Sport Confidential: South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell does ‘shotgun’ with Luke Combs, Tai Tuivasa

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell wasn’t one of the 11 million Aussies who watched the Matildas on Wednesday night but he did steal the show at the Luke Combs concert. WATCH THE VIDEO

South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell was ‘shotgunning’ a beer with country singer Luke Combs while the Matildas were being beaten in the semi-final of the women’s World Cup.

Mitchell, a rabid Combs fan, managed to find his way on stage along with UFC star Bam Bam Tuivasa on Wednesday night at Qudos Bank Arena.

He celebrated with a shotgun alongside Tuivasa and Combs in front of a full house littered with NRL players.

Rabbitoh Cody Walker and St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt were also in the crowd.

Latrell Mitchell and Luke Combs 'shotgun' a beer together on stage.

JOHNS FEUD IS NOW A FIGHT

Andrew Johns temporary absence from his brother Matthew Johns’ show on radio station SEN has become permanent.

Matthew confirmed to Sport Confidential that his brother won’t be returning any time soon after the pair had a well-documented bust up in the lead-up to the State of Origin series.

SEN had been trying to repair the family fractures in the hope of convincing Andrew Johns to return to the airwaves at some point this year.

Andrew and Matty Johns continue to feud.

However, it appears they have fallen short after Matthew confirmed his brother would no longer be part of the show.

Plans for the pair to catch-up to settle their differences have been put on hold.

“He hasn’t been spotted off Nobby’s,” Matthew told Sport Confidential.

“Plans to catch have been put on hold. We might see him at Christmas ….. might.”

SEN chief executive Craig Hutchison had outlined plans to speak Andrew Johns following the Origin series in the hope of repairing the rift, which began when Matthew showered praise on Queensland coach Billy Slater, hailing him as “almost the best coach in the game”.

Andrew, a member of the NSW coaching staff, wasn’t happy. The relationship soured to the point that Andrew stopped showing up for his fortnightly appearance on SEN, where he was a regular member of Matthew’s show, Morning Glory.

In Andrew’s absence, former Brisbane Broncos player Denan Kemp will become a permanent fixture.

It's A Funny Game with Boo Bailey.

BURGESS PREPARES HIT-LIST FOR ENGLAND

Sam Burgess has begun compiling a hit-list of NRL players as he prepares to take over Super League giants Warrington. Right near the top of that list is his brother Tom, although Sam may be forced to wait to get his hands on his younger sibling.

Sport Confidential can reveal that Burgess is reluctant to speak to Tom about next year given he has a contract with Souths and Sam is still on the coaching staff.

However, he is expected to explore a move for Tom when his brother’s contract expires at the end of 2024 as he looks to give himself the best chance to turn Warrington into title contenders.

Sports Confidential understands that there is every chance Souths will allow Tom to leave ahead of schedule if he lands a multi-year deal from the Super League.

Sam Burgess certainly isn’t sitting on his hands as he prepares to dive into head coaching for the first time in his career. In between helping to revive the Rabbitohs, he has been quietly attempting to strengthen the Warrington roster.

Tom and Sam Burgess at Redfern Oval. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Melbourne centre Justin Olam, who has been out of favour in recent weeks, was also on his radar but has opted to fight for his place at the Storm. Olam is regarded as one of the most devastating centres in the NRL but has spent recent weeks in the Queensland Cup after losing his place in the Melbourne side.

It is understood Olam’s preference is to stay in the NRL and try to win back his spot at the Storm.

Former South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson has no doubt Burgess will be a success as a head coach.

“Sammy is a winner, he is a hard man,” Richardson said.

“He knows the discipline required to be a player. It is a big step up from where he has been but if anyone can do it, Sam can. He will do a good job for them. It is a big stage and he is a big stage player.”

XERRI WORKING OUT WITH UFC CHAMPION

Bronson Xerri has started working out alongside UFC champion Robert Whittaker as he steps up plans for his return to rugby league next month.

Xerri’s four year ban finishes at the end of November but under the WADA code, he is able to resume training with a team or using the facilities of a club during the last two months of his ban.

It means he can start training at Canterbury and working out alongside his future teammates from late-September. Only one problem - the Bulldogs season will be over and the players will be on holidays.

Bronson Xerri training with Roger Fabri. Picture John Grainger

Robert Whittaker (R). Source: Supplied

That hasn’t stopped Xerri ripping in as his painstaking wait for a return to rugby league draws to a close.

Whittaker has become a key ally in getting him ready for his return - Xerri has been training alongside the UFC champion three times a week.

Xerri has also been training with sprint coach Roger Fabri three times a week and his manager Matt Desira insists the 22-year-old is in great shape.

“He has been working really hard and can’t wait to get back,” Desira said.

FIJI ON STORM RADAR

Melbourne chief executive Justin Rodski has been in Fiji this week tying up a sponsorship that could result in the Storm taking a preseason game on the road next season.

Sports Confidential understands that the Storm have been locked in negotiations over playing a game in Fiji for some time and they are close to finalising a deal.

Melbourne have a rich tradition with Fijian players - as well as current star Tui Kamikamica, they count Suliasi Vunivalu and Marika Koroibete as former players.

The club was in the mix to start next season in Las Vegas but missed out when the NRL announced the four sides who will take part in the double header.

HASLER HAS THREE YEARS TO WIN OVER TINO

Gold Coast fans were rejoicing recently when Tino Fa’asuamaleaui signed a 10-year contract extension at the Titans but the clock is seemingly still ticking for the club.

Sports Confidential understands that Fa’asuamaleaui has an option in his contract after three years, meaning he could be up for grabs again in the not-too-distant future.

It leaves Hasler with as little as two years to show big Tino that he can turn the club into a premiership contender - the Queensland and Australian forward will be allowed to sign with a rival 12 months in advance under the current system.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita signed big extensions. Picture: NRL Images

Hasler was a driving force behind Fa’asuamaleaui’s decision to sign a new deal, having taken a personal interest in the retention of his captain.

He sat down with Fa’asuamaleaui and teammate David Fifita to convince them to stay, pointing out how he could make both better players.

The proof will be in the pudding as Hasler prepares to take charge at the end of the season.

SHARKS KICK OFF TALKS

Cronulla are ready to open talks with forward Toby Rudolf over a contract extension as they look to stop him going to market on November 1.

Rudolf is about to enter the final year of his deal and the club has scheduled talks with his management as they begin the process of extending his tenure at the club.

FLASHBACK

Canterbury star Hazel El Masri made front page news on this day 20 years ago. The Bulldogs winger kicked a world record equally 35 consecutive goals but missed his 36th attempt from the sideline. The Bulldogs beat Manly 56-24.

RABBITS UNDER SIEGE

The Rabbitohs coaching stocks are under-siege but the club has done well to tie down the impressive Ben Hornby on a new-deal.

While Sam Burgess is off to Warrington and John Morris is being heavily pursued by the Tigers, the Rabbitohs have fended off interest from rivals to keep Hornby at the club for at least the next two years. Rabbitohs officials believe Hornby is an NRL coach in-waiting and he went close to securing the vacant St George Illawarra job this year.

He will assume the position as Jason Demetriou’s senior assistant. If Morris does leave the club then the Rabbitohs will be on the look-out to add another member to their staff.

WA STEPS UP PUSH FOR NRL ENTRY

Western Australia is continuing its push for entry into the competition with their premier Roger Cook flying to Sydney to meet with ARL chairman Peter V’landys.

The top secret talks happened last Friday with Cook continuing to make a case for Western Australia to be part of an expanded 20-team competition. Western Australia is now in the box seat to become the game’s 19th side – with PNG slated to be team 18 – as Cook leads the charge.

Cook along with his deputy Rita Saffioti met with V’landys where its understood they continued to express their desire to return to top flight rugby league competition.

“It was a confidential meeting and accordingly we have to keep our discussions confidential So I’m surprised you know about it,” V’landys said.

“I was very impressed by the premier and deputy premier and their passion for the game.”

Fresh from hosting a successful double header last month, Western Australia has secured an Origin in 2025 and 2028.

The federal government is staunchly behind a team in PNG to try to mitigate China’s growing influence in the region.

The NRL will spend the next six months working on an expansion blueprint which is expected to include plans for a 20 team competition. PNG and Western Australia – who are set to align themselves with Newtown Jets – will be teams 18 and 19 respectively with another team in New Zealand an option for the 20th side.

NAPA PROVES HE IS NO SPENT FORCE

Dylan Napa felt he had taken wearing an NRL jersey for granted before he wore the Roosters kit again last Saturday.

Napa ran out for the Roosters for the first time in five years during the club’s win against the Dolphins. It was months of hard work where he not only had to convince coach Trent Robinson he was ready to return to the NRL but also prove to himself that he was not a spent force.

“I’ve had a lot of good memories in this jersey,” Napa said. “It’s been something I’ve been building towards all year. I’ve made some decisions away from footy and felt I earnt the jersey.

“I took the NRL jersey for granted during a period of my career. I had to work for this one and it was a bit sweeter.

Dylan Napa returned for the Roosters last week. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty

“There were nerves about letting my teammates down. That hasn’t changed throughout my career. That’s the main feelings I’ve had leading up to this game.”

Napa wasn’t happy with how his stint with the Roosters ended after tasting premiership success in 2018. He had a less than stellar three years at Canterbury but in the back of his mind was a sense of unfinished business at the tri-colours.

It was a frank to frank conversation at Robinson’s house earlier this year which threw Napa an NRL lifeline. He made his way back via NSW Cup before earning an NRL recall.

“It played on my mind a little bit,” Napa said. “I have a good relationship with Robbo even when I was away from the Roosters we’d kept in contact.

“It wasn’t daunting. It was two males having a conversation and getting resolutions and making a plan of attack to get to some goals. He helped me get to one of my goals.”

KNIGHTS PLAYERS SHOW SUPPORT

Newcastle players raised $13,095 to support the victims from the Hunter Bus tragedy. The players put together a host of auction items from their personal collections to raise some much needed funds. The winning bidders were able to meet the Newcastle players and pick up their items this week.

Wests Group matched the donation meaning $26,190 was donated.