Sport Confidential: Maloney in trouble for referee spray, NRL player agents come to blows
The NRL is investigating allegations that former player and now assistant coach James Maloney abused match officials at a recent game. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MALONEY IN HOT WATER AFTER REF SPRAY
James Maloney is under the spotlight with the NRL aware of allegations that the North Queensland assistant coach had a few choice words to say to the match officials as they walked into the dressing shed at Penrith at halftime last Sunday.
Maloney, who joined the Cowboys coaching staff this season, was North Queensland’s trainer for the clash having spent the majority of the season sitting alongside Todd Payten in the box.
However, he is now under scrutiny with the NRL looking into suggestions that Maloney had a few choice words to say to the trio of officials as they made their way off the field.
The Cowboys led 12-6 at halftime but had two players sin-binned in the opening half by referee Liam Kennedy.
AGENTS GO HEAD TO HEAD IN SCHOOLBOY CARNIVAL
It was the talk of the rugby league schoolboy’s carnival – a young buck agent and one of the most experienced player mangers in the game getting into a physical altercation.
The two agents apparently became frustrated with each other at night – well after the day of football action had ended at Port Macquarie.
It is understood that the younger agent – who has built himself an impressive stable of talent – took exception to things the older agent had been saying before the pair eventually came to blows.
It is unclear yet if the NRL will take any action but they are aware of the altercation. The agents sit under the NRL’s agent accreditation scheme.
EXPANSION GAG ORDER
The NRL has slapped a gag order on any potential expansion bids after asking them to sign a nondisclosure agreement this week. That means it is highly unlikely that you will read anything new from the potential bid parties as expansion talks heats up this month. The NRL has sent relevant documents to the hopeful bidders outlining the criteria they must match if they want to be part of a 20-team competition. They must have that document completed by the end of this month before the NRL makes a decision later this year.
JARRYD HAYNE’S SURPRISE ROLE IN WALLABY’S DEFECTION TO ROOSTERS
Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has emerged as an unlikely ally in the Sydney Roosters’ bid to have rugby union sevens star Mark Nawaqanitawase cleared to play for the club when he returns from the Paris Olympics.
Sport Confidential understands that the Roosters used Hayne’s return to rugby league eight years ago as part of their argument for the NRL to register Nawaqanitawase after the expiration of the June 30 deadline for player movement.
The Gold Coast were given special dispensation in 2016 to sign Hayne after he ended his stint with the San Francisco 49ers before attempting to make the Fijian sevens team for the Rio Olympics.
When he was cut by Fiji, Hayne sought out a return to the NRL and found a home on the Gold Coast. The Titans announced Hayne’s signing on August 3, then-NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg making the decision that players could join an NRL club after June 30 as long as they were not switching from another club.
The NRL approved the deal and Hayne was given the green light “in the best interests of the game”. The Roosters highlighted Hayne’s return to rugby league as they argued that Nawaqanitawase should be given similar permission even though he would be unable to play for the club until his commitments at the Paris Games come to an end towards the end of July.
The decision has enraged some rival clubs but the Roosters have pointed out that the decision is not without precedent given Hayne was cleared for a rugby league return after the June 30 deadline.
Nawaqanitawase was the star attraction when the Australian men’s sevens team was unveiled on Wednesday morning, the young back handling his first press conference since his move to the Roosters with relative ease.
FLASHBACK
Mitchell Pearce and Andrew Johns made backpage news on this day five years ago with the pair working together to help NSW overcome the might of Queensland. Pearce was rushed back into the NSW side for the decider.
NRLW TEAMS CHASING OLYMPIC GOLD HOPEFULS
The hottest properties in Australian sport are about to jump on a plane for Paris in pursuit of Olympic gold.
Maddi and Teagan Levi are part of the Australian sevens squad hoping to win gold in Paris, the sisters leaving behind a clamour for their services involving all the footballing codes.
The pair are managed by dual international Mat Rogers, who regularly fields calls from NRLW and AFL clubs chasing the duo. Maddi, the fastest woman to score 100 tries in the world sevens series, has already played for the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW.
Teagan was drafted at No. 6 by the Suns in the 2021 AFLW draft. The Gold Coast continue to call Rogers for updates about both girls.
The same goes for NRLW clubs as they look to make plays for the pair when they return from Paris.
As late as Wednesday morning, a prominent NRL chief executive reached out to Rogers to ask for an update on their status. When you watch them play, you can see why NRLW clubs are fawning over them.
“I think I have had calls from pretty much every NRLW team (for Maddi),” Rogers said. “Everyone is inquiring. She would love to have a crack at NRLW but it is just a timing thing.
“It hasn’t gone much further than that, probably because she is contracted for this year and next year. She is a freak. She is almost Jonah (Lomu)-ish with what she is doing in the sevens.
“Her sister (Teagan) is just as sought after. They are great girls too.”
NRL CULL STAFF
Some staff at the NRL’s publication arm NRL.com were made redundant on Thursday. It is understood a couple of journalists, a senior editor and other members of the digital team were let go by head office as the NRL pivots to a more video focus.
VEGAS EXTRAVAGANZA OFF TO ANOTHER LEVEL
The NRL’s Las Vegas double header is expected to become a quadruple header with a women’s Test match between Australia and England plus a Super League fixture expected to be part of the event next season. While Penrith, Cronulla, the Warriors and Raiders are the confirmed four NRL clubs who will take part, the NRL is busily finalising other events to help the launch the season. Warrington and Wigan may be among the teams to play while there are plans for Australia to take on England.
ROOSTERS STAR RESPONDS TO ORIGIN CRITICISM
Terrell May has clarified his State of Origin allegiance despite tipping Queensland in Origin II. The Roosters forward made headlines when he predicted a Maroons victory as part of the club’s social media post alongside other players.
“I just want to say to all the people thinking I go for Queensland, I don’t at all,” May told Roosters Radio. “My goals are getting a bit bigger now, so I obviously want to play for my state, NSW, not Queensland.”
BROTHERLY LOVE
There was a touching moment for debutant Jake Tago ahead of his match for Parramatta on Thursday night. His older brother – premiership winner Izack – was on hand to present his jersey in the lead-up to the game.
OLYMPIC STAR EYES RETURN AFTER INJURY SETBACK
Olympic gold meal hopeful Nicola Olyslagers will make her return from a foot injury in the Paris Diamond League on Sunday night in what is expected to be her final event before she jumps at the Paris Olympics.
Olyslagers rolled her ankle in the lead-up to the Stockholm Diamond league last month after landing on a mini-hurdle.
A fat pad in the heel on her jumping leg became inflamed and suddenly Olyslagers was fighting injury only weeks before the Paris Games.
Fortunately, the injury responded to treatment and Olyslagers will get the chance to compete alongside compatriot Eleanor Patterson in the Paris Diamond League as they ramp up their preparations for the Olympics.
Olyslagers’ long-time coach Matt Horsnell insisted she had rebounded from injury and was in the best shape of her career as she looks to secure the first of two wins in Paris.
“You look at all that time and you think, how can she keep getting better and better?” Horsnell said.
“And I think this year, at the moment, this is the best she’s ever been. There’s still a big competition lined up (at the Paris Diamond League) because there’s a lot of athletes who have all jumped the 1.97m or above.
“So there’s quite a big block of athletes and you just never know with a lot of them, they just put it together and get it right in the competition they can just come out of nowhere like Nicole they did last time.
“So it’s going to be interesting. Nicola loves it …. when she’s in that pressure, like she tends to respond. And that’s where she brings out most of the big jumps and, which is what she’s got to do.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Sport Confidential: Maloney in trouble for referee spray, NRL player agents come to blows
‘Cannot believe it’: NRL controversy erupts
South Sydney’s five-game winning streak has come to an end but not before a slice of luck left the NRL world divided.
Dolphins v Rabbitohs: NRL SuperCoach winners and loser
It was a high-octane night at Kayo Stadium with both the Dolphins and Rabbitohs putting plenty of points on the board and a number of SuperCoach stars stood tall. See the full analysis of winners and losers from Thursday's game.