NRL News: Townsend on verge of Roosters swansong, Maroons in concussion strife, Jillaroos enter Vegas bonanza

Chad Townsend’s decision on his playing future is only weeks away, and while North Queensland halfback says he was chance of a Super League switch – it seems the Roosters have made a play.

The off-contract playmaker will be 34 by the time the next NRL season starts, but has made no secret of his desire to play into 2025.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Townsend is on the verge of a deal with the Sydney Roosters to round out his tenure. The Telegraph reports Townsend is more than happy to mentor both Sandon Smith and Sam Walker, who are poised as the future halves of the club.

Townsend is also after a career in the media post rugby league, which is a driving motivator to return to Sydney.

The 2016 premiership winner has met with a handful of NRL clubs, most recently Canterbury late last month, about signing on for a swan-song campaign.

But along with interest from inside the NRL, he has held meetings about a potential move to the Super League.

With the seventh-placed Cowboys’ charge to the finals in full swing, Townsend is hopeful of making a decision on his playing future in a matter of weeks.

More League

League

“At the moment, I’ve been assessing all my options, I’ve made it no secret that I want to see everything that’s out there for me,” Townsend told AAP.

“I’ve had multiple meetings over the last couple of months and I think I’m just about ready to make a decision. That’ll happen over the next couple of weeks.”

A change of scenery is attractive for Townsend, who has never previously considered a move to the Super League given demand for his services around the NRL.

But staying in Australia also has its upsides, with the halfback keen on remaining front of mind as he hopes to pursue a media career in retirement.

Townsend also has four young children to think about.

“There’s multiple scenarios, overseas is definitely an option, staying in Australia is definitely an option,” he said. “Ultimately my decision will be based around my young family.

“I want to make the decision for them, and you want to think about life after football and the things that I enjoy.”

Maroons in hot water

The NRL are after Queensland Rugby League to detail the circumstances surrounding Reuben Cotter’s head injury assessment interchange in Origin II.

Cotter was thumped in a Liam Martin tackle, which turned the prop on his shoulders and left him in a dangerous position. Martin was penalised for the shot in the 36th minute – but it was the scenario prior which has left the NRL curious.

The Maroons No.8 smashed heads with Harry Grant a few minutes before Martin’s contact. Grant was left with a bloodied face – while both players remained on the field despite a clear collision.

Reuben Cotter. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Cotter passed his HIA, when he was subbed off right after being upended by the Blues second-rower. Although, the NRL are wondering why he wasn’t shipped off well before the tackle.

If the Maroons breached HIA or interchange rules, the NRL may come down heavy on Queensland Rugby League, with an official warning or fine.

The NRL is also investigating the interchange of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – who allegedly entered the field of play without informing the NRL interchange authorities.

Tabuai-Fidow was subbed on in the first second of the final 40, taking off Kurt Capewell. The Dolphins No.1 was taken off in the 24th minute after an AC shoulder injury, which ruled him out of Redcliffe’s game in round 17.

Women to take on Vegas

Australia are set to play a women’s Test against England in Las Vegas as part of the NRL’s expanded four-game extravaganza for 2025.

NRL bosses will announce a schedule for next year’s Las Vegas venture as early as this week, with the season-opening NRL fixtures all but  locked in.

It is expected Penrith and Canberra will host games against Cronulla and the Warriors, as part of the season-opening double-header in the US.

A match involving Super League teams is also expected, with heavyweights Wigan and Warrington the most likely clubs to face off.

Such a fixture would work with English time zones, with the NRL also buoyed by the amount of fans travelling from the United Kingdom to Vegas this year.

There is then the option of adding an English component through a women’s Test against Australia.

The NRL is keen to have a women’s match as part of the Vegas trip, viewing it as the best way to lure potential talent from the US.

The league had toyed with several ideas, including the possibility of playing an NRLW match in March or opening the State of Origin series in Vegas.

But AAP has been told that an international fixture will instead be announced, with the Jillaroos expected to play England.

New Zealand could also feature in future Tests against Australia in the US, with the NZ Rugby League more than open to the idea.

A Jillaroos match in Vegas is considered the best way to sell the women’s game, particularly given players will have been in camp during the post-season.

Australia are expected to play women’s Tests against both New Zealand and Papua New Guinea this October and November, as part of the Pacific Championships.

The schedule for that is still yet to be announced, but it is likely women’s matches will be played in both New Zealand and Australia.

The NRL announced a crowd of 40,706 at Allegiant Stadium this year for the inaugural Las Vegas matches.

But the league will hope to increase that in 2025 with the added English component, while there would be a desire to attract more eyeballs on television in the US.

Another Walters and a Roosters reserve grade flyer

It seems another Walters son is set to enter the NRL. Already boasting Broncos No.9 Billy, Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has another son performing in rugby league.

Harry Walters scored a hat-trick of tries for Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup last week. It was just his third game in the competition, where he came off the bench as a second-rower to break three tackles, make two line breaks and run for 100 metres.

Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs

2.20

1.67

NRL : Head To Head Thu, 4 Jul 2024, 19:50 Cronulla Sharks v Gold Coast Titans

1.43

2.85

NRL : Head To Head Fri, 5 Jul 2024, 18:00 Brisbane Broncos v Penrith Panthers

2.40

1.57

NRL : Head To Head Fri, 5 Jul 2024, 20:00 Canterbury Bulldogs v New Zealand Warriors

1.50

2.60

NRL : Head To Head Sat, 6 Jul 2024, 15:00 Wests Tigers v Melbourne Storm

4.00

1.25

NRL : Head To Head Sat, 6 Jul 2024, 17:30 North Queensland Cowboys v Manly Sea Eagles

1.77

2.05

NRL : Head To Head Sat, 6 Jul 2024, 19:35 Sydney Roosters v St. George Illawarra Dragons

1.25

4.00

NRL : Head To Head Sun, 7 Jul 2024, 14:00 Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights

2.30

1.62

NRL : Head To Head Sun, 7 Jul 2024, 16:05 * Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check PlayUp Website For Latest Odds Chances are you're about to lose. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

His three try barrage led the Magpies to a thrilling one-point win. The youngster was awarded the Norths Devils’ Hastings Colts Player of the Year in 2023 and looks to make his name in grade.

Tyreece Tait scored four tries for the Roosters’ NSW cup side over the weekend, three of those in the space of 10 minutes.

The 18-year-old made his debut in round nine and is dubbed as a promising speedster, running 100 metres in under 11 seconds.

Tait busted four tackles and darted for 211 run metres in the Roosters’ 32-18 win over the Newtown Jets.