SONNY BILL BACK TO ROOSTERS (AS WE REPORTED)
As we reported months ago, Sonny Bill Williams is heading back to the NRL in 2017 with speculation now running rife on both sides of the Tasman. As we reported in September, Williams was spotted at Allianz Stadium with Roosters officials. With Michael Jennings now at Parramatta and Sam Moa also expected to move on, the whispers are only going to get louder.

WIDDOP TO SKIPPER FOR FIRST TIME
New St George Illawarra skipper Gareth Widdop will lead the Dragons for the first time in a trial match on February 6th in Queensland against the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls. Club captain Ben Creagh and Country Origin forward Joel Thompson will also make the trip to the Sunshine State. Meanwhile Jack De Belin and Euan Aitken are the first members announced for the Auckland Nines squad. “I can’t wait to get out there and start playing some footy again as it’s been a long pre-season for us which started towards the end of October,” Creagh said.

BARRETT WON’T RISK STARS AT NINES
Manly Coach Trent Barrett says he won’t risk his best players at the Auckland Nines but will still take a competitive team for the tournament in early February. “At this stage, I don’t think I will be risking some of the more experienced players but we will field a competitive side. The Nines are a bit of a reward for some of the younger players. It will also be good to give some of the forwards a run. We are certainly not going to go there and roll over. It is a bit of a catch 22 as I don’t want any injuries out of the Nines. I want to have everyone healthy (for selection) for round one.”

ALL STARS TAKES ANOTHER HIT
Greg Inglis has already told the media that Sam Burgess won’t be suiting up for the World All Stars and now it seems Indigenous icon Johnathan Thurston will not be there either. According to Rugby League Week, Thurston is concentrating on the World Club Challenge with the North Queensland Cowboys making the long haul across the world to play the Leeds Rhinos.

WAYNE BENNETT THE CHAUFFEUR?
The legendary coach just keeps on surprising. The Broncos recently hosted PNG Hunters Queensland Cup Coach Michael Marum who came down to Red Hill on a fact-finding mission. Bennett was that happy to help out he ended up driving Marum around town! “I had the privilege to drive around with Wayne – he picked me up every morning,” Marum said. “It was a really exciting week.”

CROKER BACK AT 42
If you thought Brad Fittler had a good time at the Auckland Nines, wait until you see returning Raiders legend Jason Croker. Apparently the premiership-winning utility can still drink with the best of them.

@woodward_curtis