Australian Kangaroos debutant Ethan Strange has broken his silence on reported links to the Sydney Roosters after the club withdrew their extension offer to his international teammate Sam Walker.
A special edition of NRL 360 will break down all the latest November 1 madness, including Sam Walker and Hudson Young. Catch the episode at 1pm AEDT on Fox League 502 and stream the episode on Kayo Sports.
Preparing to wear the Green and Gold jersey for the first time in his career this weekend against the Cook Islands, Strange has rubbished the rumours of a link to the Roosters.
Grand Final
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It comes as he was previously involved in the club’s pathways system before joining the Canberra Raiders and his sister Jasmin and father John are heavily involved in the Roosters’ NRLW side as a player and coach.
“I’m with the Raiders and I’m loving it with Ricky [Stuart], so I honestly have no idea what that’s all about … I don’t even know where it’s come from,” he said.
Quick to shut down the transfer rumours, he opened up on being a late call-up in the Kangaroos squad for the injured Mitchell Moses, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup.
NRL360 breakdown Walker negotiations | 01:54
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Speaking to media, he revealed he and his partner were in Thailand when he received the call from coach Kevin Walters.
“I was in Phuket with my partner, we were having a nice little holiday when I found out,” he added.
“We booked it because my partner is from the Central Coast like me, and she’s been in Canberra working all year in the cold, so we thought we’d go for a nice holiday before I went back to pre-season.
“I got a nice surprise call early in the morning when we woke up over there, it was a nice surprise.
“He told me if I come back, that I would probably get a game, so I was pretty happy obviously. I’m a 22-year-old kid and getting told you’re probably gonna debut for Australia is really special. I was ecstatic.
“We got an overnight flight, slept most of it, woke up and came straight to camp.”
BEARS MAKE TWO NEW SIGNINGS
The Perth Bears may still be on the lookout for a marquee signing, but that hasn’t stopped them from recruiting two highly talented young guns for their inaugural 2027 season.
A member of the 2025 Australian Schoolboys side, Filipe Fakauho has decided to leave the Sydney Roosters and sign with the Bears on a three-year contract through the end of 2029.
An explosive outside back who can play either in the centres or on the wing, the Matraville Sports High School graduate will look to lock down a regular spot in the starting team in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Wests Tigers back-rower Mitchell Taotua has also joined the Bears.
Playing in both the NSW Cup and Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup competitions, Taotua made 11 appearances this year in which he scored three tries, racked up 20 tackle busts and 219 tackles as well as averaging 73 running metres per match.
Dolphins nail down superstar fullback | 00:32
WINGER RETURNS HOME TO BELMORE
The Canterbury Bulldogs have confirmed barnstorming winger Jeral Skelton will return to Belmore on a one-year deal for the 2027 season.
After debuting for the club in 2023 and playing eight matches over two seasons, Skelton left the Bulldogs to join the Tigers, where he spent the past two years.
However, he found himself down the pecking order during this year’s campaign following the emergence of talented rookie Heamasi Makasini.
“Jeral has earned a reputation as one of the more powerful wingers in the game and will add valuable depth to our outside backs,” Bulldogs GM of Football Phil Gould said.
“He was a popular player during his previous stint at the Club so we know both the players and staff will be excited to work with him again.”
In 28 matches for the Tigers, Skelton scored 18 tries and averaged 128 running metres per game.
Kalyn Ponga set to return for Kiwis? | 00:51
V’LANDYS JETS OFF TO ASIA
ARLC boss Peter V’landys has headed to Hong Kong and China to help build the interactive footy theme park he is hoping to open in Sydney.
The facility is slated to be opened in Alexandria and rugby league fans will be able to interact with players simulated by AI as well as play four-a-side football.
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting V’landys is in Asia with three of his senior staff members and is meeting with suppliers of giant television screens and technology that will be featured at ‘NRL Land’.
“It’s a theme-style rugby league world, where you’re going to have augmented reality and you’re going to have simulated players. You can speak to a player and he’ll be able to answer all your questions. It’s all AI,” V’landys previously said.
“You’ll also be able to play four-a-side in the venue. Stay tuned. It’s going to be one of the real attractions for the sport in the next five years.”
Hong Kong is also the favourite to host games as part of the NRL’s global round ambitions which V’landys wants to get going in 2028 after the success of the game’s opening round games in Las Vegas in recent years.
The game’s boss also hopes to host NRL matches in London and Tokyo.
Paul Chan Mo-Po, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, has announced that HKD1.2billion ($217 million) would be put into the country’s sports fund and some of that would go to attracting sports events to the new 50,000-seat Kai Tak Sports Park.
