RIVAL CLUB TARGETING McINNES
Wests Tigers are set to make Dragons skipper Cameron McInnes as their number one target for 2022.
McInnes met with Tigers coach Michael Maguire at a Maroubra cafe last week – and it's a safe bet they weren't talking about Christmas presents.
The pair have a long association – McInnes was selected for his NRL debut under Maguire at Souths in 2014.
The tough-talking coach knows only too well the all-round value of McInnes, who starred for the Dragons despite another disappointing campaign for the club in 2020.
McInnes comes off contract at the end of next season and while the Dragons are keen to retain him, he is set to test his value in the open market.
With star youngster Harry Grant moving back to Melbourne, the Tigers will start next season with two young hookers in Jacob Liddle and Jake Simpkin.
Maguire wants more experience in the key dummy-half role and McInnes would be an ideal player to lead the talented young Tigers team in years to come.
JOHNSON'S SLOW RECOVERY
The Sharks are resigned to being without star playmaker Shaun Johnson for the first eight rounds of the comp – and maybe more.
The Kiwi ace is making slow but steady recovery after snapping his Achilles late last season but the Sharks will still miss him for a fair slice of the new year.
"Shaun is the ultimate pro and is working hard on his rehab but you just can't rush an Achilles," coach John Morris said.
"He went back in New Zealand to spend time with his family and is still in a boot but is working hard to get back on deck as soon as possible."
FRENCH GIANT EARNS SUPER LEAGUE DEAL
Rugby league is to unveil the tallest man in the code's long history.
Frenchman Corentin Le Cam – who stands at a towering 2.07 metres – that's 6 feet 9 inches in the old scale – has been given a fulltime deal by Catalans club in Super League.
According to stats guru David Middleton – that puts him fractionally taller than Storm colossus Nelson Asofa-Solomona ex-South Queensland Crusher Garrick Morgan and former Knight and Raider Dane Tilse – who all stood at exactly 2.0 metres.
The 21-year-old back-rower was a basketball star as a kid and has been hotly chased by French rugby union teams, who see him as a lineout sensation.
But Le Cam has chosen league as his sporting path and coach Steve McNamara – who was an assistant coach at the Roosters before moving to France – is delighted.
"His size is a real asset, but also a challenge to coach because he is so physically different to everyone else on the pitch," McNamara told WWOS.
"But he's got a great Rugby League brain, and comes from a rich pedigree in the game through his family.
"He's a great kid."
TITANS SNAP UP BOOM ROOKIE
The Titans are slowly but surely building a strong squad and have picked up a good 'un in Palm Beach Currumbin High School graduate Jaylan De Groot.
A long-striding fullback, the 18-year old was in high demand but chose to stay with his junior club on the coast.
De Groot became a hot property when he scored four tries for Northern Rivers Titans against Newcastle in the Laurie Daley Cup in February and coach Justin Holbrook pushed hard to sign the youngster.
He's a year or so off NRL – but will be one to watch next season.
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