- The premiership winner has been called out on social media
Chad Townsend has been slammed by supporters after he up and left the struggling Sharks SG Ball Cup team he coaches to go to Las Vegas.
The premiership winner’s team had opened their nine-week season with three consecutive losses when he jetted off to take part in media commitments for the NRL season opener.
On the plane ride over to Las Vegas, Townsend fainted after suffering hot and cold flushes and had to be treated by a doctor and nurse on the plane.
Despite the medical drama, he carried out his broadcasting duties on the Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) for the double-header at Allegiant Stadium.
The 35-year-old has since updated fans on X to let them know he’s fine after the difficult ordeal, but he has received some negative pushback from footy supporters.
Fans haven’t forgiven him for what they see as dereliction of duty with his under-19s side struggling.
Chad Townsend (pictured) has been hammered by fans after leaving his Cronulla Sharks SG Ball Cup team to travel to the Las Vegas double-header
The 2016 premiership winner (pictured) suffered a medical episode on the plane on his way to Sin City, but made a full recovery
Townsend (pictured) abruptly retired after playing a handful of games for the Roosters in 2025
‘Coach of the SG Ball team was headed to Vegas to do a vlog one-third of the way through the season while his team had yet to win a game. Guilty conscience perhaps,’ one person wrote.
‘Aren’t you meant to be coaching this weekend? 0-3 – not a good start. I’d faint too,’ another said.
‘Hey Chad, shouldn’t you be back at home with your team? 0-3 to start the season and you jet off to Vegas,’ claimed another commenter.
‘Aren’t you meant to be coaching SG Ball? You doing it via Zoom?’ another fan wrote.
To make matters worse, Townsend’s team claimed their maiden win of the 2026 season against the St George Illawarra Dragons while he was in the US.
The side claimed a dominant 20-0 shutout of their rivals at Sharks Stadium.
Townsend – who retired after playing six games for the Roosters last year – had also headed to Sin City to record content for his podcast, which is sponsored by BearBet.
The coach will step back into his role when Cronulla face the unbeaten Sydney Roosters at home this weekend.
