Summer Buzz: Saint, sinner, shoosh, Wests Tigers launch surprise Leilua positional switch, Blake Ferguson on shaky ground

The Eels have been making discreet inquiries about a number of wingers for next year in a worrying sign for Blake Ferguson.

Brothers Luciano and Joey Leilua will pack a punch for the Wests Tigers in NRL season 2021.

A positional switch at the Wests Tigers could spell double trouble for rivals, with Luciano and Joey Leilua in contention to play on the same edge.

In a move that would see the brothers team up in both defence and attack, coach Michael Maguire is considering playing Joey at left centre this year after recruiting right-hand specialist James Roberts in a major coup for the club.

Having once dreamt of becoming an NRL player like his big brother, Luciano hopes to get the chance to go shoulder to shoulder in a 220kg sibling sandwich.

“We haven’t played many games together before last year but we’ve done more on the same side this year,” Luciano said.

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Brothers Luciano and Joey Leilua will pack a punch for the Wests Tigers in season 2021.

“It’s good for us because we know each other’s game a lot and it creates options for us when we attack.

“I’ve always been really impressed with what (Joey’s) been able to do in the game so it’s good to be with him now.

“Hopefully we can have some success together here because I think we’ve got a great side and we can do a lot to help get this team up to the top of the ladder this year.”

Luciano did admit there was a downside to being so close to arguably the NRL’s most antagonistic player.

“He’s been in my ear the whole time talking, which has been annoying,” Luciano said.

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”

Christian Welch, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Tim Mannah in Uganda.

SAINT

Christian Welch, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Tim Mannah. Kayo has just released a documentary called “Just One: A Story of Hope” which documents a trip the trio took to Uganda in 2019.

Storm duo Welch and Papenhuyzen agreed to join Mannah on a trip the former Parramatta prop took to visit an African child he had been sponsoring.

SINNER

We can’t decide if it is Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for leaving rugby league, or rugby league for letting Tuivasa-Sheck leave.

Either way, the NRL won’t be the same without that sizzling left-foot step. A few rugby union defenders will soon be wishing the once-was-a-Warrior was still a Warrior.

SPOTTED I

Matty Johns at Wests Tigers training during the week. The best brain in the business made the trip to Concord to lend his smarts to the Tigers spine. About to make the switch from fullback to five-eighth, Adam Doueihi paid close attention to the premiership-winning No.6.

SPOTTED II

Former Bulldogs hooker Adam “Nugget” Perry nursing a nasty sunburn at Gerroa after a day at the beach. The 2004 premiership-winning player made the trip from Junee to the NSW south coast to celebrate Australia Day with friends.

ESPN and Kayo have commissioned a custom street mural in Redfern to celebrate the upcoming Super Bowl LV live on ESPN on Kayo on February 8.

SPOTTED III

This stunning mural of Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes in Redfern. Painted by renowned graffiti artist Reuben Boughtwood, the street art was commissioned by ESPN and Kayo ahead of Super Bowl LV.

The Cleveland Street mural includes a QR code that will take pedestrians to all the latest news and information on next Monday’s clash between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Kansas City Chiefs, which will be shown exclusively live on ESPN and Kayo.

SPOTTED IV

Paralympic legend Curtis McGrath at a Gold Coast Bunnings pushing a loaded trolley that included a chainsaw, a BBQ and a dog.

The gold medal-winning paddler told us he didn’t have to pay for the dog, which, of course, he already owned.

SHOOSH I

Which high-profile sporting figure has been accused of using his pull to land a family member a plum sports-related gig? The appointment has ruffled a few feathers with industry insiders.

Blake Ferguson is off contract at season’s end. Picture: James Gourley

SHOOSH II

The Parramatta Eels have been making discreet inquiries about a number of wingers for next year in a sign that either Blake Ferguson or Maika Sivo is on the way out.

Parramatta went big for David Nofoaluma but missed out, with the star winger opting to extend his deal with the Tigers.

DRAGON TWIN’S BATTLE

Mat Feagai is facing stiff competition to join his twin brother Max in the NRL, with the St George Illawarra young gun in a four-way fight for a starting spot.

While Max is leading the charge to replace Euan Aitken as the Dragons’ starting centre, Mat is behind a posse of flyers that includes Mikaele Ravalawa, Jordan Pereira and Cody Ramsey to earn a spot on the wing.

It was a similar story for the Morris twins — but in reverse — with specialist winger Brett getting his NRL shot a full year ahead of his centre-playing brother Josh.

PEATS’ CONTRACT PLAY

Nathan Peats is still on the hunt for a club and we have been told the Dragons may make a surprise play for the former Gold Coast Titan.

While they have been linked to contracted Bronco Andrew McCullough, the Dragons have also made discreet inquiries about Peats, with just 30 places remaining on NRL squad rosters for the 2021 season.

Originally published as Summer Buzz: Saint, sinner, shoosh, Wests Tigers launch surprise Leilua positional switch, Blake Ferguson on shaky ground