Set of Six: Warriors hit dead end with Manly

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Take it as a given that the Warriors were interested in signing Manly centre Steve Matai, despite club denials. Matai's agent has confirmed an approach was made but said talks ceased once the Sea Eagles made it clear they were not letting the Kiwi enforcer out of his contract, which runs to the end of 2015.

NRL stars' homes ransacked

Two NRL stars have recently had their homes broken into while they were away playing games. Following his side's loss to Manly at Brookvale Oval last Friday night, Bulldogs front-rower Sam Kasiano returned home to find thieves had climbed the back fence and taken down a sliding door, before getting away with a large haul of electronic devices and valuables. A week earlier, Raiders star Jack Wighton suffered similar misfortune, with looters ransacking his house while he was in Sydney playing the Roosters.

Veteran caller resigns

Veteran ABC commentator Warren Ryan resigned from his post last week after being stood down for allegedly making a racist remark on Sydney radio. The former Canterbury, Balmain, Wests, and Newcastle coach was suspended last month after he used the term "old darky" during a match call, supposedly referencing a line from the classic film Gone With the Wind. Ryan's exit comes after more than two decades with the station and highlights how one slip can bring down a media career.

Drug trafficker seeks NRL lifeline

The Parramatta Eels are looking to secure the services of former Newcastle forward Danny Wicks. Wicks is looking to return to the NRL after completing an 18-month prison sentence for drug trafficking. The 28-year-old former Dragons and Knights front-rower is eligible to return to league when his four-year Wada ban expires in September. Wicks played 69 first grade games for the Dragons and Knights.

Havili biding his time

Kiwis' test hooker Siliva Havili is struggling for game time at the Warriors, as coach Andrew McFadden searches for the best way to utilise his talents. Twenty-eight minutes is the longest stint he has played in six appearances, as Nathan Friend continues to claim ownership of the No9 jersey. How McFadden opts to use Thomas Leuluai on his return from injury could impact largely on how the rest of the year pans out for Havili.

Ex-Warrior still going strong

Former Warriors back-rower Wairangi Koopu has once again been turning out for his old club side Pt Chevalier. The 34-year-old played the last three games for the Pirates, helping them beat Mt Albert last weekend to claim top spot on the Fox Memorial ladder. However, a TV commentary role covering the local Auckland competition means Koopu now has to stop playing. A Pirates repre-sentative says the club had asked Maori TV if he could be mic'd up and commentate while playing, but the network were yet to approve the idea.