Kamikamica resilient
BRISBANE: Melbourne prop Tui Kamikamica has “climbed a mountain” to make it back into the line-up for this year’s National Rugby League finals after missing the Storm’s 2020 success through injury.
The hulking Fijian has been named on the bench for tomorrow’s preliminary final against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium, fighting his way into the side after back surgery last July left him bedridden for two weeks.
The 27-year-old returned with three regular rounds remaining last season, but he hurt his ankle which ultimately meant he missed out on the grand-final squad that downed the Panthers.
“I had a bulging disc injury where I couldn’t leave my bed for two weeks and couldn’t even walk, it was a tough period to be honest,” Kamikamica said of the surgery.
“It was the first time I ever had to have surgery and I didn’t know what was going to happen.
“But I kept thinking about my family back home in Fiji, I just wanted to make them proud and that kept pushing to get back out to play footy.”
Justin Olam brought his Storm teammate three meals a day and admits he was worried about his playing future, although hiding his fears from Kamikamica.
“I was definitely worried about him but I didn’t want to show that,” the star centre said.
“The thing that stood out to me was that he was so positive — I’d go into the room and see him, me feeling sorry for him and he’ll just be positive.
“He always kept saying that this is his mountain to climb and to his credit he did it and I’m so proud and happy for him.”
Kamikamica says a place in the grand final would be extra special after what he’s endured.
As well as his injuries, he hasn’t been able to return to his homeland and see family for almost two years, only getting to know his baby niece through Facetime. – Yahoo Sports Australia
Queenslanders who get jab could win NRL tickets
BRISBANE: Queenslanders who get vaccinated against Coronavirus in northern Brisbane or Logan will have the chance to win free tickets to the National Rugby League (NRL) finals this weekend.
As an incentive to get the jab, the state government is giving away 3,000 double passes for the preliminary finals when Manly takes on South Sydney, and Melbourne plays Penrith.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said people who get vaccinated from yesterday at vaccination centres in Boondall and Pinkenba or in Logan and Mt Warren Park could win tickets to the games.
“I want to see as many Queenslanders as possible getting vaccinated,” she said in a statement.
“As an added incentive, the first few thousand at select vaccination hubs on Thursday and Friday will also get free tickets to the NRL finals.”
Anyone who gets the jab at the Boondall or new Pinkenba mass vaccination centre will be in the running to win one of 2,000 double-passes to tonight’s match between the Sea Eagles and the Rabbitohs.
And anyone who gets vaccinated at the Logan Entertainment Centre and Mt Warren Park vaccine hub could win one of 1,000 double-passes to tomorrow’s preliminary final between the Storm and the Panthers. – Seven News
Gold Coast Titans refuse early release for halfback Fogarty
BRISBANE: Canberra’s hunt for a new No.7 will continue after Titans officials told the Raiders that co-captain Jamal Fogarty would not be granted an early release to move to the nation’s capital.
News of Ricky Stuart’s interest in luring Fogarty south emerged on Wednesday despite the late-blooming 27-year-old inking a Titans extension just last month that would keep him with the club until the end of 2023.
Raiders officials have confirmed to NRL.com that Titans counterparts had scotched suggestions of an early release.
Sources have described discussions between the Gold Coast and Fogarty’s camp as “extremely delicate”.
It is unclear if Fogarty’s management will push for a release further down the line if it means securing his future elsewhere.
Gold Coast chief executive Steve Mitchell declined to comment or confirm the club’s stance on Fogarty’s future, saying “as a club policy we do not comment on recruitment or retention”.
Under National Rugby League rules, Fogarty would require the Titans’ permission to begin formal negotiations with rivals given his latest extension took him off the 2023 free agency list.
Fogarty is highly regarded at the Titans. – NRL
Ferguson eyes code switch
SYDNEY: Blake Ferguson is clear to make a code switch to rugby union after Parramatta confirmed his departure from the National Rugby League (NRL) club on Wednesday afternoon.
The ex-New South Wales and Kangaroos winger was farewelled in a statement by the Eels along with Joey Lussick, Michael Oldfield and Sam Hughes.
Ferguson, 31, was long odds to land another deal with the Eels beyond the end of this season and has publicly spoken about the uncertainty over his playing future.
Most recently he has been linked to a move to rugby union, which would end his 249-game NRL career spent with Cronulla, Canberra and the Sydney Roosters, where he won a premiership in 2018. – NRL
Brisbane marked to field second team in NRL expansion
SYDNEY: The National Rugby League (NRL) is preparing to announce the first expansion of the competition in 14 years with Brisbane to be granted a long-awaited second team.
Queensland are expected to be granted a fourth club from 2023 with an official announcement set to be made after the NRL grand final on Sunday week, according to a Newscorp report.
It follows an Australian Rugby League commission board meeting where the expansion of the competition to 17 clubs was backed pending approval by the 16 other clubs.
Once confirmed it will be the first time another team has been added to the competition since the Gold Coast Titans joined in 2007.
Following the official announcement of expansion in a fortnight, the league is then expected to hold further talks with bid clubs Brisbane Firehawks, Jets and Redcliffe Dolphins to grant a licence in October.
It will then allow the winning club to launch a signing spree with off-contract players from Nov 1 to start building a roster for the 2023 season.
The Dolphins have been considered the front-runners to be added to the NRL after impressing in a round of meetings with the commission last month.
All bid teams have reportedly held talks with off-contract South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, who will return to Brisbane at the end of this season with no concrete employment but plenty of options.
Expansion has long been on the cards for the commission with chairman Peter V’landys wanting to advance the rugby league market in Brisbane. – Yahoo Sports Australia