And now Newcastle joins Cronulla as a club in crisis!
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:05 pm
Oh dear NOT ANOTHER CLUB!
Newcastle back in ASADA spotlight
By BRETT KEEBLE and GLENN JACKSON Aug. 4, 2013, 1:30 p.m.
CLAIMS: Kevin Naiqama
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THE Knights have distanced themselves from media reports that as many as four players, including Penrith-bound Kevin Naiqama and former Cronulla forwards Kade Snowden and Jeremy Smith, will be interviewed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).
The Sunday Telegraph reported yesterday that ASADA had issued notices to interview Naiqama, Snowden and Smith, among a list of players from clubs other than Cronulla, in the next few weeks as part of its investigation into the use of drugs in sport.
The Sunday Telegraph, whose News Limited stable-mate The Daily Telegraph is the Knights’ official newspaper, ‘‘understands there may be another long-serving Newcastle player who has also been issued with an ASADA interview notice’’ but did not name that player.
Naiqama replaced injured NSW winger James McManus, who was sidelined with a back injury, in Newcastle’s 18-18 draw with Brisbane at Hunter Stadium last Friday.
The 24-year-old Fijian international has signed a two-year deal to join older brother Wes at Penrith next year. Wes Naiqama, who was at the Knights between 2008 and 2012, was also named as being on ASADA’s interview list.
Snowden and Smith were Cronulla players in 2011, and ASADA’s investigation has focused on allegations Sharks players were given banned performance-enhancing substances in 2011.
Knights chief executive Matt Gidley issued a statement on their website last night saying they had ‘‘not been made aware of any specific interview dates’’ involving Knights players.
Gidley’s statement said the Knights were ‘‘not under investigation and individual players have the right to keep any information relating to the investigation confidential’’.
‘‘Our position remains the same on this matter; we will co-operate with the NRL and ASADA. But until we have more information, we won’t be making any further comment,’’ Gidley said.
In a statement issued two weeks ago, the NRL said 30 players ‘‘and a number of support staff’’ had been given 48 hours to make arrangements to be interviewed by ASADA. Those interviews were scheduled to begin last Thursday.
Meanwhile, as their officials and players prepare to be quizzed by ASADA, Manly are maintaining their confidence in the programs which have their staff targeted for interviews by the drugs body, starting this week.
It is believed coach Geoff Toovey and head trainer Don Singe will be interviewed this week by ASADA officials. Interviews with Manly players are then set to start in coming weeks.
The microscope has to some extent been turned on Manly after the publication of some of the identities of the 30 players who will be interviewed by ASADA as part of their investigation into supplement use in sport.
Reports have stated NSW representatives Anthony Watmough and Brett Stewart are set to be interviewed.
Fairfax Media has been told up to six current Manly players have received requests for interviews, along with Toovey and Singe, and former coach Des Hasler and his support staff Kelly Egan and Clayton Kearney.
Former Sea Eagles Darcy Lussick (now at Parramatta) and Dean Whare (Penrith) were also named.
One of the current players believed to have been given an interview request was not at the club during the period the club employed controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank, between 2006 and 2010.
The Sea Eagles, like the Knights, were cleared in March by ASADA of systemic doping.
And despite the number of Manly staff members required for interviews, the club’s officials are reiterating their faith in the procedures in place during the period ASADA is investigating.
With their players due to be interviewed throughout August, the Sea Eagles now face the distraction of the ASADA interviews as they look to confirm a top-four position.
But sources maintained that, following the completion of the Manly interviews, ASADA would not be in a position to issue any infraction notices until after this season.
Cronulla have returned from Auckland buoyed by their 18-14 victory over the Warriors on Saturday but now face the resumption of their interviews with ASADA. Ten Cronulla players will be interviewed starting tomorrow.
ASADA investigators want to quiz skipper Paul Gallen, as well as Jayson Bukuya, Nathan Gardner, Stewart Mills, John Morris, Ben Pomeroy, Ben Ross, Nathan Stapleton, Anthony Tupou and Matthew Wright out of the current Sharks line-up.
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Penrith, also cleared by ASADA in March, have been dragged into the investigation because of the investigators’ desire to interview Whare, Wes Naiqama and another current Penrith player.
All three players were at different NRL clubs during the period which is under ASADA investigation. Canberra player Sandor Earl is also expected to be interviewed over the alleged use of peptides while at Penrith in 2011.
‘‘We are not commenting on anything that’s been speculated,’’ Penrith’s executive general manager of rugby league Phil Gould said.
‘‘But I can assure all Panthers fans and sponsors that this club has absolutely nothing to worry about with regards to any ASADA investigation.’’
Newcastle back in ASADA spotlight
By BRETT KEEBLE and GLENN JACKSON Aug. 4, 2013, 1:30 p.m.
CLAIMS: Kevin Naiqama
See your ad here
THE Knights have distanced themselves from media reports that as many as four players, including Penrith-bound Kevin Naiqama and former Cronulla forwards Kade Snowden and Jeremy Smith, will be interviewed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).
The Sunday Telegraph reported yesterday that ASADA had issued notices to interview Naiqama, Snowden and Smith, among a list of players from clubs other than Cronulla, in the next few weeks as part of its investigation into the use of drugs in sport.
The Sunday Telegraph, whose News Limited stable-mate The Daily Telegraph is the Knights’ official newspaper, ‘‘understands there may be another long-serving Newcastle player who has also been issued with an ASADA interview notice’’ but did not name that player.
Naiqama replaced injured NSW winger James McManus, who was sidelined with a back injury, in Newcastle’s 18-18 draw with Brisbane at Hunter Stadium last Friday.
The 24-year-old Fijian international has signed a two-year deal to join older brother Wes at Penrith next year. Wes Naiqama, who was at the Knights between 2008 and 2012, was also named as being on ASADA’s interview list.
Snowden and Smith were Cronulla players in 2011, and ASADA’s investigation has focused on allegations Sharks players were given banned performance-enhancing substances in 2011.
Knights chief executive Matt Gidley issued a statement on their website last night saying they had ‘‘not been made aware of any specific interview dates’’ involving Knights players.
Gidley’s statement said the Knights were ‘‘not under investigation and individual players have the right to keep any information relating to the investigation confidential’’.
‘‘Our position remains the same on this matter; we will co-operate with the NRL and ASADA. But until we have more information, we won’t be making any further comment,’’ Gidley said.
In a statement issued two weeks ago, the NRL said 30 players ‘‘and a number of support staff’’ had been given 48 hours to make arrangements to be interviewed by ASADA. Those interviews were scheduled to begin last Thursday.
Meanwhile, as their officials and players prepare to be quizzed by ASADA, Manly are maintaining their confidence in the programs which have their staff targeted for interviews by the drugs body, starting this week.
It is believed coach Geoff Toovey and head trainer Don Singe will be interviewed this week by ASADA officials. Interviews with Manly players are then set to start in coming weeks.
The microscope has to some extent been turned on Manly after the publication of some of the identities of the 30 players who will be interviewed by ASADA as part of their investigation into supplement use in sport.
Reports have stated NSW representatives Anthony Watmough and Brett Stewart are set to be interviewed.
Fairfax Media has been told up to six current Manly players have received requests for interviews, along with Toovey and Singe, and former coach Des Hasler and his support staff Kelly Egan and Clayton Kearney.
Former Sea Eagles Darcy Lussick (now at Parramatta) and Dean Whare (Penrith) were also named.
One of the current players believed to have been given an interview request was not at the club during the period the club employed controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank, between 2006 and 2010.
The Sea Eagles, like the Knights, were cleared in March by ASADA of systemic doping.
And despite the number of Manly staff members required for interviews, the club’s officials are reiterating their faith in the procedures in place during the period ASADA is investigating.
With their players due to be interviewed throughout August, the Sea Eagles now face the distraction of the ASADA interviews as they look to confirm a top-four position.
But sources maintained that, following the completion of the Manly interviews, ASADA would not be in a position to issue any infraction notices until after this season.
Cronulla have returned from Auckland buoyed by their 18-14 victory over the Warriors on Saturday but now face the resumption of their interviews with ASADA. Ten Cronulla players will be interviewed starting tomorrow.
ASADA investigators want to quiz skipper Paul Gallen, as well as Jayson Bukuya, Nathan Gardner, Stewart Mills, John Morris, Ben Pomeroy, Ben Ross, Nathan Stapleton, Anthony Tupou and Matthew Wright out of the current Sharks line-up.
See your ad here
Penrith, also cleared by ASADA in March, have been dragged into the investigation because of the investigators’ desire to interview Whare, Wes Naiqama and another current Penrith player.
All three players were at different NRL clubs during the period which is under ASADA investigation. Canberra player Sandor Earl is also expected to be interviewed over the alleged use of peptides while at Penrith in 2011.
‘‘We are not commenting on anything that’s been speculated,’’ Penrith’s executive general manager of rugby league Phil Gould said.
‘‘But I can assure all Panthers fans and sponsors that this club has absolutely nothing to worry about with regards to any ASADA investigation.’’
