The next big play is the TV deal. That’s what they will ultimately be judged on. But overall the game is flying. The revitalisation of the Ashes is the latest example
V’landys and Abdo have been non-stop in the UK. They have met with DAZN, Sky Sports, Channel 9, Super League, IMG and the EPL. It’s a busy schedule. They also attended the Tests at Wembley and Liverpool.
Hail the chief
It’s little wonder Abdo always cuts such a svelte and stylish figure, even on tour. After a heavy day working and socialising at the first Test, the CEO was seen having a late-night stroll through the streets of London.
At 6am the next morning he was pounding the treadmill and got in a 40-minute run before his phone lit up with calls from Australia about the hail storm that forced the Tonga-Samoa Test to be delayed. It meant a quick transition from gym to work mode before meeting V’landys for an International Board meeting.
Thinking of England
If you thought Tom Trbojevic was all talk about moving to Warrington, think again. He spoke at length with former NRL players who have made the move to Super League. It remains a future possibility. But the advice he received was simple: only go if you can’t keep pace with the NRL any more.
Trbojevic clearly thinks he has more left in his body. Manly are fortunate to have a person of his quality and ability on their books. Fellow fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has always moved to his own beat, but the Melbourne No.1 did the right thing by letting his close mates at the Storm know what was happening before he requested a release.
Cam Munster.Credit: NRL Photos
I approached Cam Munster for a chat at Kangaroos training on Wednesday, but he was reluctant to talk because he didn’t want to get dragged into a discussion about Papenhuyzen’s decision before it was made public. Munster had known since Sunday that Papenhuyzen was leaving.
We linked the 27-year-old to a move to R360 months ago. He was the first player I’d heard being associated with the proposed competition. Papenhuyzen’s exit means Munster will not be let go early.
Only full HD will do
All of us who still refer to venues by their old names, such as Shark Park, Parra Stadium and the Sydney Football Stadium, were taken aback by the naming requirements at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where the Kangaroos played the second Test. Here is the note to media:
“Unacceptable References:
• The Hill Dickinson Stadium (please refrain from using ‘the’ ahead of Hill Dickinson Stadium.
• The HD
• HD Stadium
• The Hill Dickinson
• Dickinson Stadium
• Hill Stadium
• The Dock Stadium
• Bramley-Moore Dock (as a standalone reference post-transition)”
In fairness, it is a magnificent venue – better than almost any other stadium at which I’ve covered a game. I rank it second behind Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Hill Dickinson Stadium.Credit: NRL Photos
Keary and Crowe call a truce
Luke Keary has revealed he has smoked the peace pipe with Russell Crowe – at least to some degree.
Keary, who has now officially retired from playing rugby league, famously walked out on a team camp at the Rabbitohs owner’s farm after he didn’t appreciate the way he and other young team members were being treated by Crowe and senior players.
“I’ve talked with Russell since that time,” he said. “There is no issue any more.”
Keary retired as one of the modern-day greats – three titles at two clubs and a Clive Churchill medal is hard to argue with. Standing up to Crowe defined him as a strong individual who knew his worth.
While he was always well-spoken and full of smiles, Keary’s courage and fierce competitiveness allowed him to dominate while weighing around 80kg.
The game will miss him. He will work with the Roosters in a coaching capacity and is sure to eventually be a leading official in the game.
Harry the new Hindy
Harry Grant has a new nickname – one he is keen to shake. His brother started it, and it relates to his inability to win a premiership.
“Yeah, they are calling me Hindy … after Nathan Hindmarsh,” Grant admitted. “I don’t need reminders about that and yeah, I’m sorry to Nathan for bringing it up again.”
Melbourne Storm captain Grant has been on the losing side in the last two grand finals, and missed the Storm’s premiership triumph in 2020 while on loan at Wests Tigers. He knew how the nickname made it from his family into the Roos realm – and to this reporter – and smiled about it being made public.
Harry Grant.Credit: NRL Photos
“It’s fair enough … but not winning one does burn me. It makes me want to succeed. And it’s not a failure, to get as close as we did and have before.”
Grant has a strong interest in the game and is becoming known as an ideas man.
“At the end of last year, Harry gave me four or five things for me to consider,” V’landys revealed. “If he wants, he will be a very good official for a club.”
Told of V’landys’ praise, Grant replied, “Is that what he said? Well, I’ve got a whole lot of thoughts.”
The family game
If you wonder why Nathan Cleary is such a decent individual, you only need to look at the family support he gets.
Staying across the road from the team hotel in London were his mum Bec, dad Ivan and brother Jett. They stayed out of his way pre-game, but had a nice family outing the day after the game.
Nathan was sporting a trendy pair of black sunnies to hide the facial injuries he suffered in the first Test. Despite being in significant discomfort, he fulfilled every media request that came his way. He rarely says no to the media, win or lose, and that is enormous credit to him.
Stars have time of their lives
The designer bum bag Reece Walsh is sporting in the UK has set tongues wagging. Far more subtle are the watches on the wrists of some of the players, including Mitch Moses and Angus Crichton. Those boys have good taste when it comes to telling the time.
Reece Walsh.Credit: NRL Photos
Passing the pub test
Andrew Johns and Gorden Tallis are an unlikely duo but, apart from Origin time, the pair are firm mates. Tallis was the first person Joey and his wife Kate caught up with when they landed in London on Monday. It was straight to the pub to discuss the good old Kangaroos memories.
Shark sightings
The Cronulla Sharks were well represented at the first Test. Apart from having their captain Blayke Brailey as a part of the Roos squad, in the stands were chief executive Dino Mezzatesta, chairman Steve Mace and coach Craig Fitzgibbon. The Eels had a similar representation in London earlier in the week but Jason Ryles left well before the first Test.