Oct 2nd, 2018

Oct 2nd, 2018

Roosters chasing Taupau

The Sydney Roosters aren’t resting on their laurels after Sunday’s premiership triumph and are poised to launch an all-out bid to sign Manly’s Kiwi international prop Marty Taupau for next season.

The club continually distanced itself from rumours that it was keen on the rugged enforcer during the season.

But now that the year is over and the premiership won, I’m hearing the Roosters will open talks with Taupau’s management.

The tough prop is desperate to get out of his deal with Manly and if the Roosters come up with the right offer, a deal could be done.

WWOS has heard that the Roosters are prepared to offload Queensland State of Origin prop Dylan Napa to get their hands on Taupau.

Napa is a weapon on his day but the Roosters believe Taupau would give them more fire power.

Burgess bros come together

The four Burgess brothers are set to be re-united in Sydney next season.

Luke - the eldest of the four - announced his retirement in Britain last week at the age of 31.

But he did so on a high note despite a nagging knee injury, helping Salford retain its spot in Super League.

(AAP)

While not as dynamic as brothers Tom, George and Sam, Luke carved out a fine career in his own right - an honest battler who played nearly 200 games in both England and Australia.

I’m hearing he is moving to Sydney with his young family and may even get a job with the Rabbitohs in an off-field capacity.

Refs to boycott

FOR the first time in rugby league history, match officials are taking industrial action against the game’s ruling body.

Tired of being treated as second class citizens by refs bosses, the match officials are set to boycott an end of season review at Gerringong.

It’s a massive step by the refs and touch judges, who are after more pay and a better work environment in 2019.

(AAP)

The refs are fuming with their bosses, Bernard Sutton and Tony Archer, claiming they are not promoting a positive work atmosphere.

Most of the match officials have signed an industrial action document taking on the NRL.

Three of the four officials for the grand final did NOT sign the document, however, and the refs claim the apppointments were not made on merit.

Bunnies' Peters promoted

Former Rabbitohs halfback Willie Peters is poised to replace David Furner as assistant coach of the Rabbitohs next season.

Furner’s impending move to Leeds saw a host of applicants flood the club but Peters, who has been working for Souths in a development role, is the man to take over.

Peters was on Manly’s staff until a couple of years ago, when he was the victim of an infamous bullying incident involving a fellow staffer that ended in fisticuffs at the team’s end of the season drinks.