Top footy reporter rips into ‘ignorant’ NRL legend Cooper Cronk in stunning war of words – despite the fact they’re work colleagues

• Phil Rothfield reignites feud with footy legend Cooper Cronk
• Veteran scribe labels Cronk ignorant in recent column

By JAMES COONEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 23:43 GMT, 16 March 2025 | Updated: 23:43 GMT, 16 March 2025

Veteran rugby league journalist Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield has taken aim at NRL legend and colleague Cooper Cronk for calling some of his recent reporting ‘factually incorrect’, reigniting tensions between the pair.

The latest chapter in their rivalry began when Cronk, a respected Fox Sports presenter and four-time premiership winner, took issue with Rothfield’s reporting on the possibility of Kalyn Ponga playing for New Zealand.

Rothfield, never one to shy away from a stoush, responded quickly via his column in The Daily Telegraph, calling the Hall of Famer ‘ignorant’.

‘As an old journo you become accustomed to the occasional critique and criticism of your work,’ Rothfield began.

‘Most of it is fair play and everyone is entitled to an opinion. However, there is nothing worse than an ignorant TV commentator describing one of your column items over the weekend as ‘factually incorrect’ when he hadn’t even read it and had no idea of my sources. 

‘The truth is, Kiwi coach Stacey Jones is investigating the possibility of Kalyn Ponga playing for New Zealand this year. That is a fact. 

Footy journalist Phil Rothfield has taken aim at Cooper Cronk for calling some of his recent reporting ‘factually incorrect’

Rothfield called Cronk (pictured with wife Tara Rushton) ‘ignorant’ for calling into question his reporting

‘The door is open to a Ponga switch because he has only represented Australia in a Nines tournament and not in a full-on international Test match.’

Rothfield didn’t stop there, taking another jab at the former halfback’s past.

‘Perhaps Cooper Cronk is still upset that your columnist exposed his conflict of interest in having coaching jobs at Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters at the same time a few years back.’

If Ponga does decide to represent New Zealand at the international level, it would rule him out of playing for Queensland in the State of Origin.

Meanwhile, rumours have been rife that Ponga isn’t happy at the Knights in the wake of Dylan Brown’s monster contract.

Ponga tried to put the rumours to bed after a masterclass performance on Thursday against the Dolphins.

‘How did I play? How did I look out there? I look happy don’t I?’ he asked a journalist afterwards.

Ponga went on to say that he is looking forward to Brown arriving at the club next year. 

Cronk (pictured with Rushton) is a respected Fox Sports analyst and four-time premiership winner with the Storm and Roosters

According to Rothfield’s report, Ponga might one day represent New Zealand

‘I’m excited for him, I’m excited for the club but putting energy towards it isn’t going to help us win next week or recover well tonight,’ he said.

‘I’ve spoken to him but he’s got a job to do and we’ve got a job to do — it’s 12 months away.’

Ponga is contracted with the Knights until the end of 2027. 

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Top footy reporter rips into ‘ignorant’ NRL legend Cooper Cronk in stunning war of words – despite the fact they’re work colleagues

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