NRL News: Robbo responds to Cronk sacking speculation, Magic Round on the move? Tigers face fight to snare Sullivan

Trent Robinson insists there will be no upheaval in the Sydney Roosters’ coaching ranks despite the NRL heavyweights’ dramatic fall from grace and talk of a shake-up.

Robinson was less than thrilled at losing trusted lieutenant Adam O’Brien to Newcastle in 2020, and opted to let Jason Ryles move on when he was linked earlier this season to the top job at St George Illawarra.

The Roosters also farewelled long-time assistant Craig Fitzgibbon to Cronulla last year. 

Now Cooper Cronk’s role as a halves specialist is said to be under threat but Robinson on Wednesday refused to add to the outside noise, claiming “the mail is completely off”.

“Any other reports are just a long list of hearsay that’s been going on,” Robinson said.

Cooper Cronk. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“I don’t even know where they’re from … All of my staff that are here this year will be here next year. That’s pretty clear.”

Robinson declined to reveal whether former assistant coach Justin Holbrook might be returning to Bondi Junction after being shown the door at Gold Coast, or if premiership-winning captain Jake Friend will remain at the club in 2024.

Now coaching at the club, Friend has assumed more of a hands-on role since the departure of Ryles but is juggling a successful plumbing business.

“Jake doesn’t even know if he wants to be an assistant or not,” Robinson said.

“He’s trying to work out whether it’s home for him or not. I don’t even know if he’ll go back to part time next year, let alone continue on.

“So, keep them coming and keep the discussion going but we’re pretty clear on the inside what we’re doing.”

Magic Round may be on the move

Brisbane faces a fight on its hands to keep Magic Round with Perth and Adelaide launching bids to steal hosting rights. 

The NRL’s showpiece round is contracted to be held at Suncorp Stadium again next year but is open to offers for 2025 onwards and Perth’s Optus Stadium and the Adelaide Oval are in the running to become the new host venuesaccording to a Sydney Morning Herald report.

A double-header will be held at Perth this Saturday with a Dolphins vs Newcastle clash followed by South Sydney taking on Cronulla.

Officials are expecting a crowd of 50,000 fans to flock to Optus Stadium to get a rare glimpse of the NRL in the West. 

WA officials are keen to become the NRL’s 18th team when the competition expands in the coming years although they face stiff opposition from a potential franchise in Port Moresby, another South East Queensland club based in Ipswich or a second New Zealand outfit.

Adelaide hosted the AFL’s Magic Round equivalent, Gather Round, and the South Australia government has been proactive in attracting major events in recent years, hosting a LIV Golf tournament earlier this year which drew in bumper crowds.

“I would love to have Magic Round in this city, I think it would really go off,” Sackson said. “It would be a massive turning point for the code here. Perth is well and truly in the consideration for an 18th franchise when the powers that be choose for that to happen,” WARL boss John Sackson told the SMH.

Jayden Sullivan scores. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tigers could miss out on recruits yet again

Wests Tigers are trying to lure young halfback Jayden Sullivan to the club after the Dragons gave him permission to head elsewhere next year.

But after wooing the rising star with a tour of their Concord facilities last week, they could lose out to Newcastle, who are also making an offer to Sullivan as they look to bolster their halves.

Journeyman Adam Clune is likely to be released at season’s end and with Kalyn Ponga making a successful return to fullback, the Knights need depth with Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble their only halves options signed for next year.

They have also signed Panthers back-up playmaker Jack Cogger on a three-year deal.

After captaining the Knights’ NYC side in 2016, he quickly rose through the ranks to make his NRL debut in Round 10 that year and played 20 matches for the club before stints with Canterbury, Huddersfield and the Panthers.

“Jack has the skill, tenacity and game management to make a great impact at the Knights,” director of football Peter Parr said.

Utility Phoenix Crossland is under contract for 2024 but after a solid season filling in at hooker, the club sees him as an ideal bench utility when Jayden Brailey returns from injury next season.

The Tigers’ recruitment has been an ongoing drama recently – Scott Fulton was brought in from Manly to reshape their roster but there has been friction with coach Tim Sheens and his successor, Benji Marshall.

They are trying to lure Aidan Sezer back from the Super League and have added Sea Eagles young gun Latu Fainu to fill the void left by Luke Brooks joining Manly and Adam Doueihi likely missing most of the season due to knee surgery.

Wests also want to sign veteran utility Connor Watson but the Roosters are keen to keep him at the club while Canterbury are also in the hunt for the former Knight.

The Dogs have continued their never-ending roster overhaul by adding a couple of other versatile players in Penrith premiership winner Jaeman Salmon and South Sydney’s Blake Taaffe.

with AAP