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2023 Rabbitohs Rumors, Signings and News

Rabbits20

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callmack1

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Why Rabbitohs turned to astronauts and ballet dancers to gain edge: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/wh...let-dancers-to-gain-edge-20230128-p5cg4o.html

Didn't even know this was happening but it's really interesting. The club is certainly thinking outside the square at the moment. Great to see.

Also, from Zero Tackle,

NRL Season launch in strife amid pay dispute

The NRL's season launch campaign is in doubt as the pay dispute between the league and players continues.

Players have decided to boycott media and promotional activities for the NRL in the lead-up to the season kicking off, which would include the season launch, as the failure to secure a new CBA continues to have consequences around the game.

The Rugby League Players' Association has stated that players will not participate in promotional ad footage for season as they have in recent years, with 2022's 'Unreal' campaign featuring father-son duo Ivan and Nathan Cleary.

Per reports from the Herald, the RLPA have requested a multi-day lock-in with NRL chief Andrew Abdo to try and reach a deal between the two parties, with little progress made so far.

The RLPA are reportedly set to put the NRLW on the front burner in discussions, with NRLW players currently training without contracts as an agreement on the salary cap is still yet to be reached.

Players are also after increased funds in the injury hardship fund due to the arrival of the Dolphins, and a new medical support fund, among other key issues.

A strike remains on the table for players if an agreement can't be reached before the beginning of the season, with the NRL also seemingly refusing to backdown from their stance.

With a player-less season launch and ad campaign looming, the NRL may be forced into cancelling the event to avoid a PR disaster, though a source confirmed to the Herald that no decision had been made yet.
 

callmack1

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'Simply not true' - NRL boss claps back in escalating player war: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/4f8049780c2c48fc655900355fcaa783

The NRL don't have a leg to stand on right now in my opinion. Abdo may well be right overall, but until the NRL is willing to actually sit down with the RLPA, have a face-to-face meeting and nut it out, then it's them that are unwilling to compromise in my opinion.

The RLPA has stated a number of times in the last few days that they want proper sit down meetings so why isn't the NRL willing to do this?

It's actually starting to get very frustrating and worrying. If this is how I feel as a fan, I can only imagine how the players feel.
 

callmack1

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Latrell's new Souths deal could be his last. He wants to find ways to stay in the game he loves: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...a/news-story/97c3c592db6345bee112e487c99374f4

Very interesting comments from Trell. While I do hope it's just all talk as I want to see him go play for as long as possible in our jersey, if by the time he's 30 he's won us a couple of comps and made a true everlasting legacy, then I'd be content with him retiring too. The ball is in his court.

Survey reveals NRL coaches are against 'divisive' Pride Round... But V'landys has another idea: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...d/news-story/8f1a117c26ce3568f1d833bb0b48103d
 

callmack1

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callmack1

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From Zero Tackle,

Adam Elliot reveals CBA deadline for the NRL

Newcastle recruit Adam Elliott has taken to the radio to reveal the CBA deadline before NRL players 'speak about a different action they can take'.

The CBA drama is slowly reaching crisis point as player strikes loom likely, unless the NRL and RLPA can reach an agreement over the next 48 hours.

Andrew Abdo is set to meet with a host of players and RLPA representatives over the next two days to try and reach some form of middle ground, with players focused on items like pregnancy pay and post-retirement surgeries as opposed to their pay packet.

Elliot spoke to Newcastle Hit106.9's Jess, Nick and Ducko on Friday morning to discuss the negotiations.

“If we don't get the results in the next sort of 24-48 hours in the boardroom between our president, Clint Newton, Andrew Abdo and Peter V'Landys then we're going to be speaking about different action that we're going to take,” he said on the program.

“We're a really united playing group at the moment, it's probably the most united and together I have ever seen a group.

“If it gets to the point where we've to do something extreme, I'm really confident that all the players are going to buy into it and be working together for that common goal. We're rugby league players, we want to play footy.”

Elliott's fiancee, Knights prop Millie Boyle, is arguably the face of women's rugby league at the moment and easily one of the game's most marketable players, making the CBA even more integral for Adam.

“The women's CBA, it's a joke at the moment,” Elliott continued on the radio show.

“We want to talk about equality and trying to bring others up and make the game better and brighter for the future - those girls do such an amazing job in the community and they're such great role models.

“We need to do something about it to get them on the same level as us and close to the same level as us and we're not going to sit by and compromise those things.”

While a player strike is a last resort, it's becoming a fearful reality with under a week before the first match of the pre-season challenge.

Clint Newton, a selection of players and Andrew Abdo will meet this weekend to try and resolve the bubbling tension that is this CBA.
 

callmack1

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Rabbitohs statement regarding Latrell Mitchell: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2023/02/05/rabbitohs-statement-regarding-latrell-mitchell/

Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton charged over alleged birthday scuffle near nightclub: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/2351fedf5656508153e3716ecd6f895f

Mitchell and Wighton were released from custody around 10am.

They then went back to Wighton’s home for breakfast with their families.

Latrell Mitchell wishes Jack Wighton happy birthday yesterday. Picture: Instagram

Latrell Mitchell wishes Jack Wighton happy birthday yesterday. Picture: Instagram

The pair drove to Sydney separately to join the Indigenous All-Stars squad in the team hotel on Sunday night.

They leave for New Zealand on Monday morning to play the Māori All Stars on Saturday.

There had been speculation that the NRL would stand the players down as a result of their arrests.

Boxing promotor Matt Rose looks after the management of both players. He insists there was little in it.

“They are always having a wrestle,” Rose said. “They both think they are stronger than each other and are mucking around all the time. It was a bit of fun that went wrong after a few drinks.”

Rose’s comments were backed up by an eyewitness who described the incident as “nothing more than a friendly wrestle with a bit of aggression.”

The pair are incredibly close.
 
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