Manly forward Haumole Olakau’atu is facing a minimum of a week out after being charged with a grade two careless high tackle.
He was binned for the shot on Aiden Tolman during Manly’s horror first half in Cronulla and was cited this morning. The incident was not spotted by the referees at the time, but called up by the bunker after the Sharks had scored a try.
If he accepts the Early Guilty Plea, Olakau’atu would miss next week’s clash with the Rabbitohs and if he contests the charge, it could be extended to two weeks.
Cronulla have come under fire for their part in the incident. Tolman was immediately removed for assessment – allowed under the rules as a free interchange – though the replays seemed to show that the contact was not directly with the head.
Tolman was taken for Andrew Fifita, but immediately subbed back for Cameron McInnes. Brad Fittler, on commentary, said: “We just saw a little abuse of the rules there. A free interchange, some shenanigans on the sideline. You’ve got to love coaches, don’t you?”
Former Cronulla winger Nathan Stapleton has begun fundraising for his family after a horror injury left him quadriplegic.
Stapleton is currently in Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney after fracturing his neck in a bush rugby union match on April 9 in West Wyalong, where he was playing for Boorowa Rugby Club.
He played 62 games in the NRL for the Sharks, as well as representing London Broncos in the UK, and is just 32 years of age. He has an 18-month old and his partner is currently pregnant with their second child.
His family have begun a GoFundMe to help raise money for his recovery and family, with nearly $50,000 already committed by the public.
“Anyone who knows Nathan can attest to his determination and incredible work ethic,” reads the GoFundMe page.
“He has demonstrated this through his success playing in the NRL with both the Cronulla Sharks and the Sydney Roosters.
“There is no doubt that Nathan will bring that same determination and commitment to his rehab and recovery. There is no limit to what Nathan can achieve!”
Knights enforcer David Klemmer believes players who taunt opponents after a try should be sin-binned but Dragons forward Jaydn Su’A countered by saying Zac Lomax’s fine was ridiculous.
Lomax angered Newcastle when he jumped on the back of his former teammate Tyson Frizell after a Jack Bird try during St George Illawarra’s win in Wollongong on Sunday.
Frizell responded by hurling Lomax to the ground, which nearly sparked a brawl. Klemmer delivered a few choice words to Lomax on full-time and the NRL match review committee charged the Dragons centre with contrary conduct, fining him $1000.
Klemmer told reporters he thought Lomax had crossed a line and said the NRL should look at clamping down on taunting behaviour.
“I know he was excited and I think he knows Tyson very well,” Klemmer said.
“He’s not the type of person to do that to. There are other larrikins in our team that you could probably jump on, but just knowing Tyson personally, I think he probably knows now that he shouldn’t have done it to him.
“I think if it escalates to a melee or a bad melee, definitely they could bring something like that [sin bins] in. If it does cause a melee or something, there should be some repercussions.”
Dragons skipper Ben Hunt said Lomax had learned his lesson from his antics while Su’A was adamant the NRL had over-reacted by charging the goal-kicking outside back.
“I think it [the fine] is ridiculous, but that’s not my call to make,” the second-rower said. “If they want to fine him $1000, he’s got plenty of money.”
NSW Origin forward Tariq Sims could be on the move to Melbourne in the next few weeks after reportedly agreeing to a deal for 2023.
The St George Illawarra veteran, who was told he was free to leave this year if he could negotiate a deal that was favourable to the club, is set to ink a deal with the Storm for next year.
According to a Channel Nine report, officials from the Storm have contacted the Dragons about an early release.
Melbourne have been depleted in their pack this year with a season-ending Achilles injury to Maroons prop Christian Welch and Tui Kamikamica being stood down due to an assault charge.
Sims will also help bolster the pack next year when Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi head to the Dolphins and Brandon Smith links with the Roosters.
Brisbane centre Herbie Farnworth is back in England coach Shaun Wane’s plans for this year’s World Cup.
The Lancashire-born 22-year-old, who was once on Manchester United’s books, was dropped from Wane’s elite squad 12 months ago after failing to meet his standards off the pitch.
“He’s gone on the (zoom) meetings I’ve had with the (English) NRL players on time,” Wane said. “People might think that’s nothing but to me it’s everything.
“I watch him play every week and he’s doing well with Brisbane. He’s a talent and a good athlete and he’s playing really well. I can definitely see him playing in the World Cup.”
Wane’s contact with his NRL-based England players has been via zoom over the last two years but he will have the opportunity to speak face to face with them when he flies over for the Magic Weekend in Brisbane from May 13-15.
“I’m hoping to catch up with all of them while I’m over there,” he said.
“That’s the whole point, to spend time with them and make sure they see what the Super League-based players are seeing. It’s important to me that they don’t miss out.”
One NRL-based player already ruled out of the World Cup is Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson, which reduces Wane’s options for the number nine jersey but he says he will not make an effort to persuade James Roby to change his mind about retirement.
Roby, who recently played his 500th game for St Helens and has started his final season in impressive form, announced his retirement from the international game at the end of the 2021 season.
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Heyou
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
TEC
Guest
:laughing: 100% on it. Something's gotta work.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
:laughing: For putting I’d go for…I’m thinking… um…a drop of Grants should do the trick - not too expensive, warms the gullets, frees the mind and relaxes the muscles and you don’t even need a prescription -just go straight to your local. Pour some into a favourite flask, store it in your golf bag and take a slug three minutes before attempting to putt. You will be boasting eagles before too long.
TEC
Guest
Where can one buy "medicinal whiskey"? I need it for my putting game
Womblat
Guest
Judging by the complete absence of any word of this on the Union blog pages on this very site, any random punter might say they don't even care. His family has set up a fund-me page plus the Sharks are raising funds even though he's long gone but it surely can't be just them. Every bit would help. It would be a great time for Union Australia to show some character and unite with League in an effort to highlight Stapo's plight and maybe even assist with fundraising. I know he was a League star but he was playing Union at the time he was hurt, so they are a stakeholder. What a great opportunity to come together for a common cause.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Just feeling over the ridiculousness of my life long love of the great sometimes not so great game. It’s one thing after another. A great game spoiled by some over-boiled commentators, journalists and various experts and gurus, the NRL and all it’s parts, the money makers, movers and shakers involved with the gambling overlords… who mostly shouldn’t be throwing stones. Ranting, venting, blaspheming. Lost the plot, gone totally cra cra, bamboozled by bunkers, traumatised by total ijits making assumptions, bumptious bullies, big-headed blowflies buzz buzz buzzing through every game. Bring back Sterlo and Rabs - The great unbiased footy caller and the great unbiased commentator. Those were the days. Now it’s telly off - no Kayo. No Channel nine… hello Grandstand! Not a part of the BIG TOP FAVOURITE SIX? Then shut up and put up? Footy gods help me - send the van with the men in the white coats to lace me up in a straightjacket and take me away. Reckon they are almost here. Am I the only one who requires a big dose of Valium and schooners of new and a few nips of medicinal whisky to get through watching a game? And what kind of fool hates to love to watch every game but just can’t help it? What masochistic, malcontented moron dreads and salivates in anticipation - of TEAM LIST Tuesday and all that comes after it in that seven day cycle? ME ME ME. Mentally maniacally masochistic ME! Over and out. :silly:
KenW
Roar Rookie
Do you think that might be an exaggeration? Any kid probably thought it was hilarious, which makes sense considering it was a childish thing to do. In retrospect I reckon he would have been pretty embarrassed by it, doubly so considering how he got flung around afterwards. Think the fine was a bit unnecessary considering that justice was well and truly done on the field. Really seems like a mountain out of a molehill.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Melbourne and to a lesser extent the Roosters often recruit youngsters who then debut for the club I understand you were making a slightly different point but it is an interesting contrast to the teams with big junior development. Sure, Penrith are currently flying but they've had a lot of down time, as have most of the other clubs with big development programmes. Maybe having a heap of juniors is just a distraction. They have all these players come through that they've spent so much time developing, there are sunk-cost fallacies at play and issues attributed to having too many options on the table. Whereas Melbourne and the Roosters just dedicate themselves to picking up specific young players a year or so away from 1st grade. And then can supplement holes with decent experience from elsewhere. It's a simpler model, but done well it seems to be better for keeping a consistent standard.
Brian
Guest
Doesn't the RA club insurance look after this? If not, you might as well say goodbye to amateur game.
Adam
Roar Guru
I see Talakai's jersey is doing well!
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Not sure what you're trying to say, Snowy. Are you saying you're bothered by those bothering to bother with the bloke bothering that other bloke? Why bother?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Between McGuire and Sims, I'd definitely want the Tigers coach.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Awwww Bernie, don't poke your eyes out. Surely supporting Saints is punishment enough without having to resort to this form of self-muliation? And if every Saints supporter did it, we would have all these eyeballs rolling around the place. And who wants to see that?
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Why is it that every time I am writing something a wee bit controversial that might not be agreeing with the general narrative, my comment just disappears… like magic? And while I’m in the mood…Why do these weirdo moving ads keep popping up everywhere? My comment… You must be kidding? Lomax vs Frizzy overkill by every so called ‘expert’ and supporter from both clubs, including stupid me. It’s Rugby League remember? People who play the game do all sorts of shifty, sneaky, rough, tough, smash, grab, gouge, choke, smack, flip, wrestle, bite, goose, hair pull, low blow, punch, knee, dack, fling, swing, swat, target all the gruesome spots, particularly targeting known injury sites of opposition players, shoulder charge bull style charge cannon blood ball…etc bloody etc. Unbelievable the stuff I have listened to, read, seen from people I may once have admired. Get a flipping life and find a real story. The nrl sticking their beak in to charge and fine a bloke for a bit of a larrikin act because a few legends of the game were not happy Jan? I’m feeling over the whole bloody lot. To those who have gone on like chooks with heads cut off? Get a better life if that’s all you’ve got. Do ya worst.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Link to the game worn Shark's jerseys that are being auctioned for Nathan https://www.officialmemorabilia.com.au/live-auctions/cronulla-sharks/
Dan
Roar Rookie
Adam Clydsdale, Shaun Kenny Dowell, Tuimoala Lolohea, Te Maire Martin, Mitch Moses, Trent Hodkinson, Moses M'bye, Aaron Woods, Waqa Blake, Pat Kaufusi, Kodi Nikorima, James Roberts, Jaydn Su'a, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (twice!), Blake Green, Tim Lafai, Isaac Luke, Andrew McCullough, Corey Thompson, Jake Clifford, Tom Deardon, Matt Lodge, Josh McGuire, Ken Maumalo, Tevita Pangai Junior, Jamayne Isaako..... nah, only Melbourne and Easts look outside their 30 mid season????????
UAP
Guest
Just a word of support for Nathan Stapleton and his family. I have first hand knowledge of what he is going through with my best mate breaking his neck due to a tackle that went horribly wrong. He has been in a wheelchair for over 40 years now but has married and had four kids since his accident. I will say some prayers for your healing mate and ask the big fella to send some angels your way to give you and your family comfort in these difficult and trying times.
Bernie
Guest
Don't start me on the Morris boys. Both locals, both ex-Dragons, both were available - and what do Saints do? Nothing! Missing a golden opportunity for experienced, quality players with great team ethics. yes, they were getting on, but look what the Roosters got out of them. Again, the culture at the Dragons makes me want to poke my eyes out.
Dionysus
Guest
Watch Sims suddenly turn it on if he does get the chance to move this season.
Dionysus
Guest
"somehow have a few hundred k left in the cap to go and sign another teams current Origin rep to fill the void" That is what happens when you are not constantly going to market and paying top dollar for established players competing against other clubs Melbourne and to a lesser extent the Roosters often recruit youngsters who then debut for the club e.g. Munster, Hughes, Grant, Papenhuzen, Hynes, Solamona, Olam, Smith even Hynes and become stars. Its also what happens when those stars want to stay at a club on less money than they could get elsewhere. Its called the dollar value of winning. Finally, I am pretty sure that Sims would be happy with any arrangement for this year that gives him a chance of playing for Melbourne rather than being on the outer at St George.