Sports Confidential: Forgotten Dolphin should be in NSW halves debate, NRL star set to be cleared of rape allegation
Playing for a Queensland club often equals flying under the radar for Blues selection, and that’s exactly what Kodi Nikorima says is happening to Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa. Plus much more in SPORTS CONFIDENTIAL.
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Dolphins prodigy Isaiya Katoa is the forgotten man in the NSW Origin halves debate.
With Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses injured, the Blues are on the hunt for a new halfback ahead of Wednesday week’s series-opener.
Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes is the deserved favourite, but if he goes down this weekend then Katoa should be in the mix.
The youngster has been in sensational form for the top four Dolphins this year and if he was playing for a Sydney club the NSW media would be declaring him the next Andrew Johns or Cleary.
Instead, Katoa flies under the radar at Redcliffe, much to the joy of Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett.
Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima said his halves partner deserved to be in the Blues discussion.
“He’s a smoky,” he said.
“From a selfish point of view, I want to say no but to be fair, I think he’s ready.
“He’s only 20, but he doesn’t play like that. He kicks well, defends well and attacks well – they are the three attributes you need in the Origin arena.
“He is owning the team this year. Last year, as a young bloke, you can be stand-offish. You look at the players you’re playing with and they have more experience.
“I saw him in the pre-season last year and I knew the kind of player he was. He’s very direct and vocal.
“I’m very happy for him with the way he’s playing at the moment.”
Queensland NRL star set to be cleared of rape allegation
The Queensland NRL star at the centre of a rape allegation is set to be cleared of any wrongdoing.
Sport Confidential understands a Queensland-based player will not be charged by police after a woman withdrew a complaint against the former State of Origin star.
The NRL’s Magic Round last week was rocked by a Channel 9 news report that Queensland police were investigating a sexual assault claim levelled against an NRL top-liner.
The player is currently contracted to one of Queensland’s four NRL clubs.
Police officers attended the player’s residence for questioning last week to discuss an alleged rape incident.
It is understood the NRL player at the centre of the probe and a woman had been drinking heavily on the night in question.
The woman later made a formal complaint to police claiming she was digitally raped.
The Queensland franchise was made aware of the allegations and reported the matter to the NRL integrity unit, as is standard practice for clubs when off-field incidents occur.
But sources close to the Queensland club in question claim the player will have no further case to answer after assisting police with inquiries.
The Queensland NRL franchise has been in dialogue with police authorities and is satisfied with the player’s version of events insisting no sexual assault occurred.
Sport Confidential is aware of the player’s identity, but the ex-Origin star cannot be named for legal reasons.
Nine days after Queensland police launched a rape probe, no charges have been laid against the NRL star.
Contacted yesterday by this masthead, a Queensland Police spokesperson said the investigation has not been closed at this stage.
“The Queensland Police Service is investigating a sexual assault complaint relating to an incident on the Gold Coast on Tuesday, May 14, 2024,” the spokesperson said.
“Investigations into this matter are ongoing.
“As is routine in such investigations, no further specific comment will be made at this time.”
NO KEV-OLUTION FOR ARTHUR
Kevin Walters will hit the market in search of a new right-hand man after Brad Arthur was ruled out of a move to Red Hill.
Walters will lose his loyal lieutenant John Cartwright at the end of the season after he was appointed head coach of Super League club Hull FC.
Cartwright will return to a head coaching job for the first time since he left the Gold Coast Titans in 2014.
He has been Walters’ chief assistant for the past four years at the Broncos, helping the club bounce back from the 2020 wooden spoon to last year’s grand final.
Arthur was linked with a move to the Broncos as Walters’ new assistant after he was sacked by Parramatta this week – but that won’t be happening.
Walters said he would take his time searching for the right candidate given Cartwright will remain at Red Hill until season’s end.
“He will be a big loss. He’s been my right-hand man for the last four years,” Walters said.
“He is a good coach and you can’t keep them forever.
“We’ll squeeze every bit out of him before he goes. I would have been against him going straight away and Carty wants to stay and finish strongly here.
“We will be looking for someone, but I’m not in a hurry.
“We’ll have a look around once the dust settles. There’ll be some time and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of people.”
A Test, Origin and premiership-winner as a player, Cartwright has been an invaluable sounding board for Walters in his first NRL head coaching job.
“He looks after the forwards with their defence and attack – all the structures and way they play,” Walters said.
“He is just a good old pro. The thing I like about him is he’s played at the highest level with Origin and Australia and won premierships, which I believe is really important to have that mindset of what’s required to do that.
“His skillset has been great for our forwards. We’ve got a younger forward pack so his experience there has been invaluable.”
EEL’S CONTRACT CONFUSION
Queensland Origin hopeful J’maine Hopgood is baulking at signing an Eels extension in the wake of coach Brad Arthur’s sacking.
Sport Confidential understands Parramatta have tabled a two-year upgrade to keep Hopgood at the club until the end of 2027.
Hopgood is off-contract at the end of next season and the Eels are moving swiftly to prevent the 25-year-old heading to free agency from November 1 in the wake of his impressive form over the past two years.
But the Hervey Bay product wants clarity over Parramatta’s coaching position before he commits to a new deal.
Like many Eels players, Hopgood had great respect for Arthur, who has shown great class since his sacking, lauding the support of the Parramatta squad.
While he is a Queenslander, Hopgood is content at the Eels, but wants to know Parramatta’s plans for their next coach before he rushes into signing a new deal.
PUB WITH NO BEER
The Caxton Hotel is one of the most famous pubs in Australia. But the famous establishment in the shadows of Suncorp Stadium officially ran dry during Magic Round.
The ‘Cakko’ sold out of every drop of beer during Magic Round, prompting the iconic pub to send a desperate SOS to Suncorp Stadium chiefs, who delivered cartons of amber ale to keep customers happy.
It underlines just how successful Magic Round has become, with almost 150,000 fans attending the three days at Suncorp and thousands more flocking to nearby pubs and restaurants.
PHIN FORGOTTEN IN NSW DEBATE
PAYNE-FUL EPISODE
Superstar Broncos prop Payne Haas is set to be gagged over his family off-field scandal as he prepares to head into State of Origin camp.
Haas will be one of the first players chosen by the Blues this week if he comes through Sunday’s clash against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium unscathed.
Haas will go into NSW Origin camp on Monday, but it’s understood there has been a request for the Brisbane enforcer to be banned from talking to media about his family dramas.
Haas’ father Gregor Haas was arrested in the Philippines last Wednesday and could face the death penalty in Indonesia for allegedly trafficking 5kg of crystal meth.
The Sydney-based media will be keen to hear from the Broncos forward on the ordeal, but Haas has no interest in talking about another family drama after his mother was refused bail in December 2022 following a car crash that left three people dead.
THE KING’S DAUGHTER
A touch of Queensland rugby league royalty will feature in a major grand final on Saturday when Norths Devils and Mackay Cutters play for the women’s BMD Premiership at Kayo Stadium.
The Devils will feature Jamie-Lee Lewis who is one of the great stories of the Queensland statewide women’s competition.
Jamie is the daughter of ‘King Wally’ Lewis and is only two weeks short of her 34th birthday.
Yet she is one of the toughest members of the Devils’ forward pack, providing valuable service in the middle of the field in her unassuming style.
Lewis is part of a Devils’ team that has surprised many by reaching the grand final under rookie coach Meg Ward.
The Devils lost the likes of Jillaroos Ali Brigginshaw and Shenae Ciesioilka to new team Western Clydesdales this season but they have shone with a group of women who have been consistent throughout the year.
The Devils’ co-captain is Netta Nu’uausala – one of 12 siblings of former NRL wrecking ball Frank-Paul Nu’uausala.
PHIN-TASTIC DEAL
One of the NRL’s cult figures is shelving retirement after clinching a new deal.
Dolphins fan favourite Mark Nicholls will remain at Redcliffe next season after Wayne Bennett’s coaching successor Kristian Woolf took up an option for 2025 for the hardworking prop.
The 160-game veteran has been a valuable purchase for the Dolphins, playing 21 games last season and adding another 11 so far this year, offering vital experience during the club’s injury crisis.
Nicholls turns 35 in January and while few forwards can soldier in their mid-30s, the Dolphins bookend is one of the club’s most professional athletes.
“Mark was always hopeful of playing again and he asked the Dolphins if they could give him another year,” said his manager Shaun Pyne.
“Wayne Bennett has managed him well. He hasn’t flogged him in pre-season and he doesn’t do every training session, so that keeps Mark’s body in good shape.
“Mark has been sensational value and he will be staying at the Dolphins in 2025 which is great news.”
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Originally published as Sports Confidential: Forgotten Dolphin should be in NSW halves debate, NRL star set to be cleared of rape allegation
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