Thursday news wrap

NRL
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All the latest from around the NRL on Thursday 21 February 2019.

We go around the clubs and the game to bring you today's latest.

Trial relocated

The St George Illawarra Dragons this afternoon confirmed their trial on Saturday against Newcastle would be moved to Wollongong's WIN Stadium, after an inspection of the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium surface at Kogarah deemed the venue unfit to host the match.

The game will now kick off at 4pm, with only one curtain raiser.

Jennings finalises move to Wests Tigers

The Rabbitohs confirmed Robert Jennings would leave the club shortly before 5pm this afternoon. Not long after, the Wests Tigers confirmed the signing of the centre for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Check our full off-season transfer list here.

Klemmer opens up

Late yesterday Newcastle posted a story where Bulldog-turned-Knight David Klemmer has opened up on his mental demons in the wake of his off-season move.

It's easy to forget players are human just like the rest of us - props to 'Klem' for speaking so candidly about what he faced.

Too much footy?

Elite women's footballer and Australian Jillaroo Kezie Apps has expressed concerns about the 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup, with 15 games crammed into a two-week window when the tournament heads to England at the end of 2021.

In this article on the Dragons website, Apps notes the last tournament had only 11 matches played across 17 days, a far more liberal spread. The second-rower, who starred for the Red V in the inaugural 2019 NRL Women's season, is recovering from a leg-break in the Jillaroos' post-season test against the Kiwi Ferns in Auckland last October.

Sponsorship boon for NRL

Chemist Warehouse increased their involvement across both the AFL and NRL last year, and that looks set to continue in 2019 with the NRL confirming the pharmacy chain as naming rights sponsor for Sunday matches during the premiership season.

The organisation will also be running an 'in-stadium activation' as part of the NRL's Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane - similar to what attendees at the NRL Grand Final may have seen.

Get in early

While tickets for the opening event at Parramatta's Bankwest Stadium on Easter Monday are selling like hotcakes, there is a way to get a sneak peek at the new venue before it's official opening. The stadium, which will host home games for Parramatta and the Wests Tigers as well as one Bulldogs match, is holding an open day on Sunday April 14.

New digs

With demolition of Allianz Stadium imminent, the Sydney Roosters have packed up and moved across the Moore Park precinct, and today showed off their new lodgings in the Entertainment Quarter, complete with meeting rooms adorned with the names of three of the clubs' Rugby League Immortals - Arthur Beetson, Dally Messenger and Dave Brown.

Stand-in captain Christian

With veteran hooker Cameron Smith not listed to play in Friday night's trial against the Warriors in Geelong, Craig Bellamy has opted to name prop forward Christian Welch as interim captain for the match.

Well-resourced in Queensland

The QRL has paired up with resource giant BHP, with an agreement set to 'develop vibrant communities and grassroots engagement'. BHP's logo will appear on the training jersey worn by the men's Queensland Origin side, and on the sleeves of the women's Queensland Origin playing jersey.

BHP will also present themed round during the QRL's Intrust Super Cup season, namely 'Get in the Game' Country Week as well as the annual Indigenous Round.

Taueli sentenced

Brisbane Broncos recruit Myles Taueli will spend more than a year behind bars after being found guilty of assault, resisting arrest and destroying or damaging property. Taueli was arrested and charged on Boxing Day following the assault on Christmas Day.

Taueli had spent the last two seasons at Intrust Super Cup club Redcliffe - a feeder club for the Broncos - after having been let go by the Sharks in 2016 in the wake of a drink-driving charge.