JUNIOR BOXING CHAMP IMPRESSES KNIGHTS
A junior Australian boxing champion has emerged as a shock contender for the Knights’ hooking spot this season.
Kobe Rugless, a tough 20-year-old, recently signed with the Knights from North Sydney in the NSW Cup and is training with the club’s fulltime squad.
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With Jayden Brailey set to miss most of the season with an Achilles tear, the club is looking at Chris Randall, Phoenix Crossland or Kurt Mann to fill the vital No.9 role.
But of the three, only Randall is a specialist hooker, putting Rugless right in the picture.
“I’m just feeling my way at the moment and it’s great to be training with the fulltime squad,” Rugless told Wide World of Sports.
“I really feel for Jayden – his injury was terrible luck, and he has been great helping me out, as has Chris Randall.
“Danny Buderus is one of the greatest hookers of all time, he’s given me some tips and Andrew Johns is also helping us out so I couldn’t be happier.
“I’ll just try to do my best in the trials next month if I get a run and see what happens.”
Rugless, whose dad Troy played in the lower grades for Easts and Souths as well as in the top grade for the London Broncos, has an impressive boxing resume.
He won national titles in the under 15 and under 16 age groups and toured China with an Australian team.
“I love boxing but I had to make a choice between the two and league is definitely my preference,” he said.
DILEMMA OVER JUNIOR LEAGUE BRAWL
Manly officials have been left with a major dilemma following the sickening junior league brawl at Erskineville Oval last weekend.
Sadly, junior football violence is not uncommon in league – but this incident had a major difference.
It was Manly supporters and players fighting amongst themselves – fans and players from their rivals on the day, Souths, were stunned to see the Sea Eagles players and supporters scuffling with each other.
Wide World of Sports has known for some time of rival factions in the Manly juniors and tensions clearly reached boiling point over the weekend.
Both the NRL and Manly are investigating but the Sea Eagles will want to smooth things over in their own house before the season proper begins.
DOLPHINS TARGET WALSH
Boom Warriors utility back Reece Walsh is the latest player on the Dolphins’ hit list for their entry into the premiership in 2023.
The Dolphins have missed the boat in attempting to sign plenty of big names but came up with a coup last week in Storm and Kiwi enforcer Jesse Bromwich.
Walsh was superb for the Warriors last season and comes off contract in 2023.
The Dolphins will be forced to pay ‘overs’ for marquee players and Walsh is one youngster they are definitely keep an eye on.
SCOTT UNLIKELY TO PLAY THIS SEASON
Controversial former Storm and Raiders centre Curtis Scott won’t have his day in court until August, virtually ending any slim hope of him playing this season.
The matter was heard briefly in court last week and adjourned until August, just weeks before the finals.
Scott was hoping to resume his career at the Eels this season but the NRL won’t clear him to play until the matter is resolved.
The troubled premiership-winner has been charged with allegedly choking and assaulting his former girlfriend.
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