NRL 2022: The times Des Hasler went over and above for players | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh
Des Hasler always put player welfare ahead of anything else – and these are the tales to prove it. This and more in Australia’s best sporting gossip column.
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Des Hasler always put player welfare ahead of anything else during his coaching career.
There are a couple of nice stories around recent events that best illustrate his care for his players.
When boom utility Josh Schuster decided to withdraw from the World Cup to lose weight and improve his fitness, Dessie jumped straight on board to help out.
While Schuster went for long-distance runs on the northern beaches, Dessie put on a helmet and would ride alongside him on a pushbike as encouragement.
Not bad for an old bloke who had other things to do.
There’s another good yarn around hooker Manase Fainu, the player recently jailed for stabbing a man outside a Mormon church.
Before he was found guilty, Hasler not only provided a reference to the court but personally negotiated his legal fees to get a better deal for his family.
“He was more hands-on than most NRL coaches that I’ve dealt with in respect to player welfare,” Fainu’s lawyer Paul McGirr said.
“He went over and above to help guide Mr Fainu’s family through a very difficult process and he didn’t have to. That’s why he is so loved because he cares that much.”
If only Dessie had put as much effort into relationships with his footy club superiors.
His initial departure from Manly in 2011 and from Canterbury in 2017 were as ugly as this latest episode.
SAINT
Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler will be sorely missed. The bad hairstyle, the weird press conferences, the constant gee-ups and an absolutely mad character. After Cronulla victories, he’d often ring and sing “Up Up Cronulla, the boys in the black white and blue” in a shocking voice on my phone messages. His position became untenable from a breakdown in trust with chairman and owner Scott Penn. He had to go, but it’s still very sad.
SINNER
The jersey numbers Australian players will wear at the Rugby League World Cup. This is a complete farce and kills off more than a century of tradition in which players have been numbered from 1-17. Nathan Cleary has no doubt dreamt of wearing the Kangaroos’ No 7 all his footy career. Instead he will have to wear number 14 when he makes his debut against Scotland this week.
SHOOSH
Which Wests Tigers star was recently accused of assaulting another man at a music festival. A complaint was made to the Wests Tigers, who passed it straight on to the integrity unit. An NRL spokesman told us: “The integrity unit is aware of the matter and is conducting initial inquiries.” The player has denied any wrongdoing.
SHOOSH
Fox Cricket’s Mr Cricket Mike Hussey has jumped ship and is batting coach for England’s T20 World Cup campaign. He has certainly become a man in demand. Huss was recently approached to be part of Channel 7’s next SAS Australia. He knocked them back.
SHOOSH
Veteran coach Tim Sheens is in England checking out potential signings at the World Cup as rumours re-emerge that Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks will be heading to the Newcastle Knights. This is a story that will break any day.
SPOTTED
Triple M breakfast radio host Jess Eva is taking the grand final loss of her beloved Eels harder than most — and no wonder. Jess lost a bet with Penrith legend and colleague Mark Geyer and is about to be branded with an MG Panther tattoo somewhere that’s soft and fleshy. The art was whipped up by brilliant Tele sport cartoonist Boo Bailey. I guess it really goes to show that sometimes barracking for Parramatta can be a real bummer.
SPOTTED
Fox Sports’ Hannah Hollis and husband Tom are celebrating the arrival of their first child, a beautiful baby girl, Olivia, born in NRL grand final week.
SPOTTED
The Kangaroos have secured tickets for one of sport’s great experiences — Manchester United at Old Trafford. The team will be there on Sunday for the Premier League match against Newcastle United.
SEA EAGLES FALLING
The TAB has eased Manly’s price in betting markets on next year’s premiership as a result of the sacking of Des Hasler.
In the latest market, the Sea Eagles have drifted from $21 to $29 following reports of unrest among the playing group over his departure. The Sea Eagles will announce within days Anthony Seibold is to take over.
Seibold attended a family wedding in Kingscliff on Friday and is leaving for England on Sunday.
Not for the rugby league World Cup or to chase players for Manly.
Out of respect to England rugby union coach Eddie Jones, Seibold wants to have a face-to- face meeting before he quits his job as a coaching consultant.
BACK IN TOWN
The NRL’s Canadian draw expert has been back in town this week helping the gurus at Moore Park navigate the myriad of challenges to be confronted in attempting to optimise the 2023 playing schedule.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup in July and August next year has created major headaches with a number of regular NRL venues severely impacted.
When combined with all the usual complexities such as scheduling major events, delivering club and broadcaster requests, the addition of the Dolphins and attempting to maximise player recovery time, the Canadian wizard will need his magic wand to keep everyone happy with the final outcome. But given that he counts the NFL and Major-league Baseball among his many international clients, at least the NRL has the best available help it can get.
NO NEPOTISM AT PARRA
The Parramatta Eels ensured there were no suggestions of nepotism in the recent contract extension of young half Jake Arthur.
General manager of football Mark O’Neill looked after the negotiations while Jake’s father and Eels head coach Brad Arthur kept his distance.
“Brad gave us his views like he does with all the players,” O’Neill said.
“Jake’s got a manager, Chris Orr, and we did the deal. A better kid you wouldn’t meet. He’s got a bit of leadership about him too.
“People should remember Jake’s a 20-year-old kid and he could still play Jersey Flegg next year.
“He works very hard and we’ll give him time to further develop.”
BABYSITTING BLOCKER
Kangaroos front-row legend Steve “Blocker” Roach is best known for terrorising international opponents on the battlefields of the rugby league World Cup.
Now he’s become a soft and gentle old babysitter.
Even his Fox Sports colleague Yvonne Sampson occasionally reaches out for help with her six-month-old son, Henry.
On Thursday evening Vonny had to host a World Cup preview show at Fox Sports.
Meanwhile, her husband – Channel 9 news reporter Chris O’Keefe – was also caught up chasing a breaking story.
Blocker and his wife Cathy came to the rescue and offered to take Henry for the evening. They were already looking after their granddaughter Blaire.
“Vonny was stuck, she’s a great mate, and we love helping out,” Blocker said. “Little Henry, he’s a beauty. He ended up going to sleep in my arms.
“I love it. Grandkids are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
“And then to look after Vonny and Chris’ little fella … it’s really special.”
AS TOUGH AS THEY COME
Boxing legend Johnny Lewis has trained Australia’s toughest fighters over 40 years.
Jeff Fenech, Kostya Tszyu, Jeff Harding … and Ella Boot.
Not for a moment are we comparing Ella’s skills to those of the three great male world champions.
But for toughness and courage, she is right up there with the best of them.
Ella won the Australian super-lightweight title in Newcastle last Saturday after breaking her hand in the third of eight rounds.
Check out the X-ray. It is a completely displaced metacarpal fracture.
NRL physio Brien Seeney was blown away when we showed him.
“To keep fighting with a fracture all the way through the bone is phenomenal,” he said. “Besides the pain levels, which would be through the roof, the function of her hand would’ve been extremely limited.”
The injury is so serious surgeons need to insert a metal plate and screws to stabilise the hand.
Despite excruciating pain, at no stage did Ella even consider quitting mid-fight, not with a title belt on the line.
“I mentioned it to Johnny at the end of the third round,” she said. “Johnny said ‘darl, you’ve just got to keep punching. You’ll get through it.’
“We had no idea then how bad the break was. It was horrible pain, especially afterwards when I’d cooled down and I was at the hospital.”
Ella says she will be back on the punching bags in January.
“I’m already in the gym doing some strength and conditioning,” she said.
Lewis spoke on Friday of Ella’s incredible courage.
“She is extremely tough,” Lewis said, “And also courageous and very skilful.
“The best fighters have that pain tolerance.
“I could not be any prouder of Ella – she is a beautiful person who deserves every bit of success that comes her way.”
FEROCIOUS READY FOR ROUND 2
Hall of Fame boxing promoter Lou Di Bella is convinced George Kambosos Jnr is much better prepared for his rematch with undisputed world champion Devin Haney at the Rod Laver Arena.
“George has hidden himself away to try to get himself in the right mindset,” Di Bella said.
“He lost the first fight and he’s needed time to reflect because he fell off the top of a mountain.”
Unlike their original fight, Kambosos Jnr has kept a low profile.
This time there has been virtually no publicity in the build-up.
“I think he was ill prepared and not properly focused last time,” Di Bella said.
“I’m not going to tell you George will win but I can guarantee a much better fight.
“The definition of craziness is to try to do the same thing as last time and expect a different result.
“George will change things up because he has to.”
Haney is a raging hot $1.12 favourite on the TAB with Kambosos at $6.00.
KAMBOSOS VS HANEY FIGHT CONTINUES OUTSIDE RING
George Kambosos has more on his plate than undisputed world champion Devin Haney in their rematch in Melbourne on Sunday.
Haney’s former manager, American Peter Kahn, has launched legal action against the Kambosos camp after a recent falling out.
Kahn, who was voted America’s boxing manager of the year in 2021, won’t be in Melbourne for the fight. He has launched legal action in America after recently ending their five-year association.
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