Titans’ close call
Interest in Simona cools as NRL stands down Tiger amid betting claims
THE Titans will go back to the recruitment drawing board after backline candidate Tim Simona was banned for an alleged betting scandal.
The NRL yesterday issued a notice of intention to cancel the Wests Tigers centre’s registration for alleged breaches of the rules related to gambling on NRL matches.
The Titans earlier this month confirmed they would be interested in the Samoan international should he be become available – an option that was likely with the Tigers facing salary cap pressure and the 25-year-old reportedly out of favour.
But Gold Coast officials this week dismissed the chance of a pre-season deal, ending speculation before yesterday’s bombshell revelation.
Simona has been banned from training or playing with the Tigers until the matter is resolved but will have a chance to respond to the allegations before a final decision on his future is made.
The Titans have a spot left in their top 25 and had been in talks with Simona’s manager and the Tigers, with that club’s contribution towards his 2017 salary understood to have been the sticking point to an agreement – something the Titans are now likely to view as a blessing in disguise.
Gold Coast also had an interest in Roosters centre Dale Copley but are now likely to head into the season with a roster spot open in the belief there will be movement in the player market throughout the year.
Gold Coast will meet the Warriors in their final trial match in Palmerston North tomorrow, although with several backline players out injured, the Titans’ team is likely to change markedly by Round 1.
The Warriors were buoyed this week by news Kieran Foran would have his contract registered by the NRL for a Round 3 start but coach Stephen Kearney said he was thinking little past tomorrow’s clash with the Titans.
ANTONIO Winterstein’s Round 1 return is in jeopardy after the Cowboys winger suffered an ankle injury in last night’s 18-16 trial win against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown.
The classy back missed the back end of last season with a rib injury.