Latest news with #FletcherSharpe
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Knights in crisis: Ponga prepares to walk away, club set to move on from O'Brien
Ponga has not yet approached the Knights to formally request a release. He is contracted to Newcastle until the end of 2027 on a deal worth around $1.4 million a season. The Ponga camp have indicated to relevant parties that they would be willing to request a release at the end of the season if there is a suitable option available to them. Knights sources told this masthead there is a willingness from some quarters of the club to explore the prospect of releasing Ponga from the final two years of his monster deal. Such a move would allow the Knights to move young gun Fletcher Sharpe into his preferred fullback position and save 12-13 per cent of their salary cap to try and balance their roster. With Dylan Brown joining the Knights next season on a record $13 million, 10-year deal, Newcastle would be able to hit the market in search of a halfback despite the lack of quality options currently available. Ponga's name has been thrown up to European rugby clubs as well as the organisers of the lucrative breakaway R360 competition being mooted to start next year. There's also the appeal of a Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027. Kalyn's father Andre, who represents his son in negotiations, did not respond to this masthead's attempts to contact him. The New Zealand-based rugby union agent the Ponga camp has engaged also did not respond to messages and calls on Monday. The Knights have been privately bracing for the potential of Ponga seeking a release for some months. Loading Ponga has previously indicated his desire to represent the All Blacks and was originally given a clause in his Knights contract that would enable him to pursue the possibility of switching codes. In a 2018 TV interview, Ponga said: 'I think it's [The All Blacks] the pinnacle. Well, they are. They're the best sporting organisation in the world ... so to put that jersey on would be pretty special.' The Knights removed that clause from his deal when he agreed to a lengthy and lucrative extension of his contract through until the end of 2027.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Knights in crisis: Ponga prepares to walk away, club set to move on from O'Brien
Ponga has not yet approached the Knights to formally request a release. He is contracted to Newcastle until the end of 2027 on a deal worth around $1.4 million a season. The Ponga camp have indicated to relevant parties that they would be willing to request a release at the end of the season if there is a suitable option available to them. Knights sources told this masthead there is a willingness from some quarters of the club to explore the prospect of releasing Ponga from the final two years of his monster deal. Such a move would allow the Knights to move young gun Fletcher Sharpe into his preferred fullback position and save 12-13 per cent of their salary cap to try and balance their roster. With Dylan Brown joining the Knights next season on a record $13 million, 10-year deal, Newcastle would be able to hit the market in search of a halfback despite the lack of quality options currently available. Ponga's name has been thrown up to European rugby clubs as well as the organisers of the lucrative breakaway R360 competition being mooted to start next year. There's also the appeal of a Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027. Kalyn's father Andre, who represents his son in negotiations, did not respond to this masthead's attempts to contact him. The New Zealand-based rugby union agent the Ponga camp has engaged also did not respond to messages and calls on Monday. The Knights have been privately bracing for the potential of Ponga seeking a release for some months. Loading Ponga has previously indicated his desire to represent the All Blacks and was originally given a clause in his Knights contract that would enable him to pursue the possibility of switching codes. In a 2018 TV interview, Ponga said: 'I think it's [The All Blacks] the pinnacle. Well, they are. They're the best sporting organisation in the world ... so to put that jersey on would be pretty special.' The Knights removed that clause from his deal when he agreed to a lengthy and lucrative extension of his contract through until the end of 2027.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Newcastle Knights criticised over 'surprise' move for player from rival NRL club
Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien has come under fire for the shock move to sign Manly reserve grade playmaker Jake Arthur, as part of a swap deal that sees prop Paul Bryan head to the Sea Eagles. The deal was in danger of falling through late on Monday until both clubs agreed on the swap hours before the June 30 deadline. It means Arthur - who has been stuck in reserve grade behind Manly halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks - will link up with Newcastle and his younger brother, Matthew, effective immediately. The son of former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, Jake has only played seven NRL games for Manly since joining the club in 2023 and has failed to have much of an impact when he's come in to replace DCE during previous Origin periods. And O'Brien's move for the 22-year-old playmaker has left NRL commentator Andrew Voss and veteran league reporter David Riccio scratching their heads. O'Brien has struggled to settle on his preferred halves combination after chopping and changing numerous times over the past few seasons. However, Fletcher Sharpe has cemented his status as Newcastle's long-term No.6 after a superb season in 2025, despite a horrific injury last week that looks to have ended his season. The Knights also signed Eels playmaker Dylan Brown on a massive 10-year, $13 million deal from next season, with the Kiwi Test star and Sharpe expected to be Newcastle's halves pairing in 2026. The Knights also have current No.7 Jack Cogger and Phoenix Crossland as playmaking options. While O'Brien has recently recalled big-money flop Jackson Hastings into his starting side, despite previously indicating he won't be at the club next season. Speaking on SEN radio, Voss questioned the wisdom behind O'Brien's decision to add another half into the equation, who's struggled to crack it at NRL level. 'Why do Newcastle need Jake Arthur in their roster?' Voss said. 'They have had 75 different halves combinations and they don't need another hooker. Where does he fit in the top 30? Why do they think they need him? They are in surplus. They don't need another half. Jackson Hastings has only played two games this year." RELATED: Cam Smith and Kevin Walters handed shock boost for Aussie job Souths cop huge new blow amid grim news for Walker's replacement Cobbo in major Broncos twist as Walsh handed QLD role for Origin 3 The move is even more difficult to fathom considering Newcastle allowed young prop Bryan to join Manly. The 22-year-old is sidelined with injury and won't play the rest of this season but for a club that has struggled in the middle forward department in 2025, Bryan would have offered the Knights much-needed depth next year. Newcastle allowed Daniel Saifiti to leave for the Dolphins at the end of last season and are set to lose Kiwi Test prop Leo Thompson to the Bulldogs next year. England back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul will also depart the club after this season to link up with the Tigers from 2026. And Riccio insists the Knights simply have to add more quality to their forward rotation. '(Newcastle must target) middle forwards. It just has to be," he said. "I just can't get my head around as to why this footy club can't identify where they are going to struggle next year... their pack has been found thin at various times this year. The forward pack has always been the concern. It's surprising to me. I can't answer the question of where he (Arthur) is going to play. I think he plays in the halves for NSW Cup.' The Knights - who are on the bye this weekend - have also decided not to take up a club option to extend veteran centre Dane Gagai, despite his strong form this season. The former Maroons Origin star is on around $400,000 but Newcastle have opted to focus on keeping hold of their younger talent, and Gagai admits he'd have no qualms moving back to Sydney to play for a rival club next year if it comes to it.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals footy star could have DIED from horrific injuries he suffered during match: 'It's car crash-type stuff'
A leading sports physiotherapist has exposed the full seriousness of Fletcher Sharpe's injuries after the Newcastle star suffered a ruptured spleen and lacerated kidney on Saturday. Sharpe reported abdominal soreness after suffering a concussion in the Knights' 26-20 win over the Dolphins - and scans later revealed the full extent of the damage. It is understood he suffered the injury when his body hit the ground and landed on his elbow in the same tackle that gave him the concussion. Physiotherapist Brien Seeney - better known as the NRL Physio on X - told his 56,000-plus followers about the potentially life-threatening nature of Sharpe's condition. 'Genuine car crash type stuff for Fletcher Sharpe, with news he has suffered a ruptured spleen to go along with a lacerated kidney,' he posted. 'Injuries of this magnitude are considered a medical emergency - require immediate medical attention & can lead to life threatening internal bleeding. Tackle didnt appear too high force at the time, but it was reportedly Sharpe falling on his own elbow that did the damage. Thankfully he is said to be recovering well under observation in Perth, but an expected date for his return to the field is obviously very uncertain. — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 23, 2025 'Tackle didn't appear too high force at the time, but it was reportedly Sharpe falling on his own elbow that did the damage. 'Thankfully he is said to be recovering well under observation in Perth, but an expected date for his return to the field is obviously very uncertain.' The five-eighth has been joined by his family in Perth as he continues to receive medical attention. Sharpe would already have missed Friday night's clash with Canberra due to concussion issues. The Knights have a bye the following week. Newcastle do not yet have a timeline on how much longer they expect the 21-year-old to miss, but he could be out for the entire season. Sharpe has been one of Newcastle's best threats this year, scoring 11 tries and setting up another three in a side that has the worst attacking record in the NRL. Newcastle have several back-up options in the halves, with Tyson Gamble available again and Jackson Hastings having returned to the NRL against Manly this month. Elsewhere, there are fears Dolphins winger Jack Bostock suffered a dreaded ACL rupture in the Perth match. The potentially season-ending injury comes just a week after the flyer scored four tries against North Queensland last Saturday. The Warriors are also waiting on scans on halfback Luke Metcalf's quad and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's ankle after their loss to Penrith.
News.com.au
24-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Biggest injury crisis of the year, here's how to survive
It's an enormous crisis with the likes of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Bostock, Ryley Smith, Sandon Smith, Siua Wong and Jayden Campbell unavailable. So who to sell, who to hold and where are the best replacements?
