What’s the Buzz: Saint, sinner, shoosh
Canberra’s relief after Jordan Rapana injury, while Canterbury hunt the source of the Dylan Napa tape leak — check out all the latest NRL chatter and more in Australia’s hottest sport gossip column.
Check out all the latest NRL chatter and more in Australia’s hottest sport gossip column.
SAINT
Wade Graham proved why he’s a champion when he dropped in to play Xbox with an injured Gymea Gorilla recently. In a visit not sanctioned or arranged by his NRL club the Sharks, Graham spent the day entertaining Trent Dixon, 13, after learning the junior league player had broken both his legs in a freak accident. While Graham might be a star when it comes to rugby league, he was very much the student on the gaming console.
SINNERS
Another year, another round of stories about how Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic have “reformed” and “grown up’’. Blah, blah, blah. We’ve heard it all before. Their match-up at Kooyong was embarrassing. Instead, we’ll be cheering on the likes of Alex de Minaur and Ash Barty.
SPOTTED
He is becoming a familiar face on the streets now he doesn’t have an NRL job. Making the spotted list for the second week in a row, ousted Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan was last week sighted running on a Gold Coast beach.
SPOTTED II
Supercars star Jamie Whincup attempting to wakesurf. Whoops.
SPOTTED III
A host of sporting celebrities at former Balmain player and one of Sydney’s most colourful characters John Elias’ birthday bash at the Garry Owen Hotel in Rozelle. Former NRL players Matt Nable, Steve Roach, Nathan Wood and Andrew Johns joined racing identities Kris Lee and Paul Snowden at the all-night affair. No phones were allowed at the function.
SPOTTED IV
Racing commentator Francesca Cumani staying cool at the Magic Millions hanging out at the Cold Coast TAB Ice Cube.
SPOTTED V
An email from the UFC in my inbox. With regular columnist and UFC hater Phil Rothfield on leave, the UFC made contact looking to get a sneaky item or two in the column during Buzz’s absence. Tempting.
SPOTTED VI
Wests Tigers star Robbie Farah whacking on his L-plates before leaving Fruitologist Union Place at Rozelle on a Vespa.
SHOOSH
Who was the punter who sent Sky Racing A colourful Christmas card? The cheeky festive greeting comes after a racing.com staffer posted an expletive-laden video on social media while at the organisation’s Christmas Party. The staffer took aim at both NSW Racing and Sky.
DOGS KEEN TO NAIL NAPA CULPRIT
THE Bulldogs are considering hiring a forensic computer investigator to find the source of the Dylan Napa sex tape leak.
Thrust into another scandal just a month out from the club’s AGM, the Bulldogs are concerned the leaking off the tape on social media this week could be another attempt to destabilise the Lynne Anderson-led board that was voted in last year.
And the club could have cause for concern given the tape featuring new recruit Napa surfaced four years after it was allegedly filmed.
It is still unknown whether Napa’s former club the Roosters were aware of the sex tape before this week and whether they had reported it to the NRL integrity unit.
Napa for his part made no attempt to deny his involvement in the incident when quizzed by Bulldogs management.
The Roosters premiership winner has been left shattered by the video’s release after working hard to win the respect of his new teammates since joining them last month.
RAIDERS’ WINDFALL
THE Canberra Raiders are set to become the latest club to join the player market after being granted a $350,000 salary cap concession.
Canberra had the $350,000 “relief’’ submission approved after Jordan Rapana was injured while playing for New Zealand.
Rapana is expected to miss at least half the season with a shoulder injury sustained in the Kiwis’ match against England in November.
It is understood the Raiders are in the market for an outside back.
The Raiders are not the only club on hunt for last-minute additions. The Tigers, the Sharks and the Eels are also under the salary cap and looking to bolster their squads ahead of the NRL kick-off in March. All three clubs are in the market for an outside back while the Sharks are also hunting a hooker.
ANGUS AND THE BILLION-FAN MAN
Here’s proof you need to grab your chance to spend time with cricket royalty any way you can.
The Roosters have secured the support of India’s captain Virat Kohli thanks to some quick work by Angus Crichton.
The former Rabbitoh ran into Kohli on Thursday at the Roosters’ temporary base at the SCG where they discussed their respective sports. Kohli knew the Roosters were the premiers and accepted a club training shirt and cap from Crichton.
Telegraph photographer Phil Hillyard also did well to capture some incredible set-up shots of the usually media-shy Kohli. Hillyard had spent weeks trying to secure time with the man with a billion fans but eventually got the go-ahead after noticing the Scorpio tattoo on Kohli’s right biceps and discovering they share the same birthday: November 5.
FAREWELL TO RUGBY GREAT
Former Wallabies captain John Thornett will be farewelled during a memorial service in the Noble Stand dining room at the SCG on Thursday.
Relatives, friends and rugby union supporters are invited to attend the service, which will begin at 11am.
Thornett played 37 Tests for the Wallabies between 1955 and 1967, captaining the side in 16 matches. He passed away recently in Batemans Bay.
SHOEY NICE FIT, DAVE
Life is good for Holden driver Dave Reynolds. He has a Bathurst title, a celebrity girlfriend and now his own T-shirt line.
Partnering with Aussie lifestyle action brand Unit, Reynolds has turned the infamous “shoey” — which he made famous by taking worldwide in 2015 — into a fashion statement in his all-new clothing range.
The V8 sensation has his eyes set on breaking through for his first Supercars title this year following a breakout season in 2018 that saw him become a contender.
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