NRL

He likened it to being blindfolded, chasing a dream career in a sport that may as well have been a foreign language.

It is what makes Mailata’s rapid rise – a self-described “Hollywood movie” – all the more remarkable.

Earlier this month he was sharing the field with Tom Brady, who at 44 years old, is still breaking records and still redefining the quarterback age curve.

Mailata is doing some redefining of his own, shedding the rugby league identity of his past and forging a new one.

On the same day the AFL mandated its players to be vaccinated by mid-February, Abdo took a slightly different approach.

The NRL has been grappling with mandatory vaccinations since the resumption of the 2020 season when several high-profile players including Bryce Cartwright, Josh Papalii and Joseph Tapine expressed reluctance to receive the flu shot.

Despite many businesses and rival codes mandating employees to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, Abdo said the NRL would leave it up to the players.

On Wednesday, the NRL officially confirmed the Dolphins had clinched the league’s 17th licence, staving off bids from the Brisbane Firehawks and Brisbane Jets.

The Australian Rugby League Commission accepted the Dolphins as the preferred candidate on the back of the club’s $70 million assets and $20 million cash reserves.

The 21-year-old finished on 17 votes across the regular season, three votes clear of his Origin team-mate and 2019 winner Moeaki Fotuaika and Titans winger Corey Thompson (14 votes).

Fa’asuamaleaui claimed an unassailable lead after notching a three-vote performance against his old team (Melbourne Storm) in round 23 and adding a further vote in the Titans loss to the Knights in round 24.

The 22-year-old – who has been a hit in the Parramatta Eels’ backrow this year – is one of four Kiwis in the select side, alongside Roosters centre Joey Manu, Storm hooker Brandon Smith and Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris.

Papali’i topped the annual NRL fans poll as the best recruit of the 2021 season with 35 per cent of the vote, was voted the best second rower – ahead of Titans’ $1 million man David Fifita – and was runner-up in the most improved player category (13 per cent), behind Melbourne Storm back Nicho Hynes.

With only two games remaining - against the Raiders and the Titans - the Warriors will be relying on other results to go their way if they are to make the top eight.

They were punished for a slow start at Suncorp Stadium, going 12-0 down after 25 minutes.

The Broncos' Storm-bound winger Xavier Coates provided Brisbane with a glimpse of what they'll be missing next year with two well-taken first-half tries.

The England forward, 29, was released by Wigan in February and had surgery on a hip injury which ruled him out of the 2021 Super League season.

He had joined Wigan in 2020 on a three-year contract after eight years at NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs.

His twin Tom still plays for the Rabbitohs.

George made 149 NRL appearances for the Rabbitohs, winning the Premiership in 2014, where he played alongside Tom and his other brothers Sam and Luke, who have both since retired.

Walker and Reynolds put on a ball-playing clinic as they combined to create five of the Rabbitohs' eight tries with deft passing and skills on the fringes of the rucks.

Alex Johnston scored a hat-trick of tries for South Sydney and has now scored 13 tries in his past five games.

The result moves the Rabbitohs level on points with the Storm and Panthers, who will pick up two points each for the bye this weekend.

The North Queensland Cowboys remain 11th, two points above the Warriors who visit the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday evening.

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Walsh missed the opportunity to make his controversial debut for the Maroons in the second State of Origin game against New South Wales, after pulling out of captain's run with a low grade hamstring strain.

Warriors assistant coach Justin Morgan said Walsh was back with NRL club and responding well to the rehabilitation.

Morgan could not confirm the timeframe on Walsh's return but expected it to be between one and three weeks given the severity of the injury.

Johnson, 30, moved to the Cronulla Sharks but they won't be retaining him beyond this year.

Johnson who has played 162 games for the Warriors between 2011-2018 has signed a two-year deal.

He has played 40 games for the Sharks taking his NRL tally to 202.

"While he left to join the Sharks, Shaun's heart has always been with the Vodafone Warriors after starting his career here," said club CEO Cameron George.

"Shaun stands among the top playmakers in the competition and he'll give us a significant boost from next season."