Rather than spending his spare time sipping lattes beside the beach, Taukeiaho is already preparing for life after football. The goalkicking forward is keen to become a mechanic and recently began learning the trade at the Geroyan family's workshop. Just a week into the role and Taukeiaho has already serviced the boss's car, sorted a window regulator and fixed a water leak.

"He likes cars, he wants to learn more about them and wants to set himself up for life after football," said West Ryde Service Centre's George Geroyan.

"He likes a challenge, he's a good bloke and he's a very quick learner. I had an apprentice for four years – he's better than him on the second day."

The tricolours have long been known as one of the most affluent and upmarket clubs in the game, with their stars often making the gossip columns with their exploits on the social scene. However, spotting the 24-year-old forward tinkering under the hood goes some way towards shattering that image.

"It's not every day you get a Roosters and Kiwi international asking you to tell him what to do," Geroyan said.

Inglis Bronco talk

The drums are again beating about the prospect of Greg Inglis making a shock switch to the Broncos.

Inglis is contracted to South Sydney for another year, but rumours he could be on the move in 2017 have resurfaced after the shock announcement Brisbane veteran Corey Parker will retire at the end of the season.

Parker's form is as good as it has ever been and he recently engaged a manager to sort out a new contract after going more than a decade without a 6 ½ per center. The fact he then called it quits has sparked speculation the Broncos tapped the Queensland and Australian forward on the shoulder, to free up salary cap space to have a crack at Inglis.

Third-party sponsors will be lining up to supplement Inglis' income should he move to Red Hill and the lure of playing under Wayne Bennett in his twilight years will also hold appeal.

Hayne chase on

Jarryd Hayne will have no shortage of suitors once he concludes his Fijian rugby commitments at the Rio Olympics, but the biggest offers are coming from Japan.

Cashed-up Japanese clubs are already lining up for the cross-code star, although Parramatta remain hopeful the prodigal son will return.

Many a suitor: Jarryd Hayne is in hot demand for his post-Rio career. Photo: Charlie Crowhurst

Jersey, cash cost

Canberra's decision not to allow Joey Leilua to be 18th man for NSW has probably cost him an Origin jersey and the $30,000 that goes with it. We've been told Leilua would have been added to the team after Josh Morris pulled out with injury, However, the Raiders made the decision not to allow him to be part of the extended squad in Coffs Harbour.

Storm signings

Melbourne has poached promising forward Vincent Leuluai from the Roosters. The tri-colours are disappointed to lose Leuluai, who made his NRL debut this year before injury cut short his season. Melbourne are also poised to trumpet the re-signings of young guns Young Tonumaipea and Ben Hampton on new deals. The pair have agreed to two-year contract extensions at the Storm, despite interest from rival clubs.

First Eel out

The right-hand man of Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp, Tom Issa, became the first of the so-called "gang of five" to stand down from the club's dysfunctional board. We're hearing other directors in the NRL's firing line are also considering stepping aside and that potential replacements are being sought.

Wild weekend

Which NRL stars ran amok during a recent holiday at Byron Bay during the bye week? The police were called after a noise complaint was lodged, but attending officers opted not to press charges.

Referee suspended

Leading English referee Richard Silverwood has been suspended after an investigation by the Rugby Football League. Officials are refusing to give reasons for standing him down, but we're hearing several other senior whistleblowers are watching the situation closely.

Eye on Furner

North Queensland assistant David Furner is on Huddersfield's wish list. The Giants are on the lookout for a new coach after sacking Paul Anderson.

Stars shine

The North Sydney Bears laid out the red-and-black carpet for attendees at their annual sportsman's lunch. NSW coach Laurie Daley, Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor, South Sydney clipboard holder Michael Maguire and emcee Billy Moore provided some fascinating insights at the event. Maguire attended last Friday's function even though he had to coach his side against the Panthers later that evening.

Blues warned

The Blues were lucky to escape without a fine after pulling a swifty with their team list before State of Origin II. NSW started with Tyson Frizell, despite naming Greg Bird on the official team sheet. NSWRL officials have been warned there will be consequences if protocols aren't followed for the dead rubber.

Manly mauled

Manly is in danger of going down as the worst Sea Eagles side in history.

Trent Barrett's team has suffered seven straight losses, just one shy of the club's worst losing streak, before their clash with St George Illawarra at Brookvale Oval on Monday. While injuries have decimated the squad, it's the inability of several key players to play up to their reputations that has proved just as big an issue.

The club has lost seven games on two occasions: way back in their first year in 1947 and also in 1965, while also posting eight-game streaks in 1999 and 1950. The club's current predicament is surprising given the optimism at the start of the season after an aggressive recruitment blitz that included Dylan Walker, Martin Taupau, Nate Myles, Lewis Brown, Apisai Koroisau, Matt Parcell and Darcy Lussick.

The match-fixing allegations swirling around the club have compounded the problems in what has been a tough start to the post-Geoff Toovey era.

Sorry state: The 2016 Sea Eagles are on track to becoming the worst team in Manly's history. Photo: Matt Roberts

Carter on spot

South Sydney coach Michael Maguire and club management face a massive test over the Paul Carter situation. Carter was already on his last chance before he was stood down indefinitely for his latest indiscretion, which puts his NRL future in jeopardy. Carter will have to front the board on July 12 after being issued with a show-cause notice, with some at Redfern believing he should have been dealt with more harshly for previous indiscretions, many of which have not become public. Maguire is a noted disciplinarian, but his players might start thinking standards are being compromised if Carter avoids the sack.

Twin turn

The Morris boys playing for England. Even the Poms are scratching their heads about the prospect of Canterbury twins Brett and Josh Morris switching allegiance from Australia.

"I was having a bit of a laugh about it," said Dragons captain and English international Gareth Widdop. "I spoke to him [Brett Morris during the week] and it's quite interesting really. We had a bit of a text message [exchange]. I said, 'You're not a Pom!' "

Locke switch

Former Kiwi international Kevin Locke will be making a low-key code switch, to the Greater Western Sydney Rams. The former Warriors fullback will make his debut for the NRC club next month at Merrylands RSL Park in what he hopes will be a step towards a return to top-flight footy.

Knit wit

There are some weird and wonderful NRL licensed products out there. We recently reported that you can get a coffin in team colours to ensure "till death do us part" need not apply to your footy team. And now you can purchase "ugly" Christmas-style NRL sweaters, just like your nanna used to make. We reckon these babies are a winner.

Vote red

Rugby league players and fans from all backgrounds are being urged to strap their boots and sleeves with red tape this week in a sign of solidarity as part of the #RedTapeAgainstRacism campaign.

The call to action comes after league coach Juan Jasso – born in the US with Mexican and American-Indian heritage – was filmed being racially abused on a tram in England this week. A sports lecturer who has lived in Britain for 18 years, Jasso was on his way to work in Manchester when he was called a "f---ing little immigrant" and told to "get back to Africa".

Jasso coaches with Latin American Rugby League (Latin Heat), Manchester Rangers and the global rugby league academy, and previously was a development coach for the London Broncos. He was recently player-coach of the first Latin American team to play in the northern hemisphere, at the USARL Nines in Philadelphia in May.