitude of entertainers and athletes on their books, including Rihanna and Alicia Keys, and have been expanding into non-traditional American sports by signing Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and English lock Maro Itoje, and football stars Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.
Savea, who captained the All Blacks this year, has announced a contract extension with New Zealand rugby until the end of 2025.
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FLASHBACK
Stuart MacGill was recalled to the Australian squad on this day 20 years ago. But the spinner’s inclusion had one caveat – fit in or you’re gone. MacGill was told he must work with the team and not the other way round.
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