Paul Gallen

Gal vs Aloiai fight postponed as Manly star becomes first NRL player to test positive for Covid

Aloiai was set to square off against Gallen in Newcastle on December 10 and called in sick to a promotional photo shoot on Tuesday.

Manly’s entire NRL squad is yet to be fully vaccinated but it’s unknown whether Aloiai had been inoculated against Covid.

The NRL has not mandated the vaccine, meaning the 29-year-old is free to play under league regulations.

Fox Sports understands Joey Leilua, who was training with Aloiai and due to fight on the card, may have tested positive several days ago and Aloiai also received a positive result on Wednesday morning.

Paul Gallen slams Kevvie Walters’ ‘weird’ approach to Origin mind games

Gallen questioned Walters’ decision to spend $5500 on an hour with “coach whisperer” Bradley Charles Stubbs.

After the meeting, Walters declared war on the Blues and even banned his players saying “NSW” to media.

Gallen had a crack at the Maroons’ coach on the Sunday Footy Show.

“I’m actually not against coaches using outside influence to better themselves and I think it shows that he’s happy to look elsewhere (for advice),” Gallen said.

Gallen made to 'eat his words'

Gallen, who is set to fight Sonny Bill Williams in the boxing ring, accused the Cowboys of "crying poor" in the leadup to the match over their hefty injury toll - which included co-captains and Australian test stars Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott.

But the Cowboys had the last laugh when halfback Michael Morgan slotted over a 15-metre field goal in extra time, to end the Sharks' premiership defence.

And Taumalolo, who looks up to Gallen and his longevity in the game, didn't hesitate to hit back with some tongue in cheek when reminded of the barbs after the match.

SBW, Gallen agree fight terms

The terms have been agreed between Williams' promoter, Khoder Nasser, and Gallen's people. They just need to work out where the fight will be shown in Australia.

Nasser has a meeting scheduled with Stan chief executive Mike Sneesby. Stan is an Australian streaming company launched in 2015 and is a joint venture ofNine Entertainment Co and Fairfax Media.

New blood in water at Shark Park

After extending his boxing record to 7-0, with a fourth round knockout of Ryan Carr-Ketu on Friday night, the Sharks skipper has turned his attention to his 17th and final NRL season.

Cordner or Jackson should lead NSW: Gallen

NSW coach Laurie Daley has yet to decide on who will captain the state in 2017 after Gallen stepped down from Blues duties following this year's series loss.

However if it was up to him, it would go to one of his first-choice second-rowers.

Gallen: McGregor's antics wouldn't fly in Australia

Speaking exclusively to Sporting News cageside at Madison Square Garden ahead of a historic night of fights, Gallen said the tall poppy syndrome that pervades Australian sport would quickly put any McGregor-like character back in his place.

Case in point: Jarryd Hayne.

“Being at the top of the NRL, it’s sometimes a little bit disappointing because I saw the way Jarryd Hayne spoke when he came back and it was all very much about himself – I didn’t mind it,” said Gallen.

“I thought it was confidence, but other people take it the wrong way.

Our history was never a burden: Gallen

Three times runners-up and once a financially unstable entity being touted for a new home in far-flung locales, in 50 years of supporting their team Sharks fans had never – until now – stood tallest as NRL champions.

Cam Smith glad nemesis Gallen has made his first grand final

The State of Origin skippers will renew hostilities for the sixth time this year after the Storm booked their spot in Sunday's decider with a tense preliminary final win over Canberra.

Smith has claimed victory in three of the five meetings between the pair this year, two of them with Queensland in the Maroons' triumph, and the third in a round 26 wipeout in Melbourne.

State of Origin: Paul Gallen should be dropped for game three, says Steve Mortimer

The team arrived back in Sydney Thursday afternoon after suffering a tenth series loss in 11 years and Gallen did not stop to talk to the waiting media.

With the series already lost, Mortimer said he wants to see a different side run out in the final match of the series.

"There's one game to go and never has there been an opportunity to bring some young players into the fold, just like Queensland did 12 years ago," he said.