Growing Doping Scandal Has NZ League Nervous
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THE PRESS, Christchurch Friday, March8, 2013 SPORT B15 RUGBY LEAGUE Tigers pay respects to young Kiwi Phil Lutton While the word tragedy will be tossed around as yet another NRL Hull rallies behind season tries to extract itself from controversy, the funeral of Junior Kiwis and Wests Tigers prop Mosese Fotuaika yesterday troubled Seymour showed what true sadness is. Players facing lengthy drug- David Long related suspensions, as is the case at Cronulla, may feel their world Former Warriors star Brett Sey- has ground to a halt. mour may have attempted suicide But tragic? No. Let’s reserve when he crashed his car last such serious language for weekend. moments that dwarf the game and Seymour has been discharged all its associated drama; sombre from hospital after escaping occasions like the funeral of serious injury when his BMW hit Fotuaika, found dead in Sydney two parked cars then flipped on to last week. its roof. Just days before their season His wife, Roseanne, has claimed opener against Newcastle, almost that he was suffering from 100 representatives from the depression and told a Facebook Tigers flew to Brisbane to farewell group created to wish her husband the 20-year-old from Gisborne, a speedy recovery: ‘‘I’m suffering whose funeral was held at the from severe shock that my Breaking point: Former Warrior Brett Latter Day Saints Church in husband was so desperate and Seymour, who is reported to be Cleveland, on Brisbane’s bayside. Heavy hearts: Benji Marshall arrives at the funeral of Wests Tigers prop Mosese Fotuaika in Brisbane. Photo: FAIRFAX could attempt such a horrific suffering from depression. Fotuaika was later laid to rest thing. in the Mt Gravatt cemetery as ing the first under-20s game of the ‘‘He is getting the help he needs and speculation but some of the shattered family, friends and Everyone was determined to play and we made a season but the players wanted to and your support has helped things we heard were a mile off clubmates paid their final res- play Monday’s curtain-raiser at greatly. Depression is a silent what happened. pects. pact to honour Mosese by preparing the best we can. Hunter Stadium in Fotuaika’s killer — I want each and every one ‘‘We were able to keep the A former schoolboy star at the ‘ Todd Payten honour. of you to know that we feel so players informed as a group that Gold Coast’s Keebra Park State Before the funeral, Payten said grateful to you.’’ Brett had been in an accident but High – the finishing school of he had a change of heart after The 28-year-old Seymour has was OK. All the players got round Kiwis and Wests Tigers star Benji muscle at the gym, potentially Wests Tigers captain Robbie addressing the squad on Monday. been given leave by Hull and the to see him and will continue to Marshall – Fotuaika seemed to ruling him out for the season, the Farah was among the large crowd, ‘‘Everyone was determined to couple are believed to have left the support him.’’ have the future cradled in the tipping point may have arrived. He as were Lote Tuqiri, Marshall and play and we made a pact to honour city to go on a break and begin the Gentle would like to see palm of his skilful hands. would go home and take his own almost all of the club’s playing Mosese by preparing the best we process of trying to get Seymour’s Seymour back on the field again, A powerful running forward, he life. roster and football staff. can,’’ he said. life back in order. but accepts that it will be his was part of the Tigers’ under-20s Fotuaika may have defined They offered comfort to Fotuai- The Tigers will wear black Seymour has already had decision about where he wants to side that won the 2012 premiership himself through rugby league but ka’s partner, Shanice, parents armbands during a game that counselling and has been visited go with his life. and, after an impressive pre- he was remembered at the service Penitani, Ilaisaane and his eight Fotuaika was in contention to by a number of Hull players. ‘‘His health and well-being is season, he had been rewarded with not for how well he tackled but his brothers and sisters. play. Hull coach Peter Gentle said he paramount to the club. We are just a callup to the 25-strong first grade immeasurable worth as a son, Fotuaika’s death has shaken Instead, Jack Buchanan steps was stunned to hear the news there to give him plenty of squad for 2013. brother, grandson, nephew, cousin the Tigers to the core and it was a up to start in the Tigers front row – about Seymour. support.’’ Yet inside, the softly spoken and friend. fine testament to the club that they a career highlight, yet still a ‘‘I’ve heard about Roseanne’s Seymour was sacked by and polite young Tongan was Schoolmates from Keebra Park, put their round-one preparations bittersweet experience for the comments but I’m not here to give Brisbane Broncos in 2006 and trying to deal with burdens that the great league nursery that has on hold to head north en masse. 21-year-old. answers to them,’’ he said. Cronulla Sharks in 2009 for couldn’t be remedied by extra strong ties with the Tigers, wore Former NRL prop Todd Payten, Buchanan and his team-mates ‘‘We are a tight group and when alcohol-related incidents and cop- training or harder work. Away shirts and ties of the same colour who coached Fotuaika in the will take the field with heavy one of our players is injured or has ped a seven-month driving ban in from home and an expectant as the school jersey in which he under-20s, was one of the speakers hearts and the most sobering problems, it affects everyone. We November 2011 when at the father, there was a growing made his name. And many at the funeral, as was Jo Hallett, a perspective of what’s really genuinely care about each other. Warriors after being convicted of amount on his broad shoulders. mourners wore the Tongan tapa teacher from Keebra Park. important, when the game needs it ‘‘We had reports coming drink-driving and failing to stop When he injured a pectoral cloth as a mark of respect. Payten had considered forfeit- more than ever. through and there was rumour for police. Growing doping scandal Last-minute deal Aussie gets call-up seals NRL coverage David Long Andrew Voss will be Sky TV’s has NZ league nervous Chris Barclay main commentator for the War- We know how much it riors’ home games this year. David Long any players have acted inapprop- The National Rugby League and The Sydney-based Australian means to fans in New We are watching this riately. New Zealand’s Sky TV unveiled a replaces Aucklander Dale Hus- The New Zealand Rugby League The Sydney Morning Herald has new broadcasting deal hours ‘ Zealand to be able to band, who held the role for only as it evolves. We admits it is in the dark about reported that up to 14 players are before the 2013 premiership season watch rugby league, one year, with Sky presenter whether any New Zealand players ‘ haven’t been in touch believed to have been told they are kicked off last night, guaranteeing Stephen McIvor doing it the and this partnership are among a large group of NRL with the NRL about it. facing a minimum six-month ban. live coverage of the NZ Warriors previous season. players being asked to accept six- Eight players from other clubs and State of Origin for the next five offers the most Voss, who commentated the month bans for allegedly using NZRL CEO Phil Holden have also been implicated. The years. Warriors’ pre-season game against performance-enhancing sub- NRL has refused to comment. After protracted negotiations comprehensive Brisbane Broncos almost two stances. The NZRL is concerned at the both parties agreed to renew their coverage ever weeks ago, was regarded as a The Australian Sports Anti Sources have told Fairfax prospect of any New Zealand long-term partnership – a relief for rising star for Channel Nine in Doping Authority (Asada) is Media in Australia that Sharks players being involved in the league fans concerned at being provided. Australia. reportedly trying to convince the players and officials believe for- growing crisis as six-month bans denied access to live coverage in Shane Mattiske However, all that changed when players – who all turned out for the mer head trainer Trent Elkin was would not only stop them playing 2013. he had a fall-out with one of the Cronulla Sharks in the 2011 NRL the whistle-blower to Asada. in next month’s Anzac Test but They faced a similar scenario other leading faces on the network. competition – to take shortened New Zealand players at the also severely damage their build- last year when a one-year deal was reportedly paid A$14 million Voss last year settled a defa- bans instead of the standard Sharks in 2011 were Kiwi enforcer up for the World Cup defence, only formalised two days before (NZ$17.2m) to broadcast the 2012 mation case against fellow Nine two-year suspension for illegal Jeremy Smith, who was a con- which starts in late October. the NRL season started. season, so the figure for the new commentator and radio person- drugs. tender for the New Zealand test NZRL chief executive Phil The new deal offers long-term deal will be substantial.