NRL 2022: North Queensland Cowboys get tips from Green Bay Packers | Sport Confidential

North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten is in the USA getting some tips from an NFL powerhouse, the door opens for Hodges to bash Gallen and more in Sport Confidential.

Billy Slater’s Queensland team will kick off their State of Origin defence in Adelaide.

The Cowboys have gone global in their quest to win another NRL premiership after going agonisingly close this year.

North Queensland coach Todd Payten and football boss Micheal Luck are in the United States on a fact-finding mission.

Payten and Luck have spent time at NFL giant Green Bay Packers and college powerhouse the University of Wisconsin.

They are learning how the American franchises operate and hoping to pick up some tips ahead of North Queensland’s 2023 NRL premiership campaign after the Cowboys fell one game short of this year’s grand final.

It’s not all about work though. Payten and Luck will round out their time in the US with a bit of fun in New York City before heading home.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten is visiting successful American football teams on a fact-finding mission. Picture: Getty Images.

LODGE NOT BLACKLISTED DESPITE WORLD CUP SNUB

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys insists Matt Lodge has not been blacklisted by Australia’s selectors following his controversial omission for the World Cup.

It is understood Lodge personally reached out to Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga after the former Broncos prop was overlooked for Australia’s PM XIII clash against Papua New Guinea three weeks ago.

Despite finishing the season in outstanding form for the Roosters, Lodge was brushed by Meninga in favour of props Tom Flegler and Max King, whose Broncos and Canterbury sides respectively both missed the playoffs.

There is a view Lodge will never be considered for a green-and-gold jumper because of his off-field history, notably his American rampage in 2015 when he was arrested at gunpoint by New York police.

Peter V’landys has denied Matt Lodge has been blacklisted from Kangaroos duties. Picture: NRL Imagery

Lodge spoke to Meninga about his World Cup disappointment and V’landys insists the 27-year-old has not had his cards marked by the national panel.

“Matt was on the list of players that were considered by the selectors (for the World Cup) but he didn’t make the cut,” V’landys said.

“I am the chairman of selectors, I listened to the arguments and Matt’s name was certainly discussed.”

Asked if his chequered past is a factor, V’landys said: “Not necessarily. I can’t tell you why he missed out, but the players who were picked were also of a high calibre and, naturally, someone is always going to miss out.”

MAROONS’ HUGE BOOST AS STATE OF ORIGIN SCHEDULE REVEALED

Queensland have a golden chance to shock NSW again and retain the State of Origin shield under the NRL’s scheduling plans for next year’s $90 million interstate showpiece.

Sport Confidential can reveal Adelaide is set to clinch Game One of the 2023 State of Origin series, with the return bout between the Maroons and Blues slated for Queensland’s Suncorp Stadium.

That scenario would give Billy Slater’s Maroons a glorious opportunity to wrap up the series in straight sets ahead of the proposed Origin III clash at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

The NRL is working through preliminary dates but it is understood Adelaide Oval is poised to host the series opener on Wednesday, May 31, while Suncorp is expected to be handed Origin II on Wednesday, June 21.

Slater will be hoping Queensland can deliver the bullet to the Blues on Queensland soil to avoid a potential decider on NSW turf at Homebush, which is pencilled in for Wednesday, July 12.

Queensland will kick off their State of Origin defence in Adelaide next year.

Game Two of this year’s Origin series in Perth was held on a Sunday night, but the NRL will revert exclusively to Wednesday interstate games next year.

Queensland have fond memories of Origin in Adelaide. The iconic ground hosted its first ever Origin game during the Covid-affected series in 2020, with Wayne Bennett’s Maroons overcoming a 10-0 half-time to snatch an 18-14 victory on South Australian soil.

Due to Covid restrictions, Adelaide could only hold 25,218 fans for their Origin debut, but almost three years later, the NRL is hoping for a 53,000 sellout for the 2023 series launch.

“We had a lot of uncertainty when we played there last time,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

“We had a restricted build up and lead up.

“We had restrictions around what we could do from a marketing perspective, but also limits on the crowd because of Covid which impacted the experience.

The Maroons have fond memories of Adelaide after winning the 2020 series opener there. Picture: Getty Images

“To be able to go back to Adelaide post-Covid and have a full house and have the full Origin experience is a great opportunity.

“The thing we found, our fans travelled interstate, so there will be plenty of NSW and Queensland fans travelling for that experience of seeing Origin at Adelaide Oval which is a very historic ground.

“It will be great to see Origin played there in a different atmosphere but with the same intensity.”

The NRL is finalising its new season draw but the 2023 grand final is expected to be held on Sunday, October 1, while Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium is likely to be played from May 5-7.

BLOW FOR GALLEN FINALE

Paul Gallen’s retirement fight has copped a major setback with his proposed opponent, Matt Lodge, breaking down with a busted hand.

Sport Confidential understands Lodge was deep in negotiations for a blockbuster heavyweight showdown with Gallen, initially pencilled in for Wednesday, December 7 in Sydney.

But Lodge is currently in a sling after damaging ligaments in his right hand while preparing for his showdown with Gallen, who has one fight left on his big-money deal with promoters No Limit.

The scratching of Lodge opens the door for Broncos legend Justin Hodges to potentially secure a re-match as he chases revenge following his loss to Gallen in Brisbane in September.

Former Canberra grand-final centre BJ Leilua is another rugby league player keen to take on Gallen in his farewell fight.

MYLES AND GAL JOIN FORCES

The Rugby League World Cup always throws up a few quirky names and this one caught our eye.

Sunshine Coast Falcons prop Myles Gal made his Test debut for Greece in their loss to France on Tuesday.

Gal’s name is like a combination of State of Origin enemies Nate Myles and Paul “Gal” Gallen, who were fierce rivals on the footy field.

Greece was making its World Cup debut and played admirably in a 34-12 loss to France.

George Kambosos Jr. is set for a six-month break from boxing, but insists his career is far from finished. Picture: Getty Images.

KING GEORGE TO RISE AGAIN

George Kambosos is far from finished in the wake of his latest world-title loss to American boxing prodigy Devin Haney.

Sport Confidential can reveal Kambosos has already fielded offers from American promoters to fight overseas, less than a week after his second consecutive defeat to Haney in Melbourne last Sunday.

Before the return bout, former world champion Kambosos hinted at possible retirement if he lost again to Haney at Rod Laver Arena.

But the 29-year-old will soldier on. Kambosos will take a six-month break before weighing up more big-name, world-ranked opponents next year.

“To be honest, there are no more domestic fights for me,” Kambosos told News Corp.

“I will only fight the best in the world now on, guys like Devin Haney, (Vasiliy) Lomachenko, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia.

“I am still in the top pool of world-class fighters in my division, so there’s no need for me to go back to domestic fights.”

SPOTTED

Broncos football chief Ben Ikin playing in a charity golf event at the famed Barnbougle course in Tasmania alongside former NRL stars Craig Wing, Steve Menzies and Luke Burgess.

SPOTTED II

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy, former player Scott Prince and current players Keenan Palasia, Delouise Hoeter and Ethan Quai-Ward being mobbed in Papua New Guinea this week by rugby league mad fans.

SPOTTED III

New Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo holidaying with family on the Gold Coast before he steps into the furnace at Canterbury.

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Originally published as NRL 2022: North Queensland Cowboys get tips from Green Bay Packers | Sport Confidential