Sport Confidential: Peter V’landys open to Suaalii playing for Blues, Heartbreaking Kalyn Ponga photo, Josh Schuster’s emotional Manly farewell
Angus Crichton’s plans to head overseas to play rugby union are in limbo, Josh Schuster has bid an emotional farewell to Manly, plus a heartbreaking shot of Kalyn Ponga leaving hospital. All that and more in Sports Confidential.
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Angus Crichton’s plans to head overseas to play rugby union next season could hinge on whether Montpellier can avoid the drop in the French rugby union.
Sport Confidential understands that Montpellier are among the clubs to show interest in signing Crichton but any potential deal is likely to be contingent on the French side remaining in the Top 14 league.
Montpellier are in second last spot heading into this weekend, leaving them in danger of being relegated. That could mean Crichton remains in the NRL and given his recent form, clubs will be clamouring to speak to the NSW and Australian forward.
Crichton has been among the Roosters’ best since forcing his way back into the side and rival clubs are believed to be watching events closely as they wait to see whether he heads overseas or remains in the NRL.
While Crichton would be reluctant to play against the Roosters, they may struggle to find a place for him next season given the logjam in the back row and the constraints of the salary cap.
It may mean Crichton does a one-year deal in the NRL with a premiership contender before heading over to Europe to play rugby union after that.
SCHUSTER’S EMOTIONAL FAREWELL TO MANLY
Former Manly teenage prodigy Josh Schuster has paid tribute to his ex-club and vowed to resurrect his rugby league career.
The Sea Eagles and Schuster officially parted ways this week after a turbulent period with Schuster unable to live up to the hype of his mega pay packet.
“Since the age of 14, all I’ve ever known was the Manly Sea Eagles,” Schuster wrote on his Instagram account. “Through the highs and lows, I have nothing but admiration and respect for the club and people involved in my journey so far.
“Huge thanks to all the loyal members and fans who’ve stood by me and supported me and look forward to their continued support.
“I am excited for the next chapter in my life, and rugby league will definitely be part of it! Many blessings ahead.”
PVL OPEN TO SUAALII PLAYING FOR BLUES
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has rejected calls for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to be overlooked for State of Origin because he is bound for rugby union at the end of the season.
Suaalii has surged into contention to make his NSW debut on the wing after a string of strong performances for the Roosters this season.
That has prompted some to suggest that he shouldn’t be considered because he has already made a commitment to switch codes at the end of the year on a deal believed to be worth around $5.4 million over the next three years.
V’landys insists that NSW coach Michael Maguire should do everything in his power to win the series, even if that means Suaalii is part of his squad.
“As far as the NRL are concerned there are no constraints whatsoever,” V’landys said.
“It is up to the selectors. If they believe he is playing well enough, it is their prerogative.
“It is not up to us. They should pick the best available team. It doesn’t matter if they are retiring the next year or leaving the sport.
“You pick the team to win the match and that is what we want. It is our marquee event other than the grand final and you want the best players (involved).”
Suaalii is vying with Penrith winger Brian To’o, St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax and Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr to win one of the two spots on the wing.
Suaalii was part of the Blues’ extended squad two years ago.
PONGA PICTURE NOBODY WANTED TO SEE
This is the first picture of injured Knights star Kalyn Ponga who underwent surgery to repair his foot this week.
Ponga was captured leaving North Shore Private Hospital on Thursday morning as he made his way to the car with a walker. Former teammate Connor Watson was among the visitors to Ponga’s bedside in recent days.
It comes as Maroons hooker Harry Grant expressed his disappointment at the injury which will sideline Ponga for the entire Origin series, admitting a lot of Queenslanders would have loved to see how coach Billy Slater fitted the Newcastle star and Reece Walsh into his line-up.
The injury scuppered his hopes of winning an Origin recall this season and ended the intrigue around how Slater would fit Ponga and Walsh in his side.
“Very disappointing,” Grant said.
“A lot of Queenslanders out there would have been pretty excited to see what Billy Slater could have done.
“Kalyn Ponga is a player who has a great work ethic and he is mentally strong person to come through it.
“He will have the best of the best with the recovery. I am feeling for him.”
Grant said he planned to reach out to Ponga with a message of support.
“You probably do get flooded with messages at that time,” Grant said.
“I definitely think you remember it and it does go a long way.”
CONCUSSION CRACKDOWN
ARL Commissioner Wayne Pearce has revealed that the game is in discussions with one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of concussion over a potential speaking trip to Australia.
Pearce, the head of the NRL’s concussion committee, flew to Pittsburgh with Wests Tigers premiership winner Dene Halatau - a member of the NRL’s management team - earlier this year to meet doctor Mickey Collins.
Collins started the University of Pittsburgh’s Sports Medicine Concussion Program and advises the likes of USA Rugby, US Lacrosse, and Cirque De Soleil.
Pearce confirmed head office was keen to bring Collins to Australia to hold a series of seminars designed to educate coaches and officials on the latest developments in the field of head knocks.
“It is quite fascinating the work that he is doing,” Pearce said.
“We have quite a lot of initiatives that we have been working on for a while that are all aimed at reducing the likelihood of head knocks.
“It is something we are putting an enormous amount of energy and resources into. It is not just dealing with someone who has a head knock, it is actually how we can reduce the number of head knocks.
“We’re developing a program from grassroots to NRL level with better education around decision making on tackles, tackle technique.
“At the moment, there are unnecessarily a lot of players getting head knocks when it is a function of them not executing tackles properly.”
The NRL’s ongoing commitment to the area of concussion comes as the game digests the shock retirement of Cronulla forward Dale Finucane on the advice of medical experts.
Finucane suffered a series of head knocks over his career and was advised that it would be in his best interests to retire.
“I have been a huge admirer of the way Dale plays the game and has conducted himself over a long period of time,” Pearce said.
“For me, it was sad news.”
TIGERS LAND TURUVA
Wests Tigers have landed Penrith premiership winner Sunia Turuva after swooping under the guard of St George Illawarra.
Turuva, off contract at the end of the year, had been in talks with the Dragons after suggestions the Panthers were reluctant to offer him more than $350,000 per season.
It means Turuva will reunite with fellow premiership winner Jarome Luai at the Tigers and become the second Panther to join the club in four months.
It is understood he has inked a three-year contract with the Tigers.
Turuva had indicated his preference was to remain at Penrith but salary cap restraints meant they were initially in no position to match what was on the offer elsewhere.
The Dragons were believed to be in the box seat to land Turuva and offered him a unique deal which would have been the highest offer on the table. The Dragons deal ranged between $400,000 to $600,000 with triggers in the contract if Turuva managed to secure the fullback spot.
However the Tigers moved to the front of the queue to secure the reigning Dally M rookie of the year, who has scored eight tries through six games this season.
Another potential move to fullback won’t happen at the Tigers. It is understood the Tigers targeted Turuva to play in the centres and provide cover for superstar Jahream Bula at fullback.
Newcastle also showed an interest in the Fijian international after he toured the club’s facilities and met officials during the Panthers’ recent bye however the Knights never tabled a formal offer.
His signing is a coup for coach Benji Marshall and interim chief executive Shane Richardson, with Marshall having already led the chase for Luai.
Turuva scored Penrith’s opening two tries in their 22-6 win against the Tigers last Saturday.
He becomes the latest member of Penrith’s dynasty to depart the club as the salary cap bites. At the end of this season, he will join Luai and prop James Fisher-Harris in heading for the exit.
Turuva’s management met with Penrith officials last week and talks continued but the parties were unable to come to an agreement for the 21-year-old.
Fisher-Harris will join the Warriors after being granted permission to leave the club on compassionate grounds to be closer to his family.
The Dragons had earmarked Turuva to put pressure on Tyrell Sloan for the starting No.1 jersey.
With Turuva and Luai next season, the Tigers will have five Panthers premiership winners in their top 30 squad. Api Koroisau, Charlie Staines and Brent Naden are ex-Panthers already at the club.
The Tigers have lost winger Junior Tupou to the Dolphins for next season.
CRAIG’S CONUNDRUM
Melbourne are bracing for coach Craig Bellamy to make a call on his future and his decision is set to have ramifications for another member of their coaching staff.
Jason Ryles moved back to Melbourne late last year in a move which many believed gave him the inside running for the Storm coaching job when Bellamy eventually retired.
The smart money is on Bellamy going around again next season, which means Ryles is likely to come on the radar of clubs looking for a new boss.
South Sydney and Parramatta have both been linked with seven-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett should they decide to make a change.
One, however, will miss out and that is where Ryles could enter the equation. Bellamy is expected to be the first domino to fall.
“I honestly don’t know,” Grant said when asked whether Bellamy would continue to coach in 2025.
“He hasn’t told us about it. He still has the love and the passion, he still puts the same amount of energy into it.
“I don’t feel like he’s slowing down but it is a decision for him and where he is at.”
SAMOAN TOUR CONFIRMED
The on-again/off-again Samoan tour to England is set to happen with the historic matches due to take place at the end of the season.
Samoa are set to follow in Tonga’s footsteps after the Tongan’s became the first second-tier nation to take part in a fully-fledged tour of England last year. It is understood that Samoa will play two Tests in England while there is also a push for Samoa to take on Tonga before they fly-out for the series.
Tonga, Australia and New Zealand will compete in the Pacific Championships while Fiji is expected to host matches between Cook Islands and PNG after that part of the tournament was held in PNG last year.
FLASHBACK
One of the most bizarre stories happened on this day 25 years ago. Sharks boss Peter Gow punched retired international Barry Beath. Beath had objected to Gow cutting up the Dragons jersey of a patron in a restaurant at Cronulla Leagues Club.
GLORY-GLORY FOR SOUTHS TRAGIC
Renowned Australian country music star, Troy Cassar-Daley, will perform a number of songs in the lead up to kick off between the Rabbitohs and the Panthers next Thursday night at Accor Stadium.
Cassar-Daley, a South Sydney tragic, will also sing Glory-Glory to South Sydney in the moments before kick-off.
He will also visit Souths Cares’ program participants before the game as a reward for their excellence in their programs so far this year.
MUNSTER CLEARED FOR BIN BIKE
The Storm have been cleared of any wrongdoing after Cameron Munster was spotted warming up on a sideline exercise bike despite being sin-binned. Munster left the sheds with two minutes left to serve on the sin bin and was given permission by the NRL’s ground manager to use the exercise bike prior to re-entering the field.
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