Jul 16th, 2018

Jul 16th, 2018

Roosters chase Broncos star

The Sydney Roosters are preparing an ambush to sign highly-rated Brisbane prop Tevita Pangai Junior.

The 22-year-old is off contract and has yet to re-sign with the Broncos.

A Tongan international, he played his junior football at the Knights, who are keen to lure him home.

But the Roosters have more financial clout and influence and coach Trent Robinson is desperate to add the giant forward to his arsenal in 2019.

(AAP)

Pangai’s asking price is at least $600,000 - out of the ball park of most NRL clubs.

But with the Roosters’ ability to attract third party sponsors, they will find room in the salary cap for the Broncos star.

It appears only Wayne Bennett’s influence can stop the deal from happening at this stage.

Bennett has talked many a player into taking a pay cut to remain at the Broncos down the years - and will be doing his best to do so again.





Bunnies' star's deal collapses



South Sydney’s deal with promising Broncos back-rower Jaydn Su'a has fallen over.

The Rabbitohs were confident it was all but a done deal a couple of months back and had virtually penciled Su’a into their roster.

(AAP)

But some last-minute hitches resulted in the deal collapsing and Su’a remains on the open market.

The Rabbitohs, meanwhile, continue to search for a replacement for Roosters-bound back-rower Angus Crichton.

Newcastle miss out



The Knights have failed in a bid to lure Storm assistant coach Jason Ryles to the club next season.

Ryles is seen as a first grade coach in waiting and has been learning from the best in the business - Craig Bellamy.

(AAP)

He is also close mates with Knights coach Nathan Brown and came close to changing towns, visiting Newcastle more than once in recent weeks.

But Ryles is one of the men in the frame to replace Bellamy when he eventually retires as Melbourne head coach - and that proved a key factor in his decision.



Sea Eagles' to face the music



Word is that the NRL will announce its ruling on the Manly salary cap fine this week.

The Sea Eagles were fined $750,000 in March for breaching the salary cap over the past five years - but have appealed against the severity of the fine.

I’m tipping the NRL will still hit them with a sizeable amount, but suspend some of the fine, effectively reducing the fine.

NSW star gives back



Blues back-rower Angus Crichton is a young man who hasn’t forgotten where he came from.

Crichton recently donated his first State of Origin jersey to his junior club, the Young Cherrypickers.

(AAP)

The jumper fetched the club $4,600 at their annual Men’s Luncheon - desperately needed funds for one of the many struggling bush clubs.

Two other Young lads made good - Penrith’s Jack Hetherington and the Cowboys’ Jordan Mclean - also donated jumpers for the luncheon.