What’s the Buzz: Coaches, players, CEOs, media personalities and WAGS in biggest rugby league feuds of 2024
NRL stars, retired players, coaches, CEO’s, club chairs, media commentators and even WAGS … Phil Rothfield ranks the 10 biggest feuds in rugby league right now.
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There’s nothing like a feud and a falling out in rugby league.
The game thrives on it. Passion, combat, tribalism.
We’re at the business end of another season and the combatants are getting all tired and emotional.
Hate is in the air. Insults are being exchanged – and in one case it even got physical.
Here are 10 of the biggest feuds in the NRL this year.
Corey Parker V Kevin Walters (and their wives)
You can’t beat a good old Wags at War story, although the denials on this one are coming thick and fast.
With the Broncos bouncing out of finals contention, the Brisbane media has been highly critical of coach Kevin Walters, in particular the local Triple M breakfast show.
And the co-host just happens to be Margaux Parker, the wife of Broncos legend Corey Parker.
It got so heavy that Billy Walters quit his segment in support of his dad. But it gets better.
Last week, Margaux took a heated phone call from Narelle Walters, the wife of Kevin, over the criticism.
Not that Margaux had said anything nasty herself … It was her co-host Greg “Marto” Martin who slammed Walters over the Broncos’ capitulation this year.
Margaux insists there is no drama between her and Narelle but confirms the phone call was made.
“Marto was questioning whether Kev was the right man for the job or not and he’s not the only one in the media who has said that,” she said.
“Narelle was absolutely upset by his comments. If Corey was being spoken about in a negative way, I’d want to defend my husband too.
“But Narelle and I have a 20-year-long friendship and it will continue. There is no feud.”
Margaux did defend her co-host.
“I can’t speak on his behalf,” she said.
“It’s not my job to protect anyone or tell him what he can or can’t say. He’s honest like he is on all teams. It’s not personal. He’s just doing his job.
“Whether the phone call was pleasant or not, the tone is not important. We have a friendship that goes beyond this.”
(Your columnist then received an angry phone call from Corey Parker, who described this item as “rubbish, inappropriate and unacceptable”. Another day, another spray, six again, play on.)
Andrew Abdo v Blake Solly
The clashes between the NRL chief executive and the South Sydney Rabbitohs boss have been the talk of the game, long before their latest heave ho over the timing of Latrell Mitchell’s suspension.
Solly, interestingly, puts it down to “creative differences”.
“Under Peter’s leadership, Andrew has contributed to a remarkable period of growth in the sport and some great results for the clubs,” Solly said.
“We have some creative differences and disagreements, but that is part of a healthy process for the management of the game.
“I think he is as passionate about rugby league as I am and that’s not a bad thing.”
Trent Robinson v Ricky Stuart
This one goes back a way.
It was reignited last Sunday afternoon at Allianz Stadium, when Robinson exchanged heated words with Canberra’s English second-rower Elliot Whitehead, whose hip-drop tackle put Brandon Smith out for the year.
Stuart would normally return serve but is a close friend of Roosters chairman Nick Politis.
It’s an awkward one because Politis’s car company in Canberra is a long-time third-party sponsor of the Raiders and supplies six vehicles each year for the players. Now they can’t put those at risk!
Nick Politis v Isaac Moses
If Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii wants to come back to the Roosters after his stint in rugby he will need to find a new manager.
Politis has given his agent Isaac Moses “life” for the manner in which he did a deal with Rugby Australia without giving the Roosters a chance to counter the offer.
They have not spoken since.
Moses has used others to try to broker a peace arrangement but Politis will not have a bar of him.
Nash Dawson v Chris Orr
The two player agents look after many of the biggest names in the NRL.
Dawson has Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow while Orr has Val Holmes, Jahrome Hughes and Selwyn Cobbo.
They recently had a disagreement that allegedly became physical, according to those on the scene, outside a hotel in Port Macquarie during a national schoolboys carnival.
We can guarantee one thing – these two will not be exchanging Christmas cards in December. And we’re still waiting for Player Agents boss Paul Massey to give his verdict on the incident in Port Macquarie. He’s been slow off the mark.
Gorden Tallis v Adam Reynolds
Gordie recently called on the Broncos to sack the 34-year-old Broncos skipper in favour of Patrick Carrigan. He also smashed Reynolds for taking over Billy Walters’ gig on Triple M breakfast radio in Brisbane when his teammate quit over criticism of his father.
“Billy Walters said no to coming on this station and his captain jumps straight in,” Tallis said.
“If one of my teammates said no to come on to Triple M, it’s one in, all in.”
Braith Anasta v Latrell Mitchell
You can’t be the host of NRL 360 and cover rugby league “from every angle” without having a firm opinion on Latrell Mitchell’s behaviour. On the F-bomb tirade on Triple M, the elbow to the face of Shaun Johnson or the more recent white substance photo scandal.
The pair took their disagreement on to the street outside Chin Chin restaurant mid-season. To his credit, Braith stood his ground.
Ray Hadley v Sean McElduff
The 2GB broadcaster has been the heaviest critic of the Eels, smashing former coach Brad Arthur and the club’s chairman Sean McElduff.
I rang him last week to ask why.
“Mr McElduff was appointed for his business acumen,” Hadley said. “He’s too involved in the football side of things and has presided over this year’s disaster – he thinks a football coach has four wheels.”
Chad Townsend v Todd Payten
The veteran playmaker was recently demoted from the NRL side after being told his services were not required next year.
This follows his sacking as captain at the start of the year. Both are off each other. They barely talk, according to Cowboys insiders.
Des Hasler v Tony Mestrov
The Manly chief executive sacked Dessie at the end of the 2022 season and the pair are still in court over a $1m settlement claim.
The Sea Eagles offered the Titans coach a $600,000 payout but mediation talks have failed.
Hasler’s departure followed his criticism of the club administration over the Pride jersey fiasco.
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