Latrell’s All Stars ban baffles coach
Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley is bewildered that the NRL is refusing to allow superstar Latrell Mitchell to play in the clash with the Maori All Stars at CommBank Stadium on Saturday week.
Mitchell still has two games to serve for THAT hit on Rooster Joey Manu – yet is allowed to play in the Charity Shield against the Dragons late next month.
Both games are set to be played before big crowds, both are televised and both are non-premiership games – but because the NRL classes the All Stars game as a representative fixture, Mitchell is not allowed to play.
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“It’s another farcical situation that just has everyone shaking their heads,” a source close to Daley told Wide World of Sports.
“Either you are suspended or you aren’t. The NRL are having a bit each way.
“Latrell is a proud Indigenous man and playing in the All Stars game would mean a lot to him.”
The Indigenous team is already in danger of losing one of its main attacking playmakers in Mitchell’s Rabbitohs teammate Cody Walker, who is unlikely to play because he is underdone, having participated in little work since last year’s grand final.
NRL club sacks coach over ‘inappropriate relationship’
An NRL club has parted ways with a member of its coaching staff after rumours of an allegedly “inappropriate relationship” with one of the club’s female players swept through the code.
The club only appointed the coach late last year and the rumour mill – involving one of the code’s highest-profile female players – quickly went into overdrive.
The irony of the situation is I’m told by those close to the pair that there was nothing inappropriate happening; they were just good friends.
But the coach got sick of the constant innuendos and gossip and decided it would be better for all concerned if he stepped down.
The club is meanwhile on the lookout for a suitable replacement coach for the upcoming season.
Dolphins on cusp of signing NRL journeyman
Samoa international and former Queensland State of Origin prop Dunamis Lui looks to be the next player to hitch onto the Dolphins’ wagon for 2023.
I’m hearing that Lui, who played the past five seasons at Canberra, will play for Redcliffe this season – the Queensland Cup team that will morph into the Dolphins next season.
A journeyman 31-year-old, Lui made his NRL debut with the Broncos in 2010 before stints with the Sea Eagles, Dragons and Raiders.
His best football is probably behind him, but with more than 150 games in the engine room he will bring much-needed experience to the fledgling club.
Sharks snap up hot Kiwi talent
Cronulla have signed a talented Kiwi who has made the unlikely switch from five-eighth to prop.
Carlos Tarawhiti, a versatile 19-year-old, had signed with Tweed Seagulls for this year before the Sharks came calling after being told of his skills.
Tarawhiti played for the Warriors’ SG Ball side in 2020 and represented Auckland under 20s last year.
The youngster has gone through a growth spurt over the past 18 months and, at a hefty 111 kilograms, is now too big to play five-eighth, prompting the radical switch to the front row.