Saturday, December 31, 2011
Voting may cost Vatuvei All Stars start
NRL fans could be robbed the sight of Warriors giant Manu Vatuvei terrorising opponents in next month's All Stars clash thanks to the vagaries of the voting process.
With 5,068 votes, Vatuvei was the most popular Warrior after the first round, but that alone would not have been enough to secure a start had voting ended there.
Berths are given to the players with the highest amount of votes in each playing position, with a limit of one per club.
Of all the highest-scoring players from each club, Vatuvei was only the seventh-highest outside back.
Fortunately for Vatuvei - and a number of other high-profile players such as South Sydney's Dave Taylor and North Queensland co-captain Matt Scott, voted the world's best prop in 2011 - all the votes from the first round no longer count.
Fans must now vote from four players from each club, with voting closing on the NRL website on January 16.
After the first round, Brisbane's Jack Reed was the surprise overall leader with 7,812 votes and Canterbury's Josh Morris was another shock in second spot.
Reed's chances were boosted after Petero Civoniceva, who registered just 1,400 fewer votes than the England representative, admitted his injured pectoral muscle would likely rule him out of the February 4 fixture against the Indigenous All Stars at Robina.
By far the most tense tussle is for the Parramatta nomination, with Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh and Fuifui Moimoi all finishing in the top 10 overall during the first stage.
Hayne, likely to be pipped for the full-back spot by Canberra's Josh Dugan, registered 6,967 votes, but Hindmarsh (6,519) and Moimoi (6,406) were not too far behind.
All Stars coach Wayne Bennett, who gets two of his own selections once the representative from each club is named, has stipulated he wants two tight forwards and two utilities on his seven-man bench.
AAP
Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, new-zealand First posted December 30, 2011 19:07:52Friday, December 30, 2011
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Ryan calls for Hasler backing at Bulldogs
Andrew Ryan has urged Canterbury to give incoming coach Des Hasler free rein to bring success to the NRL club.
The former Bulldogs skipper, who hung up his boots at the end of last season, bringing down the curtain on a stellar 11-year-career, is confident Hasler can bring the good times back to Belmore.
However, he acknowledged the two-time premiership winning coach, who left Manly following a bitter fall-out with the board, will want to change the culture at the club and should be allowed to do so.
"These are exciting times for the Bulldogs and the boys I know are all pumped about working with Des," Ryan said at the Jack Newton Classic celebrity golf tournament in the Hunter Valley.
"I never thought it would actually happen. You associate him so much with Manly, but he's a proven winner and he'll bring that winning mentality with him."
Despite their success on the field, the Sea Eagles off-field difficulties somewhat sullied Hasler's team's achievements.
Continued boardroom power struggles, a PR department that struggled to cope with the modern-day demands of the media and the inability to receive government backing to upgrade Brookvale are not problems Hasler will face at Canterbury.
However, there have been murmurs from some Bulldogs supporters that Hasler, a self-confessed control freak, will want to change the club dramatically.
Ryan does not believe that will happen, but wants the 50-year-old to be given whatever he needs to bring the Bulldogs their first premiership since 2004.
"There will obviously be some changes around and he has brought a lot of staff with him," he said.
"But Des is the head coach and if they want results then they have to let him make some big calls and run the show.
"The expectation from fans, supporters and sponsors is to be in the top four and winning premierships.
"I can't see the Bulldogs not being in the upper echelons next year."
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, canterbury-2193, nsw, australia First posted December 20, 2011 17:02:30Storm mourn death of recruitment manager
Melbourne Storm are mourning the sudden death of recruitment manager Darren Bell who passed away from massive heart attack on Wednesday.
Bell was responsible for bringing rising stars such as Matt Duffie and Jesse Bromwich to the Storm in addition to recruiting the club's under-20s list
Football operations manager, Frank Ponissi, said the club was shocked by the news.
"Darren was very well respected in the industry as a recruitment manager and as a person, Ponissi said.
"As a member of our footy department he has been very important in our recruitment and retention strategy over the last four years and was part of the plans around our future recruitment.
"Darren had a great eye for identifying football talent, but most of all he was a good person.
"His most important recruitment philosophy was to recruit good people first and he certainly led by example in this area."
Bell is survived by his wife Jackie.
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted December 21, 2011 19:25:16Slater could be right for round one: Bellamy
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says the early signs are good that Billy Slater will be fit to play in round one of the NRL in March.
The star full-back and international player of the year suffered a broken collarbone during Australia's successful Four Nations campaign last month in England.
Slater and Storm's other key playmakers, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, are set to resume training on January 9.
The bulk of the squad will return from their Christmas break on January 2.
"He (Slater) has gone to Cairns for Christmas. He came in a couple of times before that," Bellamy said on Tuesday.
"He said the shoulder was feeling pretty good, the collar bone.
"They're reasonably happy with the way it's coming on, but it was a bad break so it will take a little time to get better again.
"Until he comes back and actually starts getting into a bit of training, we won't quite know how the body's adapting to that operation.
"We're very hopeful and we expect him to be right by March for round one (against Canberra).
"He has got a great (fitness) base so it won't take him too long to get back into good condition again to play."
Bellamy is also hopeful high-profile Storm supporter and music industry veteran Molly Meldrum will make a full recovery following a fall at his Melbourne home on Thursday.
Meldrum remains in an induced coma but his sedation levels were reduced overnight.
"It has been a pretty sombre club around here since Thursday night since we heard," Bellamy said.
"It sounds as though Molly is starting to come good and we're just so happy about that. We wish him all the best.
"He's just such an important person to our club.
"He goes out of his way to make sure he comes down after games, whether we've won or lost, to help lift the spirits when we've lost and to celebrate with us when we win.
"He's just such a great personality to have around."
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted December 20, 2011 21:32:00Sunday, December 18, 2011
British MPs pay tribute to Beetson
Britain's parliament has honoured rugby league great Arthur Beetson, the first Aborigine to captain an Australian national sporting team, who died on December 1 at the age of 66.
The Parliamentary Rugby League Group tabled an early day motion recognising the achievements and legacy of former Hull KR prop forward Beetson, who suffered a suspected heart attack.
"His loss will be felt by all in rugby league, including those fans of Hull KR who were fortunate to see him play," Kingston-Upon-Hull East lawmaker Karl Turner said.
Rugby League Group Greg Mulholland chairman added: "Artie was one of the greatest Australian players that has graced our shores and the loss of a player of his calibre and iconic status is a tragedy.
"I know all of us in the Parliamentary Rugby League Group were greatly saddened by his passing and offer our condolences to his family."
Beetson was riding his bike on Queensland's Gold Coast when witnesses said he suffered severe chest pains.
Ambulance officers were called to treat him but he died at the scene.
Beetson, a clever ball-playing prop forward who played 28 Tests for the Kangaroos, was a celebrated figure in the game and was named in the front row in Australian rugby league's team of the century.
Beetson toured England and France with the Kangaroos in 1973.
He played in the 1968 and 1972 World Cups and captained Australia for three matches over the 1975 and 1977 World Cups.
He captained Australia in two Tests and went on to coach Australia in two Tests in 1983.
AFP
Tags: sport, rugby-league, england, united-kingdom, australia First posted December 13, 2011 16:47:39Fans, family farewell Beetson
Thousands of people have gathered at memorial services in Sydney and Brisbane to celebrate the life of rugby league legend Arthur Beetson.
Beetson, the first Indigenous Australian to captain a national team in any sport, died from a heart attack on the Gold Coast earlier this month, aged 66.
'Big Artie', as he is affectionately known, played 28 Tests during his career.
More than 3,000 tickets were handed out for today's public memorial service at Brisbane's Lang Park.
Wally Lewis told the crowd Beetson will be remembered as one of Queensland's favourite players.
"When the big fella took to the field for the very first time in a Queensland jersey here at Lang Park, it was the loudest noise I ever heard here at the stadium - the noise was basically deafening," he said.
Queensland Origin great Gene Miles says today was a chance to acknowledge Beetson's contribution to rugby league, as well as his colourful and caring character.
"He captained the first ever State of Origin side and he set the benchmark that night on how State of Origin should be played," he said.
"I was very privileged and honoured to play my first State of Origin match under the coaching of Arthur Beetson.
"We had instant success and whenever any new bloke came into the team, he made them feel very, very welcome and I think that's a side of him that people didn't often get to see."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has also attended the service, describing Beetson as a "pioneer."
The Brisbane memorial featured tributes from his son Mark Beetson and team-mate Wally Lewis, while a separate service was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Former Sydney Roosters teammate John Peard said Beetson was an inspirational player.
Tags: rugby-league, sport, human-interest, qld, australia, brisbane-4000 First posted December 18, 2011 14:11:04Hodkinson seeing Manly impact at Dogs
Half-back Trent Hodkinson expects new coach Des Hasler to recreate the same style of play at Canterbury that he used to snare two premierships with Manly.
While Hodkinson has not been able to take part in any pre-Christmas field sessions as he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery, the former Manly playmaker says he sees glimpses of the Sea Eagles in what Hasler is doing in training at Belmore.
"He's won two grand finals, so it definitely works," Hodkinson said.
"He'll want to bring his own style of footy over, the structure.
"I've been watching on from the sidelines and it's been pretty sharp."
A frustrated spectator, Hodkinson says he is been counting down the days until he can get back to working with Hasler.
It was under Hasler that Hodkinson burst onto the NRL scene in 2010, when he earned a City Origin jumper after just a handful of top grade matches.
He came under criticism from Hasler when he flew the Sea Eagles coop after his rookie campaign, but the 23-year-old says he is looking forward to reuniting with his mentor.
He has just returned to running in the gym, and expects to rejoin the squad for field sessions when they return from their Christmas break early in the new year.
"My first year was obviously better than last season. It was a bit quiet," Hodkinson said.
"I'm looking forward to being back under Des. Hopefully I can get my footy back to where it was and improve as well."
Hodkinson is expected to partner Kris Keating in the halves when the Bulldogs open their season against Penrith, but Hodkinson says both Joel Romelo and Josh Reynolds will also be in the mix for a start.
AAP
Tags: rugby-league, sport, new-zealand First posted December 15, 2011 14:58:56Broncs will get by without Locky: Hodges
Brisbane's track record of coping with the loss of champion players over the years will stand the club in good stead for its first NRL season in 13 years without Darren Lockyer.
That is the opinion of Broncos centre Justin Hodges, who notes that the club had regrouped many times in the past after the likes of Wally Lewis, Allan Langer, Gorden Tallis, Kevin Walters and Shane Webcke hung up their boots.
"There's always an adjustment period after you lose a great player," Hodges said.
"You can't replace a Darren Lockyer but we've got young blokes like Corey Norman and Ben Hunt who can come in and play the role.
"When Alfie (Langer) retired it took a little while but we've got Wal (Peter Wallace) here and now we're on the lookout for a five-eighth.
"Obviously Locky's are big boots to fill, one of the greatest players to have played, but we've got those young guys and also Luke Capewell.
"We're not asking them to be another Locky, we just need them to do their job for the team."
Hodges, who re-signed with the Broncos until 2015, says preseason training was always the painful part of a new season.
"You know when you turn up on Mondays you're going to get a flogging," he said after a tough session in humid conditions at the University of Queensland.
"The boys are all counting down till Christmas when we get some time off."
Hodges says he did not have any issues with his dodgy hamstrings and his back feels good on a new stretching program.
"I've turned up every day for training and in the heavy conditions like it was out there, the hammy gets under a bit of load," he said.
"So far so good."
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000 First posted December 12, 2011 16:28:55Hayne set to benefit from Sandow's arrival
Parramatta veteran Ben Smith claims the arrival of new half-back Chris Sandow could be the catalyst for a resurgent Jarryd Hayne in 2012.
Heralded as the most talented number seven the Eels have had since Peter Sterling donned the jumper 25 years ago, former South Sydney star Sandow has the blue and gold faithful eagerly awaiting the start of the new NRL campaign.
But it is another Eels star Smith has high hopes for, believing Hayne could be the biggest beneficiary of Sandow's arrival.
Hayne was thrust into the five-eighth role in 2011 in a futile attempt to kick-start the Eels' stagnating campaign, but with Sandow and former Canterbury five-eighth Ben Roberts set to take over in the halves in 2012, Hayne will revert to his preferred full-back position.
"It's going to take a lot of pressure off the likes of Jarryd Hayne," Smith said of Sandow's recruitment.
"It will allow Jarryd to play his game without worrying about everything, Chris can take control.
"His smarts and his quickness around the ruck means Haynesy can just step back and chime in when he needs to. He doesn't have to have his hands on the ball two or three times a set.
"Jarryd almost had a target on his head every time he had the ball, and it's hard for one player to carry all that expectation for the whole team."
With Sandow, Roberts and Test centre Willie Tonga all coming on board for 2012, expectations are again high for the Eels.
It was the same this year following the arrival of coach Stephen Kearney, but Smith said the squad would benefit from having had 12 months under the Kiwi Test mentor.
"It's been a learning curve for us," Smith said.
"We took a few steps backwards, but I think we're going to get better. There's a sense within the club that we're going forward now.
"We were probably lacking in key areas of the team, but we've bought really well in the off-season in some key places, crucial positions, and the structure's now there for us to build on."
The Eels will continue preseason training through to next Wednesday, when they have two weeks off for the Christmas break.
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, parramatta-2150, nsw, australia First posted December 14, 2011 17:43:43Saturday, December 10, 2011
Mourners to honour Beetson's 'lasting legacy'
Family and close friends of Arthur Beetson will gather today at the Redcliffe Leagues Club, north of Brisbane, for the rugby league great's funeral.
The 66-year-old, affectionately known as 'Big Artie', died on the Gold Coast last week.
Beetson will be farewelled at the club that recruited him as a teenager from Roma in southern Queensland in the early 1960s.
From Redcliffe, Beetson moved to Sydney and went on to captain Queensland and Australia.
He was the first Indigenous Australian to captain the country in any sport.
Several of his former Eastern Suburbs teammates, including Russell Fairfax, are attending today's service
"That's a mark of respect - he was our skipper," he said.
"Under Arthur's guidance and tutelage, I don't think we lost a thing."
Queensland Rugby League chairman John McDonald says Beetson's legacy is lasting.
"Not only for his playing ability but also for his tutoring of younger players," he said.
"He was just wonderful for so many people in the state."
Mr McDonald says the Redcliffe Leagues Club is an appropriate setting.
"Redcliffe has been a wonderful club, recognising his ability when he was at Roma to get him down there," he said.
Beetson played 28 Tests for Australia.
A public memorial will be held at Lang Park in Brisbane on Sunday, December 18.
People who want to attend will have to make reservations.
The State Government says tickets are required for safety reasons.
They are available at Ticketek or by phoning the stadium.
Tags: rugby-league, people, grief, indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, redcliffe-4020, brisbane-4000, roma-4455, toowoomba-4350 First posted December 09, 2011 07:33:50Beetson farewelled at Brisbane service
Family, friends and former team-mates have farewelled rugby league great Arthur Beetson at a service north of Brisbane.
The 66-year-old died from a heart attack on the Gold Coast last week.
A funeral was held on Friday at the Redcliffe Leagues Club where Beetson began his career in 1964.
The turnout of about 600 included former England half Tommy Bishop, retired Australian captains Darren Lockyer, Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis and Gorden Tallis and international players Brad Fittler, Gary Belcher and Petero Civoniceva.
The gathering rose to its feet and applauded as pallbearers carried Beetson's white coffin - draped with an Aboriginal flag, a football and his No.11 Queensland jumper - from the tunnel beside the field to the front of the marquee as a single didgeridoo played in the background.
They heard how at 35, a lion-hearted Beetson provided the fire and pride that gave birth to State of Origin at Lang Park in 1980.
Lewis, who spoke of catching Beetson in his hotel room the night before an Origin game playing cards with rival NSW coach Jack Gibson, read out tributes from every player in the 1980 Origin side.
Paul Vautin played State of Origin when the Maroons were coached by Beetson.
"He was one of the best blokes you'd ever meet, and at the end of a game if Arthur Beetson came up and put his arm around you and said well played, there's nothing better than that," he said.
Former Roosters great and Australian team-mate Ron Coote spoke of Beetson's unmatched feats as a player.
"He was proud to be Indigenous, proud to be a Queenslander and proud to be Australian. He brought honour to all three," Coote said.
"He leaves a mighty footprint on rugby league that will guarantee he is remembered not just now, but forever."
Another former Roosters team-mate, Russell Fairfax, told the gathering Beetson was a talented prop forward.
"We won the pre-season, we won the minor premiership, we won the club championship, we won the competition, we won the night-time competition - we were the first team to win the club challenge," he said.
"Success seemed to follow him and he was like that on the field and off the field.
"I didn't know anyone who didn't like him."
A public memorial for Beetson will be held at Lang Park in Brisbane on Sunday week.
ABC/AAP
Tags: people, rugby-league, redcliffe-4020, brisbane-4000 First posted December 09, 2011 18:01:11Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Johns raves over Warriors' potential
Rugby league great Andrew Johns says he is staggered by the potential of young players coming through at the New Zealand Warriors.
Johns has been contracted as a part-time skills coach to the Auckland-based 2011 grand finalists - a similar position to the one he holds with Canterbury and has held with various rival clubs in recent seasons.
Johns told a function in Auckland the players coming through the Warriors ranks could be something special, with particular attention paid to rookie sensation Shaun Johnson.
"I've been blown away by what I've seen among the young players this week. The potential is immense but I stress it's potential," Johns said.
"Some of the young guys at the club are, athletically, without peer.
"They're just so big and really there is no position for a lot of them.
"It's just a case of give them the ball and let them play."
Johns is working mainly with the halves, hookers and full-backs, and has relished the chance to run the rule over talented 21-year-old Johnson.
"There are some people who play sport who have been given a gift and he's one of the lucky ones," said Johns.
"But I come back to that word potential. I've been really impressed with the way he has been working and hopefully Shaun realises he's very lucky and makes the most of the talent he has been given."
Johns will be back for another session with the Warriors early next year and will be called upon by them during the 2012 NRL season.
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, new-zealand First posted December 07, 2011 13:50:22King re-signs with Sea Eagles
Manly has secured the cornerstone of its pack with the NRL premier re-signing co-captain Jason King through to the end of the 2014 season.
Just a day after extending George Rose's stay with the club, the Sea Eagles agreed to terms with fellow front-rower King - Manly doing its best to move on from a tumultuous start to the off-season.
With veteran Brent Kite and young gun Darcy Lussick also on board, new coach Geoff Toovey has a formidable prop rotation at his disposal for the Sea Eagles' title defence.
King, who missed the grand final win over the Warriors due to a torn pectoral muscle, said he never really considered leaving the Sea Eagles.
"Being a local junior I've only ever wanted to play for one club and that's the Manly Sea Eagles," King said in a statement.
"It's a dream to be able to continue playing with them.
"We've had big changes at the club in the last couple of months but I'm very proud of the boys and the effort they put in last season."
King is back training and hoping to be available for Manly's World Club Challenge clash with Leeds at Headingley on February 17.
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, brookvale-2100, manly-2095, nsw, australia First posted December 07, 2011 20:07:50Beetson funeral date announced
A funeral will be held on Friday for rugby league great Arthur Beetson, who died on Queensland's Gold Coast last week.
The service for family and close friends will be held at the Redcliffe Leagues club, just north of Brisbane, where Beetson played some of his early football.
A public memorial will be held to honour Beetson at Lang Park on December 18.
Tags: rugby-league, people, grief, brisbane-4000 First posted December 07, 2011 08:06:46Thurston eyes move to pivot
Indigenous All Stars skipper Johnathan Thurston wants Darren Lockyer's vacant representative number six jumper, with next year's season-opener the first step in what he hopes is a permanent move to five-eighth.
Thurston - last month crowned the best player in the game - is keen to walk away from the half-back position he has dominated the past few seasons.
He claims Lockyer's retirement following last month's victorious Four Nations triumph presents the perfect opportunity to make the shift - as he looks to fill Lockyer's boots for both Queensland and Australia.
And he does not want to stop there - saying he has already spoken to North Queensland coach Neil Henry about making the move for the Cowboys as well.
"I've made no secret that I want to play six - I'm very familiar with that role, I played it all through my juniors, I moved to the Bulldogs as a six, I made my debut there, the Cowboys recruited me as a six," Thurston said.
"Number seven, you're on the ball a lot more.
"Playing alongside Locky so much - he likes to sit out the back and get the ball when he's ready.
"That's what I'd like to do as well."
Thurston's first shot back at five-eighth will be alongside new Parramatta half-back Chris Sandow, who will be looking to make a big first impression on his representative debut.
Yet another Queenslander, the inclusion of Sandow highlights the depth the Maroons have in the halves - with Indigenous All Stars bench player Scott Prince and Test squad members Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans also amongst their ranks.
Cronk remains favoured to line up alongside Thurston for next year's State of Origin opener, but as Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley noted, the game will give Sandow a chance to stake his claim.
"That's the opportunity that this game provides - you look at Josh Dugan last year - he stood out and all of a sudden he's being spoken about as an Origin prospect," Daley said.
"If Chris and JT all of a sudden click and they play well, it certainly wouldn't harm their chances."
Sandow, one of five new faces in the Indigenous All Stars side named on Wednesday, admits he has let himself dream of an Origin call-up.
But the former South Sydney playmaker is not getting too far ahead of himself, with his primary focus being to enjoy the build-up to the February 4 clash with the NRL All Stars before his first game for the Eels.
Thurston - who claimed Cronk deserved to be at the front of the queue for both Queensland and Australia - admitted Sandow did present an intriguing option for Maroons selectors.
"He does bring that unpredictability to any team," he said.
"He could certainly fit into that (Maroons bench utility) role, either play a bit of nine, get him out of dummy-half, or play a bit of seven."
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, townsville-4810, qld, australia First posted December 07, 2011 19:34:10Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Cooper backs recruits to replace Gaz
Replacing the retired Mark Gasnier is new St George Illawarra coach Steve Price's first major task and Dragons centre Matt Cooper believes the choice has been narrowed to two.
Gasnier, 30, retired at the end of 2011 after a stellar career with the Dragons, New South Wales and Australia, leaving Price with a major headache of how to limit the loss of the big centre's experience and attacking prowess.
Cooper believes recruits Chase Stanley, who joined the club mid-season from Melbourne but did not play a match due to injury, and former Canberra winger Daniel Vidot are the two stand-outs to fill Gasnier's right centre spot.
Stanley, a Dragons junior, has played in the centres for the bulk of his 49-match career, while the versatile Vidot earned a reputation as a brilliant finisher during his time at the Raiders.
And while Gasnier leaves big boots to fill, Cooper believes that duo - with Kangaroo tourist Beau Scott as a darkhorse - have earned the right to battle it out for first crack to line up alongside winger Jason Nightingale to start 2012.
"Obviously right centre is up for grabs," Cooper said.
"There's a lot of options we can use but it's going to make for good competition for that right centre spot.
"I know the boys are training hard and either Chase or Vidot would love that spot."
Cooper says the group of players Price had recruited, including forwards Josh Miller, Jeremy Latimore, Leeson Ah Mau and Will Matthews and utility back Denan Kemp, could all have immediate impacts in the red and white.
"I think Pricey and the team have done a great job in recruiting," he said.
"I think all the boys who have turned up for the first time are really impressing me and impressing the coaches. There's a handful of them that could play first grade."
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, kogarah-2217, wollongong-2500 First posted December 06, 2011 14:52:51Competition runs hot for Broncos back row
Brisbane Broncos look to have the best back row battle in the NRL taking place within their squad.
With star second rower and incoming Broncos skipper Sam Thaiday having locked one back row spot, New Zealand international Alex Glenn, former rookie of the year Matt Gillett and destructive runner Ben Te'o are all fighting for the other vacancy.
For many the big question confronting Broncos coach Anthony Griffin is who will replace champion five-eighth Darren Lockyer in the number six jumper in 2012.
But with veteran prop Petero Civoniceva back in the fold and four players wanting two second-row positions, the make-up of his pack is just as intriguing.
Thaiday and Gillett started 2011, but after Gillett suffered a serious foot injury, Glenn finished the season in the back row with Te'o running into some hot form late in the season after twice breaking his arm.
"The good thing about all those guys - Matt, Ben, Alex and Corey Parker is they're all interchangeable, they can play a number of positions," Griffin said.
Gillett, who showed his versatility playing five-eighth against Manly when Lockyer was not available, would get a start in any other pack in the NRL.
"Depending on his form and the make-up of the side, he's competing for an edge spot," said Griffin, keeping his cards close to his chest.
"He was our starting left edge forward last season but had 12 weeks off with a broken foot.
"It was a positive for us we were able to have a player like Matt Gillett come off the bench."
Griffin says the challenge for him and his players after falling one match short of last season's grand final was to "go up another level".
Returning to finals football under a rookie coach pitched into the job a fortnight before the season kicked off was viewed by many as a success.
"Externally I think it probably got more credit than we (players and coaching staff) gave it because we put ourselves in a good position to win after we beat the Warriors so comprehensively," said Griffin.
"We all look on it as a positive but it still hurts the way that it finished.
"There's definitely a sting in everyone's tail this season."
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia First posted December 06, 2011 16:54:18Rose re-signs with Sea Eagles
Manly prop George Rose has re-signed with the Sea Eagles for two seasons.
Rose was off-contract after the Sea Eagles' success in the 2011 grand final but has penned a deal that will tie him to the club until the end of the 2013 season.
"It's pretty much a home for me, Manly, and it's the place that I always wanted to stay, even before we won the grand final," Rose said.
"It's just a great bunch of players, great staff and a club that I really enjoy."
Rose debuted for Manly in 2006, having entered first grade with Sydney Roosters, and has played 97 NRL matches.
The 28-year-old, who was thought to have agreed to a deal some time ago, is upbeat his side will defend their premiership under new coach Geoff Toovey.
"We've worked hard for a number of years to get to where we are and I really want to go back-to-back," Rose said.
"Even if we can't I'll have a lot of fun trying to either way."
Rose finished the 2011 season with a one-match ban for a striking charge, due to a hit on Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia in the grand final.
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, brookvale-2100, nsw, australia First posted December 06, 2011 18:54:54Mal to build Beetson Origin legacy
Mal Meninga has stressed the importance of carrying on Arthur Beetson's legacy after signing a four-year deal that expands his role as Queensland State of Origin coach.
Meninga was speaking on Friday, a day after the death of "father figure" and fellow Maroons legend Beetson from a heart attack.
He says the emphasis in his now full-time job will be identification and retention of talent, while also guiding the Maroons' successful Origin team.
"It was a sad and tragic day yesterday for all Queenslanders in particular with the passing away of Arthur Beetson," Meninga said.
"It certainly reinforces the fact that losing an icon like that, someone else has to step up.
"We don't want to let him down. Arthur resembles the spirit of Origin.
"He was our first captain and our first spiritual leader. It'd be great if we can honour him in some fashion."
Meninga, who has coached the Maroons to six straight Origin series victories, admits his squad will struggle to replace champion five-eighth Darren Lockyer, who retired after guiding Australia to a Four Nations triumph last month.
"Darren's been a great player and a great ambassador for Queensland," Meninga said.
"We're going to sorely miss him. We can't replace him but we move on.
"We've got some great young kids coming through our system and we've just got to make sure they're ready for it."
Meninga says he will focus on a new Queensland high performance unit incorporating the Maroons' emerging squad and the state youth teams.
AAP
Tags: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia First posted December 02, 2011 17:14:13Video gallery: Arthur Beetson tribute
Rugby league great Arthur Beetson has died aged 66 after suffering a heart attack on the Gold Coast. This video collection looks back at Beetson's playing days and his enduring involvement in the game he loved.
Tags: rugby-league, indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, indigenous-culture, redcliffe-4020, coogee-2034 First posted December 01, 2011 12:57:43Surebetmaker
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Monday, December 5, 2011
Tandy guilty of lying over NRL betting scandal
Former rugby league player Ryan Tandy has been found guilty of lying to the New South Wales Crime Commission.
Tandy was facing three charges but was found guilty of only one earlier today in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court.
The investigation related to an NRL game in Townsville in August last year between Tandy's then club, the Canterbury Bulldogs, and the North Queensland Cowboys.
Tandy's false evidence conviction was in relation to evidence on whether he had placed bets with jockey manager John Schell.
The former forward could be given a jail term when he returns to court for sentencing in January.
Tandy's contract with the Bulldogs was torn up in the wake of the scandal, and he has been given a life ban from the NRL.
Tags: courts-and-trials, nrl, rugby-league, sport, sydney-2000, townsville-4810 First posted December 02, 2011 14:57:36Thurston wins Golden Boot
North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston has won the 2011 Golden Boot award.
The Golden Boot is awarded to rugby league's best international player of the year, as judged by Rugby League World Magazine.
Thurston's man-of-the-match performance in Australia's 30-8 triumph over England in last month's Four Nations final helped get him over the line in voting, ahead of Kangaroos team-mates Cameron Smith and Darren Lockyer.
The mercurial half-back polled 175 votes, five ahead of Smith, while the retiring Lockyer managed 141.
All three were included in Rugby League World Magazine's annual World XIII, as were fellow Australians Billy Slater (full-back), Akuila Uate (wing), Greg Inglis (outside centre), Jamie Lyon (inside centre), Anthony Watmough (lock), Sam Thaiday (second row) and Paul Gallen (prop).
Tags: rugby-league, sport, australia, townsville-4810, qld First posted December 02, 2011 11:22:00NRL to review judiciary loading
The NRL will look to reduce the lasting impact of minor infringements as part of a review of judiciary procedures ahead of the 2013 season.
A gathering of club representatives at the second and final day of their annual conference was told a competition committee would be established to review rules and trends within the game.
Among the issues they will address will be the maligned finals series structure and extra time in finals.
They will also look at player safety issues arising from emerging tactics such as the 'cannonball' tackle, where a defender dives at the legs of an opponent.
But while efforts will be made to clean up the game, the committee will also consider a proposal to reduce the loading period for grade one charges from two years to 12 months.
"It's a fundamental deterrent of the system that a repeat offender will get an additional loading on future charges," NRL director of football operations Nathan McGuirk said on Wednesday.
"Currently, every offence stays on the player's record for two years.
"Looking at the trends in the game, we believe a two-year loading period for a grade one (charge) is becoming harsh.
"Reducing it to one year, we will provide both an incentive for lesser offences and a deterrent for the more serious charges."
The committee will include two current NRL coaches to be elected by the clubs, as well as rival State of Origin coaches Ricky Stuart and Mal Meninga, Daniel Anderson, John Lang, Andrew Ryan, Trent Barrett and McGuirk.
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, australia First posted November 30, 2011 19:12:29Marshall named NRL All Stars skipper
Benji Marshall is to replace retired Darren Lockyer as captain of the NRL All Stars team for the annual clash with the Indigenous All Stars on the Gold Coast on February 4.
All Stars coach Wayne Bennett revealed Marshall's promotion on Friday when it was also announced the All Stars trophy will carry the name of rugby league legend Arthur Beetson, who died on Thursday.
"Darren Lockyer is a significant loss to us," Bennett said.
"But Benji Marshall has been a part of the All Stars since its inception and I have every confidence in his ability to lead the team."
As well as acknowledging Beetson on the trophy, players from both sides will wear jerseys carrying a tribute to the first indigenous Australian player to captain a national team in any sport.
And the Federal Government will sponsor two $5,000 education/training scholarships in his honour.
The All Stars match will feature an innovative "power play", in which each captain can nominate a five-minute period in both halves, where the opposing side must drop two players.
The defending team will nominate which of their players must leave the field and if the team that has called the power play scores a try in that five minute period, the power play will end immediately.
The two teams cannot call a power play simultaneously.
In another innovation, infringements in the ruck area will lead to an immediate restart of the tackle count, as opposed to a kick for touch.
The 40-20 rule has been expanded to include 20-40 kicks in play.
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, robina-4226 First posted December 02, 2011 15:11:52Friend to stay a Rooster until 2015
Sydney Roosters hooker Jake Friend has agreed to a three-year extension to remain with the NRL club until the end of 2015.
Friend was awarded the club's highest individual honour, the Jack Gibson Medal, after a 2011 season of consistent performances.
The 21-year-old has already played 69 first-grade games and expressed his delight at extending his contract.
"I love this club ... I have made some great mates here and I'm excited to extend my stay at the Roosters and continue to grow with this group of guys," Friend said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Queenslander joined the Roosters on a scholarship when he was 15 and, in 2008, progressed from SG Ball through to Toyota Cup to the NRL in just four months.
"We see Jake Friend as integral to our future," Roosters coach Brian Smith said.
"Jake has worked tirelessly to develop himself on and off the footy field, and he's to be commended for that.
Friend joins fellow young Roosters players Mitchell Pearce, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Martin Kennedy, Tom Symonds and Mitchell Aubusson on long-term contracts.
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, bondi-junction-2022, nsw, australia First posted November 30, 2011 20:26:08Broncos prop Kenny quits NRL
It was not surprising Brisbane prop Nick Kenny's retirement this week came without fanfare - that is the way he played his football.
But it should be noted the 29-year-old forward managed to grind out 78 NRL matches for the Broncos despite frequently battling back and shoulder injuries since making his debut at Lang Park in July 2005.
With Test veteran Petero Civoniceva back in the front row fold alongside Origin prop Ben Hannant and talented youngsters Josh McGuire, Mitchell Dodds, David Hala and Dunamis Lui all lining up to play in the engine room, Kenny has retired with a season left on his contract to "get a real job".
As a qualified physiotherapist, that will include treating rugby league players for some of the injuries he battled through his six seasons with the club.
After undergoing back surgery a few years ago to allow him to continue his NRL career, Kenny was restricted to just nine matches last year because of injury and the stunning form of McGuire.
A Rockhampton Norths junior, Kenny was discovered by the Broncos while playing university rugby league.
A strong defender with a terrific work ethic, he made the 2009 Kangaroos train-on squad following his best season with the club.
While coach Anthony Griffin respected Kenny's role within the team, he also praised his work off the field with charities and community groups.
"Nick always gave you his best and he could sting blokes in tackles," said Griffin.
"He was a lovely guy, the players enjoyed his company.
"He didn't always say a lot but he always gave you everything."
AAP
Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, brisbane-4000 First posted December 02, 2011 13:12:30Beetson to be immortalised at Lang Park
The late, great Arthur Beetson will be memorialised in bronze so he can continue to inspire generations to come.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says "Big Artie" was an iconic Queenslander who will be farewelled with a public memorial on December 18 at Lang Park, where the rugby league legend is to be immortalised with a bronze statue.
"This bronze likeness of Artie Beetson will be positioned at the northern plaza and provide future generations of sports fans with a meeting place to pay tribute to his amazing career both on and off the field," Ms Bligh said.
Beetson, 66, the first indigenous Australian person to captain a national sporting team, died from a massive heart attack while riding a bike on the Gold Coast on Thursday.
Ms Bligh says Beetson was not only a league legend but was also a pioneer for indigenous Australian athletes and his loss has been felt across the country.
"We are very pleased the Beetson family accepted our offer of a public memorial," she said.
"There are many people that want to say an appropriate goodbye to this great man, and this will be their opportunity to do just that."
Beetson's eldest son, Brad, says the family will hold a private funeral in the coming week.
"Once again the family would like to thank everyone for their support, condolences and contributions over the last 48 hours," he said.
Beetson played 28 Tests for Australia and was captain in two.
One of his greatest and proudest moments was captaining Queensland to victory in the historic first State of Origin game at Lang Park in 1980, belting his Parramatta team-mate and New South Wales centre Mick Cronin to give birth to "mate against mate".
Beetson went on to coach the Maroons to series wins in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1989 and "team bonding" was his speciality.
He played 235 club matches between 1963-81 in the New South Wales Rugby League and Queensland Rugby League competitions.
In Sydney he played for Balmain, Eastern Suburbs and Parramatta.
He was named in Australia's Team of the Century, Queensland's Team of the Century, the Indigenous Team of the Century and inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2003.
He was also named an Immortal by Rugby League Week in 2003.
AAP
Tags: rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000 First posted December 04, 2011 16:21:53