What’s the Buzz: star forward to miss out on Origin, coach hands out bollocking

A STAR forward is set to miss out on NSW selection and a NRL coach gave one of his players a bollocking over his attitude. It’s Saint, Sinner, Shoosh time.

Peter Sterling’s suggestion that Paul Gallen should be dropped from the Blues is outrageously stupid, writes Phil Rothfield.

A STAR forward is set to miss out on NSW selection and an NRL coach gave his star player a bollocking over his attitude. All that and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh:

SAINT

THE NRL’s appointment of Brian Canavan as the new head of football. Finally we’re getting people at Moore Park headquarters in high positions who actually know the game — replacing bankers, corporate advisers and consultants.

SINNER

NO wonder Peter Sterling’s show on Fox Sports rates the lowest of all the rugby league programs. His suggestion Paul Gallen should be dropped from the NSW State of Origin team, two weeks after winning the Kangaroos man-of-the-match, was outrageously stupid.

SHOOSH

FORMER NRL chief executive Dave Smith is telling people he is starting a perfume business in China, which he is probably more suited to than running league.

SHOOSH II

WHICH star forward will miss out on NSW Blues selection because coach Laurie Daley rates him as a player … but not highly as a person?

SHOOSH III

THE Gold Coast Titans have not finished their shopping for 2016. They remain under the cap despite signing Nathan Peats and are chasing another very handy player, an outside back.

Nathan Peats smiles during the Gold Coast Titans training.

SHOOSH IV

WHICH NRL coach gave one of his star players an absolute bollocking for his poor attitude and even worse recent displays?

SHOOSH V

WE’RE hearing Channel 7 will launch a new national sports show later this year, hosted by Jimmy “Handbags” Wilson. The prime time show will feature some of the most colourful personalities.

SPOTTED

FORMER Bulldogs, Panthers and Storm hooker Joel Romelo, playing football again in Darwin after spending two months in jail on drugs charges. He’s currently on bail.

BACK PAGE NEWS

THE Back Page is going gangbusters on Fox Sports and was the highest-rating program on subscription TV on Tuesday. We’re now hearing out of the Artarmon bunker the show could run twice weekly, so good are the ratings.

BLUE SHY CLOUDS

THERE’S another big blue looming over Sydney FC’s sky blue colours. Melbourne City is again pushing hard for permission to change their playing colours to sky blue to match those of their owners at Manchester City, but we hear Sydney FC’s chairman Scott Barlow is ready to fight. City continues to throw their weight around among A-League clubs, but while their crowds and membership stagnate no one is taking much notice.

Melbourne City are pushing to change their colours to sky blue.

ORIGIN TICKET SNUB

JUST 10 days from Origin I and there are still nearly 30,000 tickets for sale. It appears the NRL is still paying for their greed last year which forced them to slash overpriced tickets to $50 on game eve. Fans are sitting back and waiting for last-minute deals. Telstra was even offering a two-for-one ticket promo during the week for the opening match at ANZ Stadium on June 1.

HOLE WITHOUT RABS

WHAT a shame Channel 9 left Ray Warren, the best TV commentator in rugby league history, at home for the biggest game of the year on Friday night. We know “Rabs” hates flying but surely he should have been in Townsville. Matty Thompson does a nice job but there is only one Rabbits.

NO LUCKY CHARM

THIS columnist is not expecting to be invited back into an NRL coaching box anytime soon. Since 2011 we have brought you insights from the boxes of Shane Flanagan at the Cronulla Sharks, Laurie Daley with the NSW Blues and Paul Green at the North Queensland Cowboys last weekend. Three starts — three losses.

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: star forward to miss out on Origin, coach hands out bollocking