Balmain1969

This was better coverage than the actual France v England test.

It’s on FoxLeague in Aus. I’ve got to say, you can watch almost any sport on tv nowadays, from snooker, darts, lawn bowls, ten pin bowling, even hotdog eating, and this is by far the most amateur thing I’ve watched. Who would have thought that in todays day and age you could be watching a HD sports channel and there is something on there that resembles a local club stream on YouTube.

NRL expansion shock with Perth on track to become 18th team in possible alliance with Newtown Jets over North Sydney Bears Perth could be the NRL’s next team, with plans afoot to have WA fast-tracked into the premiership, including a possible Newtown Jets alliance. See what it means for the Bears and PNG. Brent Read, Michael Carayannis and Peter Badel 2 min read June 12, 2024 - 4:00PM NRL The NRL’s path to 20 teams has taken a surprise twist with Perth now the frontrunner to become the game’s latest franchise amid an 11th hour push to have Western Australia in the competition by 2027. The issue will come to a head with a crucial ARL Commission meeting on the morning of the second State of Origin game in Melbourne on June 26, where they will finalise their plans for the future of the premiership. PNG had long been considered the game’s next expansion side but it is understood that the PNG team’s entry to the premiership may follow Perth by 12 months, giving the NRL an expanded 19-team competition by 2028. Despite the development, the appetite remains for PNG – backed by a bumper $600 million cash injection courtesy of the federal government – to join the NRL. However, this masthead understands that a bid from Perth – backed by the Western Australian government – is now edging ahead of PNG as the commission looks to add an 18th team as early as 2027. PNG would then become the NRL’s 19th team before a 20th franchise was added to the competition, most likely on the south island of New Zealand. While the PNG bid has largely hogged the expansion headlines, Perth officials have been quietly going about their business with the strong support of the WA government, WA Rugby League and consortium boss Peter Cumins. Cumins is the head of a powerful group which also includes his brother Brian Cumins, The Cumins family have a relationship with rugby league stretching back to the Western Reds – Brian Cumins is the founder of Cash Converters, who sponsored the Reds. The Brothers are two of the driving forces behind a bid to bring the NRL back to Perth, either as a stand-alone entity or as part of a partnership with the Bears or the Jets. Talks have been held with both former top flight clubs, although an alliance with the Bears has the support of ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys as the game looks to revive a latent supporter base and one of the most powerful brands in the game. While the Bears link has dominated talk there is some reluctance at the Western Australian government level to join forces with North Sydney. Instead, Newtown have been quietly building their own case in the background and have forged strong relationships with the powerbrokers in Western Australia. Sources close to the discussions acknowledged that Newtown may be a favourable partner should Western Australia be unable to become a stand-alone franchise. The Jets have also been working on financial backers to help with their return. Perth consortium members held top-level talks with ARL Commissioner Peter Beattie in WA last week as they looked to turn up the heat on powerbrokers to prioritise their entry over PNG. The Perth bid has several factors in its favour, most significantly their appeal to broadcasters because of the favourable time zone – the NRL’s broadcast deal ends in 2027. Adding Perth as the 18th team would also give the NRL more time to ensure the PNG bid strengthens its pathways and has time to be successful. It is believed the $600 million commitment from the federal government would remain in place as long as PNG remained in the frame for entry to the competition.

NRL Market Watch: John Bateman to ink three-year deal with Wests Tigers Wests Tigers will unleash a formidable forward pack in 2023, with a superstar Englishman all but locking in his NRL return with the joint-venture. David Riccio Follow @DaveRic1 3 min read November 2, 2022 - 1:34PM News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom The Wests Tigers are in the final stages of signing-off on a deal to bring English International John Bateman back to the NRL. In a move that could finally drag the Wests Tigers out of the competition cellar, the 29-year-old is eyeing a three-year deal to join a new-look Tigers pack that will include premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau and Kiwi international Isaiah Papali'I. On top of the recruitment of Koroisau, Papalii and almost certainly Bateman, the Tigers are also aiming to add either David Klemmer or Tyson Frizell from Newcastle to their pack for 2023. Klemmer is the frontrunner to link with the Tigers - and his acquisition doesn’t require losing halfback Luke Brooks. The forward pack overhaul could prove defining for the Wests Tigers, who already boast key forwards Stefano Utoikamano, Joe Ofehengaue, Alex Twal and promising prop Fonua Pole. John Bateman is set to join Wests Tigers next in 2023. In order to sign Bateman, Wests Tigers senior management are comfortable with paying the key forward’s English club, Wigan, a transfer fee, as he still has two years remaining on his Super League contract. The figure believed to be around $250,000 AUD is paid directly from club to club and would sit outside the Tigers salary cap. The 29-year-old would return to the NRL with a glowing reputation in the eyes of fans after two quality seasons in the NRL (2019-2020) with Canberra. Bateman helped transform the Raiders in 2019 with his powerful running game and defensive nous earning him the 2019 Dally M second-rower of the year award. The recruitment of Bateman has been led by head coach Tim Sheens, who believes the no-nonsense forward will instil genuine steel and leadership to the Tigers. The Tigers are hoping to sign-off on the deal in the coming days.