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Perth Now
17-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Ponga's big call as rebel league looms
Warriors chief executive Cameron George concedes the threat of rugby's breakaway competition R360 poaching players on lucrative deals is real, but he laughed off suggestions that it could tear apart rugby league. The comments come on the back of reports Warriors superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been offered $1m a season to sign up, sparking speculation they could go after Nathan Cleary on a deal that would blow that figure out of the water. Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga has also been listed as a target amid reports he was looking at a rugby switch but he ruled out any move until 2028 with a firm commitment to the Knights on Thursday until the end of his current deal. 'Committed to the end of 2027,' Ponga posted on Instagram. 'Excited about the vision of the club. Appreciate those that support me!' Kalyn Ponga commits to Newcastle on Instagram. Credit: Supplied While Ponga is staying, no NRL club could compete financially if R360 offered the four-time premiership-winning halfback a deal worth $3m a year – a sum Broncos legend Corey Parker mentioned on radio on Thursday morning. It's still unclear exactly what the competition would look like, but early reports suggest it would feature 12 teams and be played all over the world with the backing of Saudi Arabia. 'This rebel competition is threatening to steal a lot of stars out of the NRL,' Parker said on SENQ Breakfast, with Ponga and Ryan Papenhuyzen also mentioned as possible targets. 'I have always been adamant about – we saw SBW (Sonny Bill Williams) leave to go to rugby, there's always been players leave to rugby. Nathan Cleary would be an obvious target for the new R360 league. NRL Photos Credit: Supplied 'We jump up and down about it and say we need to keep them. The game is like a big wheel – it will keep turning with or without you. 'But this R360, which is still yet to get off the ground, it is set to diminish and take away some of our superstars of the game. My question is, which NRL players would you target to go cross code for this competition in Saudi Arabia? 'RTS overnight, he has been in union for a couple of years. Now back playing for the Warriors. He has presented a fair bit of interest that he wants to go over and could command $1m. 'If you're pulling away some of our superstars, let's say a Cleary, we have spoken about him playing union, what if this 360 throws a $3 million deal at Cleary? 'He has the currency for union. Why wouldn't he go and play union for $3m a year? 'There's a real concern if this gets off the ground.' George hasn't sat down with Tuivasa-Sheck to discuss his future yet, with the Warriors boss warning other clubs that they should be prepared for their star players to be offered life-changing sums of money. 'There are a lot of sports and a lot of innovations around sport that come around from time to time,' he said on SEN. 'Being over here in New Zealand where rugby is very big, I've been hearing a lot over the last month in particular about Rugby 360 getting off the ground and the discussions they're having with any number of rugby players. 'I've heard, quite frankly, that a number of our major names in rugby league would be a target to them as well. I get that because they're a PR machine and they'd be great for their sport. 'I think it's real, but is it going to tear apart rugby league? Absolutely not. We've got the greatest game in the world. 'However, I'm sure they'll come knocking and cause some clubs some headaches with the financial windfalls on offer.'
Perth Now
17-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Crazy money from rebel league puts clubs on notice
Warriors chief executive Cameron George concedes the threat of rugby's breakaway competition R360 poaching players on lucrative deals is real, but he laughed off suggestions that it could tear apart rugby league. The comments come on the back of reports Warriors superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been offered $1m a season to sign up, sparking speculation they could go after Nathan Cleary on a deal that would blow that figure out of the water. No NRL club could compete financially if R360 offered the four-time premiership-winning halfback a deal worth $3m a year – a sum Broncos legend Corey Parker mentioned on radio on Thursday morning. It's still unclear exactly what the competition would look like, but early reports suggest it would feature 12 teams and be played all over the world with the backing of Saudi Arabia. Nathan Cleary would be an obvious target for the new R360 league. NRL Photos Credit: Supplied 'This rebel competition is threatening to steal a lot of stars out of the NRL,' Parker said on SENQ Breakfast, with Kalyn Ponga and Ryan Papenhuyzen also mentioned as possible targets. 'I have always been adamant about – we saw SBW (Sonny Bill Williams) leave to go to rugby, there's always been players leave to rugby. 'We jump up and down about it and say we need to keep them. The game is like a big wheel – it will keep turning with or without you. 'But this R360, which is still yet to get off the ground, it is set to diminish and take away some of our superstars of the game. My question is, which NRL players would you target to go cross code for this competition in Saudi Arabia? 'RTS overnight, he has been in union for a couple of years. Now back playing for the Warriors. He has presented a fair bit of interest that he wants to go over and could command $1m. 'If you're pulling away some of our superstars, let's say a Cleary, we have spoken about him playing union, what if this 360 throws a $3 million deal at Cleary? 'He has the currency for union. Why wouldn't he go and play union for $3m a year? 'There's a real concern if this gets off the ground.' George hasn't sat down with Tuivasa-Sheck to discuss his future yet, with the Warriors boss warning other clubs that they should be prepared for their star players to be offered life-changing sums of money. 'There are a lot of sports and a lot of innovations around sport that come around from time to time,' he said on SEN. 'Being over here in New Zealand where rugby is very big, I've been hearing a lot over the last month in particular about Rugby 360 getting off the ground and the discussions they're having with any number of rugby players. 'I've heard, quite frankly, that a number of our major names in rugby league would be a target to them as well. I get that because they're a PR machine and they'd be great for their sport. 'I think it's real, but is it going to tear apart rugby league? Absolutely not. We've got the greatest game in the world. 'However, I'm sure they'll come knocking and cause some clubs some headaches with the financial windfalls on offer.'
India Today
28-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Curtly Ambrose dig fired up Shamar Joseph: Roston Chase praises pacer's character after 1st Test
Newly appointed West Indies captain Roston Chase said that the Curtly Ambrose jibe made at Shamar Joseph fired the young fast bowler up ahead of the Test match against Australia. Shamar picked up 9 wickets in the 1st Test against Pat Cummins' side but was not able to guide the hosts to a win. Shamar also scored a fiery 44 off 22 balls in the final innings, offering slight fireworks after Windies' collapse on Day the opening Test match between West Indies and Australia, former wicketkeeper Ian Healy took a dig at Shamar, calling him out for his exuberant celebrations and appeals. Healy said that Shamar had a terrible time since his Gabba heroics in Australia and had done nothing of note since that game.'He's had a terrible year since he went through us at the Gabba,' Healy had said on SENQ Breakfast. 'Shamar has come out today and said 'just look out and watch what is coming.' OK Shamar, well, you've delivered crap all year."'He'd better improve, that's what I'm saying in the dressing room. He's got real trouble. You're not Curtly Ambrose, champ.'Shamar replied to Healy's comments with sensational spells in both innings, giving West Indies hope against a strong Australian side. He was unplayable in the first innings of the game, and doubled that down in the second innings, finishing with a total of 9 wickets in the Chase, the Windies captain, said that Shamar's performance was a testament to his character and the heart he carried while playing for his national team."Coming into the game, there was a bit of controversy in the news, talking about Curtly Ambrose and stuff (Ian Healy said 'Shamar, you're not Curtly'), I guess he used that as fire to perform the way he did. I just want to congratulate him on the game. Shows the heart and character he has," Chase said after the conclusion of the Test vs AUS, 1st Test: Match ReportHealy Clarifies Shamar CommentShamar's fiery reaction put Healy straight onto his back foot, as a host of criticism came the former cricketer's way. Healy was quick to clarify his comments and said that context was more important before quoting someone incorrectly.'Yesterday, when I talked about backing up Sam Konstas when an opponent sledges him, I sort of talked about what the dressing room might say – is that the context, do you reckon, that I was talking about?' Healy asked co-host, NRL great Corey Parker.'Do you believe I was talking about what the dressing room might say to Konstas, or was it me saying something against Shamar Joseph?"advertisement'Geez, they've come out at me, haven't they! They've said 'oh no, I've sledged Shamar!' Apparently, it's saying I've had a personal dig at Shamar."'He's bowled beautifully again today, and it's not easy with so much gold around your neck!'West Indies vs Former Australia PlayersThis is not the first time that a former Australian cricketer has been called out for ill comments against the West Indies team. In their previous tour of Australia, Windies were called a "pathetic" team by former cricketer Rodney Hogg. After their incredible win at the Gabba, which tied the 2-match series 1-1, then Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said that his team turned Rodney Hogg's comments into motivation to beat Australia in the series."I must say we had two words that inspired us in this Test match. Mr. Rodney Hogg said that we were pathetic and hopeless. That was our inspiration. We wanted to show the world we're not pathetic. And I must ask him, are these muscles big enough for him?" Brathwaite had said.- Ends
Sky News AU
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Ian Healy questions impact of Australian batting coach Michael Di Venuto
Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has taken aim at national batting coach Michael Di Venuto, claiming the top six has 'regressed' under his tutelage. West Indies made light work of the Aussie top order again on Thursday, reducing the tourists to 4-93 after bowling them out for 180 on day one. It follows scores of 212 and 207 in the World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa earlier this month. Australia dropped the out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne for Sam Konstas, but the teenager has scratched out just eight runs across two innings. Healy doesn't like to 'put the pump on coaches' but says the Aussies have gone backwards with the bat under Di Venuto. 'I love to put it back onto the players more than coaches usually,' Healy said on SENQ Breakfast. 'But, as I said, Australian cricket's batting head coach and every state batting coach (should be under pressure) because there's not enough runs being scored around the nation either. 'Michael Di Venuto – a friend of mine who is a good coach and a good man – has held the job since mid-2021. 'In this time, our national team batting has regressed in performance at Test level, that's all that's important to me, the performance. 'I don't care how you do it or what will make it easier for you – just get it done.' Konstas in particular has made a jumpy return to Test cricket. He was dropped twice in the opening over of the second innings before defaulting to his aggressive stride down the wicket approach. Healy says the Aussies' look nervous and have seemingly little trust in their technique. 'They're not making it easy for themselves at all, players have got to deal better with nerves by the sound of it,' Healy said. 'They need to create sound techniques and bat with balance so you can make really sound decisions ball after ball for long periods. 'At the moment, we're failing many of these points, and the lower order is having to deal with it either recovering the score or losing. 'It's just too hard at the moment, we've got to clear those minds of our top order.' Originally published as Australian great Ian Healy questions impact of batting coach Michael Di Venuto
India Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
After Shamar Joseph runs through Australia, Ian Healy responds to sledge at pacer
Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy has responded to his sledge against Shamar Joseph after it went wrong on Day 1 of the first Test. Healy had taken offense to the comments made by Shamar to recalled Aussie opener Sam Konstas and felt that the West Indies pacer was picking on the 19-year-old. The former wicketkeeper said that Shamar had been sub-par after his Gabba performance, where he rocked the Aussies with a seven-wicket haul and guided West Indies to a famous win. Healy ended his comment by saying that Shamar was no Curtly Ambrose. advertisement'He's had a terrible year since he went through us at the Gabba,' Healy said on SENQ Breakfast. 'Shamar has come out today and said 'just look out and watch what is coming'. OK Shamar, well, you've delivered crap all year."'He'd better improve, that's what I'm saying in the dressing room. He's got real trouble. You're not Curtly Ambrose champ.'However, Healy was left with egg on his face as Shamar picked up four wickets, including Konstas to bundle Australia out for 180. 'Sort of talked about what the dressing room might say'Healy commented on his comments on Shamar and said they were taken out of context and labelled as sledging. The former wicketkeeper said that he was saying what the Australian dressing room might say about Shamar. advertisementHealy did end his response with a cheeky dig on Shamar and the jewellery he was wearing. 'Yesterday, when I talked about backing up Sam Konstas when an opponent sledges him I sort of talked about what the dressing room might say – is that the context, do you reckon, that I was talking about?' Healy asked co-host, NRL great Corey Parker.'Do you believe I was talking about what the dressing room might say to Konstas, or was it me saying something against Shamar Joseph?"'Geez, they've come out at me, haven't they! They've said 'oh no, I've sledged Shamar!' Apparently, it's saying I've had a personal dig at Shamar."'He's bowled beautifully again today, and it's not easy with so much gold around your neck!'This isn't the first time Healy has found himself making such comments. In 2017, he said that he was losing respect towards Virat Kohli for his aggression during a Test match between India and Australia. - EndsTrending Reel
