The good, bad and ugly of NRL Round 13.
The good: NRL greats don’t think Nathan Cleary will move
The bad: Benji Marshall and Wests Tigers spiralling again
The ugly: Ezra Mam’s on-field act during Broncos loss.
Andrew Johns slaps down Nathan Cleary rugby rumours
You’re wasting your time. That’s the message from four of rugby league’s biggest names in response to rumours Nathan Cleary might be eyeing a switch to rugby union.
Former Wallaby Tim Horan fired up the juicy bit of gossip last week, suggesting the Panthers superstar was “quite keen” to leave the NRL for the 15-man game. Another ex-Wallaby, Morgan Turinui, was happy to run with the story, adding “there is interest on both sides”.
If you believe the narrative, the rumours have Cleary moving to a UK/European rugby club to be closer to partner Mary Fowler. It all sounds good in theory but is it actually a chance of happening?
Not according to those in the know. “What’s today, June 1 – it’s not April 1. I’m saying a big fat no. That won’t happen,” Immortal Andrew Johns told the Sunday Footy Show.
Queensland Origin coach Billy Slater was another to cast doubt on the move. He said: “It would be a pull-off for the Wallabies if they could get Nathan Cleary, but I don’t think that would happen. I’d be surprised if Nathan challenged himself with that.”
Cameron Smith and Brad Fittler also wrote off the possibility. But we learned a long time ago to never outrightly dismiss any scenario when it comes to rugby league. Watch this space.
Alarming scenes for Benji Marshall and Tigers
Benji Marshall insists the Tigers have left the Lachlan Galvin drama behind them and are sick of talking about the departed five-eighth. That may be the case, but the club’s results since Galvin announced he wanted out shows a worrying trend.
Going back to the Easter Monday clash against Parramatta – which Galvin missed after being axed in the wake of his decision not to accept a contract extension – the Tigers have won just two games in six. From occupying a position in the top eight, Marshall’s men have now slipped to 13th ahead of a testing run of games.
Alarmingly, they have conceded 146 points in their past four games, which included the nightmare 64-0 defeat to Melbourne. The Tigers showed plenty of ticker to fight back against the Cowboys on Saturday night, but the fact remains they trailed 32-6 at one stage.
The recent drop off cannot all be put down to Galvin’s exit but there’s no doubt the ongoing circus has been a major distraction. High profile recruit Jarome Luai is doing his best to keep his side in the contest but is clearly frustrated and agitated as he prepares to take on his old Panthers teammates this weekend. After three straight wooden spoons, Tigers fans are starting to wonder whether the supposed revival is fast becoming a mirage.
Ezra Mam urged to be more ‘humble’ after suspension
The out-of-form Broncos have enough problems without Ezra Mam adding to their dramas. The disgraced five-eighth was hit by a barrage of abuse by Manly fans each time he touched the ball during Brisbane’s awful 34-6 loss at 4 Pines Park on Saturday night.
It’s the first time Mam has played outside of Queensland since returning from a nine-game ban for crashing into car while unlicensed and under the influence of drugs, injuring three people. And while he was given a soft ride back into the NRL in front of his own fans in Round 11, those south of the border clearly aren’t willing to forgive and forget.
Mam didn’t help his cause at Brookvale, jumping to his feet with arms outstretched in a Christ the Redeemer pose after scoring his side’s only try. Some saw his actions as lacking humility and class given his off-field troubles, jumping on social media to condemn his actions.
Sea Eagles life member and veteran media figure Peter Peters said: “I think the booing of Ezra Mam showed the NRL got it wrong in the suspension for what he did. He’s got to be a little more humble. He’s not everyone’s cup of team at the moment.
“To act like he did…to look to the heavens and poke his chest out like he’s something special was hard to take. He needs to take a good look at himself.”
