Andrew Johns' fury after NRL Immortal completely ignored by Newcastle coach

Yahoo

19-05-2025

😃 The good: Ronaldo Mulitalo and divisive antics
😔 The bad: Andrew Johns' plea to Adam O'Brien ignored
😡 The ugly: Terrell May's State of Origin snub
There are two schools of thought when it comes to Ronaldo Mulitalo. Some fans (mostly from the Shire) love what the Cronulla winger brings to the game, with his all-talking, all-energy approach.
Others label him a big-mouth and predict he's set for a big fall when karma pays him a visit. Whatever you think of him, there is no denying Mulitalo's value and contribution to a Sharks side slowly making its way up the table.
After his winger spent most of the game getting in the faces of Melbourne players while playing a massive role in Cronulla's five-point win on Saturday night, coach Craig Fitzgibbon defended his man. "Passion's a good word (for him). He's one of those players that's a good barometer for where your team's energy's at and wanting it so bad," Fitzgibbon said.
"He wears his heart on his sleeve and is a really passionate player. He sticks up for his teammates and sometimes pushes the boundaries a little bit, but he's one of those guys you want on your team.
"He gets in a battle mode and he's hard to control once he gets into that. We love him for that. Sometimes the lines get blurred but he's doing it for his teammates."
Nicho Hynes added: "He's awesome, Ronnie, but I'd hate to play against him. He's a pain the backside but he's someone who brings players together. When he crosses that white line, no one's his friend on the opposition team. We love having him."
A host of former players are of the opinion he should just shut up and play football. Either way, Ronnie is box office.
It's safe to assume Andrew Johns knows a thing or two about Newcastle and halfbacks. So, when the eighth Immortal says the Knights need to bring Jackson Hastings back at No.7 to reboot a season going nowhere, you'd think coach Adam O'Brien would lean in for a listen.
Apparently not. Despite his side losing seven of their last eight to slide to slip to 15th on the ladder, the Knights boss dismissed suggestions Hastings should be recalled to the NRL following Friday night's embarrassing defeat to Parramatta.
It's only increased speculation Hastings is off with several senior figures at the club and it's his divisive personality – not his football – keeping him anchored in the NSW Cup. Joey could barely contain his anger and frustration.
He said: "They've got to work out who their halves are (because) Tyson Gamble's not a halfback, he's a really good 14. One thing about Jackson, he's polarising as we all know, but he can get you around the park.
"He'll organise, he can get a game plan on, he kicks well and he brings other players into play. There's rumours about certain feuds and all this, which I couldn't give a rat's about. Whoever's the best No.7, put them in there and leave them there, because there's no stability in the key areas."
There is no doubt Terrell May has the ability to play State of Origin. The Tigers prop has all the traits needed to succeed at that level.
But you wonder if his chance will ever come given the reputation – warranted or not – he now carries as someone who doesn't buy into team culture. The Roosters have never fully explained why they extended May's contract last year only to flick him months later.
No club gets rid of a representative class player like that without very good reason. The Chooks obviously didn't like what they saw away from the football paddock.
May was only ever an outside shot at making the Blues side for Origin 1, but did himself no favours with an online chat telling a mate to throw his NSW jersey in the bin after word got around the front-rower would be overlooked. That fired up former Blues skipper and coach Brad Fittler.
"(Manly's) Haumole Olakau'atu a couple of years ago did something very similar and last year I went into Manly and he came up and apologised and sat there and just spoke about how he was immature,' Fittler said. "I really respected things he was speaking about and how contrite he was.
"I reckon maybe Terrell May should maybe ring Haumole and humble up a little bit. Seriously, what are these blokes thinking? There's people at home who just love this game. They just love it. And you sit there playing a game and all of a sudden you want to just talk like this. How blasé. Pathetic."