Anthony Field, aka the Blue Wiggle, has expressed an interest in buying a stake in the Wests Tigers – and cleaving off the Balmain half of the joint venture.
Field is one of the Tigers’ most prominent celebrity fans and told The Daily Telegraph that his dream was to buy into his club, if he was ever to sell his stake in the multi-milllion children’s music group.
“All my money now is invested in the Wiggles, and it would be a fairytale, but one day the Wiggles may sell somewhere,” he said. “If I had that sort of money, yeah, I’d do it, absolutely.
“If the Wiggles were sold one day for a ridiculous amount of money, I would definitely do it. I feel like I’m opening up a can of worms here but you can’t sweep tradition under the carpet.”
And if he took over – he would bring back Balmain as a standalone.
“I would do it in a very respectful way with Wests by trying to convince them that Western Australia would be good for the Wests Magpies — and Campbelltown — and the ‘Tiges’ would come back to Leichhardt,” said the Blue Wiggle.
“Rugby league is a tribal sport and the world would be a better place if Balmain came back.
“Look, I buy into Wests Tigers because that’s all we’ve got, but I’ll be honest with you, if they announced tomorrow that Wests had their own team and Balmain had their own team, I don’t think I’d be sad – I’d be really happy, so happy.”
Reynolds wants to extend Broncos deal
Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds says he hopes to play on beyond his current contract as he prepares for Thursday night’s NRL clash with Melbourne in the best form and physical condition of his career.
The 32-year-old halfback has made players around him better and has had a key role in the improvement of No.6 Ezra Mam and fullback Reece Walsh, who he has mentored closely.
The same could be said for the entire team but in particular those playing alongside him. Centre Kotoni Staggs is having a superb year thanks to Reynolds’ service while winger Selwyn Cobbo has eight tries.
Since leaving South Sydney at the end of 2021, Reynolds’ form at the Broncos has been stellar. Last year he had 19 try assists in 20 games, equalling his career-best in 2013.
In 10 games this year he has 10 try assists. If he continues at that rate he will have his best season in that key statistic.
When asked if he felt like he still had the music in him, as well as being a great on-field orchestrator, Reynolds said “it depends who you are talking to I suppose”.
“I would like to think I do. I know that I deliver for the team, what my qualities are and how to get the boys around the field,” he said.
“I have been doing it a very long time now so there are no excuses not to do it. I am still as hungry as ever to succeed and every opportunity I get I am looking to get better.”
Reynolds’ durability is outstanding considering he stands just 173cm and weighs 85kg. His defence is solid and his self-belief has never wavered. It is why he signed a deal at the Broncos that will have him playing in his mid-30s.
“I had no doubts. I was quite confident signing a three-year deal with the Broncos and coming up here and delivering on the three years, and hopefully more,” he said.
Adam Reynolds. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“I was always confident in my ability to play the seasons out. I feel my body is as good as it has ever been. We have got good physios at the club. Having a good training facility like we have definitely helps. I am in the sauna a lot and the pool and ice baths.”
Reynolds said he would leave it “up to the experts to decide” if this season was his best but his swagger and form speak for themselves.
“I am having a bit of fun with my role within the team. I am still obviously looking at ways I can combine with players within the squad,” he said.
“I love trying to get better.”
The Storm at AAMI Park will test the competition-leading Broncos, who haven’t beaten Craig Bellamy’s men since 2016. “They do the little things right,” Reynolds said.
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“They compete on every play. They have been doing it so long and are coached by one of the best coaches we have ever had in the game.
“We just need to turn up ready to play. If we get our own selves right and do our jobs the best we can it gives us the best chance of winning.We just need to stick at it.”
Coote to call it quits
Hull KR fullback Lachlan Coote has said he’ll retire at the end of the season, bringing down the curtain on a storied career.
Coote, who was born in Windsor, NSW, will end an illustrious 15-year career after winning a host of trophies in Australia and England. The 33-year-old played for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and was a member of the North Queensland Cowboys’ 2015 Premiership and 2016 World Club Challenge-winning sides
He then won three consecutive Super League Grand Finals after he signed for St Helens in 2019, before moving to Hull KR last season. He was capped by Scotland and Great Britain.
“I’m happy to announce that I will be retiring at the end of the 2023 season. It has been a very tough decision to make but I know it’s the right one for me and my family,” Coote, who will miss the next month with a hamstring injury, said.
Hull KR can confirm Lachlan Coote will retire at the end of the 2023 @SuperLeague season after an illustrious 15-year career ????????
Read more ???? https://t.co/HyKyUYHhUC#UpTheRobins ????
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— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) May 10, 2023
“There will be plenty of time to reflect on my career at the end of the season. There’s still a long way to go this season, I’ll be looking to make the most of every moment and finish this year with a trophy.”
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters added: “Lachlan is a proven winner and a quality person.
“His professionalism and leadership qualities are right up there with the best. I have no doubt whatever Lachlan decides to do post-rugby, it will be a success.”