{"id":532021,"date":"2026-07-18T08:31:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T08:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/532021\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T08:31:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T08:31:09","slug":"godfather-tattoo-that-could-help-bronco-earn-millions-big-eels-blow-as-storm-block-transfer-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/532021\/","title":{"rendered":"Godfather tattoo that could help Bronco earn millions; Big Eels blow as Storm block transfer move"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Marlon Brando may be long gone, but someone from the Broncos must play the role of the Godfather and make Xavier Willison an offer he can\u2019t refuse to ensure the man mountain stays put beyond the 2027 season.<\/p>\n<p>And a little bit of Hollywood could go a long way given Willison sports a tattoo on his right leg of the legendary Don Vito Corleone, who delivered iconic quote after iconic quote in the 1972 classic.<\/p>\n<p>Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? <a href=\"https:\/\/kayosports.com.au\/en-AU\/welcome\/nrl?extcamp=fsaeditoriallinkleague-edt-fsp-lnk-awr-grc-nrl-kyo&amp;channel=fsa&amp;campaign=fsacontra\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img class=\"i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/poster-fallback.png\"\/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com.au\/nrl\/nrl-premiership\/match-centre\/NRL20262005\" class=\"sc-1wtgx8i-5 gmewyC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pointsbet.com.au\/sports\/rugby-league\/NRL\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"sc-1wtgx8i-5 gmewyC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"i-amphtml-intrinsic-sizer\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjI4IiB3aWR0aD0iOTAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIi8+\"\/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com.au\/nrl\/nrl-premiership\/match-centre\/NRL20262006\" class=\"sc-1wtgx8i-5 gmewyC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pointsbet.com.au\/sports\/rugby-league\/NRL\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"sc-1wtgx8i-5 gmewyC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"i-amphtml-intrinsic-sizer\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjI4IiB3aWR0aD0iOTAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIi8+\"\/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com.au\/nrl\/nrl-premiership\/match-centre\/NRL20262007\" class=\"sc-1wtgx8i-5 gmewyC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pointsbet.com.au\/sports\/rugby-league\/NRL\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"sc-1wtgx8i-5 gmewyC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"i-amphtml-intrinsic-sizer\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjI4IiB3aWR0aD0iOTAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIi8+\"\/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com.au\/nrl\/nrl-premiership\/match-centre\/NRL20262008\" class=\"sc-1wtgx8i-5 gmewyC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pointsbet.com.au\/sports\/rugby-league\/NRL\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"sc-1wtgx8i-5 gmewyC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"i-amphtml-intrinsic-sizer\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjI4IiB3aWR0aD0iOTAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIi8+\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>WHAT&#8217;S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are so many to choose from, but probably just the main one \u2018I\u2019m gonna make him an offer he can\u2019t refuse\u2019,\u201d Willison replied when asked what his favourite quote from the film is. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s definitely my favourite movie. I used to watch it all the time at my nana\u2019s (place) growing up. It\u2019s my favourite movie, closely followed by A Bronx Tale. I like those old-school Italian mafia sort of movies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Xavier Willison showing off his Godfather tattooSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n<p>His Broncos tale is just getting started after becoming a mainstay in the team back in 2024, with Willison playing a key role in their run to the premiership last year.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019ll turn 24 in a couple of weeks and will command huge offers if he hits the open market on November 1, which is why the Broncos are doing everything they can to convince the New Zealand international to stay.<\/p>\n<p>There are reports that they\u2019ve tabled a three-year deal worth about $3m, with Willison showing his value against Penrith on Thursday where he started in the middle but moved to the edge and ran for 189m.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re still working through things,\u201d he said, with Brisbane desperate to keep him given superstar prop Payne Haas is leaving to join the Rabbitohs at the end of the year. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cDefinitely (my preference is to stay). They\u2019ve given me everything. They brought me over from New Zealand as a kid, so definitely.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A premiership push this season seems improbable, but at least the Broncos have given themselves a tiny chance of sneaking into the finals after they snapped an eight-game losing streak with a win in Sydney over the title favourites.<\/p>\n<p>Reece Walsh was at his brilliant best with three try assists as the Broncos reminded everyone that they can still be a force when they have all of their stars on the park. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a good feeling. It\u2019s fun to be back in the winner\u2019s circle,\u201d Willison said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe had all our boys back, so there were really no excuses for us not to perform tonight, and I felt like we did that. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe last couple of weeks, I definitely felt like we\u2019ve had the effort. The boys were trying to look after each other, it just hasn\u2019t gone our way. Tonight, everyone was there, which definitely helped.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)<\/p>\n<p>BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA &#8211; JULY 04: Xavier Willison of the Broncos in action during the round 18 NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, on July 04, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>STORM GUN ADDRESSES SPECULATION<\/p>\n<p>Storm centre Jack Howarth is set to remain at the club in 2027 despite speculation that he would be released from the final year of his deal to join the Parramatta Eels.<\/p>\n<p>Howarth was initially floated as part of a swap deal with former Eel Zac Lomax at the start of the year, but those plans never eventuated with the former rep player released from his contract to join rugby.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a blow for the Eels who have been looking for strike out wide, with the club also missing out on Bronson Xerri who has signed with the Storm for 2027 and beyond. <\/p>\n<p>The Storm signed Howarth back in 2022 on a lucrative five-year deal, but it\u2019s been a slow burn for the junior rep star who has battled <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news.com.au\/sport\/nrl\/they-found-a-tumour-jack-howarth-reveals-shock-discovery-as-star-opens-up-on-full-extent-of-grand-final-injuries\/news-story\/af2a97a0ab0e4f9b708ec5d4698b3c72\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">a raft of serious injuries<\/a> throughout his career.<\/p>\n<p>Melbourne won\u2019t release him from his contract given they\u2019re already losing Will Warbrick, Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart to rival clubs, with Xerri and Jamayne Isaako signed to bolster the Storm\u2019s backline.<\/p>\n<p>SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA &#8211; JULY 17: Jack Howarth of the Storm warms up prior to the round 20 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm at Allianz Stadium, on July 17, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Howarth addressed the speculation in the Allianz Stadium sheds after his side\u2019s narrow loss to the Roosters before it was revealed on Saturday that he would be staying next year. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the moment I\u2019m just trying to focus on playing consistently each week, and then whatever happens, happens,\u201d he told the NewsWire following Friday\u2019s loss in Sydney. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy focus is just playing good for the team that I\u2019m signed with at the moment and put my best foot forward for those guys.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m pretty good at trying not to read any media or stuff. You do see it, but I communicate with some people that help me process everything. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI just tie my attention back to the Storm and the team I\u2019m at now, so that\u2019s all I\u2019m trying to do at the moment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve got my manager dealing with all that sort of stuff. Like I said before, my goal is just trying to play the best footy I can at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Two MASSIVE missed calls | 00:34<\/p>\n<p>Howarth said the 14-6 loss was \u201cbrave\u201d considering how many players they had on the sidelines, with Warbrick forced off in the first half with a serious Achilles injury that has ended his Storm career. <\/p>\n<p>The New Zealand international joins Eli Katoa, Xavier Coates and Tui Kamikamica as stars who won\u2019t play again this year, while key halves Cameron Munster (knee) and Jahrome Hughes (hamstring) both missed the Roosters loss. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt just hurts because when people like that have injuries like that, they don\u2019t deserve it, and it\u2019s just hard seeing your mate in that type of state,\u201d Howarth said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re all behind him and we\u2019re going to be supporting him through these next couple of weeks. I hope his recovery goes well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s something that we can\u2019t control, but I think we\u2019ve got this mentality with next man up. I know it\u2019s tragic for the people who are going through those things, but it\u2019s an opportunity for other people to come in. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs much as we want those people playing, we\u2019ve got other people that can come in and do just as good of a job.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Marlon Brando may be long gone, but someone from the Broncos must play the role of the Godfather&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":532022,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[111,139,69,213],"class_list":["post-532021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=532021"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532021\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/532022"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=532021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=532021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=532021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}