SF
Mako Shark
This photo was from an article on Tawera Nikau, where he claimed he was sacked by Cronulla after the 1997 season.
The article stated that the sacking was a shock to the league community, and to Nikau himself, particularly as it was never done publicly. Nikau only received the news from reporters, who told him he had been placed in the free players pool.
"They have sacked me, mate," Nikau said. "I rang some board members after I heard the news and they said they knew nothing about it. Obviously it was an executive decision."
Nikau said he thought it was most likely due to his 11th-hour withdrawal from a trip to England to play London in the World Club Challenge, citing "personal reasons," shortly after a disagreement between Shane Richardson and Nikau's wife, Letitia.
Nikau said: "That game against London was the first game I missed in three years and they turn around and do this. I enjoyed my time at Cronulla. It's a nice place and the players were really good. I'll just have to find another club."
Rugby League Week noted though: "The only jarring note in the whole scenario is that nobody at Cronulla, on or off the record, seems to have a bad thing to say about Tawera Nikau, the individual, as a person, player or professional."
Other possible reasons for Nikau mentioned included Cronulla doing it to ease a financial burden, or a Super League conspiracy theory related to Nikau walking out on the New Zealand team after both he and Richie Blackmore were selected.
The article stated that the sacking was a shock to the league community, and to Nikau himself, particularly as it was never done publicly. Nikau only received the news from reporters, who told him he had been placed in the free players pool.
"They have sacked me, mate," Nikau said. "I rang some board members after I heard the news and they said they knew nothing about it. Obviously it was an executive decision."
Nikau said he thought it was most likely due to his 11th-hour withdrawal from a trip to England to play London in the World Club Challenge, citing "personal reasons," shortly after a disagreement between Shane Richardson and Nikau's wife, Letitia.
Nikau said: "That game against London was the first game I missed in three years and they turn around and do this. I enjoyed my time at Cronulla. It's a nice place and the players were really good. I'll just have to find another club."
Rugby League Week noted though: "The only jarring note in the whole scenario is that nobody at Cronulla, on or off the record, seems to have a bad thing to say about Tawera Nikau, the individual, as a person, player or professional."
Other possible reasons for Nikau mentioned included Cronulla doing it to ease a financial burden, or a Super League conspiracy theory related to Nikau walking out on the New Zealand team after both he and Richie Blackmore were selected.
