NRL 2025: Tom Trbojevic gets engaged to partner Kristi Wilkinson, James Tedesco opens up on Terrell May’s Roosters exit | Sport Confidential
He helped lead the Kangaroos to Pacific Championship redemption, but Manly star Tom Trbojevic has even more reasons to celebrate. Find out why inside.
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He helped lead the Kangaroos to a win in the Pacific Championships but Manly superstar Tommy Trbojevic has an even bigger reason to celebrate after becoming engaged to his long-time partner, Kristi Wilkinson.
Trbojevic announced the news on social media on Thursday night, posting an image of he and a beaming Wilkinson sporting an engagement ring.
The pair also posted pictures of their room in the southern highlands showered with rose petals. A host of rugby league’s biggest names reacted to the news by posting messages of congratulations.
Among those to reach out to the loved-up pair were Manly teammates Haumole Olakau’atu and Reuben Garrick, Gold Coast star Kieran Foran, South Sydney captain Cameron Murray, Penrith winger Brian To’o, and former teammate turned radio star Cooper Johns.
Trbojevic is fresh from playing a leading role in Australia’s win over Tonga in the final of the Pacific Championships. The Sea Eagles superstar overcame injury to play for Australia and win the Harry Sunderland medal as Australia’s player of the series.
TEDESCO’S SHOCK RESPONSE TO MAY’S ABRUPT ROOSTERS EXIT
Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco concedes he was stunned by the club’s decision to part ways with Terrell May but has backed their pursuit of Ben Hunt as he insists they will continue to aim for a premiership next season.
May was surprisingly told he was free to leave by coach Trent Robinson despite being a regular starter on the way to producing the best season of his career. His departure continues a changing of the guard at the Rooster as they reshape their squad.
“I mean it was surprising,” Tedesco said.
“I spoke to T (May) about it and he was surprised as well. He has been a great player for us. He came on through the state cup and got his crack in first grade.
“Since then he’s never looked back, he’s been very consistent and a great performer for us. But again, that sort of out of my hands. It’s the club’s so we will see what happens.”
The club’s pursuit of Hunt is also out of Tedesco’s hands, although it is a chase he is happy to back.
“I think there’s rumours every week, every day about someone going somewhere and a lot around Benny Hunt and different players,” Tedesco said.
“He is an experienced player who has played at a higher level in rep footy and with his club for a long time. So I think everyone would probably be trying to get him.
“Again, I don’t know how it looks for us it’s at all possible.”
NRL SINKS BOOT INTO RUGBY
The ARL Commission is set to reignite talks over salary cap exemptions for rugby union players at their next meeting after chair Peter V’landys lashed the rival code over their “attention seeking publicity”.
V’landys has previously flagged the prospect of cap dispensation for NRL clubs that sign union stars but the talk has gone quiet in recent months.
Those discussions are set to heat up again as the NRL looks to capitalise on the financial turmoil that has engulfed the rival code.
While Rugby Australia has endured well-documented financial struggles, the NRL is in rude health as they prepare to announce another year of record revenues.
V’landys was quick to put rugby union in its place amid talk that Rugby Australia could launch a bid for Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary following the early success of former Sydney Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
“I am surprised that they’re not trying to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady given their attention-seeking publicity,” V’landys said.
“I would be more concerned if I was them with the $80 million worth of debt that they have created which puts the whole game in financial turmoil.”
The NRL has already capitalised on union’s perilous financial state by luring Mark Nawaqanitawase and sevens star Nathan Lawson across the rugby divide.
It is understood more players have reached out to gauge the prospect of a move to the NRL and rugby league’s chances of luring more players across would only be amplified if the ARL Commission rubber-stamped cap exemptions.
Those talks are set to heat up in coming weeks as ARL Commission prepares other meet in the lead-up to Christmas.
“There will be (talks) because we have to look at some exemptions – when the credit card expires there will be a lot of rugby union players looking for a home,” V’landys said.
TITANS TO RE-SIGN FIFITA
Gold Coast are on the verge of landing a key signing as winger Jojo Fifita prepares to ink an extension with the club.
Fifita has one year remaining on his deal but the expectation is that he will sign a three-year extension to remain at the Titans with talks progressing positively.
ALL BLACKS SEVENS STAR’S NRL HINT
Melbourne look to have landed New Zealand 7s star Moses Leo 12 months ahead of schedule after the All Blacks international was given an early release from his contract.
Leo had already signed with the Storm for 2026 but the club kept a spot open in their top squad in case he was allowed to leave. If his Instagram page is anything to go by, it appears he will be in Melbourne this season.
“Just want to say thank you to NZR, @nzsevens and @harbourrugby for giving me a space to grow, thrive and showcase my abilities to the world,” Leo wrote.
“To all the people who’ve helped me in my journey through rugby in NZ, coaches, teammates, friends and family, I wouldn’t be living this dream without you and your ongoing support.
“I truly love all the teams I’ve had the pleasure to serve and am excited for what’s to come. In a bit NZ.”
He signed off with a lightning bolt, which is the logo of the Storm.
DRAGONS IN FIGHT FOR YOUNG GUN
St George Illawarra have a serious fight on their hands to retain one of the most promising young players in the game.
Lyhkan King-Togia played the final four games of the season for the Dragons last year in the halves alongside Ben Hunt.
With Hunt’s departure, the 19-year-old King-Togia has become an even more important figure for Shane Flanagan’s side as they look for a permanent partner for Kyle Flanagan in the halves.
Sport Con understands that the Dragons have tabled an offer to the teenager but it is yet to be accepted, leaving him free to speak to rival clubs. Watch this space.
FORMER REF RETURNS TO RUGBY LEAGUE
Former head of Athletics Australia Darren Gocher has revived his ties with rugby league after taking over as chief executive of The Family of League Foundation.
Gocher, who refereed for 20 years at all levels of the game, has more recently been in charge of Equestrian Australia.
The Family of League Foundation provides financial, social and emotional support to people in the rugby league community.
TOP SPOT AT NSW OPEN
There was only one spot better than standing behind Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert on the fairways for the NSW Open this week – playing with them.
That honour went to NSW’s champion amateur Declan O’Donovan, who only took up the sport six years ago but was front and centre at Murray Downs Country Club.
O’Donovan works in the Pymble pro shop as he tries to further his career, but he didn’t quite know what to say to Smith when it came to the biggest moment of the Queenslander’s career.
Smith won the 2022 British Open at St Andrews with a remarkable back nine 30 – catapulting him to worldwide fame and LIV Golf’s mega millions – running down Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland.
“Funny thing is Rory McIlroy is my favourite player and I always think about how [Smith] took it away from him,” O’Donovan laughed. “I might bring that up.
“I remember being so frustrated. I was right on the fence. It was my favourite player and an Aussie. My favourite player hasn’t won a major in a while and Cam had never won a major.”
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