‘He was the missing piece': Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris go from friends to foes for first time in their careers
They were the brothers of destruction who helped Penrith to four titles in a row, but Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris will be rivals for the first time on Saturday in a heavyweight showdown across the ditch.
The Panthers will be without their five State of Origin stars against a team that is fighting for a top-two finish, but there will be no shortage of spice between two great mates who dominated up front for the mountain men.
Penrith's plan was always to build the team around guys like Fisher-Harris, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, which is why everyone was so shocked last year when the powerhouse prop informed the club that he wanted to return home to New Zealand.
The Panthers didn't stand in his way, with the Kiwis skipper and 2023 Golden Boot winner joining the Warriors where he's added starch to the front row and turned them into premiership contenders.
He now takes on his former side for the first time, with all eyes on his battle with Leota who remains one of Fisher-Harris' closest friends ever since that they won the under-20 grand final together 10 years ago for Penrith.
'This is the first time I've ever played against him. It's never happened before, so it's going to be a new experience for us,' Leota told the NewsWire.
'I think we'll just have to find out in the game what it's going to be like. I've got to do my job for the team and I'm sure he will as well.
'I texted him on the weekend to see how he was going, so we're still close. My missus still talks with his missus.
'We were really close, so we don't want to lose that bond that we had.
'I'm so proud of him. Seeing how well they're going now, I think he was the missing piece for them. The standards he brings (are second to none) and he commands respect.'
The Panthers are rank outsiders with so many stars missing, but they still have several internationals in their team, including Isaiah Papali'i, who joined Penrith in the off-season and gets the chance to start in the back row this weekend.
Papali'i left the Wests Tigers after a tough couple of years, with plenty of people seeing him as Fisher-Harris' logical replacement.
But that's not what Panthers coach Ivan Cleary wanted.
'Those are definitely big shoes to fill, but 'Iv' has reinforced that I just need to be myself and do what I do,' Papali'i said.
'It always helps when the head coach reassures you and reiterates that you don't need to listen to the outside noise and that you just have to be yourself.
'I've really been enjoying my time, and I know that everyone at the club is looking forward to going up against Fish because he's a good competitor.'
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ABC News
44 minutes ago
- ABC News
How one slip on the Franklin River triggered a race to save a rafter's life
When Valdas Bieliauskas fell into the Franklin River, it triggered an extraordinary rescue mission that pushed everyone to the brink. Valdas jumps from one boulder to another. It's a simple rock hop, one he's made hundreds of times in his 50 years of rafting. But this time, in the remote and rugged Tasmanian wilderness, it goes horribly wrong. Valdas slips — and falls into the thundering rapids of the Franklin River. His left leg jams in a narrow gap between two boulders. "My friends tied ropes around me and tried hauling me out," Valdas tells Australian Story in Lithuania. "But the leg was so tightly wedged that their efforts were fruitless." Around 13 tonnes of water per second are flowing down the river, pouring onto him. It is the beginning of a harrowing 24-hour ordeal, and one of the most complex rescue operations in the state's history. For the first time Australian Story can reveal the extraordinary setbacks rescuers had to overcome during the precarious mission, including serious injury and unexpected equipment failure. Crews have also spoken in detail about how they confronted the option of last resort – a high-risk underwater amputation. Valdas' fall prompted one of the most complex rescue operations in Tasmania's history. ( Supplied ) "I felt so conflicted. If this goes ahead, you might kill him," Intensive Care flight paramedic Rohan Kilham says. "But even if it all goes perfectly, he'll never be the same again." An SOS from the Great Ravine Valdas is an experienced adventurer, drawn to the freedom of wild places and the adrenaline rush of a challenging river run. The 66-year-old Lithuanian has travelled the world with a group of paddling mates, trying to tick off a river on five continents. Valdas's rafting adventures have taken him around the world. ( Supplied ) Valdas and his friends want to travel to five continents. Valdas (on right) grew up kayaking and rafting rivers in the former Soviet Union. ( Supplied ) The last stop on their mission was Australia, and an epic multi-day pack-rafting journey along the Franklin River. On November 22, 2024, the group of 11 is five days in. They're in the Great Ravine, a spectacular and formidable gorge. They decide the conditions aren't right to run the rapid ahead; instead they will portage their catarafts down this stretch of the river. Valdas scouts the route ahead on foot. It's after midday when he loses his footing. "I think it was my hydro-boot with its hard sole that made it slippery on rock," says Valdas, speaking to Australian media for the first time. In a split second, he is trapped at Coruscades rapid; submerged up to his chest in cold water, about 10 degrees Celsius. For 40 minutes, the rafters try to free their friend. When all their efforts fail, they send an SOS message via satellite phone. "All of us were lost. We felt uncertainty and we didn't know how everything will finish," Lithuanian rafter Arvydas Rudokas says. There's always a way — until there isn't Over the next five hours, police, paramedics, doctors and swift water rescuers are winched into the remote scene. They use spreaders, hydraulics and airbags in a bid to create space between the boulders trapping Valdas's leg. They drill a tripod into the rocks to create a pulley system and shift his body in various directions to try to extricate him. "The rescuer even grabbed me by the waist to haul me up, but my leg wouldn't budge," Valdas recalls. "I think, if he'd been stronger, like Schwarzenegger, he might have managed to uproot me, leaving the leg behind." The rescuers consider every idea, no matter how outlandish it seems. Every attempt fails. Intensive Care flight paramedic Rohan Kilham was one of six rescuers at the scene. ( Supplied ) "How does someone's leg go into a crack and not come out?" paramedic Rohan says. "Surely there's a way — there's always a way. "And there wasn't." As the hours pass, the rescuers are repeatedly struck by how calm Valdas appears. His wetsuit is helping him stay warm, and friends bring him hot food and drinks every 30 minutes to keep his body temperature up. "You could see the determination in Valdas's eyes," swift water rescuer Adrian 'Ace' Petrie says. "Even though his body was deteriorating, in his mind he was not giving up." But despite his stoicism, there is growing fear that Valdas will not survive. "I began to think, maybe I'm destined to stay here, stuck, forever," Valdas says. Valdas was given pain medication during the gruelling rescue. ( Supplied ) His leg or his life The crews stay with Valdas through the long, dark hours of the night. His friends keep the hot drinks coming. But the elements are taking their toll, and hypothermia starts to set in. Valdas receives pain medication as the hours pass. "He was getting colder. He'd lost a fair bit of conversation. His demeanour had totally changed," Ace says. By the early hours of the morning, it is clear only one option remains — and it's the option nobody wants. "It was a big mental hurdle, realising that we were going to cut his leg off," Rohan says. "I'd never had to hurt someone to save their life." Swift water rescuer 'Ace' Petrie tries to free Valdas's leg from the crevice. Valdas doesn't speak much English, so rescuers call on Arvydas, who is a medical doctor, to deliver the grim news. "Valdas asked, 'So I will become handicapped?' Maybe, Valdas. But if not, you will die here in this hole," Arvydas says. Valdas nods his head, meaning, "Alright, do what you need to do". The amputation will take place at first light. "I prayed to God, that's all I could do. Even as a medical person, I couldn't help," Arvydas says. 'I knew I'd broken something' The only doctor among the rescue crew, Nick Scott, is tasked with amputating Valdas's leg above the knee. No amount of experience could have prepared him for surgery underwater, in the wilderness, with very few resources, on belay. The doctor longs for the support of a colleague, but the towering cliffs of the ravine make communication almost impossible. "I felt isolated," he said. As he makes his way down the wet rocks towards the water's edge, the unthinkable happens. He slips and falls. "I put my hand back and all my weight went through my hand," Nick says. "I immediately knew that I'd broken something." It's his wrist. He lets out "a few expletives", realising the amputation can't go ahead as planned. "Nick was pretty shattered," swift water rescuer Ace says. "When you're in those scenarios, you like to see them through." Communication was difficult in the remote location. The ground crews get a message out: another doctor needs to be flown in. The big question is whether Valdas will survive another few hours. "His power and strength were dramatically decreasing," Arvydas says. 'Like stepping off a cliff' It's mid-morning when the new doctor, Jorian 'Jo' Kippax, himself an experienced white-water kayaker, is winched into the scene. He feels overwhelmed as he hears the loud roar of the river, and takes in the faces of the people who have worked all night on a precarious rock platform. The doctor also agonises over the decision to amputate, but everyone agrees Valdas is running out of time. "The inevitable consequence of him staying there was death, and that was going to be quite soon," he says. The doctor lowers himself down beside Valdas. Dr Jo Kippax prepares for the amputation. ( Supplied ) Immediately he feels the pull of the water, wanting to suck him under. He wedges himself in an awkward spread-eagled position, and takes a breath. "There was a moment, a real sense of, I really, really don't want to do this." Once he starts, there is no going back. "It was like stepping off a cliff. All of a sudden from that point, you were in freefall and the only endpoint is an amputated leg," paramedic Rohan says. The moment the saw snaps With general anaesthesia not being possible, Valdas is knocked out with ketamine. Jo can't see the leg, so he opts to do the surgery with bare hands, so he can feel what he's doing. The velcro tourniquets don't work under water, but he improvises using ratchet straps. Then he starts the procedure. He cuts away the muscles of the thigh, "leaving the tremendously strong femur". "We are trained to saw through this using a Gigli saw — a fine wire which has got sharp serrations on it," he says. "It's very light, which is why we favour it. But it's also pretty delicate. "And in this case, it broke." Jo's heart drops. Fortunately he manages to break through the rest of the femur. Within seconds Valdas is free. Jo helped Valdas onto the stretcher, where he was put on a mechanical CPR machine. ( Supplied ) "Suddenly, he came backwards into my arms. I was waiting for a gush of blood, but there wasn't," he says. "The entire procedure, although it felt a long time to me, only took about two minutes." Crews haul Valdas out of the water and up a rock face. As Arvydas watches, he is devastated. "The colour of his skin, and the body … my diagnosis was Valdas is dead," he says. He returns to his camp and is silent for several minutes. He only tells his friends to pray for Valdas. The second stage of the rescue Everyone is aware that the amputation doesn't guarantee Valdas's survival. After 24 hours in the water, there is an "extremely high chance" of hypothermic cardiac arrest. Initially Valdas responds well, but then he starts to crash. He stops breathing, so the paramedics put him on a ventilator. Then his heart stops beating. "There's a little part of you that thinks that we killed him as his rescuers," Rohan says. Arvydas notices that no one makes eye contact with him. He asks the rescue crew if Valdas is dead. Arvydas Rudokas was one of the Lithuanian rafters on the trip. ( Australian Story: Tom Hancock ) "I couldn't say yes, but I definitely couldn't say no," Rohan says. Valdas is hooked up to a mechanical CPR machine before he is winched up to the chopper. By the time he arrives at hospital in Hobart, the machine has been keeping his heart beating for 90 minutes. "If your heart stops beating on the side of the Franklin River," Rohan says, "Except that Valdas died of a hypothermic cardiac arrest, and it's one of the really unique ways where you actually have a chance." Because hypothermia slows the body's systems down so much, Jo says, humans can survive "quite long periods of not breathing or very little heart activity". Six rescuers were on the ground with Valdas. ( Supplied ) The last hymn you hear before heaven or hell A paramedic has called ahead to alert the hospital that Valdas urgently needs to go on a heart-lung bypass machine, called ECMO, if he is to survive. The ECMO machine warms and oxygenates his blood outside his body and then pumps it back in, until they can restart his heart. Valdas stays on the machine in a coma for four days. As he wakes, he hears a hymn playing over and over in his head. "The last hymn you hear before ending up in heaven, or in hell," he says. "After the hymn I open my eyes and see white — a white ceiling above. I was waking up in the ICU ward." Valdas regained consciousness in hospital. ( Supplied ) While doctors, nurses and paramedics are overjoyed, there is concern he has suffered brain damage from the accident. Jurgita Rakauskaite-Stanwix, a member of the Hobart Lithuanian community, comes in to help with translation. She holds his hand and translates for doctors as they undertake tests to assess his neurological state. On the second day, Valdas surprises everyone when he speaks in English. "He said, 'I'm survivor!'" Jurgita says. "I was in tears. Nurses were in tears. It's just such a beautiful moment. And he is. He is a survivor." Before long, Valdas meets the man who amputated his leg in the wilderness. Valdas meets his rescuers in hospital. ( Supplied ) Jo also works as a trauma specialist, and becomes Valdas's treating doctor. "I felt like I had to apologise. And he too was quite emotional," the doctor says. "We both looked at his leg, and looked at each other, and said, 'I'm sorry, this is the way it is.'" Valdas knows the amputation was the right call. "Otherwise I would still be stuck there to this day. I would have two legs, but I would still be over there," he says. 'Life is a beautiful thing' In late January, Valdas returned home to Lithuania's capital Vilnius. His sister Rasa is helping in his recovery. "This accident has given me the understanding that in life, everything is possible. Every challenge can be overcome," she says. When Australian Story visited Valdas in May, he was walking on crutches. Now, he's learning to walk again with a prosthesis. Australian Story met Valdas in Lithuania. ( Australian Story: Tom Hancock ) "I survived. I endured. That's the greatest joy," he says. "As for the leg, that's not a problem. "The main thing is being alive and life is a beautiful thing." Arvydas says his friend was a legend with two legs, and is now a "double legend". "It doesn't matter. Broken leg. Cut leg. But alive," he says. A lot went wrong for Valdas, but a lot went his way, too. His thick wetsuit kept him warm. He was wearing a life jacket — without it, Ace believes he "probably would have got sucked under the rock". If it had rained even a few millimetres, the river could have risen and drowned him. The marathon rescue involved two helicopters, 500 kilograms of gear and a record-breaking 57 winches. And, communication problems which dogged the rescuers were helped when an AMSA jet was flown overhead later in the rescue to provide critical radio communications. Valdas is grateful for those who saved his life. "The Australian people were fantastic. It brings tears to my eyes when I remember their care," he says. "If it had happened in a place other than Australia, heaven knows what would have happened to me." Valdas and his friends in Lithuania. ( Australian Story: Tom Hancock ) A vow to finish what he started Valdas now has the "crazy idea" to return to the Franklin River in 2026 and finish the journey that changed his life forever. "Because that incident interrupted our expedition, the Franklin River venture remained unfinished," he says. "I don't know whether anyone has ever gone rafting with a prosthesis." Arvydas would be at his side — and their rafting party may include a new member. Jo has formed a strong bond with Valdas. "Valdas is a tremendously strong, independent, accomplished person," he says. "This idea that Valdas might want to come back and do the Franklin doesn't surprise me one little bit. "And I'd love to do that trip with him." Watch Australian Story's 'The River' part 1, 8:00pm Monday June 23, on ABCTV and ABC iview . 'The River' part 2, on Monday July 7. Credits:
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle
Winning will fix this issue in the short-term and last night was a start. But the problem for Flanagan snr is that the same people who didn't want him to coach the Dragons in the first place certainly haven't changed their minds. In fairness to the Dragons, Flanagan was the best option available at the time. They needed to sign a coach with experience and Flanagan has won a competition with the Sharks. The next few weeks may determine whether any request to extend his contract, which ends in 2027, is looked at favourably. At this point, he has not asked for one. All of this is happening while the Dragons have an obvious first-grade coach in their midst in assistant Dean Young, and up the road at South Sydney there is someone with the pedigree and development they need – the increasingly confident Ben Hornby. There is no evidence the Dragons are sounding out other coaches, though. The immediate issue for coach Flanagan are his comments defending Kyle in the News Corp press. 'To say Kyle is under pressure is ridiculous,' Flanagan said. 'He's been among our best players all year. It's not me, ask the other players and coaches. I'm probably harder on Kyle than any other player.' Those comments have gone down badly with those close to him at the club. Those who understand the media game told Flanno it would be a bad idea to make such statements. There was speculation the board was not impressed, but that has been denied. However, sections of the playing group certainly don't agree with Flanagan's appraisal and defence of his son. The quotes above have been talked about by members of the Dragons playing group and also by former players who have been in contact with the current group. It was brought to my attention by those close to the players, and I was asked to make it clear that they have not been well received. This columnist was even confronted by some at the Dragons after I said I felt sorry for Kyle. I was reminded that he's on a salary that he would not get at any other club, playing in a position that he would not be playing at any other club. I've also been told that former Dragons half Ben Hunt found it uncomfortable playing with Kyle. Some players have made comments about enjoying playing on the other side of the field to him. And other players are upset by the number of player of the match awards he's received from the coaching staff. PVL defends son's role in video game group NRL boss Peter V'landys has defended placing his son in a focus group to approve the code's newest video game, which is due to be launched next month. The game, Rugby League 26, is yet to be ticked off on or even promoted, and V'landys makes no apologies for bringing his family into the process. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has also been linked to the process, and he is fuming on behalf of both men at questions over their involvement. They see it as an attempt to imply they are overstepping their roles and are going to launch an investigation into how this sensitive information made it into this column. I put information to V'landys and Abdo that detailed the use of focus groups to assess the game, which is due to be launched on July 17. Those with knowledge of the process, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, told this column that V'landys wanted to show the game to his family and have that as part of the rigorous testing process before it could be approved and then launched. 'Persons that are saying this rubbish are either being mischievous or running an agenda,' V'landys said. 'We simply wanted a rigorous analysis by an independent focus group where my son would be one of many as he plays the other sports games. We want the game to be the best in the market, so we want an honest analysis not a confected one.' Abdo said: 'Stakeholder focus group testing is a normal part of the quality control testing process to ensure the best possible user experience.' V'landys considers these kinds of video games to be a big part of growing rugby league, citing the popularity of similar NBA and FIFA games. He explained that video games introduce young people to a sport they may not know a lot about, hopefully creating new fans for the code. We contacted the boss of the company, Big Ant Studios, that has developed the game and put questions to him about the influence of the NRL bosses on the product. Those queries were promptly shut down and I was referred to the NRL. It is fair to say the hunt is now on to discover how this information became public. Bellamy key in Origin III Whatever Craig Bellamy is being paid by the NSW Rugby League, he'll be worth every cent during the next 10 days. He is the man who can help Laurie Daley overcome any post-traumatic Origin syndrome that he may have as he approaches the biggest game of his coaching career. Daley wants this win badly. He has some wrongs to right in Origin and the key for him is to maintain the calm yet inspiring demeanour he has displayed to the players in private. This is very much Daley's Blues team, but don't underestimate the importance of Bellamy and his right-hand man at state and club level, Frank Ponissi, as the Blues get ready for the decider. Bellamy has been in the background and has largely avoided media requests because he knows this is Daley's side. But Bellamy is more attuned to the high pressure and cut and thrust of big games, and the preparation that is required at such times. It is exactly why Daley put his ego aside and made Bellamy the top priority on his coaching staff when he wanted to get the state job back. Daley would not be human if he didn't think about the close calls in his first coaching stint at the Blues, when his team lost narrowly in big games against the greatest Queensland side of all time. Daley won just six of 15 games in that first stint, but many of those losses were heartbreakingly close, and it could easily have been a very different story. Those losses do not sit well with Daley, and as one of the proudest men in Blues history, this is an opportunity for redemption that he does not want to let slip. He will need to channel that in the right way and Bellamy – the coach's coach – has a vital role to play in that. NRL fears record invasion Souths boss Blake Solly will have meetings with Alex Johnston, his manager, Steve Gillis, and the NRL to discuss a range of options to celebrate the Rabbitohs winger's looming try-scoring record. Johnston scored four tries against the Storm last weekend to move to 206, just six shy of Ken Irvine's once seemingly untouchable try-scoring record of 212. He may be closer this morning after the Rabbitohs took on the Dolphins last night. One thing the NRL doesn't want to happen is for fans to run onto the field to celebrate the moment. How they stop that is another matter. Central character I'm not into rappers, but this guy must be a big deal. Central Cee has 15 million followers on Instagram and Bulldogs star Bronson Xerri was quick to post this pic after the match against the Panthers. According to Wikipedia, Cee is UK rapper Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, and he's a big deal. I'll take their word for it. Sorry state of affairs Ryan Hoffman was always an honourable and decent bloke to deal with in the media, but his defence of Billy Slater, while well-meaning, was poorly thought-out. Queensland coach Slater apologised for referencing the late Maroons mentor Paul Green in a press conference where he linked Green's death to public criticism of coaches. He was responding to comments made on radio by Aaron Woods. Hoffman was angry Woods called Slater a grub. But he then upped the name-calling, labelling Woods – his NSW teammate in the Blues' 2014 series victory – a 'coward' on the ABC's Offsiders program. It destroyed his credibility in the argument, giving Woods another victory. There has been some speculation that Slater was advised by Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin to apologise to Green's wife, Amanda. It was coming from good sources, but we have checked it out and have been told it was Slater's idea alone. Which is a good thing, as it shows he is truly sorry for what he said. We have been told the apology was as heartfelt as it gets. Ikin's blue comes up trumps Speaking of Ikin, he got the surprise of his life when he arrived at his Perth hotel for Origin II. The first person he bumped into was NSW coach Laurie Daley, who said, 'What are you doing here?' Ikin had booked himself into the Blues' team hotel. He was one of the few happy guests on Thursday morning after Queensland's surprise 26-24 win. Cobbo backers go quiet The apologists for Selwyn Cobbo have gone quiet in recent times as he embarks on an effort to re-establish his football career at the Dolphins. In fact, his chief cheerleader Gorden Tallis is now suggesting Cobbo and coach Michael Maguire had a personality clash. We will take Tallis at his word regarding Maguire, but it's worth noting that Tallis has it in for Maguire after he sacked him from a job at South Sydney. Maguire chose not to have Tallis as part of his coaching set-up when he took over at the Rabbitohs in late 2011. Tallis had a role at the club before Maguire's arrival. Tallis is the same person who has raged our revelation last year that Cobbo and the Queensland coaching staff were not on the same page. It is worth noting Cobbo has not played for the Maroons since our revelations and is now in the Queensland Cup. When we made those comments about Cobbo, a member of the Queensland coaching staff pulled me aside to say that I didn't understand Indigenous footballers. That was both racist and an admission that things had not gone smoothly in camp for Queensland with Cobbo. Cobbo is an introverted young man who is happier sitting in front of a PlayStation at home than being in the public eye. He is lifted by the love of his family and weighed down by an expectation to provide for them. Now that Tallis is telling the world that Cobbo may not be every coach's cup of tea, it stacks up to the issues we touched on last year. His issues at Queensland are very similar to the ones at the Broncos, in that his commitment to doing the small things that separate good footballers from great ones is not there. It also explains why the Broncos were only willing to offer Cobbo half of his current salary to stay at the club, and they had not prioritised his signing. Cobbo's teammate Billy Walters said publicly that the talented utility back needs to find his love for football again, which is something everybody in the game hopes will happen as he is a rare talent when he is fully focused on the task of being a professional footballer. Will Luai jump back in deep end?
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle
Winning will fix this issue in the short-term and last night was a start. But the problem for Flanagan snr is that the same people who didn't want him to coach the Dragons in the first place certainly haven't changed their minds. In fairness to the Dragons, Flanagan was the best option available at the time. They needed to sign a coach with experience and Flanagan has won a competition with the Sharks. The next few weeks may determine whether any request to extend his contract, which ends in 2027, is looked at favourably. At this point, he has not asked for one. All of this is happening while the Dragons have an obvious first-grade coach in their midst in assistant Dean Young, and up the road at South Sydney there is someone with the pedigree and development they need – the increasingly confident Ben Hornby. There is no evidence the Dragons are sounding out other coaches, though. The immediate issue for coach Flanagan are his comments defending Kyle in the News Corp press. 'To say Kyle is under pressure is ridiculous,' Flanagan said. 'He's been among our best players all year. It's not me, ask the other players and coaches. I'm probably harder on Kyle than any other player.' Those comments have gone down badly with those close to him at the club. Those who understand the media game told Flanno it would be a bad idea to make such statements. There was speculation the board was not impressed, but that has been denied. However, sections of the playing group certainly don't agree with Flanagan's appraisal and defence of his son. The quotes above have been talked about by members of the Dragons playing group and also by former players who have been in contact with the current group. It was brought to my attention by those close to the players, and I was asked to make it clear that they have not been well received. This columnist was even confronted by some at the Dragons after I said I felt sorry for Kyle. I was reminded that he's on a salary that he would not get at any other club, playing in a position that he would not be playing at any other club. I've also been told that former Dragons half Ben Hunt found it uncomfortable playing with Kyle. Some players have made comments about enjoying playing on the other side of the field to him. And other players are upset by the number of player of the match awards he's received from the coaching staff. PVL defends son's role in video game group NRL boss Peter V'landys has defended placing his son in a focus group to approve the code's newest video game, which is due to be launched next month. The game, Rugby League 26, is yet to be ticked off on or even promoted, and V'landys makes no apologies for bringing his family into the process. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has also been linked to the process, and he is fuming on behalf of both men at questions over their involvement. They see it as an attempt to imply they are overstepping their roles and are going to launch an investigation into how this sensitive information made it into this column. I put information to V'landys and Abdo that detailed the use of focus groups to assess the game, which is due to be launched on July 17. Those with knowledge of the process, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, told this column that V'landys wanted to show the game to his family and have that as part of the rigorous testing process before it could be approved and then launched. 'Persons that are saying this rubbish are either being mischievous or running an agenda,' V'landys said. 'We simply wanted a rigorous analysis by an independent focus group where my son would be one of many as he plays the other sports games. We want the game to be the best in the market, so we want an honest analysis not a confected one.' Abdo said: 'Stakeholder focus group testing is a normal part of the quality control testing process to ensure the best possible user experience.' V'landys considers these kinds of video games to be a big part of growing rugby league, citing the popularity of similar NBA and FIFA games. He explained that video games introduce young people to a sport they may not know a lot about, hopefully creating new fans for the code. We contacted the boss of the company, Big Ant Studios, that has developed the game and put questions to him about the influence of the NRL bosses on the product. Those queries were promptly shut down and I was referred to the NRL. It is fair to say the hunt is now on to discover how this information became public. Bellamy key in Origin III Whatever Craig Bellamy is being paid by the NSW Rugby League, he'll be worth every cent during the next 10 days. He is the man who can help Laurie Daley overcome any post-traumatic Origin syndrome that he may have as he approaches the biggest game of his coaching career. Daley wants this win badly. He has some wrongs to right in Origin and the key for him is to maintain the calm yet inspiring demeanour he has displayed to the players in private. This is very much Daley's Blues team, but don't underestimate the importance of Bellamy and his right-hand man at state and club level, Frank Ponissi, as the Blues get ready for the decider. Bellamy has been in the background and has largely avoided media requests because he knows this is Daley's side. But Bellamy is more attuned to the high pressure and cut and thrust of big games, and the preparation that is required at such times. It is exactly why Daley put his ego aside and made Bellamy the top priority on his coaching staff when he wanted to get the state job back. Daley would not be human if he didn't think about the close calls in his first coaching stint at the Blues, when his team lost narrowly in big games against the greatest Queensland side of all time. Daley won just six of 15 games in that first stint, but many of those losses were heartbreakingly close, and it could easily have been a very different story. Those losses do not sit well with Daley, and as one of the proudest men in Blues history, this is an opportunity for redemption that he does not want to let slip. He will need to channel that in the right way and Bellamy – the coach's coach – has a vital role to play in that. NRL fears record invasion Souths boss Blake Solly will have meetings with Alex Johnston, his manager, Steve Gillis, and the NRL to discuss a range of options to celebrate the Rabbitohs winger's looming try-scoring record. Johnston scored four tries against the Storm last weekend to move to 206, just six shy of Ken Irvine's once seemingly untouchable try-scoring record of 212. He may be closer this morning after the Rabbitohs took on the Dolphins last night. One thing the NRL doesn't want to happen is for fans to run onto the field to celebrate the moment. How they stop that is another matter. Central character I'm not into rappers, but this guy must be a big deal. Central Cee has 15 million followers on Instagram and Bulldogs star Bronson Xerri was quick to post this pic after the match against the Panthers. According to Wikipedia, Cee is UK rapper Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, and he's a big deal. I'll take their word for it. Sorry state of affairs Ryan Hoffman was always an honourable and decent bloke to deal with in the media, but his defence of Billy Slater, while well-meaning, was poorly thought-out. Queensland coach Slater apologised for referencing the late Maroons mentor Paul Green in a press conference where he linked Green's death to public criticism of coaches. He was responding to comments made on radio by Aaron Woods. Hoffman was angry Woods called Slater a grub. But he then upped the name-calling, labelling Woods – his NSW teammate in the Blues' 2014 series victory – a 'coward' on the ABC's Offsiders program. It destroyed his credibility in the argument, giving Woods another victory. There has been some speculation that Slater was advised by Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin to apologise to Green's wife, Amanda. It was coming from good sources, but we have checked it out and have been told it was Slater's idea alone. Which is a good thing, as it shows he is truly sorry for what he said. We have been told the apology was as heartfelt as it gets. Ikin's blue comes up trumps Speaking of Ikin, he got the surprise of his life when he arrived at his Perth hotel for Origin II. The first person he bumped into was NSW coach Laurie Daley, who said, 'What are you doing here?' Ikin had booked himself into the Blues' team hotel. He was one of the few happy guests on Thursday morning after Queensland's surprise 26-24 win. Cobbo backers go quiet The apologists for Selwyn Cobbo have gone quiet in recent times as he embarks on an effort to re-establish his football career at the Dolphins. In fact, his chief cheerleader Gorden Tallis is now suggesting Cobbo and coach Michael Maguire had a personality clash. We will take Tallis at his word regarding Maguire, but it's worth noting that Tallis has it in for Maguire after he sacked him from a job at South Sydney. Maguire chose not to have Tallis as part of his coaching set-up when he took over at the Rabbitohs in late 2011. Tallis had a role at the club before Maguire's arrival. Tallis is the same person who has raged our revelation last year that Cobbo and the Queensland coaching staff were not on the same page. It is worth noting Cobbo has not played for the Maroons since our revelations and is now in the Queensland Cup. When we made those comments about Cobbo, a member of the Queensland coaching staff pulled me aside to say that I didn't understand Indigenous footballers. That was both racist and an admission that things had not gone smoothly in camp for Queensland with Cobbo. Cobbo is an introverted young man who is happier sitting in front of a PlayStation at home than being in the public eye. He is lifted by the love of his family and weighed down by an expectation to provide for them. Now that Tallis is telling the world that Cobbo may not be every coach's cup of tea, it stacks up to the issues we touched on last year. His issues at Queensland are very similar to the ones at the Broncos, in that his commitment to doing the small things that separate good footballers from great ones is not there. It also explains why the Broncos were only willing to offer Cobbo half of his current salary to stay at the club, and they had not prioritised his signing. Cobbo's teammate Billy Walters said publicly that the talented utility back needs to find his love for football again, which is something everybody in the game hopes will happen as he is a rare talent when he is fully focused on the task of being a professional footballer. Will Luai jump back in deep end?
