Sport Confidential: Las Vegas season launch hiccup Cory Paix management call in lawyers, Roosters cop Sam Walker blow
The NRL is soon poised to announce the 2024 season will kick-off in Las Vegas... but there’s a problem. The proposed venue is too narrow for a rugby league field. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.
The NRL is poised to announce the 2024 season kick-off in Las Vegas.
There is just one minor matter – the size of the proposed venue at Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium is not wide enough for a rugby league field.
The standard NRL field is 68m wide but Allegiant Stadium is only 220-feet wide, which equates to 67m.
Allegiant’s engineering marvel is its massive removable grass tray, which allows the entire turf pitch to be wheeled outside for sun exposure before being returned to the indoor venue for use.
The NFL has no problems with Allegiant because their field width is only 160 feet (48.8m), but the 67m width will be a tight squeeze for the NRL.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed the field-width dilemma but is adamant the show will go on regardless.
“We are aware of those smaller dimensions but it’s only about a metre differential,” Abdo said.
“We’ll talk to the four clubs involved in the game and it will be the same size field for everyone involved, so we don’t see it as a huge problem.”
Extra padding around the field may be required to ensure the safety of the players.
Many games in the English Super League are played within tight confines with players often crashing into advertising boards after scoring a try.
BRONCO’S LEGAL THREAT OVER RIFT RUMOURS
Cory Paix’s manager has threatened legal action following explosive social-media attacks that alleged the Broncos hooker was on the outer at Red Hill because he was at loggerheads with Brisbane teammates.
Paix’s agent Paul Hogan has slammed suggestions the Broncos rake was axed to the Queensland Cup last month because he was “fighting” with fellow Brisbane players.
Paix is one of Brisbane’s most popular players, which is why he was shocked by social-media posts that claimed he was dumped to reserve grade because he was offside with several club insiders, including coach Kevin Walters.
Paix is so content at the Broncos he signed a two-year extension in pre-season. The 23-year-old is contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2025 and Hogan set the record straight on Paix’s future at Red Hill.
“The comments about Cory are another example of social-media gone wild,” Hogan said.
“Any suggestion Cory is fighting with Broncos players couldn’t be further from the truth.
“It’s nothing but false and malicious allegations.
“If the posts continue we will explore legal options because it’s basically defamatory what Cory is being subjected to.
“Naturally he would love to be playing NRL, but he has no issue with ‘Kevvie’ (Walters) or anyone at the Broncos.
“Cory is determined to fight his way back and play NRL again.”
After inking a new deal in February, knocking back interest from Manly, Paix outlined his mission to become Brisbane’s No. 1 hooker ahead of Billy Walters and teenage prospect Blake Mozer.
.@brisbanebroncos star Billy Walters’ main hooking rival Cory Paix has been dropped by the club - creating an awkward situation | @TedRoker#NRLpic.twitter.com/ccQZndlbAg
— 10 News First Queensland (@10NewsFirstQLD) June 9, 2023
“It’s great to have my future sorted – there’s no other place I would rather be,” Paix said.
“I certainly love the Broncos, I started here in the juniors, so I had no intentions of leaving and there’s a lot I want to achieve here.
“I now feel I belong in the NRL at hooker.
“I have been here through the tough times and now we are in a position where we can do something as a club and I want to be a key part of that.
“For the last few years, I have been coming off the bench and now as I’m getting a bit older, I’d like to move into that starting role at hooker to complement ‘Reyno’ (halfback Adam Reynolds), Ezra (Mam, five-eighth) and Reece Walsh (fullback).
“I feel like I can do that and really take the team with me.”
WALKER’S (POSSIBLY) OFF: UNCERTAINTY OVER ROOSTER’S RETURN
Sam Walker’s rollercoaster season at Bondi is all-but over in another crushing blow for the Roosters’ slim finals hopes.
Sport Confidential understands Walker is at long odds to play again this year and will see a specialist on Monday to determine whether the halfback has any hope of returning to save the Roosters’ season.
Queensland young gun Walker was dropped in round 7 following the Roosters’ patchy start, before suffering a knee injury turning out for the Bondi glamour club’s NSW Cup side.
Scans showed the 2021 NRL rookie of the year had suffered a sprain to his ACL and it was hoped three to four weeks in a brace would help Walker’s fast-track his return from injury.
But the 21-year-old has not played for three months and despite the Roosters’ precarious top-eight position, coach Trent Robinson is taking no risks with the talented playmaker.
Walker has not given up hope of returning this season but there are fears an ACL sprain could turn into a full-blown tear which would require reconstructive surgery and a devastating nine-month recovery period.
Barring a miracle recovery over the next few weeks, Walker is likely to be kept in cotton wool for the rest of the season to ensure he is fully fit for the Roosters’ premiership fightback in 2024.
ROOSTERS CIRCLE TITANS FLYER
The Titans are facing a battle to retain Phillip Sami with two Sydney rivals, including the Roosters, circling the former Queensland Origin flyer.
Sydney scouts are watching Sami closely and the in-form outside back gets the chance to press his claims in the Titans’ clash against the Roosters on Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium.
Sami has been one of the form wingers of the NRL this season and the Titans have been so rapt with his form they want to extend his current contract.
The 25-year-old is off-contract at the end of next season but Gold Coast bosses are keen to keep Sami on the Glitter Strip until the end of 2025 or 2026.
But Sami’s blistering form this season – he scored a sizzling 80m solo try against the Eels last week – has piqued the interest of Sydney-based clubs.
The Roosters could be one option for Sami. Boom outside back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will leave Bondi at the end of next season to defect to rugby union in 2025, the same year Sami is a free agent.
The well-built Titans flyer is playing the best football of his career.
Sami has amassed a whopping 2725 running metres at an average of 170m per game, scored 10 tries, posted 90 tackle busts and scored his 50th career try from 103 matches in last week’s loss to the Eels.
The Ipswich speedster, who made his Titans debut in 2017, played two Origin matches for Queensland in 2020 and the Gold Coast cannot afford to lose the hard-running winger, centre or fullback.
OATES WON’T BE ROLLED AT RED HILL
Corey Oates is confident his latest setback in a wretched injury-ravaged season will not force him out of the Broncos.
The veteran Broncos winger’s management is currently in negotiations in a bid to keep the popular Oates at Brisbane beyond this season.
But those contract talks suffered a jolt last week when Oates suffered a freak breakdown at training that represents his third injury in just four months.
Oates broke his jaw in round 2, hurt his knee upon his return in round 8 and is set to undergo surgery – and miss four to six weeks – after sustaining another knee problem that ruled him out of last Saturday’s defeat of the Bulldogs.
Oates has had more than 10 operations in his career and while there are concerns over his longevity, the 28-year-old is keen to remain at the Broncos for at least another two years with a new deal.
“I spoke to my manager (George Mimis) a while ago, the Broncos were getting stuff sorted (with his contract),” Oates said.
“I was going to wait until close to the end of the year to get it done, like I did last year.
“I’m not too bothered. I was going to let my football do the talking for the next few months, but unfortunately that won’t happen now.
“I love the Broncos, I want to stay and hopefully they sort something out.”
CHOOKS BUTCHER CHEESE
Have the Roosters butchered Brandon Smith by trying to turn him into an 80-minute hooker?
That’s one theory flying around the NRL as Smith’s multi-million dollar move to Tri-Colours continues to flounder.
Smith was one of the big-name players to switch clubs this season after leaving the Melbourne Storm for Sydney.
But he has so far failed to have the impact the Roosters were hoping he would, with a wrist injury contributing to his woes.
Smith looked noticeably leaner when he returned to the NRL last week against the Storm and has clearly slimmed down since his days in Melbourne as a bulldozer.
But that may be affecting his greatest asset – the tackle-busting impact he provides in the middle of the field in short stints. Smith looks easier to tackle now.
Smith will come up against the hooker the Roosters axed to bring him to Sydney – Titans No.9 Sam Verrills – on Saturday.
Verrills said he was determined to notch a win against his former club and Smith.
“Their decision to go with Brandon, that’s the business we live in. I’ve been a Titan for a while and am really enjoying my time. There’s not really a point to prove,” he said.
“I really want to win, but I don’t think I have a point to prove. That was long ago what the Roosters have done.
“It is very special to play an old team. I looked at the calendar at the start of the year and circled this one.
“It’s going to be a big game. Going up against my mates and old coach, it’s going to be a big challenge and test.
“They’re not where they want to be at the moment, coming 14th, and they won’t be coming up here for a holiday.
“We’re trying to hurt their season so they can’t play finals.”
SEXTON BACK IN DOG HOUSE
Toby Sexton has gone full circle to end up back at the Bulldogs.
Sexton was released by the Titans earlier this month to take up a contract with Canterbury until the end of 2025.
The Bulldogs are a club familiar to Sexton given he was signed by them as a junior.
Sexton was a star on the rise at Palm Beach Currumbin High School when he was snapped up by the Dogs on a four-year deal.
He would have never left Canterbury if not for a change in administration, which saw the Bulldogs fail to activate a contract clause before a deadline.
That made Sexton a free agent and the Titans pounced on the Australian Schoolboys halfback and Gold Coast product.
Sexton, 22, made his NRL debut for the Titans in 2021 and played 19 games last season before falling out of favour.
He only managed one appearance for the Titans this season, albeit a match-winning performance against the Dragons.
Now he is back in the Canterbury kennel and looking to resurrect his NRL career at Belmore over the next few years.
NIKITA IS THE REAL TSZYU
Nikita Tszyu is a better boxer than his interim world-champion brother Tim.
That’s the assessment of Australia’s world-title hopeful Michael Zerafa, who slammed Tim Tszyu as “over-rated” and believes Nikita has the skill set to be the best fighter in his family.
Unbeaten in six fights, Nikita (6-0, 5KO) will headline his first pay-per-view event on August 23, most likely against Jack Brubaker, who won a unanimous points decision over Troy O’Meley in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Brubaker (17-4-2, 8KO) was thumped by Tim Tszyu in a fourth-round TKO loss in 2019, but Zerafa believes Nikita can do more damage than his older brother.
“Tim Tszyu is so overhyped,” Zerafa said.
“The hype around Tim is simply ridiculous.
“I like his brother Nikita. He is a dangerous fighter.
“I actually reckon Nikita is a better fighter than his brother, 110 per cent.
“Nikita is a southpaw, he is strong, he has good balance and he transitions his weight well.
“He still rushes a bit in fights, but that’s simply inexperience.
“He is getting more patient and once he gets more experience, he will go past his brother.”
Melbourne middleweight Zerafa is adamant his grudge match with Tim Tszyu will happen and he vowed to bash the unbeaten Sydneysider.
“Wade Ryan has fought both me and Tim Tszyu and he said I jab better,” Zerafa said.
“My message to Tim Tszyu is stop fighting blown-up super welterweights, cut the crap, step up to middleweight and let’s see how he goes against me.”
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