Two teenagers have been identified as the alleged culprits behind death threats sent to Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses last week.
The 27-year-old was given extra security before and after the Eels’ 28-18 win over the Warriors at CommBank Stadium on Friday.
Moses was the alleged recipient of texts and phone calls which threatened his life, with NSW Police confirming on Tuesday two teenagers had been identified as the alleged perpetrators.
“On Sunday 10 July 2022, NSW Police commenced an investigation after receiving reports of alleged threats made towards a 27-year-old man,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“On Monday 18 July, detectives attached to North Shore Police Area Command attended Greenacre and spoke to two males aged 15 and 16.
“They will both be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act for using carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.”
Moses was given an escort out of CommBank Stadium, while fans were subject to beefed-up security upon entry.
“I just had a couple of threats heading towards my family,” Moses told Triple M on Saturday.
“About me and about the game, they put pretty much a threat on the game and myself.
“We cleared it up with the NRL and they looked after me and escorted me into the game and looked after me.
“They handled the situation pretty well and I felt pretty safe.”
Moses is expected to play for the Eels against Brisbane on Thursday.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Mata’utia banned for lifting injured player
In the wake of Joey Manu attracting criticism for faking an injury before setting up a try for the Roosters on the weekend, Sione Mata’utia has been banned for three matches for lifting an injured player.
The 26-year-old, who became Australia’s youngest Test player when he won the first of three caps aged 18 in 2014, was sent off after 16 minutes for lifting Huddersfield hooker Danny Levi as he lay injured on the ground in Friday night’s 25-0 Super League win by St Helens over Huddersfield.
Coincidentally they are former teammates from their time in the NRL together at Newcastle.
Manu seemingly pulled up lame and grabbed his knee in Gosford before springing to life and racing through Dragons defenders Blake Lawrie and Billy Burns, who had relaxed when faced with someone who seemed to be submitting.
He admitted post game he was somewhat bunging it on, saying “My calf has been a bit tight for the last few weeks, but it was just a bit of carry on too.”
The play ended with Manu putting a kick in for Paul Momirovski to score and the NRL world exploded with cries of ‘cheating!’ and ‘what an effort to fight through cramp!’
With Mata’utia, the Match Review Panel listed his suspension in its latest sanctions, saying: “Sione Mata’utia (St Helens) – Grade C Other Contrary Behaviour – Lifting injured player – 3 Match Penalty Notice.”
Saints coach Kristian Woolf was unhappy with referee Chris Kendall’s decision to dismiss Mata’utia, who had successfully overturned a one-match ban for a high tackle to keep his place in the team.
St Helens star Sione Mata’utia is sent off against Huddersfield. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
“I understand where we’re going there, but we’ve not quite got it right,” Woolf said after his side’s win had kept them top of the table.
“It’s not even a high shot to start with. Blokes are lying on the ground trying to milk penalties and we’re reacting or over-reacting to that. We’ve just got to get these decisions right.”
Mata’utia will miss Sunday’s trip to Wakefield, as well as games against Salford and Castleford.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Mal wants Radley to still be Origin eligible
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga thinks Victor Radley should still be allowed to play for NSW even if he represents England at the World Cup.
Meninga told the Sydney Morning Herald that league’s eligibility rules needed yet another overhaul and he would be fine with Radley still being able to represent NSW.
The rules don’t allow for players to switch between tier-one nations but players such as Daniel Tupou and Brian To’o can represent Tonga and Samoa but also play in Origin.
Meninga said Radley had been a chance of making Australia’s World Cup squad until the Roosters lock announced on the weekend that he wanted to play for England because his father wanted him to represent his homeland.
“I think the whole eligibility issue needs to be addressed. My belief is you take away all the tiers in place. If you’re born in NSW or Queensland, you’re eligible for Origin, and if you then want to represent your ancestral nation, be it England or New Zealand, you can go and play for them,” Meninga told the SMH.
Mixed Turbo news, Foxx OK, Hoy off
Tom Trbojevic is an outside chance of making a return in 2022 after his shoulder surgery was deemed a success.
The star fullback is hopeful of being available if the Sea Eagles make a deep run into the finals and is also an outside chance of being available for the Kangaroos at the World Cup.
His brother Jake is out of Manly’s team for Friday’s clash with the Dragons after testing positive to COVID-19. The NSW forward had been taking every measure to avoid getting the virus, earning plenty of ribbing from his teammates, but has tested positive.
Canterbury have been handed a big boost with star winger Josh Addo-Carr a strong chance to play this weekend after being cleared of serious injury.
Addo-Carr went off in Sunday’s NRL loss to South Sydney with fears he had suffered a glute tear that might have meant he was unable to finish the season.
The injury would have also prevented the winger from pressing his case to earn Australian Test selection for the Rugby League World Cup later this year. Addo-Carr was overlooked by NSW in the 2-1 State of Origin series defeat.
But the Bulldogs have confirmed the winger’s sole concern is a troublesome ankle problem and he could line up for Sunday’s game against Gold Coast. If he isn’t cleared to play the Titans, the Bulldogs expect their winger, who has 11 tries in 16 games, will be fit for their game with Newcastle the following Sunday.
The Dogs also have English international Luke Thompson available after the prop complained of delayed concussion symptoms and missed their last six games.
The Titans, meanwhile, expect livewire fullback Jayden Campbell to return on Sunday after being sidelined since round 13 with a hamstring injury.
Newcastle fullback Tex Hoy will depart the club at the end of the season to take up a two-year deal with Hull FC.
The versatile 22-year-old has failed to cement a starting spot at the Knights since his debut in 2020, making 23 appearances, usually when Kalyn Ponga has been sidelined.
He made way for Ponga’s return last week in the loss to Manly. The Knights need to upset the Roosters for a second time this season on Friday night when they square off in Newcastle to have any hope of making the finals.
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mushi
Roar Guru
Not saying he's origin level but that he's not the same type of player that you're comparing to. I think he's a well above average lock in first grade, he's often got early involvement in roosters tries. But that skill is less relevant at rep level. On the stats front why would I expect terrible stats that don't capture that value to demonstrate value? There are some positions/roles where stats can cobble together a story but there are also many in league where they mislead. On defensive stats if you mean tackle based well they are a pathway to unadulterated ignorance. There's negligible correlation between those and allowing points (think there'sa recentarticleon this). May as well count carrots in their Wednesday bowel movement.
Nick
Roar Guru
The sheer costs of imprisoning people for decades far exceeds the cost of one security guard observing labour.
Chris
Guest
How do you keep them digging the holes & picking the fruit ? You need to waste the time of some security guards . There to make sure that they don’t just run away. Then the guards & all involved with the punishment, will probably be attacked , or persecuted by the ‘ friends & family ‘ , of the two being punished. With the family of the two involved, saying ‘ they’ve done nothing wrong ‘. Haven’t we heard all of that before? Not supporting those involved! Just saying….
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Mullet hair cut = Future dole bludgers Seems to have worked out OK for Cam Smith with career earnings of $26 million and $2.5 million for 4 days last week ?
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
Taumalolo, Yeo, Trbojevic, Murray, Carrigan, Finucane, TPJ, Fa'asuamaleaui.......
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
NSW is very familiar with the slippery slope that appears between the 2nd and 3rd origin. As for overseas players playing origin, it's a good headline grabber from Big Mal but is as well planned and strategies as recruiting Matt Dufty. Origin players with Pacific Island heritage from this series include Kotoni Staggs, Brian To'o, Christian Crichton, Siosifa Talakai, Daniel Tupou, Kayln Ponga, Jerome Luai, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Felise Kaufusi, Tariq Sims, Josh Papalii, Api Korisau, Payne Haas. If all or even most of these players were to choose to play for their country of heritage, along with Vic, Jeremiah Nanai, RCG, the Siafiti boys, Murray Tualagi...the Aussie team all of a sudden would struggle to beat the dragons
Muzz
Guest
Hosking? lol. He'll be back playing for the Seagulls shortly. His dad was a handy player. Zac wouldn't make the Roosters 30 man squad.
astro
Roar Rookie
True, league stats are terrible...but if Radley is an Origin level player, you'd expect at least 1 statistic to reflect that, wouldn't you? Statistically, he's average across the board...Even on defensive measures. IDK, maybe there's more to him than I can see in the Roosters games I watch, but for someone who I see as a solid but not-outstanding lock, I don't understand the attention he gets and his Origin selection.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Radley has indeed played well in the past. But 2019 is a long time ago, in footy years. He's probably on decent coin for a backrower, so the issue is not just his contribution but also his return on investment. On that measure, I'd put Broncos 2-gamer Zac Hosking ahead of Victor.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
The Gitmo 3 :shocked:
mushi
Roar Guru
Statistics in league are pretty rubbish though. He is a good in the line play maker for defensive forward. He's not a ball runner so typical running forward stats will be unflattering.
mushi
Roar Guru
So having a guy born in nsw, who’s lived his life in nsw, playing for a nsw club being able to play for nsw is the gateway to it becoming an all-star match? Even the myopia of “you must choose” a side it’s tough to argue he’s a fake blue. Qld v nsw hasn’t had much to do with binary international status for decades.
Nick
Roar Guru
Actually, repeated studies have shown that 20+ years in prison for non-lethal offences would almost certainly guarantee they offend again. Your idea of picking fruit or digging holes however is a much better idea. A year of supervised labour far, far from home would be best.
Muzz
Guest
Ponga and Paps are like JT and Slater. Once in a generation type players who are freaks at their craft. Their role is completely different to Victor. Apples and oranges. Radley is a polarising person. He knows his way to the MRC and has found himself in trouble for an off-field indiscretion. He generates clicks and is why he is always in the media.
Muzz
Guest
I'd be interested to know the 10 or so locks you rate higher than Radley. I like Cam Murray. Great player but goes missing in big games. Radley always steps up in big game!. He was outstanding in the 2018 and 2019 grand final.
criag
Roar Rookie
Not in NSW, anyway.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yep, it's not like crazy hair and lots of tatts will make you stand out these days.
Frank Delosa
Guest
The 2 lads from Greenacre who threatened Moses: I am imagining mullets or rats tails, eschay lads with bumbags, an inability to string words "togeva" wivout saying dog or brah. Future dole bludgers. Throw the book at these clowns. 20+ years in prison. They won't offend again. Either that or 10 years at a rural ranch picking fruit or digging holes. The NRL has taken a soft stance on these morons. Ban them from NRL games for life.
astro
Roar Rookie
The average age in the NRL is 24yrs, so age isn't an excuse. Guys like Ponga and Paps played in that Kangaroos team and both become great players in the same amount of time. In fairness, Radley is probably just having a down year...his game seems much less impactful when he cant play super aggressive, but for a guy who really isn't that 'important' in terms of his contributions on the field, I just cant get over how much off-field conversation happens around him.
astro
Roar Rookie
True...a good nickname goes a long way apparently!