The cricket has started and the festive period has begun. The NRL news is at its most tedious and clicky-baity. Therefore, we’re going to sift through as much as we can and read it so you don’t have to waste your precious time. We’re updating the NRL 2023 Live Blog throughout the week before packing it all in here for those that want to sip on their Friday morning coffee catching up on the week that was in footy.
So, here we go…
Roosters: Allan signed?
Canterbury continue to clear the decks to ease their roster logjam, releasing former State of Origin winger Corey Allan. – Daily Telegraph
It’s yet to be confirmed but it looks as though Corey Allan will end up at the Sydney Roosters for 2023.
It’s a good move for both sides. The Roosters lost Kevin Naiqama and Adam Keighran over the summer and have Billy Smith recovering from yet another serious injury. Jaxson Paulo and Vuate Karawalevu are both already signed on for depth, but the Roosters couldn’t pass up what is likely to be a cheap deal on a more experienced and serviceable option at centre. Should James Tedesco or Luke Keary go down with an injury of their own during the season, Joey Manu will slot straight into either position leaving another centre spot open.
Allan’s versatility is handy, too. He has experience at fullback, wing and centre and can do a job whenever called upon. He’s the sort of player Trent Robinson seems to like carrying in a squad.
Related: Junior Siua Wong’s Crazy Year Of Footy
Worth the listen:
James Graham is really good at this podcast thing. He is interviewing head coaches throughout November and December and his latest with Craig Fitzgibbon is another good one.
Knights: Tupouniua upgraded
The younger brother of Sydney Roosters power forward Sitili Tupouniua has had such a devastating impact on the Knights that he has quickly been rewarded with a two-year deal. – Daily Telegraph
I’ve not seen a lot of Toni Tupouniua, but if he’s anything like his brother, the Knights have just signed a physical edge forward that will provide some punch out wide.
It’s a position the Knights have struggled to fill consistently in recent years. Tyson Frizell has held one side down, but there is regular enough chatter around him moving to the middle to suggest it might be an option if others put pressure on his place on the edge. That might be Toni Tupouniua in 2023. He’s certainly one to watch out for when the trials kick off in February.
Dolphins: O’Sullivan & Milford
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett says it is unlikely the club bolsters its spine with “anybody that we want” before the fledgling NRL franchise begins its maiden campaign next season. – Daily Telegraph
It’s hardly a “shock admission”. It’s December and with the way the NRL structures it’s signing periods, there’s not a lot of talent available let alone elite talent. Nonetheless, Wayne Bennett did provide some insight into how the Dolphins might look in 2023:
“Obviously we brought Sean here because we believe he can be the halfback and we brought Milford here because we believe he can be the five-eighth but they have to prove to me that they’ve learnt that and they’ve got the ability to do that job and if they haven’t, well we’ll make another decision.”
At their best, you can see how the combination can be successful. Sean O’Sullivan is a traditional #7 that likes to control the side and kicks well to end sets. Meanwhile, Anthony Milford still shows the odd glimpse of the old Milford often enough to suggest he still has plenty in the tank. He was a target in the defensive line throughout the Rugby League World Cup but a valuable contributor to Samoa’s efforts with the ball in hand.
More good NRL reads:
Roosters: Walker extends
The Sydney Roosters are thrilled to announce that Sam Walker has re-committed to the Club for a further two years, keeping him at the Tricolours until at least the end of 2025. – Sydney Roosters Media
No surprises here.
This kid is an exciting talent and will likely take his game to another level in 2023.
Another season in the NRL will help. So too will another full preseason. The continuity and more defined role is the big factor, though. It took Sam Walker and Luke Keary half the season to figure things out and look comfortable on the field together. With Walker playing the traditional #7 role and Keary popping up as the five-eighth and hitting short sides, the Roosters spine looks set to be one of the best in the competition with James Tedesco and Brandon Smith involved.
With Walker and Keary wide while Tedesco and Smith scheming through the middle, opposition defences will have their work cut out for them across the field.
NRL CBA “will be solved this week”
“Last Friday at NRL headquarters Clint Newton and the RLPA, three clubs and the NRL executives got together and made considerable progress. From the people I spoke to inside that meeting I’m very hopeful it will be solved this week.” – Buzz Rothfield
It’s ridiculous that it has taken this long to get sorted, but finally, the salary cap looks set to be finalised this week.
Clubs will have contracts on the table ready to sign the moment they have a figure to work with moving forward. From there, a handful of free agents will be able to confirm their plans for the 2023 NRL season.
Nathan Brown is expected to land at the Wests Tigers. He would add some punch to the pack but doesn’t fix their biggest issue of middle service. They lack a genuine ball-playing forward and while it’s an area of Brown’s game that has come along over the last two years, Wests need to find better if they’re to make a significant leap up the ladder.
Marty Taupau is another waiting to settle on his future. He has been linked with the Parramatta Eels but given how Brad Arthur rotates his bench, it won’t be a big-minute role for the veteran.
Update: At this stage, it hasn’t been solved this week…
For the Kiwi footy fans:
Every footy fan in New Zealand should be following these guys. No better place to keep up with the elite young Kiwi talent constantly moving around NZ and Aus.
Knights signings finally confirmed
