Moves, Rumours,Judiciary, Injuries ...

[Graham]

Rugby league star Semi Radradra has secretly jetted off to Fiji to tie the knot with his fiance, three months after domestic violence charges laid by his ex-partner were dropped. 

 

 

The talented Parramatta Eels winger, 25, has flown home to marry Vika Fifita in a secret, tropical wedding.   

Radradra endured a bitter legal dispute with ex-partner Perina Ting, who accused him of punching her in the face and knocking her unconscious against a wall in 2014.

The flying Fijian pleaded not guilty and prosecutors dropped both assault charges in May this year, but the ugly court drama cost Radradra major sponsors and saw him sign with a French club for 2018 to escape the negative attention. 

 

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Rugby league star winger Semi Radradra, 25, (pictured) has flown home to Fiji to marry fiance

 

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Radradra will marry his fiance Vika Fifita (pictured) in a secret, tropical wedding in Fiji

 

 

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The Paramatta Eels star will get married despite his upcoming finals on Friday

 

 

The Fijian rugby league player will marry his fiance in a secret wedding in his home country

 

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The rugby league star was given special permission to leave Sydney by coach Brad Arthur

In a post on Instagram earlier this year, Radradra said he experienced 'dreamless and dull nights' before he met Fifita. 

'But the moment [Fifita] cam into my life, everything seemed just perfect and you changed the colour of my dreamless nights,' he posted on Valentines Day. 

The rugby league star was given special permission to leave Sydney by coach Brad Arthur so he could marry Fifita over the next 48 hours.

[Graham]

COWBOYS BREACH NOTICE

The #NRL has issued the North Queensland Cowboys with a breach notice proposing a fine of $10,000 over comments by Paul Green last weekend.

The NRL has issued North Queensland Cowboys with a breach notice proposing a fine of $10,000 over comments by its coach Paul Green last weekend.

The breach notice was issued following Green's comments after the North Queensland-Melbourne clash on Friday night.

"The comments by Paul Green about the officials were unprompted," NRL Head of Football Brian Canavan said.

"As with recent comments by a fellow Head Coach which resulted in a breach notice, these statements crossed the line relating to our rules regarding match officials.

"We will continue to ensure the integrity of the referees is protected in the lead up to and during the Finals.

"There are avenues for Coaches, players and Club officials to take up matters with the referees rather than making public comments."

The Cowboys have five business days to respond to the breach notice.

 

Edited August 8, 2017 by Graham

[Graham]

Manly Sea Eagles have announced that they have re-signed local junior Brad Parker for the next two seasons.

Parker, who is still eligible to play Holden Cup, has shown great promise in a handful of starting opportunities with the NRL side.

[Graham]

North Queensland Cowboys utility Ray Thompson will call time on his football career at the end of the current NRL season.

Townsville junior Thompson, 27, has been with the Cowboys since 2009, the year he made both his National Youth Competition and NRL debuts.

He has gone on to play 111 matches for his beloved Cowboys, has represented Papua New Guinea at the 2013 World Cup and played for the Indigenous team at the showcase All Stars match.

In announcing his retirement, Thompson said persistent knee problems played a part in him coming to the decision.

He stressed, though, that he remained committed to getting back on to the field this year to help his team for the remainder of the regular season, and on to a potential seventh straight finals series.

Thompson also signalled his intention to be available for selection for PNG at this year’s Rugby League World Cup, where the Kumuls will play their pool matches in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby.

[Graham]

Gold Coast Titans have announced the signing of Manly Sea Eagles and former Gold Coast Titan, Brenton Lawrence, for the next two seasons.

Lawrence will join the club for season 2018, seeing him back in Titans colours for the first time since season 2012.

[Graham]

RUMOUR: South Sydney Rabbitohs player Robbie Farah looks set to join English team Salford Red Devils from 2018 and beyond!!

- The GC Titans' major sponsor, Aquis, have withdrawn their support for the club despite having a deal until the end of 2021...

- The Cronulla Sharks have set their sights on Canberra Raiders player Aiden Seizer if James Maloney leaves the club next season....

- NZ Warriors prop Charlie Gubb may leave the NRL and join a English Super League team after being offered to clubs!!!!

- The Canberra Raiders are apparently 500k over the salary cap for season 2018 so they will need to shed a player or 2. Junior Paulo maybe who has been unhappy apparently or Aiden Sezer 

- Former Parramatta Eels forward Mitchell Allgood has been released by Super League club Wakefield Trinity. He is set for a return to Australia and join an NRL side!!!!

- The NRL's handover of Newcastle to The Wests Group is officially complete after a resounding vote from the club's members!!!!

- The NZ Warriors are talking to Roger's younger brother Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck about heading over to play for the Warriors for 2018 and beyond....

- Manly Sea Eagles player Jorge Taufua has been told by coach Trent Barrett that he is unable to guarantee him a spot in his squad for the 2018 season...

Edited August 8, 2017 by Graham

[Vichyssoise]

Sam Tagataese (Cronulla) has apparently signed a contract with Manly for 2018 (and maybe beyond).

I was surprised to read that he's been at the club for 7 seasons now. Impact player with too little impact most of the time, unfortunately. Good when he's switched on...

Edited August 9, 2017 by Vichyssoise
typo

[Graham]

James Hooper, writing on FoxSports web site thinks the reason the Dogs have played badly the two months is because although contracted to the club next season their big name (expensive) players have been touted about with a for sale sign on them.

Quote

 

Yep, essentially a large portion of the Bulldogs playing roster — even though they’re contracted for next season — are being offered up to rival clubs.

It’s all the big-name players, too. Captain James Graham, the Morris twins, Moses Mbye and Greg Eastwood have all been discussed for much of the season.

 

James Graham's contract with them is heavily back weighted so tha next season he would cost them $1m.

https://coupler.foxsports.com.au/api/v1/article/amp/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/bulldogs/the-mail-the-real-reason-behind-the-bulldogs-diabolic-2017-nrl-season/news-story/411ffe41a997c2553f7393a6d1173f1d

Edited August 9, 2017 by Graham

[Graham]

Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker has signed a new deal which will keep him at the club through to the end of 2020.

The club's point-scoring record holder who brought up 200 NRL matches earlier in the season said he was thrilled to remain at the club.

"I'm a proud Raider and to re-sign at the club is something I’ve always wanted to do," Croker said. "We've got a wonderful group of players and coaches here who I believe have the talent to win a premiership and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.

"We've still got the opportunity to play finals footy this year which is exciting and I know the teams focused on winning the last four games of the season and playing in the finals."

[Graham]

Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has hit back at reports Jack Bird will backflip on his four-year deal with the club, with the master coach saying he had stepped in to ensure his star recruit will be at Red Hill next year. 

Cronulla Sharks centre Bird has signed with Brisbane until the end of 2021, but speculation of the New South Wales Blues utility reneging on his Broncos contract has been rife after rumours emerged on the weekend that he was considering staying in the Shire. 

It has set up a spiteful encounter between the two finals contenders on Friday – a match Bird will miss as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.  

Speaking on Thursday, Bennett made a point to shut down the gossip, stressing that Bird's future was in Brisbane. 

"I did [step in]. I've made some statements in the past 24 hours about it," Bennett said.

"No, we've got no doubt [he's coming]. It's just rumour and innuendo [that he won't]. It's what's been happening all season. 

[Graham]

Current Rugby League World Cup Chief Executive Andrew Hill has been named as the new Chief Executive of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Hill was chosen after a thorough interview process that saw an original figure of over 2600 applicants for the highly coveted role.

Mr Hill has strong credentials, having held the position of General Manager Football at Parramatta Rugby League Club, in addition to the role of General Manager – League Integration and Development at the National Rugby League, before taking on the role of Chief Executive of the upcoming World Cup. Hill has also worked in AFL, as General Manager of Community and Game Development with the GWS Giants.

Bulldogs Chairman Ray Dib was delighted with the appointment of Mr Hill. 

The out going CEO is Raelene Castle.

[Graham]

Blake Ferguson has extended his contract with the Sydney Roosters for a further 12 months.

Ferguson, 27, was one of the game’s big name players yet to sort out their future beyond 2017 due to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement talks, but both parties have been able to strike up a deal.

The Roosters were reportedly concerned with Ferguson’s recent off-field bahaviour, namely his pre-Origin drinking session with Josh Dugan, which is the reason for the one-year extension.

His re-signing comes after the Tricolours’ retentions of Daniel Tupou and Michael Gordon, while Ferguson’s NSW Blues teammate James Tedesco will join the club in 2018.

[Graham]

“Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have held no discussions whatsoever with Cronulla forward Sam Tagatese as incorrectly reported in the media today,” the statement read.

“Manly are completely mystified as to the source of the story. No media outlet contacted the Sea Eagles to check on the club’s position concerning the Sharks utility.

“If they had they would have been advised that no discussions with either the player or his manager have taken place.”

[Graham]

On 09/08/2017 at 0:22 AM, Vichyssoise said:

Sam Tagataese (Cronulla) has apparently signed a contract with Manly for 2018 (and maybe beyond).

I was surprised to read that he's been at the club for 7 seasons now. Impact player with too little impact most of the time, unfortunately. Good when he's switched on...

So apparently not Vichy, see above.

You never know in this game though...

[Vichyssoise]

Really can't trust the press these days, can we?

I do wonder why.

[Graham]

Jai Arrow has signed for Gold Coast for the seasons 2018/19/20

 

[Graham]

Rumours...

- The South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra Dragons are exploring the possibility of playing next year's Charity Shield in a regional area.

- Also the Wests Tigers are set to take a premiership game to Mudgee as early as next year.

[Graham]

Cooper Cronk wants to have his NRL future clear by the time the World Cup kicks off in October.

As you'll remember he has said he'll leave Storm at the end of the season to move to the Sydney area to be with his fiance Tara.

[Graham]

Moreton Bay has been selected by rugby league’s international governing body to host the 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championship. 

The two-day event, to be held on February 23 and 24, will feature Commonwealth nations competing in a nine-a-side exhibition competition at Redcliffe’s revamped 10,000-capacity Dolphin Stadium, in the lead-up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018). 

Edited August 11, 2017 by Graham

[Vichyssoise]

Did anyone see it coming?

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/benji-marshall-signs-deal-to-return-to-the-wests-tigers-20170812-gxuv4d.html

Quote

Marshall, 32, and the Tigers confirmed yesterday that the club legend will be returning to Leichhardt in 2018.

"I'm coming home," Benji told The Sun-Herald yesterday. "And it feels good. I never wanted to leave the place, and I've tried several times to get back and now I've got my chance."

 

[Graham]

 

Suliasi Vunivalu has been fined by the NRL’s Mach Review Committee following Round 23.

The Storm winger attempted to hurdle two opponents during the second half of his side’s top of the table clash with the Sydney Roosters. Vunivalu has since been charged with contrary conduct.

An early guilty plea will see the Fijian flyer hit with a $1,100 fine.

[Graham]

 

Surprise, surprise... not...

Reports are circulating that the Gold Coast Tians' board have decided  to sack coach Neil Henry.

It is thought this week's game in R24 will be his last in charge of the Titans.

The upset between him and Hayne - or that created by the media! - is said to have brought matters to a head.

He had 12 months of his contract still to run.

Neil Henry was on $400,000 a season while Hayne is on $1.2m

No wonder there are problems for coaches handling players in such situations.

Officially the line is that no decision has been made, so this could all be rumour, or at least subject to change, maybe...

Edited August 14, 2017 by Graham

[Graham]

 

Melbourne could welcome another set of brothers to join the Bromwich boys at the club next season.Storm are reportedly chasing Pat Kaufusi, the younger brother of gun prop Felise.

Edited August 14, 2017 by Graham

[Vichyssoise]

Prima Donna Hayne has been a great success on the Gold Coast so far...

[RL is the future]

What's the latest with Matthew Lodge? Heard Brisbane Broncos were interested in him