Panthers confident of fan support as English teams snap up Vegas tickets

Panthers officials are backing themselves to be the best-supported club in Las Vegas for next season’s opening round match after being the only club to have tickets left in their supporters’ bay.

English Super League Club Warrington needed just nine minutes to snap up all their tickets released to members on Wednesday, while it did not take long for fellow English team Wigan, as well as NRL clubs Canberra, the New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla to follow suit.

The Panthers celebrate a golden-point thriller on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images

Tickets for next year’s quadruple-header at Allegiant Stadium go on sale to the general public on Friday morning, and Panthers group CEO Brian Fletcher was confident his team’s supporters would be along for the ride in the US.

“We’ll have no dramas, we’ll have plenty of fans there – we’ll finish up with more fans than the rest of them,” Fletcher said.

“We’re looking forward to it. So are our fans. We’ll be based in Vegas when we get over there. It makes sense to be in the one spot. It will be a success.”

Nearly 21,000 fans packed BlueBet Stadium on Sunday to watch Nathan Cleary kick the winning field goal in golden-point extra time against the Dolphins.

The premiers, who are well-placed to clinch a fourth straight title, will play their final game at home in September before temporarily moving to CommBank Stadium next year as their ground undergoes a major redevelopment.

For the first time, Super League and NRL fixtures will be played at the same venue in Las Vegas, with Warrington’s owner Simon Moran, who is a successful concert promoter, working with the NRL about game-day entertainment at Allegiant Stadium. Moran has worked in the past with The Killers, a US band who resides in Vegas.

The NRL are still discussing the World Club Challenge, with the game expected to be played in Australia a fortnight before the Las Vegas round, should the likes of Penrith, Cronulla, Wigan or Warrington be involved.

The four games to be played on March 1, 2025 are: Raiders v Warriors, Panthers v Sharks, Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves, Australian Jillaroos vs England Women.

PNG, Australia to host 2026 World Cup

Adam Pengilly

Papua New Guinea’s push to be part of the NRL expansion has received a major boost with the rugby league-mad country to join Australia in hosting matches during the 2026 World Cup.

The International Rugby League has confirmed the Pacific nation will be the only other country to stage matches for the event, which will be the last time men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions are played at the same tournament.

A $600 million injection from the Australian government is expected to make Papua New Guinea one of the new teams in the NRL, possibly as soon as 2028, which will try to attract players with favourable tax conditions compared to those in Australia. The NRL is expected to embrace a 20-team competition as early as 2030.

With New Zealand not slated to host matches in the World Cup, the Australian Rugby League Commission will prioritise its Pacific push by staging matches in the land of Australia’s northern neighbour.

The schedule for the 10 men’s teams, eight women’s sides and eight wheelchair squads has not been finalised. The tournament was originally due to be played in France before the government abandoned hosting rights.

“The Rugby League World Cup is the pinnacle of the game’s international calendar and Australia is set to deliver the most competitive and culturally diverse World Cup ever staged,” Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said.

No country loves rugby league more than PNG.Credit: Getty

“We will host matches across Australia and in Papua New Guinea to showcase the game’s best players to inspire the next generation, and cement rugby league as the number one sport in the Pacific.

“The partnership between the two countries provides a unique opportunity to combine Australia’s experience in delivering world-class and commercially viable events, while building capacity and capability in PNG, where the passion for the game is unrivalled and the potential for the game is untapped.

“The social and cultural legacy of this tournament will be wide-reaching and long-lasting, as we celebrate and promote diversity and inclusion, bringing communities together to tackle important social issues through the game of rugby league.

“The Commission thanks the IRL board for putting its faith in us to deliver a successful and memorable event worthy of our sport’s premier international tournament.”

Australia last hosted the World Cup in 2017 - when PNG also hosted round-robin matches featuring the Kumuls – and the Kangaroos have been crowned world champions in the last three events.

England calling: Bateman bales on Tigers … but he’ll be back next year

Christian Nicolussi

John Bateman will not play for the Wests Tigers again this season after being granted a short-term release to play in the Super League.

Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed to this masthead Bateman would return home to England as early as this week, but would fulfil the remaining two years of his NRL deal with the Tigers.

Bateman watched training on Tuesday with David Klemmer and Adam Doueihi, who were ruled out of Friday’s clash with the New Zealand Warriors. Klemmer has an ankle injury, while the Tigers are managing the load in Doueihi’s knee.

The 30-year-old Bateman has looked frustrated on the field most of this season because of the team’s form, while he has regularly spoken about missing family in the north of England. The Tigers are expected to save around $150,000 in their cap.

This masthead revealed in May that Tigers CEO Shane Richardson flew to England to seek expressions of interest from clubs about several players, including Bateman.

As Bateman heads to the other side of the world, another outgoing Tigers back-rower, Isaiah Papali’i – who will join premiers Penrith next season – admitted he had struggled to live up to his hefty price tag.

England bound: John Bateman.Credit: James Brickwood

Papali’i inked a three-year deal with the Panthers while overcoming an ankle injury, but knows Tigers fans have not seen the same brand of football that made him a fan favourite at Parramatta.

The New Zealand international was told he would not have his $750,000-a-year contract renewed beyond 2025, and Penrith needed only a few days to swoop.

“It’s tough to hear, but it’s pretty much fact,” said Papali’i, when asked about his form over the past 18 months at the Tigers. “It’s obvious we’re not getting results, but also not playing the footy I’ve become used to in Parra colours.

“[Losing] drains you a bit. We put in a lot of hard work on the field and in the gym … you’re judged on your performances every weekend, those haven’t been the best, and that’s why everyone sees the form slump.”

Wests Tigers’ Isaiah Papali’i returns from an ankle injury on Friday.Credit: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Tigers players suggested drawn-out contract talks were partly to blame for Stefano Utoikamanu’s form slump. The club hope to receive a concrete answer on Utoikamanu’s next move by Wednesday.

The 24-year-old prop has met with Storm officials twice – and has a five-year $4m extension on the table from the Tigers – but struggled the past six weeks, especially in attack. Apart from one powerhouse performance against the Gold Coast at Leichhardt Oval, he has failed to run for 100m.

Tigers skipper Api Koroisau said the intense speculation about Utoikamanu’s next deal was bound to have an impact on him physically and mentally, and “contract stuff will affect anyone, regardless of who they are”.

“Stef is still trying to put his best foot forward,” Koroisau said. “I don’t think the games [are suiting] our middles. We’re giving away a lot of possession, making a lot of tackles, and putting our forwards on the back foot.”

Elsewhere, Cronulla have named former Panthers flyer Liam Ison at fullback for the suspended Will Kennedy ahead of their trip to North Queensland.

Former Raiders favourite Jack Wighton returns to Canberra for the first time on Sunday, with the clash against South Sydney to be Elliott Whitehead’s 200th game for the home side.

Why Luke Keary extended, retired and then took a French deal all in six months

Dan Walsh

Trent Robinson may have claims to the 6.5 per cent commission fee on Luke Keary’s Catalans contract after the three-time premiership-winner revealed the calls behind his retirement U-turn.

Keary will take up a two-year deal with the French Super League club after initially signing a 2025 extension with the Roosters in February, before announcing he would retire from rugby league in April.

Roosters playmaker Luke Keary is heading to France.Credit: NRL Photos

The 32-year-old’s decision to since play on with Catalans held potentially awkward implications for the Roosters and their roster management, with confirmation of his new deal coming only after fellow veteran Chad Townsend was signed as his replacement at Bondi next year.

Robinson’s own connections as a former Catalans coach proved pivotal in Keary’s decision.

He and current Dragons mentor Steve McNamara (a former Roosters premiership-winning assistant himself) orchestrating the initial approach that Keary originally had little interest in.

“‘Robbo’ came to me a few months ago out of the blue and asked [if I’d be keen to go] but I didn’t give it too much thought at the start,” Keary said.

“He encouraged me to have a chat with Steve who’s over there at the Dragons, and once I had the chat, one thing led to another and it kind of just happened pretty quickly.

“I feel good about the decision, but I also haven’t put too much energy into it. It’s something my family is really excited about, and I’m excited to go on a journey with them.

“I haven’t put too much thought into it. Once we finish here, I’ll probably have the chance to sit back and reflect a bit and think about what’s in front of me.”

Keary and Robinson have both stressed that the star five-eighth considered his NRL career well and truly over when he announced his retirement plans.

He joins the likes of James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce, as well as Robinson, in moving to southern France, bouncing the idea off each of them as negotiations progressed.

“I had that chat with Robbo about how there are a few Roosters boys who have paved the way for myself to go over, so there are a couple of boys I can lean on, plus there’s Robbo who has a really good relationship with everyone over there,” Keary said.

“But there’s a big difference playing here and going over there.

“The NRL is probably a different beast and I’ve got no desire to play in the NRL anymore. “That wasn’t too much of a thought for me.”

Keary’s departure comes as fellow veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Hull KR), Joey Manu (Japanese rugby) and Joseph Suaalii (Australian rugby) and Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs) all exit, representing a genuine changing of the guard for the Roosters.

As first revealed by this masthead, the club is set to ramp up long-term extension talks with halfback Sam Walker having recently re-signed in-form NSW star Angus Crichton.

Lucrative Manly deal poised to make Paseka the NRL’s longest-contract prop

Dan Walsh

Taniela Paseka is eyeing a leadership role as the Sea Eagles put the finishing touches to an upgraded extension that will make him the longest contracted prop in the game.

Manly are poised to sign off on an added three years to Paseka’s contract which would keep him in maroon and white until the end of 2029.

At 197 centimetres and 120 kilos, Paseka is one of the largest players in the game and has spoken previously of “playing to his true size” and potential, particularly since Anthony Seibold arrived at Manly in late-2021.

Paseka is already on the Sea Eagles books until the end of 2026. A three-year extension would take him beyond Test and Origin middles Pat Carrigan, Joe Tapine and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (signed until the end of 2028) as the NRL’s longest contracted front-rower.

Injured Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has a million-dollar deal until the end of 2033 but he has contract options in his favour from 2026.

Paseka’s new deal would keep him at Manly until his 32nd birthday and ideally make him a Sea Eagle for life.

Taniela Paseka in his return from thumb surgery.Credit: Getty Images

“I’d love to stay for the rest of my career,” Paseka said after returning from thumb surgery against the Titans on Sunday with an impressive 156 running metres in 30 minutes.

“I love this club. I’ve debuted at this club, played 100 games and this club means a lot to me.

“If I can keep playing the way I’m playing then the next thing is being the pack leader. I’d love to take that role on.

“First you follow, and then you lead. So I’m just taking it slow at the moment, just doing my job and then hopefully I can slide into that leadership role.”

Manly’s three-game winning run has lifted Seibold’s side to fifth on the ladder with a chance of leapfrogging the Roosters into fourth if they claim the points over them at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

While contract talks with Seibold have been put on hold, Manly has tied down Haumole Olakau’atu until the end of 2031 and winger Jason Saab until the end of 2029.

Fellow front-rowers Josh Aloiai and Nathan Brown have also signed two-year extensions, the latter after starting the year on a $1200-a-week train-and-trial deal.

Only the Raiders and Panthers have more players signed for 2026 and beyond than Manly, with Paseka viewed as the club’s long-term forward leader.

“We’ve got a great set of players here and to keep them all together long-term, you just build on that,” he said.

“We’ve built on that since 2020. If we can keep those guys in key positions, I think that helps and the big goal is to win a comp. Hopefully (Seibold) signs a lot of the boys, I love everyone here.”

22 charges and $22,000 fines: Sezer latest Tiger in trouble

Scott Bailey

Wests Tigers’ discipline issues have been laid bare with Aidan Sezer facing the club’s seventh ban of the season.

Sezer was on Saturday sin-binned for a hip-drop tackle on South Sydney fullback Jye Gray, before being hit with a grade-two dangerous contact charge on Sunday.

Tigers in trouble: Wests Tigers 2024 judiciary charges

• Aidan Sezer: high tackle, $1000 fine
• Api Koroisau: dangerous contact, $1000 fine
• Stefano Utoikamanu: high tackle, $1000 fine
• Lachlan Galvin: dangerous contact, two-game ban
• Aidan Sezer: dangerous contact, $1800 fine
• Justin Matamua: dangerous contact, $1000 fine
• David Klemmer: high tackle, $1000 fine
• David Klemmer: high tackle, $1000 fine
• Aidan Sezer: dangerous contact, $3000 fine
• Aidan Sezer: dangerous contact, four-game ban
• David Klemmer: contrary conduct, $3000 fine
• Alex Seyfarth: striking, $1500 fine
• Isaiah Papali’i: tripping, one-game ban
• Alex Seyfarth: high tackle, $1800 fine
• Brent Naden: dangerous contact, one-game ban
• Justin Olam: dangerous contact, one-game ban
• David Klemmer: dangerous contact, three-game ban
• Adam Doueihi: dangerous contact, $750 fine
• John Bateman: dangerous contact, $1000 fine
• David Klemmer: high tackle, $3000 fine
• Api Koroisau: dangerous contact, $1000 fine
•  Aidan Sezer: dangerous contact, two-game ban (TBC).

He will miss two matches with an early guilty plea, or risk a third match if he fights the charge at the judiciary and fails.

The suspension marks the third time Sezer has been in strife for a hip-drop tackle, after copping a four-game ban for one on Josh Curran in May.

The off-contract half was also charged for a similar offence on Dolphins veteran Jesse Bromwich in round five, and on that occasion escaped with an $1800 fine.

The charge again highlights’ the Tigers’ discipline woes, as the joint-venture face a battle to avoid a third straight wooden spoon.

Tigers players have now collected 22 separate charges this season, with Sezer accounting for five of those on his own.

Assuming Sezer takes the early guilty plea, it will take the tally of games missed by Tigers players this year through suspension to 14 matches.

Tigers players have also paid up $22,850 in fines.

David Klemmer is another repeat offender with five charges this year, while captain Api Koroisau has collected two along with Alex Seyfarth.

They have also had 15 players sin-binned this year, the most of any team in a single season since St George in 1995.

Meanwhile Melbourne interchange player Joe Chan is also facing a two-game ban for a high tackle on Victor Radley.

Chan was also charged with dangerous contact on Dom Young in the Storm’s win over the Sydney Roosters, and can accept an $1800 fine.

Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was also charged for a knee lift in his return match from a four-game ban, and can also accept an $1800 fine.

AAP