Parramatta star Kennedy Cherrington has been whacked with a four game ban at the NRLW judiciary following her send off in the Eels’ defeat to Newcastle on Sunday.
She was referred straight to the judiciary following a spear tackle on Laishon Albert-Jones, and pled guilty to the charge. The panel was unanimous in handing down a four week suspension.
Cherrrington had asked for two or three matches, claiming that the tackle was not reckless or intentional, but the NRLW – whose prosecutor described it as the worst in the history of the women’s competition – opted for the harsher sentence.
Knights and NSW prop Caitlan Johnston was given one week for a high tackle in the same game.
Elsewhere, Sharks forward Vanessa Foliaki was let off with a warning following a hip-drop on Steph Hancock in the Sharks-Titans game.
Bulldogs target Siosiua Taukeiaho will depart his current club early after the Catalans Dragons agreed to release him from his contract at the end of the season, though he claims he has not yet inked a new deal in the NRL.
The French club, who are top of the Super League, will let the Tongan international go after a string of injuries that limited him to just seven appearances in the South of France.
Despite his poor health, the Dogs have offered Taukeiaho on a two-year deal worth $500,000 a season.
“It’s been a disappointing season with the number of injuries I have had,” said the prop. “I love this place, I wish I could have stayed longer but I need to put my family first.
“I remain 100% focused on my objectives with the club until the end of the season. I will do everything to get my body right to help the team to win the competition. I haven’t signed anywhere else. If that happens, both clubs will then negotiate.”
Sam Burgess will depart South Sydney at the end of the year to take up his first head coaching role, with the Bunnies and England superstar confirmed as the new coach of Super League powerhouse Warrington for the 2024 season.
Burgess is an assistant at the Bunnies and will remain on to see out their 2023 campaign before returning home to take over at the Wire.
“I’m pleased to confirm I will take on the role of head coach at the Warrington Wolves for seasons ’24-25,” said Burgess.
“From playing in the Super League to having the opportunity to lead an incredible club, it’s a full-circle moment and one I am fully committed to and excited by.”
He joined the Rabbitohs’ coaching staff as an assistant in 2020, the season after a shoulder injury ended his 182-game NRL career.
As a player, Burgess first made a name for himself with Super League outfit Bradford in the late 2000s.
He has since served as an assistant to current Souths boss Jason Demetriou and his predecessor Wayne Bennett.
As a head coach, Burgess led the Russell Crowe-backed Orara Valley Axemen to the grand final in last year’s Group 2 rugby league competition.
Burgess has signed a two-year contract with Warrington, who sacked head coach Darryl Powell last month following a 42-6 loss to last-placed Wakefield Trinity.
Matt Dufty, Paul Vaughan and Sam Kasiano are among the ex-NRL players currently on the Wolves’ roster.
Billy Slater has all but confirmed that he will continue in post as Queensland coach, with negotiations between the Maroons great and the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) set to start on an extension.
“(QRL CEO) Ben Ikin came out and said that I’d like to coach on and I don’t think I’ve ever said that I wouldn’t like to help the Queensland rugby league team,” he told his podcast.
“I’ve just got to make sure that it works. Selfishly, I’d love to coach on, that’s the easy answer, but I’m a husband, I’m a father, I run a small stud farm, we do that ourselves as a family.
“I’ve got to make sure that everything works and I can commit that time to the Queensland rugby league team.
“My management has started discussions with the QRL and hopefully they progress further and then I’ll sit down with my family and work out how it all works.”
with AAP
The Barry
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
matth
Roar Guru
I think you mean "Not bad, but he's not no no Andrew Voss"
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
Albo
Roar Rookie
Hard to believe they are going so poorly with Matt Dufty at fullback ?
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
"pled", Mike ??
Dutski
Roar Guru
People who follow NRLW perhaps. Club captain. Played for NSW (once but it still counts). Several years playing for the Waratahs in union. Oh and ABC radio commentator while out injured last year. So maybe that might not be a star in your books but she’s far from an unknown.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good, but he’s no Andrew Voss…
The clown
Roar Rookie
My comment was incomplete.kennedy cherrington "a star"? Who has heard of her besides her family , teammates & friends? Re big Sam: is he able to drive over there? His driving record is questionable to say the least.
Richie
Roar Rookie
And he’ll turn out to be a Barrett.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Injured props we’ve had a few, but then again too few to mention We’ll sign who we need to sign, but they all seem to come from England
Redcap
Roar Guru
Interesting choice of words from Billy-whiz - quite the tangle of double negatives.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Holbrook reportedly turned them down and beyond that there's not much more than a few old retreads. A few other SL clubs - Wigan, Leigh, Leeds - have gone young and largely untried of late. It's du jour, but also probably reflects a lack of (palatable) options.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
7 games in the season for SST. Luke Thompson. Ryan Sutton. Already twice bitten..
Dutski
Roar Guru
SST will be a good pickup for the Dogs.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Yeah, the statements I read this morning from Warrington's CEO in the English press seem to make him out as the 2nd Coming. The press though seemed more shocked than impressed. They're also a tough lot over there. Warrington is 5th on the ladder but has lost 7 in a row so they've sacked the coach, with 6 rounds to go. What sort of message does that send to the players?
Birdy
Roar Rookie
I think Billy is biding his time until bellyache announces his retirement plans.
Drac
Roar Rookie
He's being talked up like he's the next Bennett.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I wonder if Sam Burgess appointment as head coach at Warrington, is more a reflection on the lack of good first grade coaches, than it is on his potential ability to actually do the job?