Monday Buzz highlights, lowlights: Eels and Tigers kick off fresh NRL rivalry
Rugby league has a new rivalry to challenge the greatest in the game and it involves two feuding Sydney clubs, the “next Payne Haas” and an all-expenses paid trip for a manager.
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Rugby league has a new bitter rivalry that will light up the NRL next season.
It’s not quite the Roosters and the Rabbitohs but certainly up there with the best feuds in the game.
We’re talking the Parramatta Eels and the Wests Tigers and recent issues between the two clubs. Parramatta are about to lodge a complaint with the NRL over the poaching of their outstanding young front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu.
MORE BUZZ: Secret changes NRL doesn’t want you to know
The boom forward signed with the Wests Tigers last week on a three-year contract worth almost $1 million.
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Utoikamanu is a local version of Payne Haas — he’s 192cm and 115kg — and played for the Blues under-20s last season. Good judges believe he is ready to play first grade.
Many see it as a payback signing for the Eels pinching Ryan Matterson, who broke his contract at the Wests Tigers to return to Parramatta.
The Eels are claiming to have evidence of a potential breach of anti-tampering rules.
That negotiations were well down the track before November 1.
This is denied by the Wests Tigers but we can confirm Utoikamanu’s manager went on a trip to the US with Tigers management before his player signed.
The Eels play the Tigers in round five, Monday, May 13. Get in early for your tickets.
HIGHLIGHT
The fantastic news that Val Holmes is coming home to the Cowboys. And thankfully only 108 sleeps until the NRL kick-off, Bulldogs v Parramatta, at Bankwest Stadium.
HIGHLIGHT I
Thankfully only 108 sleeps until the NRL kick-off, Canterbury v Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium. It’s going to be a long, lopsided summer of cricket without India, South Africa or the Poms.
LOWLIGHT
Glen Boss banned for two weeks and fined a paltry $4000 for whip breaches in the big race at Kembla on Saturday. Stewards found he used the whip 15 times before the last 100m, 10 more than allowed.
SHOOSH
The recent wedding of an NRL star has apparently created interest with the NRL integrity unit following a complaint about the behaviour of guests at the reception centre.
HANDS OFF BLAKE
New Zealand have warned rival clubs that chief playmaker Blake Green is strictly off limits for next season. There had been talk of an approach from the Broncos. Their coach Anthony Seibold is managed by Isaac Moses, who also looks after Green.
FOX’S GREAT CALL
In a coup for Fox Sports, former Parramatta Eels winger Tony Chalmers has quit Channel 9 to join the pay TV network as a senior game-day manager for NRL broadcasts. He is renowned as the best in the business.
SHARK OFF HOOK
The NRL integrity unit has cleared Cronulla Sharks star Josh Dugan of misbehaviour in a nightclub incident at Airlie Beach in Queensland.
SPOTTED I
Former top referee Eddie Ward receiving a framed Boo Bailey caricature as a retirement gift after 49 years in the game.
SPOTTED II
Gold Coast Titans star AJ Brimson handing out bottles of water and encouraging Surfers Paradise schoolies to drink safely over their holidays.
SPOTTED III
Manly Sea Eagles star Curtis Sironen sitting with the RBB at the Wanderers v Melbourne City A-League game at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night.
SPOTTED IV
Kiwia won the $500,000 Ballarat Cup on Saturday for the second year in a row at the juicy odds of $17. And why are we mentioning this? The nag is owned by Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, Billy Slater, Gerry Ryan, John Ribot and newspaper executive Peter Blunden.
Originally published as Monday Buzz highlights, lowlights: Eels and Tigers kick off fresh NRL rivalry