Sport Confidential: Super League rule blocks Jock Madden move, Reed Mahoney shopped to Cowboys
After falling down the playmaking pecking order at Brisbane, Jock Madden’s hopes of a move away to the Super League have been thwarted by a little-known qualification rule. That and more in Sport Confidential.
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The Super League’s qualification rules have thwarted any hope of Broncos playmaker Jock Madden heading to England.
Sport Confidential understands Leeds coach Brad Arthur was open to the prospect of bolstering his scrumbase stocks by signing former Australian Schoolboys star Madden.
Madden is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2026, but Ben Hunt’s off-season arrival from the Dragons has seemingly sent the 25-year-old further down the playmaking pecking order at Red Hill.
Hunt and Adam Reynolds are Brisbane’s starting halves for Friday night’s clash against the Roosters, while 2023 grand-final pivot Ezra Mam, 22, inked a mega five-year upgrade last season.
Madden has yet to appear for the Broncos this season and barring an injury crisis, faces languishing in the second-tier Hostplus Cup with feeder club Wynnum Manly.
Under Super League rules, Australian players must have played 50 per cent of NRL matches the previous season to play in the UK. Madden played 10 games for the Broncos in 2024, leaving him just two games shy of getting the Super League green light.
HUNT EYES 400 MILESTONE
Broncos five-eighth Ben Hunt could crack the NRL’s magical 400-game milestone after declaring he had no plans to retire.
Hunt will play his 340th game against the Roosters on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
If his track record of avoiding injuries continues, Hunt will finish this season around the 360-game mark and is contracted until the end of 2026.
That would take him towards 390 games.
At 35, Hunt is in the twilight of his career but doesn’t feel like stopping.
If he signs another contract for 2027, the 400-game feat only achieved by Melbourne legend Cameron Smith will be in his sights.
“I am still loving it. I am still enjoying my footy. I love the club,” Hunt said.
“I could keep playing for a couple more years I reckon. At the moment I feel like I can … but we will see how we are going.
“It is amazing (to think about 400 games), but it is still a long way away. I’ll get through this year first.
“I am definitely very happy to be back. I am enjoying being coached by Madge (Michael Maguire).
“It is a good group of boys.”
PANGAI EYES FRENCH RUGBY
Former Broncos, Dolphins and Bulldogs forward Tevita Pangai Jr has ruled out an NRL return and is in talks to defect to French rugby.
Reports on Sydney radio on Thursday suggested Pangai Jr, currently playing for Catalans, was eyeing a return to the NRL next year after almost joining Wayne Bennett at South Sydney this season.
But ex-NSW Origin star Pangai Jr is set for a move to France’s top 14 rugby competition.
The 29-year-old is off-contract at season’s end with Super League club Catalans and has hired a French agent Laurent Quaglia to kick off negotiations with Top 14 clubs.
Breaking his silence on rumours of a proposed NRL return, Pangai Jr confirmed he is considering a switch of codes.
“I haven’t had any talks to come back to the NRL,” Pangai Jr said from France.” Pangai Jr said from France.
“I’ve got Laurent as my agent and he is in talks with a couple of French rugby clubs.
“Myself and my family are enjoying life at Catalans and Europe.
“We are in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and my full focus is on that.”
A number of ex-NRL stars have tried their hand in French rugby, including Sonny Bill Williams and Mark Gasnier.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf, who coached in England, was keen to keep Pangai Jr at Redcliffe this year, but he wanted a new challenge at Catalans.
MAHONEY SHOPPED TO COWBOYS
Sport Confidential can reveal that the departure of NSW Origin rake Reece Robson to the Sydney Roosters from 2026 saw Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney quietly shopped to the Cowboys.
In the wake of Robson announcing he had signed a four-year deal with the Roosters in December, the Cowboys were contacted by a third party offering the services of Mahoney.
The Cowboys fielded the approach early in the New Year and were informed the Bulldogs were open to the prospect of an early release for the former Queensland Origin squad member to free up salary cap space.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten discussed the possibility with the club’s recruitment chiefs before ruling out a formal play for Mahoney, who is contracted to Canterbury until the end of 2026.
There was speculation Mahoney was on the nose at Belmore but Canterbury football boss Phil Gould insists the controversial rake is a key part of the Bulldogs’ plans.
WALTERS AND BOYD TOP COWBOYS WANTED LIST
The Cowboys’ reluctance to sign Mahoney led the Cowboys to draw up a hit list of hooking options including Brisbane’s grand final rake Billy Walters and former Titan Tanah Boyd, who is currently on the outer at the New Zealand Warriors following his off-season move across the ditch.
Other potential targets include English Super League hookers Danny Walker and Brad O’Neill while Walters’ Broncos teammate Tyson Smoothy was another cut-price option, but the 25-year-old has inked a three-year deal with English club Wakefield.
Walters’ future at the Broncos is uncertain. The son of club legend Kevin is off-contract next year and recently lost his starting spot to Cory Paix, while young gun hooker Blake Mozer has agreed to terms on a two-year extension.
The Cowboys believe the popular Walters would fit perfectly into their club culture but they are mindful he turns 32 next February and could be a short-term investment.
Boyd is the more likely option. The Cowboys have approached his management to sound out the possibility of the former Broncos and Titans playmaker moving to Townsville next year.
Boyd signed a two-year deal with the Warriors but has yet to debut for the club as he attempts to fight his way into coach Andrew Webster’s top 17.
The 24-year-old played 69 NRL games for the Titans and the Cowboys believe he is at the right age and would offer utility value with his ability to operate at hooker.
Walters last month conceded he was under pressure to remain in Brisbane’s top squad following the revival of Paix and the off-season signing of Ben Hunt, who plays hooker for Queensland.
“I feel the competition,” he said.
“Being honest, Ben Hunt will probably move there (hooker) when Ezra Mam comes back.
“It’s important to be in the starting side and I want to make sure Madge can’t leave me out of the team if I’m playing well enough.
“There’s a lot of talent. There’s not one person who can take my spot, there’s a couple. But it’s good. I enjoy the competition.”
WAYNE’S CALL ON COBBO
Souths super coach Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins have ruled out poaching bids for Broncos sensation Selwyn Cobbo.
The off-contract Cobbo is one of the biggest names still on the open market and four clubs have expressed interest in the Queensland Origin star at a time when the Broncos have yet to table an offer.
Bennett is known to be a huge fan of Cobbo, while the Dolphins were viewed as the major threat to the Broncos because of Cobbo’s desire to be as close as possible to his family in Cherbourg.
But Bennett, renowned for his ability to get the best out of Indigenous athletes like Cobbo, says he won’t be making a formal play for the backline ace as he looks to put more of Souths’ salary cap into their forward pack.
“Selwyn is a wonderful talent but he won’t be coming to Souths,” he said. “We don’t have the money in the salary cap to afford him.”
Cobbo has been linked with the Dolphins given their proximity to the Broncos, but Redcliffe are saving their pennies for a crack at departing Manly champion Daly Cherry-Evans.
“Selwyn’s name has not been discussed,” Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said. “We seem to be linked to quite a few people at the moment but we’ve only got limited space in the salary cap.”
TITANS FAREWELL YOUNG STAR
The Titans have cut ties with one of their most promising playmaking prospects.
Former schoolboys sensation Ryder Williams has suddenly departed the Gold Coast NRL club.
Williams was a standout at league nursery Keebra Park High School a couple of years ago and was touted as a future half for the Titans.
But he failed to kick on and is no longer at the club despite being in Gold Coast’s top 30 NRL squad this year.
It is believed the Titans and Williams reached an agreement to sever ties immediately.
The Titans have a couple of good young players on their books in Zane Harrison and Sam Stephenson, who they have high hopes for.
SHOOSH
Which big-name State of Origin star has fallen out badly with his club coach? The player in question is also on the nose with teammates for being selfish in matches and going against game plans.
PVL OPEN TO SUPER LEAGUE LIFELINE
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says the NRL is open to a financial rescue package to save the ailing English Super League.
According to reports, the NRL is considering buying a 33 per cent share in the financially stricken Super League, mindful of the importance of the code having a successful presence in the northern hemisphere.
V’landys is keen to strengthen the international game and the hope is that the NRL’s proposed investment in Super League can resuscitate the embattled league.
In March, NRL chiefs met with Wigan owner Mike Danson and his Warrington counterpart Simon Moran during the Las Vegas season opener which featured teams from both competitions.
V’landys said he has yet to receive details from Super League bosses, but has not ruled out the NRL taking a stake in the English competition.
“We haven’t received any proposal from Super League. That story had more information than what we know,” he said.
“Until we see the proposal, it’s hard to comment.
“But we strongly believe we need a strong rugby league competition in England, we are firm believers of it.
“If they need our help, we will certainly look at helping them, no doubt about it, but nothing has come to us at this point.”
V’landys stressed the NRL wouldn’t be making the first move.
“We had a meeting with the two chairmen in Las Vegas and we told them that they would have to come to us, we wouldn’t go to them,” he said.
“We’re not going to go and say we are the heroes to save you.
“If you want our help, come and ask us.
“They said they would take that back and come back to us.
“At this stage, they haven’t come back to us.”
South Sydney boss Blake Solly and Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson have been key figures in exploring a potential Super League purchase.
“We consulted both ‘Richo’ and Blake if we should take an interest in it,” V’landys said.
“They have been very helpful.”
PHINS UP FOR VEGAS
The Dolphins have emerged as a serious contender to be Queensland’s representatives in Las Vegas next year.
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader confirmed the Redcliffe organisation has formally submitted an application to be part of the third edition of the NRL’s season opener in Sin City in 2026.
It’s understood the Dolphins are one of seven NRL clubs to have lodged expressions of interest with the NRL.
The others include the Dragons, Bulldogs, Melbourne, Newcastle and Parramatta.
The Cowboys have also put their hand up and were considered Queensland’s front-runners, but Reader remains hopeful the Dolphins will get the nod.
“The Dolphins are very keen to be part of the Vegas experience next year and have expressed that interest through the NRL’s application process,” he said.
“It is a wonderful event for the game.
“We are very interested in being part of it as long as the terms from the NRL are sufficient to ensure our club is not worse off financially or for our football program.”
It’s understood the Dolphins have offered to be part of Las Vegas 3.0 as the ‘away’ team.
In just their third season, Redcliffe are already one of the biggest clubs in the NRL, backed by a $100 million business empire including a thriving Leagues Club.
“We are one of the top clubs in the NRL for memberships, attendances, and the number of supporters,” Reader said.
“Our fans have expressed to us how keen they are to go and watch us play in Vegas.
“The Dolphins want to play in Vegas in 2026, and that is why we have put forward a strong case to the NRL.”
NO HAMMER BLOW FOR ROOS
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has set the record straight on speculation his star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is set to walk away from Australia.
Queensland Origin speedster Tabuai-Fidow set tongues wagging on Tuesday when he revealed at a press conference he was seriously considering quitting the Kangaroos to turn out for Samoa.
It follows revelations fellow Origin big guns Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could also play for Samoa at this year’s Pacific Championships.
Woolf, who coaches Samoa’s fierce rivals Tonga, said Tabuai-Fidow later wanted to address suggestions he may have played his last game for Australia.
“I’ve spoken to ‘Hammer’ about it and he wanted to clear this up,” Woolf said.
“At some stage down the track he would love to play for Samoa again, but he doesn’t know when that is.
“Hammer is happy with Australia at the moment.
“He doesn’t want to upset Mal (Meninga, Kangaroos coach) and make it sound like he doesn’t want to play for Australia.
“He is proud of his Samoan roots, but he is very adamant he hasn’t made any commitments to Samoa.”
The 23-year-old played one Test for Samoa in 2022 before winning his Test debut for Australia the following season at the Pacific Championships.
Samoa coach Ben Gardiner said he isn’t pressuring ‘HTF’ to turn his back on Australia.
“It would be lovely to have Hammer, but he has to come out and say clearly this is what I’m going to do,” Gardiner said.
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Originally published as Sport Confidential: Super League rule blocks Jock Madden move, Reed Mahoney shopped to Cowboys
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