Ex-NRL players Siosiua Taukeiaho and Jayden Nikorima have been sacked immediately by the Catalan Dragons following a “highly unacceptable” act.
Both contracts were torn up with the Super League powerhouse as the club cracked down in response to a poor disciplinary act – that also involved Damel Diakhate.
“Following a disciplinary process, the Catalans Dragons have decided to terminate the contracts of three of their players with immediate effect. The players concerned are Siua Taukeiaho, Jayden Nikorima and Damel Diakhate,” the statement read.
“All players were involved in an incident deemed to be highly unacceptable by the club and contrary to the club’s values.”
Fox Sports reports the players were sacked for allegedly skipping a training session to attend a concert instead.
Taukeiaho was recently linked to an NRL return with the Bulldogs – but it was called off due to fitness concerns.
The former Rooster played 168 games in the NRL and was a feature name in the premierships of 2018 and 2019.
Meanwhile playmaker Nikorima played in seven first-grade games for the Roosters and two for the Storm between 2016 and 2023. He was a Catalan Dragon as of this year.
Advertisement
Gould says Slater switch is a certainty
Billy Slater may be tied up with Queensland at the moment, but rugby league pundit Phil Gould knows the Storm legend will set up shop in Melbourne in a matter of time.
Slater has been approached by many NRL clubs since his success with the Maroons, but has sectioned off his coaching role to state level.
The 41-year-old reportedly turned town an offer to coach Parramatta, post Brad Arthur’s sacking at the club.
While not a short-term answer for the Storm, Gould believes Slater will be a big name for them in the future.
“I think (the Storm) are happy to take a decade if that’s what it takes – I don’t think Billy’s got any intention of doing it anytime soon,” Gould said on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus.
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 01: Maroons coachBilly Slater during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin Training Session at Sanctuary Cove on June 01, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Maroons coach Billy Slater. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Advertisement
“I don’t think he’s going to bow out of what he’s doing anytime soon, (but) I would guarantee 100 per cent at some stage of his life he’ll be Storm coach.
“But it might not happen for about 10 years – he’s still a young man.
“He is at a position in his life where he’s got a young family, he’s got great interest outside of rugby league … he loves that sort of lifestyle.
“I’m quite sure the Melbourne Storm would like that to happen, but I think they’re going to be very patient with it until it’s at the point in Billy’s life where he decides ‘OK, now that’s what I want to do’.”
Slater and wife Nicole run a thoroughbred horse breeding business, and live 40 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, despite his Queensland roots.
Gould says the father of three will be focusing on raising his children first, and will then dive into a gig with the Storm.
Sporting fresh headgear, Harry Grant has trained strongly in a sign he will overcome a sternum injury and play for Queensland in the State of Origin decider.
But Brisbane’s NRL forwards stocks have taken another hit with backrower Brendan Piakura, part of the Maroons’ extended squad, injured in a physical opposed session at Sanctuary Cove on Thursday.
Melbourne hooker Grant has missed the last two NRL games with the issue, with Canterbury No.9 Reed Mahoney in the extended squad as cover ahead of next Wednesday’s Brisbane decider.
But on Thursday, donning headgear to protect a fresh Origin scar, Grant was all smiles as he completed a session that included a full-contact hit-out against Queensland Cup outfit Wynnum-Manly.
Centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (shoulder), who also hasn’t played at club level since the Maroons’ game-two loss in Melbourne, also took his place in the session.
But Piakura, defending against his Maroons teammates for the Seagulls, hobbled off and iced his ankle after some friendly fire in a Reuben Cotter tackle.
There was optimism in Maroons camp the injury was not serious, a low-profile Brisbane coach Kevin Walters among the fans leaning on the fence on Thursday.
Piakura’s fitness is another headache for the coach ahead of Saturday’s date with St George Illawarra with Brisbane out to snap a five-game losing streak.
“I saw him hobbling,” Maroons left winger Valentine Holmes said.
“He hurt his ankle a bit; hopefully it’s not too bad, if you’re a Broncos fan.”
At the Blues camp, Bradman Best again sat out training as Blues officials managed his tight hamstring, while Joseph Suaalii was back with NSW again.
Blues officials are hopeful Best will be able to get through their next opposed session on Saturday, after being managed through the start of the week.
Advertisement
Even with Suaalii now in camp and having served his four-match ban for hitting Reece Walsh high in Origin I, he is not eligible to come in for the Blues unless there is a fresh injury.
Under NRL rules, players cannot be brought in to feature in an Origin match from outside the 20-man squad, without an exemption due to an injury suffered in camp.
Best’s ailment would not qualify as one, given he felt the hamstring tightness before the squad was named and it is therefore a pre-existing injury.
Matt Burton is in the squad as 18th man and has filled in for Best on the left at training, while Suaalii will remain in the camp and fly up to Queensland with the squad.
“Joey is the ultimate squad member, he’s been massive,” Moses said.
“He’s come in and been suspended for the last few weeks. He’s probably got every right to go, ‘nah, I’m just going to relax and worry about the Roosters’.