Stars confused over charges: Hasler

Updated March 14, 2012 23:16:35

Players have been left in a state of confusion over what constitutes a legal tackle according to bemused Canterbury coach Des Hasler.

Hasler's already-frosty relationship with the game's officialdom grew colder as the reigning premiership-winning coach accused the match review committee of being unsure of what constitutes a legal tackle.

His fears stem from what he perceives to be inconsistent rulings over the opening two rounds of the season, with Bulldogs back rower Frank Pritchard charged for a hit Hasler claimed produced the same impact as the high tackle by Manu Vatuvei on Parramatta centre Willie Tonga on Monday night that was given the all-clear.

Asked whether the players were confused, Hasler said: "Are you confused? I am. So it must get confusing for them (the players) as well.

"If you look at the tackle from the Parramatta game involving Manu, they said (Tonga) slipped and it was the winger's fault - he was the one that was careless.

"The week before, David Simmons stepped off his right foot, led with his head or his chin which caught Franky's shoulder and it was Frank's fault - he should have shown more care."

Match review committee chairman Greg McCallum was unavailable for comment.

Hasler's anger over Pritchard's charge - which led to a ban only because of the former Kiwi international's loading and carry-over points - is not the first time in 2012 a club has taken umbrage with the match review committee over high tackles.

Brisbane was upset at the grading given to Petero Civoniceva for a high tackle during the trials last month which forced him to miss the club's season-opener.

The Broncos claimed it was similar to the grade-one charge which South Sydney backrower Eddy Pettybourne attracted in the Charity Shield on the same night, but declined to challenge the grading at the judiciary for fear of extending Civoniceva's stint on the sidelines.

While the Bulldogs have sought some clarification from the match review committee, Hasler said he would not alter the tackling technique of any of his players.

"No different," Hasler said when asked what he would tell his players.

"Frank Pritchard's tackle was perfectly legitimate, square on, trying to execute a ball-and-all tackle.

"He doesn't need to change. We were told to bend his back but, if he bends his back, he falls over."

Hasler denied his frustrations at Vatuvei getting off had anything to do with the fact the Bulldogs were taking on the Warriors this week.

"It's not about individuals, it's not about clubs, it's not about players," Hasler said.

"It's about the consistency, and it's about the language and the confusion. And the precedent that it's set."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, canterbury-2193, nsw, australia

First posted March 14, 2012 23:12:54

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We don't miss Hasler: Foran

Updated March 01, 2012 08:01:10

Kieran Foran says Manly is not missing the presence of Des Hasler and claims training has been harder under new coach Geoff Toovey.

Hasler ended a 27-year association as a player and coach of the Sea Eagles in acrimonious circumstances following a bitter fallout with the board and took over at Canterbury less than a month after guiding the team to the premiership.

A mixed preseason that included a heavy loss to Cronulla and defeat in the World Club Challenge to Leeds have given ammunition to claims the Sea Eagles will struggle in the post-Hasler era.

But Foran said the players have been impressed by the intensity of Toovey and believes the team can replicate their 2011 success.

"If anything (intensity), it's gone up," he said.

"Preseason training was just as hard, if not harder.

"Everyone's still very much on the ball and we're very much the same side as we were last year."

Although Toovey spent six years as Hasler's number two, Foran said the former New South Wales playmaker has shown he is very much his own man.

"Geoff's brought a different approach this year," he said.

"When he's out there on the paddock, he's very hands on. He likes to tip the boys off when he's out there.

"He's in the video sessions every day, calling the shots, putting his spin on things and we're liking that."

The Sea Eagles have a difficult start to their premiership defence with a trip to Eden Park in Auckland to face the Warriors in a repeat of last year's grand final.

The Warriors, under new coach Brian McClellan, open their season at the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby for the second successive year, with a crowd of more than 35,000 expected for the match.

Foran is anticipating a partisan crowd to greet the Sea Eagles, and said silencing them will be key to securing victory.

"They want revenge on that grand final and they're just the team to do it," the five-eighth said.

"The crowd's going to be hostile. They're all going to get out there and get behind the Kiwi boys.

"That just comes with the territory and we've just got to be ready for it."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, manly-2095

First posted March 01, 2012 07:54:59

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Respect - Fair Play - Do We Need These Campaigns?

Thaiday to play in front row

Updated February 28, 2012 13:00:19

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has pulled a selection surprise, naming captain Sam Thaiday in the front row for Friday night's NRL clash at Parramatta.

As expected 21-year-old Corey Norman was named five-eighth for the first round clash and has been given first shot at securing retired skipper Darren Lockyer's number six jumper.

With Thaiday moving from his regular back-row spot to partner Ben Hannant in the front row, Ben Te'o has won a starting spot in the pack with Alex Glenn in the second row.

The new skipper is sure to lean on experienced Broncos, Queensland and Australia team-mate Justin Hodges for assistance, especially with Petero Civoniceva missing the opener through suspension, but the centre has no doubts Thaiday is up to the task.

"Sam has got his own things he brings to the team without Locky," Hodges told the Broncos' official website.

"But we have been without him (Lockyer) for six months now so we are just looking forward to getting out there in round one."

Brisbane team: Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday (capt), Alex Glenn, Ben Te'o, Corey Parker.

Interchange: Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett, Scott Anderson.

Tags: sport, nrl, rugby-league, brisbane-4000

First posted February 28, 2012 11:03:56

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Warriors survive trial unscathed

Updated February 18, 2012 20:37:17

The wounded Warriors cruised to a big NRL trial win over Sunshine Coast in Whangarei, but more importantly last year's grand finalists survived without adding to their preseason injury toll.

The New Zealanders have been hit hard with early injuries, particularly among the forwards, with Micheal Luck, Jacob Lillyman and Sam Rapira leading the list of high profile players in the casualty ward.

However, new coach Brian McClennan finally received some good news in Saturday night's 68-10 win over the Queensland Cup team, and was relieved to watch veteran centre Jerome Ropati make a safe return to the side after a knee injury kept him out for the entirety of last year.

"We came through the game with flying colours, so that's a big positive for us," he said.

"Obviously the other big one was Jerome Ropati, after not having played for close to 10 months, to come back and do some good work was fantastic."

Ropati was strong in defence and also showed flair with the ball, setting up an early try before capping off his comeback with a four-pointer of his own thanks to a brilliant second half run by rising star Konrad Hurrell.

The young outside back Hurrell shrugged off four defenders before offloading to Ropati, and McClennan, who took over as coach from Ivan Cleary in the off-season, said the 20-year-old has it all in front of him this season.

"He's a very talented young man ... and he's making every post a winner and where does it stop? Who knows?" he said.

McClennan was also thrilled his former English Super League side, the Leeds Rhinos beat Manly in the World Club Challenge.

However he said the Warriors' first round clash with the Sea Eagles at Eden Park on March 4 would be a completely different story entirely.

"I was telling anyone who would listen to put plenty on Leeds to win ... Manly looked a bit underdone and in hindsight they might have travelled earlier, but that result has no bearing on our match," he said.

"We know that when they come to Eden Park they'll come as the reigning premiers and the benchmark team of the competition."

The Warriors started their final preseason game slowly and led 26-6 at the break.

They upped the tempo in the second half scoring eight of their 13 tries, as they exploited some big gaps in the defensive line of their tiring Sunshine Coast opponents.

With Lillyman and Rapira missing for the start of the season, props Ben Matulino and Russell Packer stepped up and had great games in their place.

McClennan confirmed youngster Sione Lousi is likely to be the third prop in the rotation for the start of the season.

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, new-zealand

First posted February 18, 2012 20:37:17

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The early season performers

Daniel Anderson

Updated March 15, 2012 13:13:07

Two rounds into season 2012, which players are setting the early pace?

Daly Cherry Evans is creating an unthinkable situation. His form and play is so mature and brilliant that the Queensland selectors may be considering playing him at number 7 in State of Origin, consigning perennial bridesmaid Cooper Cronk to the bench.

Darren Lockyer is retired, Jonathon Thurston moves to 6, Cooper to 7 and away we go.

This was an easy transition until some upstart, who is supposed to suffer second-year syndrome while still in negotiations for a new contract (at any number of clubs), plays footy with a smile, tremendous foot speed, a wicked left-hand fend and a killer show’n’go. 

Ben Barba is in his third season at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Most pundits had pencilled in Brett Stewart to be courted and recruited to the Bulldogs to reunite with Des Hasler.

No one told Ben Barba to play tough, catch all types of bombs, score tries and make breaks given an inch of opportunity and generally perform at a representative level for two games.

Do you think that Des may consider the money earmarked for Brett Stewart may be spent on another position?

Maybe on a representative half-back (see above) or international five-eighth (see the man that plays next to the above).

It's just not fair to the rest of the NRL that a player who used to ride trackwork is fast becoming the best full-back most of us will ever see.

Everyone loves Billy Slater because of his competitiveness, ability to play well above his weight, commitment to every action he undertakes on the field and the respect he has for rugby league.

Listen to him after games deflecting personal adulation into congratulatory messages for his team-mates.

Listen to him pay credit to the people inside him for putting the ball in the right place for him.

All of these traits are reflective of the person he is but we know he is a major reason why the Melbourne Storm have won 75 per cent of their NRL fixtures since he made his debut.

Forwards and especially front rowers rarely rate a mention when it comes to team success. The half-backs, full-backs and tryscorers normally hog the headlines.

If the New Zealand Warriors make a serious run at the 2012 NRL Premiership, then this big unit will have to pave the way.

The Warriors have a Kiwi front rower (Sam Rapira) and Queensland Origin front rower (Jacob Lillyman) missing with injury but Ben Matulino has stepped up.

Yes I am a card carrying member of his fan club, but I love watching a big tough front rower carry the ball into the teeth of his opposites and emerge after bending the defensive line landing on his stomach.

Watch a few NRL games and see how hard it is to complete this somewhat simple to say action.

Tags: rugby-league, sport, nrl, australia

First posted March 15, 2012 11:30:53

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Storm repay Bellamy's faith against Raiders

Updated March 04, 2012 16:53:53

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has faith in his players, which is why there was no directive sent from the coaches' box in the dying minutes of the Storm's season-opening NRL clash with Canberra when they were 19-18 down.

Rather than go for a field goal to enter extra time, the Storm backed themselves and went for the try - Billy Slater the likeliest of heroes when he brought down a Cooper Cronk bomb in the 76th minute to score the winning try.

Had the effort failed the Storm would no doubt be questioning their tactics, but Bellamy said he had faith in his players to pull off the 24-19 victory.

"I usually let them make those sorts of decisions and they've come up with the right one again," he said.

"We usually leave it up to them because they're out there.

"We don't need to discuss it."

Bellamy was thankful for the two competition points, acknowledging the Raiders had much of the ascendency and an edge on possession during the Canberra Stadium match, which was played in belting rain.

"That is a really good sign for our side that we didn't drop our heads and we kept trying," he said.

The Storm face an anxious wait until Monday's match video review findings after match-winner Slater was put on report for an earlier high shot on his opposing full-back John Dugan.

"I felt bad as soon as I did it, but there was no malice there," Slater said.

"So whatever happens, happens."

Storm captain Cameron Smith said Melbourne had not underestimated last year's second-last-placed team.

"That's the biggest forward pack we've come across in the NRL and we were missing couple of our big boys," Smith said.

"If they get a bit of a roll on, they're pretty hard to stop."

Despite the win, Bellamy said there would be a few issues to address with their goalline defence.

"That was disappointing, especially in the first half because when they got into our 20m, 30m zone they scored a try," he said.

"We've only got three front-rowers fit. So I like to think if we can get some of those bigger guys back soon that'll help us get our half a bit better prepped."

Veteran prop Jason Ryles is expected to postpone his debut for the Storm until after next week's clash with Souths.

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, melbourne-3000, canberra-2600

First posted March 04, 2012 16:03:54

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Storm ready for fired-up Souths

Updated March 06, 2012 16:32:35

Melbourne forward Ryan Hoffman says his team-mates have been waiting all summer for their chance to take on South Sydney.

Souths, which conceded two late tries in a 24-20 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Monday night, plays the Storm on Sunday.

Ex-Storm assistant coach Michael Maguire is the new Souths mentor and has former Melbourne stars Greg Inglis, Michael Crocker and Matt King in his side for what Hoffman is tipping to be a spicy affair at AAMI Park.

"There's plenty of factors I suppose this weekend - a lot of ex-Melbourne players," Hoffman told reporters on Tuesday.

"He (Maguire) is getting that club going in the right direction. I thought 'GI' (Greg Inglis) and Michael Crocker were fantastic last night.

"Kingy, Greggy and Croc and Madge (Maguire), they were all popular guys (at the Storm).

"When the draw came out, everyone here at Melbourne and Souths, we checked to see when we were going to play each other because we knew that was going to add a bit of spice to the game.

"With the way they played, it really makes sure that we're going to have to be on our game.

"There were some quite good things that Souths did last night, especially when they've got such talented players like Kingy and GI with their attacking prowess.

"Even Croc got over the line last night.

"In terms of those fellows, we know we're going to have to treat them like any other player and have a handshake and a chat to them after the game."

Hoffman says he is expecting Rabbitohs co-captain Crocker to be as fired-up as ever.

"Croc plays the game as hard as anyone I've seen. He's just such a passionate player and I'm sure on Sunday night it's going to be no different," Hoffman said.

The Storm had to rely on a late try from full-back Billy Slater to claim a 24-19 win in Canberra against the Raiders in their first-round clash on Saturday night.

Hoffman said he was glad to see common sense had prevailed after Slater escaped punishment for his high shot on Canberra full-back Josh Dugan.

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 06, 2012 16:32:35

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Testing times for new coach Toovey

Updated February 16, 2012 18:19:49

Just over two decades ago, Geoff Toovey squeezed Des Hasler out of the half-back spot at Manly.

The pint-sized playmaker also pushed Hasler onto the bench when the NRL club's greatest team was announced in 2006.

However matching Hasler's superb record in charge of the Sea Eagles is another matter entirely.

Toovey faces the first genuine test of his coaching career in Saturday's (AEDT) World Club Challenge (WCC) against Leeds at Headingley.

His battered face and croaky voice are familiar to the players and his elevation following Hasler's dramatic departure provided much-needed stability on Sydney's northern beaches.

But it will be his ability to guide his troops that matters.

He has been handed one of the tougher introductions to coaching against Super League powerhouse Leeds in front of a packed house at Headingley this weekend.

Not that he seemed overly daunted this week in northern England.

He repeatedly stated his confidence in the "mental toughness" of his players to cope with whatever the Rhinos dished up in the expected cool, windy conditions.

He was realistic about the difficulties of a club winning back-to-back NRL titles, with no team achieving the feat in a united competition since Wayne Bennett's star-studded Brisbane in 1992-93.

Not that the Sea Eagles lack firepower. Winger Michael Oldfield is the only member of this weekend's starting side not to have earned State of Origin or international selection.

The last time the club played in the WCC, they accounted for Leeds 28-20 at Elland Road in a high-tempo, ill-tempered affair in 2009.

It was not long after returning home that Manly's title defence unravelled following the infamous season launch.

Lessons learnt

Toovey said the players had learnt some tough lessons from three years ago.

"A lot of things in '09 were out of their control, again similar to (end of) last year," he said.

"Like any successful team, it is always difficult to continue to compete at that level. You need a bit of luck to win a grand final as well."

Toovey said the players had come to terms with the change of coach.

"Players isolate themselves from that ... they don't let those things affect them," he said.

"There was a bit of drama, they are a tight unit and they don't let those things upset them."

He said it would take time for him to leave his own mark on the team.

Having been an assistant coach since 2007 at the club, it could be argued he already has in some ways.

Manly co-captain Jason King said the cleanout of the backroom staff had provided some positives.

"There is certainly a freshness to the club and, although we have had a change of our leader, there has been minimal disruption," he said.

"Geoff has been with us for a long time now and not much has changed.

"He has put his own twist on a few things."

Manly: Brett Stewart, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Michael Oldfield, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams, Glenn Stewart.

Reserves: Jamie Buhrer, Vic Mauro, Darcy Lussick, George Rose, Joe Galuvao, Ben Farrar, Dean Whare (three to be omitted).

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, manly-2095, nsw, australia

First posted February 16, 2012 17:59:00

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Tigers golden after Marshall magic

Updated March 05, 2012 12:01:29

Tigers star Benji Marshall landed a long-range field goal just two minutes into golden point to steal a thrilling 17-16 extra-time victory over the Sharks at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.

A Todd Carney-inspired comeback saw the Sharks fight back from 12-4 down at half-time to take a stunning 16-12 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining.

But the Tigers somehow found a way back in hot conditions, with winger Beau Ryan producing a brilliant grubber and chase down the sideline to lock the scores at 16-16 in the 77th minute.

Marshall missed the sideline conversion to take the lead and the game was forced to golden point extra time.

The drama did not take long to restart with Carney's kick-off rebounding off the crossbar and into the hands of the Sharks.

Carney's first drop goal attempt was charged down and, on the back of a controversial penalty, the Tigers took the ball to the other end where Marshall sealed the victory from 35 metres out.

The Tigers playmaker said his one-pointer got a helping hand from former Wests prop, now Sharks player, Bryce Gibbs.

"I looked like it was going wide, but I think it tipped his hand when Bryce charged it down," he said.

"Great to get the win, but very disappointed with the way we played. We went away from everything we practised. I suppose we won't be favourite after that."

The victory was soured with news young full-back James Tedesco was ruled out for the rest of his debut season with a ruptured ACL.

Like Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper at the Rugby World Cup, the 19-year-old was jinking in front of the defensive line when he went down like he had been taken out by a sniper in the stands.

"Just seeing his reaction in the sheds, he was crying in there and it brought a tear to a few of the boys' eyes," said Marshall, himself no stranger to the surgeon's scalpel in the early days of his career.

"We see him as such a great talent, and he's fit into the squad well and he's a really good kid."

For Sheens it means a rethink on the number one jumper he had already gambled on by giving it to the rookie.

Former Parramatta utility Tom Humble impressed after coming on in his place, while Joel Reddy and Mitch Brown will also come into calculations.

"It's disappointing for him, a 19-year-old in his very first game," Sheens said.

"I think he showed why we earmarked him as our first grade full-back.

"But Robbie Farah did the same thing at the same age and came back stronger. Tim Moltzen has done it and came back stronger. All you can do as a footballer is get on with it."

Half-back Moltzen also left the field with split webbing in his hand.

The game was not even two minutes old when Marshall had his first impact, with his grubber for the sideline bouncing cruelly for the Sharks and into the arms of Ryan for a dream start for the home side.

There was more than a hint of forward pass as the Sharks replied via Isaac De Gois, but Marshall answered like only he can as he danced his way over from short range.

The Tigers were revelling in rarely seen Sydney sun, but while they toyed at times with the Cronulla defence, they had no more points to show for their endeavours.

Carney then awoke from his slumber.

He delivered a cut-out pass to Colin Best who juggled before diving over, then the 2010 Dally M medal winner did it all himself with two big right foot steps to give the Sharks their first lead at 14-12 with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Best could not help himself as he was pinged for a double movement as he chased his double, the desperation and heat affecting players from both sides.

Marshall almost conjured up another magic trick with a deft grubber at the Sharks line which was fumbled by Nathan Gardner, but Ryan could not finish off the job as he fumbled the ball over the line.

But Ryan more than made up for it with his late solo effort.

Tigers: 17 (B Ryan 2, B Marshall tries; B Marshall 2/3 conversions; 1/1 pen; field goal)

Sharks: 16 (C Best, T Carney, I De Gois tries; T Carney 1/3 conversions; 1/1 pen)

ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, nrl, rugby-league, leichhardt-2040, nsw, australia, cronulla-2230

First posted March 04, 2012 16:32:14

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Vatuvei shines as Warriors beat Bunnies

Updated February 12, 2012 07:08:22

Two tries in the space of four minutes from Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei helped set up a 22-14 trial win against South Sydney in Coffs Harbour.

A dour first half gave no indication of the 10 minutes of attacking fireworks last year's grand finalists produced soon after the main interval.

Konrad Hurrell showed he is ready for the step up from the under 20 competition with a try before Vatuvei produced the highlight for the crowd in excess of 5,000.

Shortly after running on to a grubber kick from Kevin Locke to score, Vatuvei received a pass on the outside of Rabbitohs co-captain Matt King 70 metres from the try line.

Vatuvei burst down the left wing, easily bounced off full-back Kurt French then headed for the line.

The Warriors fielded a strong team for the evening, while Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire chopped and changed the 27 players he named for the clash.

The Warriors will probably need to find a replacement for Sam Rapira though.

The prop injured his left shoulder early and is unlikely to recover in time for the opening round in three weeks.

Wests Tigers brushed off the cobwebs and Parramatta, as Tim Sheens' men gave a glimpse of why they are considered premiership favourites with a 20-12 trial win in Gosford.

The Tigers' new halves combination of Benji Marshall and Tim Moltzen produced a superb opening 40 minutes to have the black and gold faithful salivating ahead of the season, while there was enough from Eels' new boy Chris Sandow to suggest brighter times ahead for Parramatta.

Marshall and Moltzen laid on three of the Tigers' four first-half tries, each coming up with a crisp cut-out pass to set up four-pointers before working together to send Matt Utai over for his second of the night.

The 20-6 half-time scoreline was not added to until just before the full-time siren when Vai Toutai scored for the Eels, the standard falling away as both coaches emptied their benches.

There was no Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh, Reni Maitua or recruit Willie Tonga for the Eels, but it was Parramatta's $550,000 man Sandow that the blue and gold fans among the 13,622 crowd were most interested in seeing.

The former Rabbitoh was busy without being spectacular in 54 minutes on the paddock, a neat cross-field kick for Esi Tonga to score being his highlight of the night.

It was countered by an intercept from near his own line, which he butchered when he ignored flying winger Ken Sio in support, only to be run down 10 metres out from the Tigers line.

Sandow never returned after that effort, the nuggety half-back taking a few minutes to regain his breath before taking a seat on the bench.

The Tigers lost Liam Fulton with a nasty cut under the left eye, while Eels prop Mitchell Allgood lasted just three minutes before leaving the field with concussion.

Meanwhile, the million-dollar question of which Brisbane Broncos player will inherit Darren Lockyer's prized number six jersey remains unanswered after Ben Hunt and Corey Norman failed to stamp their mark on Saturday night's trial against Gold Coast at Pizzey Park.

The near full-strength Titans won the match 18-16, but the home side's victory came at a heavy cost as hooker Beau Falloon (suspected torn biceps) and flying winger Kevin Gordon (sore knee) left the field in the first half.

The Broncos were not spared either with back rower Dunamis Lui was forced off with a biceps injury and winger Aaron Whitchurch was placed on report for a late hit on forward Luke O'Dwyer.

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin started the match with Hunt at five-eighth and threw Norman, the other contender, into the fray in the 25th minute.

They shared the roles of pivot and hooker, with Peter Wallace also playing second receiver at times during a scrappy match.

In Albury, two tries by recruit Dimitri Pelo helped Canberra to a 27-18 victory over Melbourne.

A late try to the Storm's Ryan Hoffman brought Melbourne back to within a converted try in the final 30-minute third after trailing for the entire match.

But Pelo put the result beyond doubt with five minutes to go, crashing over the line to seal the win in front of a bumper crowd of 6,583.

Reece Robinson and Shaun Berrigan scored the other tries for the Raiders with Todd Lowrie and Matt McGahan crossing for the Storm.

Star Newcastle recruit Darius Boyd showed his fans how important he will be to the Knights' premiership aspirations with a classy display in an 18-18 draw against Penrith in Port Macquarie.

Boyd showed glimpses of his Clive Churchill medal-winning form and made an easy transition into the Knights backline, setting up a try in the first half with a long cut-out pass to Kevin Naiqama.

Knights favourite son Danny Buderus was solid before being replaced after 30 minutes in his comeback match for the club.

Penrith half-back Luke Walsh ran his side around the paddock well, but it was his halves partner Travis Burns who looked the most dangerous Panther in the first half.

Burns scored a try and attacked well on both sides of the park.

Penrith prop Tim Grant was great up front for his side with plenty of strong carries over the advantage line.

And in Saturday night's late game North Queensland defeated St George Illawarra 18-12 in Perth with the Cowboys stunning the Dragons by scoring four tries in the opening 20 minutes on Saturday night.

A crowd of 8,588 at Perth Oval to witnessed a scintillating opening from Neil Henry's team who put on an attacking clinic in the first quarter of the game with winger Antonio Winterstein crashing over in the corner after a couple of minutes.

Gavin Cooper scored a second for the Cowboys soon after before Sydney Roosters recruit Kane Linnett crossed the line for North Queensland's third try when the Dragons defence failed to trap a grubbered ball into the in-goal.

Ashley Graham then scored for the Cowboys to leave the Dragons reeling at 18-0.

The teams took a break at the quarter-time mark due to the warm Perth weather and it seemed to steady the Dragons.

St George Illawarra managed to get on the board through a converted try to Brett Morris and the sides went into half-time at 18-6 and that is how it remained until the Dragons managed a late converted try through Jacob Marketo.

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, coffs-harbour-2450

First posted February 11, 2012 21:03:10

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Watmough confident star Sea Eagles will stay

Updated February 28, 2012 16:43:30

Senior Manly forward Anthony Watmough is confident the NRL premiers will retain their off-contract stars unless the club is blown out of the water by massive offers.

Since the departure of coach Des Hasler to Canterbury shortly after defeating the Warriors in last year's grand final, the Sea Eagles have had to endure several rumours linking their stars to rival clubs.

Sought-after halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans have attracted the most attention, while Brett and Glenn Stewart have also been rumoured to be on the Bulldogs' radar.

But Watmough expects new Manly coach Geoff Toovey to secure their services long-term.

"People aren't going to leave the club for 20 or 30 grand ... they're going to stick solid," Watmough said.

"You can ask any of the boys in our team - they don't want to leave unless they have to.

"If the club can do right by them and get them to near what they're worth, they're not going to go.

"That's the good thing about the boys. We'll always be there at the end of the day. And whatever happens, we're all mates and that's what will come through at the end."

Watmough also praised the role head trainer Don Singe had played in making sure Manly's off-season remained smooth despite the upheaval caused by the exit of Hasler, assistant coach Kelly Egan, recruitment officer Noel Cleal and video analyst Will Badel - all to the Bulldogs.

Watmough said Singe's ruthless preseason training regime had removed any doubt that the Sea Eagles' fitness levels would drop without Hasler.

"I think it was just the shock to get over (when Hasler left), but we've still got Donny Singe who has been here as long as I have," said the 28-year-old, who missed the start of preseason after a late finish to 2011 courtesy of Australia's Four Nations campaign.

"You can put the fitness down to Donny Singe, he's our conditioner. He ran it all even when Des was here and he's been hammering us.

"It's been the toughest four weeks I've ever had in a preseason."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, manly-2095, nsw, australia

First posted February 28, 2012 16:43:30

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Tate confident of playing Broncs

Updated March 07, 2012 14:22:14

North Queensland Test centre Brent Tate expects to play and is prepared for former Broncos team-mates to test his sore ribs in Friday night's derby clash in Brisbane.

"I'd be very surprised if I wasn't targeted that's for sure," said Tate before boarding the flight to Brisbane on Wednesday.

Tate stopped just short of declaring himself a certain starter, having missed last weekend's embarrassing 18-0 first round home loss to Gold Coast because of his preseason rib injury.

"I'm really confident I can play but I have to get through training tomorrow and do a bit more contact just to make sure I'm confident in the ribs," Tate said.

"If that's the case, then I'll be playing.

"I know they're going to be sore. It's something I'm going to have to carry for the next few weeks.

"It's about knowing how much I can put up with, which I'll find out on Thursday.

"If I can cope and I'm confident I can get through 80 minutes, then I'll play."

Tate's former Broncos team-mates including skipper Sam Thaiday, who plays his 150th match and first as captain at Lang Park, and senior statesman Corey Parker both warned him to expect to have his ribs defensively examined if he takes the field.

Parker, who attended Tate's 30th birthday party late last month, says his former team-mate's ribs were "petty ginger" then.

"If he takes the field it's game on and the ribs are open and we'll come and get them," he said with a smile.

While Tate did not play in the loss to Gold Coast, he says the whole club is extremely disappointed by it.

He says he is not worried about Friday night's result as long as the Cowboys turned in a really strong performance.

No stranger to playing at Lang Park in front of big crowds, Tate says the Cowboys have far too many good players not to quickly turn things around.

"Everyone gets excited playing there," he said.

"When the Cowboys play there it's usually a huge crowd. It's Brisbane's first home game, Sam's 150th and Petero's first back at the club so they've got plenty to play for.

"It's a big game, a big occasion and as a player, that's what you want to be part of."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, townsville-4810, brisbane-4000

First posted March 07, 2012 14:22:14

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Titans punish sloppy Cowboys

Updated March 04, 2012 00:37:43

A transformed Gold Coast Titans signalled their intent to rebound from last season's wooden spoon with an 18-0 victory over a woeful North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night.

The Titans, rejuvenated by an aggressive recruiting spree last season, made the most of a terrible performance by the Johnathan Thurston-led Cowboys to notch a three-tries-to-nothing victory.

The hosts made a inexplicable 27 handling errors and completed just 42 per cent of their sets in a display Thurston described as "disgraceful for a first-grade footy side" and the club's worst ever ever.

It was the first time in nine years the Cowboys have been held scoreless at home.

"It was a very poor effort to start the season off," second rower Dallas Johnson told Grandstand.

"Our ball control was dismal and you can't win games like that."

In contrast, Gold Coast made just 10 errors and together with some solid defence and 77 per cent completion rate did enough for the upset without being spectacular.

Big-money acquisition Jamal Idris started his Titans career with a double, scoring the first (fifth minute) and last (74th minute) tries of the match, split by a four-pointer to Steve Michael 15 minutes after half-time.

Veteran prop Luke Bailey said his side's defence set the tone for the game and the season.

"The best part about it is the nil scoreline. I don't think we have achieved that very often over the last couple of years," he told Grandstand.

"We both didn't play our best footy, but our main goal was set a standard in defence and we definitely did that."

Idris said he was loving his footy again since his move to the Gold Coast and credited the hard work of a bulked up pack for helping the Titans to the two points.

"They were amazing in the middle. I couldn't have asked for a bigger effort from them," he said.

"Nate [Myles], [Mark] Minichiello, Birdy [Greg Bird], all the boys were going hard."

The Titans won just six games last year but took only five minutes to open the scoring, Idris pouncing on a Scott Prince kick.

Despite their domination, the Titans were unable to punish the Cowboys who completed less than 50 per cent of their first half sets.

The Cowboys completion rate did not improve after the break but they looked like being the first side to score.

On 52 minutes Mosese Pangai thought he had opened their account when he crossed the line after receiving a Robert Lui cut-out pass, but the referee judged backrower Gavin Cooper to have knocked on.

The Titans made them pay for their errors when Michaels somehow managed to hold onto a bouncing ball, dropped by Cowboys winger Ash Graham off a Jordan Rankin bomb on 56 minutes.

James Tamou gave away a penalty in the 60th minute and Prince made no mistake from 35 metres.

Idris was too strong for the Cowboys defence on 74 minutes, collecting a Matt Srama pass to complete his dream debut.

Titans: 18 (J Idris 2, S Michaels tries; S Prince 3 goals)

Cowboys: 0

ABC/AAP

Tags: nrl, sport, rugby-league, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted March 03, 2012 23:35:23

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Tate injured again for Cowboys

Updated February 19, 2012 09:11:41

A horror run of injuries continued for Brent Tate in the North Queensland Cowboys' 36-28 NRL trial loss to Gold Coast Titans in Mackay.

Keen to make an impact after overcoming his third knee reconstruction, Tate, 29, lasted just three minutes before being taken off with a rib complaint following heavy contact while collecting a high ball on Saturday night.

Tate was taken to Mackay Hospital for X-rays and was expected to face yet another extended period on the sidelines.

"We thought it was a hip at first, but it is ribs, we don't know how long he'll be out," Cowboys coach Neil Henry told reporters.

"Thankfully it's not his knee, so we'll just see how he pulls up."

The Titans also did not emerge unscathed - prized signing Beau Champion suffered what was believed to be a dislocated finger.

But it appears the Titans have one less headache after William Zillman shone at five-eighth with a two-try performance.

Appearing in his first trial after overcoming a back complaint, Zillman appears to have nailed down the troublesome pivot role at the Titans.

Clearly skipper Scott Prince looked forward to forming a halves partnership with Zillman after the win.

"It was good to get a game under my belt with Zilly," Prince told reporters.

"He played really well, particularly for his first trial."

The Titans revelled in the absence of Cowboys Dallas Johnson (back), Ashley Graham (groin) and James Tamou (foot) to jump to an 18-6 halftime lead.

However, 110kg Moses Pangai kept the Titans honest with a two-try performance after slotting onto the wing following a backline reshuffle caused by Tate's early departure.

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted February 19, 2012 09:11:41

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Warriors want good start, not revenge

Updated March 03, 2012 12:10:32

The marketers have billed it "Get Even at Eden", but the New Zealand Warriors will shun the past and look to the present when they host premiers Manly in Auckland.

Livewire half-back Shaun Johnson has ruled out revenge for the 24-10 grand final defeat five months ago as a motivator at Eden Park on Sunday.

"Certainly not within the team," he said.

"We recognise how important it is to start well and get that first win under the belt.

"It would be good to beat them this week, but we're certainly holding no grudges from last year."

Johnson is one of 12 players in an extended 20-man squad backing up from last October, but the Warriors are missing three key players to injury - workaholic lock Micheal Luck and frontline props Jacob Lillyman and Sam Rapira.

Coach Brian McClennan's starting line-up contains one newcomer in Konrad Hurrell, a 20-year-old tackle-break specialist whose head-to-head clash with seasoned Kiwi centre Steve Matai promises to be a highlight.

Manly will field a full-strength side featuring 13 grand final survivors and the 17 players from the World Club Challenge defeat to Leeds last month.

But as much as the personnel on the pitch, the attention will also be on two debutant coaches - McClennan, who succeeded Ivan Cleary, and Manly's Geoff Toovey, who took over from two-time premiership winner Des Hasler.

Warriors skipper Simon Mannering says McClennan has brought new ideas with him, but do not expect to see a radically altered game plan against the Sea Eagles.

"A new coach coming in definitely wants to bring his own systems, so there's a few changes here and there, but nothing too out there," he said.

"Rugby league is a pretty simple game and you want to do the simple things well. It's no different with `Bluey' being the coach."

The match will be the fourth time that rugby league has been staged at Eden Park, and the ground has proved to be a happy hunting ground for visiting sides.

The Kiwis have played twice at the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby, in the 1988 World Cup final and in a 2010 Four Nations pool match, and lost both times to the Kangaroos.

Last year, the Warriors also shifted their opening fixture from their usual base of Mt Smart Stadium and went down to Parramatta, although one big plus that day was the club's record home attendance of 38,400.

Prop Ben Matulino, who played against both the Kangaroos and the Eels at Eden Park, says he was unaware of the barren run for home sides until someone mentioned it to him this week.

As for squaring the ledger with Manly, it is not something that will happen on Sunday, no matter what the result.

"We can't really get even with them," Matulino said.

"I mean, they've got the premiership. We're not really into what's advertised too much. We've got to look further down the track."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, new-zealand

First posted March 03, 2012 11:56:03

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Tigers' Ellis to return to England

Updated February 28, 2012 18:55:15

Gareth Ellis - one of the greatest English imports to play in the NRL - will return home next year after being given a release by Wests Tigers.

The Tigers allowed Ellis to opt out of the final year of his deal in 2013 - with the English Test backrower likely headed back to Leeds, where he played from 2005-2008.

His impact on the Tigers is summed up by the fact he snared the club's player of the year title in each of his three seasons in Australia, that in a side containing Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.

Ellis had always indicated an intention to finish his career back home, having played for Wakefield Trinity and Leeds before arriving in Australia for the 2009 season.

The 31-year-old renegotiated a new contract midway through 2011, which included an option for him to leave after this season.

"I feel the time is right for me to return to England," Ellis said.

"It was a difficult decision to make as I have really enjoyed my time at Wests Tigers.

"I have a young son now, my wife Rachael and I feel it is time to head home to our families at the end of this season."

His impending departure will only heighten the Tigers' desperation to clinch this year's title, having come so close in each of the last two campaigns.

The Tigers are the bookies' favourite heading into the campaign, centre Chris Lawrence admitting the club had to take care of the regular season first - starting with Sunday's tussle against Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval.

"We've placed some pretty high expectations on ourselves and we have the last couple of years," Lawrence said.

"We've always aimed for the top four.

"The main thing is to start well.

"The last two years we haven't started well and had a bad patch in the middle of the year and had to rely on winning eight or nine games in the back end just to get there.

"For us it's about being consistent and not having to win nine or 10 games just to get in that top four."

Tigers: James Tedesco, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Tim Moltzen, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah (capt), Keith Galloway, Adam Blair, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Liam Fulton, Matt Groat, Matt Bell, Tom Humble, Joel Reddy (one to be omitted).

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, balmain-2041, campbelltown-2560, nsw, australia, england, united-kingdom

First posted February 28, 2012 18:55:15

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Tigers won't rush whiz-kid Tedesco

Updated February 19, 2012 16:29:49

James Tedesco is the full-back of the future at Wests Tigers, but even skipper Robbie Farah does not know if that future is a matter of weeks, months or years away.

Tedesco continued pushing his case for a round one start with another promising trial display against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night, including a blistering try after barely a minute of play.

Selection against Cronulla in just under a fortnight would cap a stunning rise through the ranks for the 19-year-old, given he was playing in the SG Ball competition for under 18s this time last year.

"Everything that has been thrown at him so far he's handled and I guess that's a good sign," Farah said of the number one in waiting.

"The club has got high expectations of him, obviously they've signed him up long-term - he's the future full-back of this club, whether that's round one or not, I'm not sure.

"But definitely there's quality signs from him there and we're all excited about what potentially he can do.

"Sometimes you throw a kid in to the trials and you know straight away that they can't handle it, they need a bit more time, but I think he's shown that he's ready and now it's just up to the coach whether he thinks he's ready."

Coach Tim Sheens has already stated that he is not going to rush the youngster just because he has a vacancy at the back, which has been created by Tim Moltzen's shift to half-back.

Farah said it was important for the senior players to ensure they keep the youngster's feet on the ground.

"He's kind of come from nowhere really - SG Ball to first grade in less than 12 months is pretty decent," he said.

"We don't want to put too much pressure on the kid."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, sydney-2000

First posted February 19, 2012 16:29:49

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Storm too slick for Rabbitohs

Updated March 12, 2012 09:02:01

Melbourne full-back Billy Slater may have cost his team a try but he won the match with two of his own in the Storm's 24-10 win over South Sydney at AAMI Park on Sunday night.

Slater scored both tries in the second half, the second coming in the final minute to cap a memorable evening for the Test number one.

"It was a bit scrappy and we got a bit of a rocket at half-time," Slater said.

"It was a tough effort from the boys."

The five-tries-to-one win made it back-to-back victories for Melbourne to start the NRL season.

The Storm faltered during the first half to allow the Rabbitohs to level 10-10 before 14 unanswered points sealed the result.

As in their heart-breaking round-one loss to the Roosters, the Rabbitohs toiled hard but again finished empty-handed.

An error by Slater led to one of Souths' tries but he more than compensated for that as he set up two Storm four-pointers as well as the two of his own.

His first try came in the 65th minute after a set play with half-back Cooper Cronk wrapping around Ryan Hoffman and Slater scooping up a long pass to dive across in the corner by the narrowest of margins.

Off-contract centre Dane Nielsen gave rival clubs plenty to think about with a try in each half while setting up Slater's final try with a neat, running grubber into the in-goal.

There was plenty on the line in front of 15,872 fans, apart from two competition points, with three former Storm players - Greg Inglis, Michael Crocker and Matt King - in the Rabbitohs line-up.

Their coach Michael Maguire is a former Melbourne assistant.

But the former Melbourne players were kept relatively quiet as the apprentice was unable to topple master coach Craig Bellamy, whose 10 years in the Storm post was celebrated in a video montage at half-time.

Melbourne's opening 20 minutes were dominant with Nielsen and winger Matt Duffie both scoring, Slater assisting in both.

The Storm looked like they would race away but Souths winger Chris Macqueen got some revenge in the 29th minute, the ball arriving via Inglis from a magic off-load by powerhouse second rower Dave Taylor.

Isaac Luke came of the bench to spark his side and he found rampaging forward Sam Burgess, who surged across under the uprights for the 10-10 scoreline.

But that was as good as it got for the Rabbitohs, the difference being the Storm's desperate defence and Slater.

Maguire lamented a five-minute period in the second half when winger Feluti Talanoa was denied a try by video referee Chris Ward, who then awarded Slater his to break the 10-10 deadlock.

He felt his side had the momentum at half-time.

"We didn't take our opportunities or we didn't hang on to the ball, that was probably our biggest issue," he said.

"The biggest difference between Melbourne and us is when the Storm do pull the trigger on their plays they do execute them very well.

"There were times when we were doing that but across the whole game we weren't."

Storm coach Bellamy said the match was a replica of their round one win over Canberra, when they started and finished well but were poor in the middle.

"We got really sloppy with our handling and that let them back in," he said.

"I thought we were a bit dusty after half-time but I thought our defence improved then and I was real happy with how we finished the game in the last 20 minutes.

"I thought we were pretty much in control."

Storm: 24 (D Nielsen 2, B Slater 2, M Duffie tries; C Smith 2/5 goals)

Rabbitohs: 10 (S Burgess, C McQueen tries; A Reynolds 1/2)

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, melbourne-3000, redfern-2016

First posted March 11, 2012 20:54:28

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Bentley appointed Eels CEO

Updated February 03, 2012 18:53:59

Parramatta has announced Bob Bentley as its new chief executive with the NRL season under a month away,

Bentley has been operating in the role in an interim capacity since the departure of former chief executive Paul Osborne in November.

Osborne's resignation followed a breakdown in his relationship with the club's major sponsor, Pirtek.

Bentley, who also worked as the leagues club chief executive from April 2010, takes on the same role once occupied by long-serving Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald was replaced by Osborne in 2009.

Club chairman Roy Spagnolo says Bentley's ability to work across both roles worked in his favour.

"The leagues club and the football club are intrinsically linked so it makes sense, with the right support structure in place, for us to have a CEO who can implement the board's strategic direction in both areas," Spagnolo said.

"We've been more than happy with Bob's performance to date and we are satisfied he is the right choice to take us forward."

Bentley is delighted to have been appointed.

"I am very excited about being appointed to the position of group CEO and the opportunity to work with the board, management and staff across both the football and leagues clubs," he said.

"There is a great feeling in the club at the moment and about the club's future both on and off the field and I will be working hard to ensure it is well positioned for a successful 2012 season."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, parramatta-2150, nsw, australia

First posted February 03, 2012 18:53:59

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Appeals lodged against Optus copyright ruling

By court reporter Jamelle Wells, wires

Updated February 10, 2012 19:05:48

Telstra and Australia's two biggest football codes have appealed against a Federal Court ruling that lets Optus record matches shown on free-to-air television and replay them to customers.

In a landmark Federal Court case earlier this month, Optus was found to have not breached copyright over Telstra's lucrative deal with the NRL and AFL to broadcast live matches on the internet.

Customers using Optus's TV Now are able to record free-to-air television from their smartphone or computer and watch it with a delay as little as two minutes.

In his ruling, Justice Steven Rares found TV Now users had themselves made the recording of the matches, similar to when a person used a video or digital recorder.

He also found the recordings were being made for private and domestic use and that users were responsible for making available the recording, not Optus.

This was allowed under an exception in the Copyright Act.

But in a joint-submission lodged on Friday, Telstra and the AFL said Justice Rares erred in his judgment.

"The judge erred in finding that the service that Optus TV Now offers the user is substantially no different from a VCR or DVR," the notice of appeal said.

The NRL has filed a separate submission, with a hearing set down for April 18.

Media analysts have said the Federal Court ruling makes multi-million-dollar exclusive rights deals worthless.

Telstra has exclusive online broadcast rights for both the AFL and NRL.

The ruling could seriously reduce the NRL's next television deal as the code prepares to renegotiate its broadcasting rights.

ABC/AAP

Tags: copyright, information-and-communication, australian-football-league, nrl, rugby-league, television-broadcasting, courts-and-trials, telecommunications, australia, wa, vic, sa, qld, nsw

First posted February 10, 2012 15:05:22

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Beetson's legacy to light up All Stars

Updated February 03, 2012 18:43:42

Preston Campbell admits he will struggle to keep his emotions in check on Saturday for the NRL All Stars clash, as rugby league gets its first opportunity to pay tribute to Arthur Beetson.

One of rugby league's seven immortals, Beetson is widely accepted as the greatest Indigenous Australian player of all time.

And Campbell, who retired at the end of last season following a stellar 14-year career, says today's Indigenous superstars owe much to the likes of Beetson, who was the first Aboriginal captain of Australia.

"I know a lot of guys from back then would have loved to be involved in a game like this," Campbell said.

"They should be very proud, because this game is as much for those blokes like Artie who were knocking on the door and made it possible for blokes like me to get opportunities in rugby league."

It was Campbell who came up with the idea for the match in 2010, and its success has been largely down to him, with plans afoot to take the match to other parts of the country after the Gold Coast's contract to host the game expires in 2013.

The former Dally M Medal winner revealed the seed was sown in his mind for the game after witnessing an emotional Beetson present shirts to the Dreamtime team that opened the Rugby League World Cup in 2008 against a New Zealand Maori side.

Campbell captained the team and says he was moved by what Beetson said to the players.

"It meant a massive amount to him to see that team," Campbell said.

"Artie came into the rooms and said to the guys: 'what you are doing now, so many people are benefiting from it. It's something really good'. And he was right.

"We didn't know the All Stars was going to happen then, but we knew we wanted something different that can help recognise Indigenous people."

Throughout the week on the Gold Coast, Aboriginal school children from New South Wales and Queensland have been mixing with players from both sides as part of Learn Earn Legend! Indigenous All Stars Youth Summit.

And Campbell says a number of the game's highest-profile players are fully aware of the roles they can play as the Federal Government works with Aboriginal communities and leaders as part of their Close The Gap scheme.

"We have a rugby league indigenous advisory group made up of Johnathan Thurston, Sam Thaiday, Nathan Merritt, Greg Inglis and Matt Bowen," Campbell said.

"These are superstars of the game putting their hand up wanting to be involved.

"I know Artie would have approved, we're carrying on his legacy and he would have been very proud."

The trophy, which now bears Beetson's name, will be presented to the winning captain on Saturday and features a copy of his hand print.

Both sets of players will wear shirts carrying his name with the inscription 'We play tonight in your honour' stitched into them.

And Campbell insists Beetson's memory will be rightfully cherished by all supporters of the game.

"It is not just Indigenous players who loved him," he said.

"Artie was a great player for Australia, a great player for Queensland and had a lot to do with players from both teams.

"He would have touched or inspired them in some way. The fact the trophy we are playing for is in his name will give all the boys a little bit more heart and inspiration out on the field."

Campbell is enjoying life as a former player and has been too busy with his new career with the Federal Government to have time to think about missing the game.

"I'm doing a little bit with the NRL in an ambassador role, but most of my work is with the Government," the 34-year-old said.

"My job is helping community engagement up north in towns like Cherbourg. Seeing how they live, you see there is so much potential there.

"It's sad to see some of the kids how they are but the potential is there for things to improve."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, community-and-society, indigenous-other-peoples, robina-4226

First posted February 03, 2012 18:33:58

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Field goal woes go on for Bennett

Updated March 02, 2012 17:25:19

Beaten in his final game as St George Illawarra coach by a golden-point field goal, it was a case of deja vu for Wayne Bennett as he endured a similar fate in the first match in charge of Newcastle against his former club.

A Jamie Soward one-pointer with less than 25 seconds of the first period of extra-time remaining sealed a 15-14 win for the Dragons and gave rookie mentor Steve Price a winning start in front of a crowd of almost 30,000 in Newcastle.

Despite the closeness of the scoreline, Bennett was far from impressed with his new side's display, citing "effort and fitness" as the most encouraging aspect of its performance.

The veteran coach, who is looking to become the first man to win a premiership with three different clubs, said the Knights were very much "a work in progress" and the performance had similarities to his first game at the Dragons against Melbourne in 2009.

"We got beat by Melbourne in my first game at the Dragons and it had all the similarities to tonight," he said.

"It was 17-16 and a field goal in golden point that beat us.

"I still remember how we played that night, lots of courage, we had a dig and it was the same with these blokes.

"We didn't have the class that Melbourne had, but by the end of the year we did and it was a work in progress like it is here."

Timana Tahu, on his second debut for the Knights, was placed on report for using his knees against Matt Prior midway through the second half, but Bennett said the decision was a harsh one.

"I think a penalty was sufficient, there was a bit of silliness out there around the tackle and you see that all the time and usually just a penalty is awarded," he said.

Price said he was proud of his team's effort as he chalked up a maiden win as an NRL coach against his former boss.

The 34-year-old was Bennett's number two at the Dragons last year and paid tribute to his players' character in seeing out the game in golden point.

"We're very happy with the team performance, we played some outstanding footy in the first half in particular," Price said.

"Every single player was proud to wear the Red V and I am very proud of them all."

Dragons skipper Ben Hornby saluted the kicking of Soward, who kicked three goals in addition to his winning field goal.

"There were a couple of nervous moments, but we set it up and gave Jamie the chance to kick the goal," Hornby said.

"His kicking was fantastic and he is always there. He kicked one from the sideline and it's great to have someone like that in your team."

Price said he was unconcerned that he side had been written off, and said he was happy for people to overlook them as premiership challengers.

"The Steel is still there, and we showed that tonight," he said.

"We are a new-look team and it is going to take time. There were some really good moments and we can only get better."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, newcastle-2300, nsw, australia

First posted March 02, 2012 08:01:27

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Civoniceva primed for big year with Broncs

Updated February 17, 2012 18:46:42

He may be 35 and coming back from serious injury but Petero Civoniceva looks primed for one of his best seasons in his comeback for Brisbane in 2012.

Brisbane's prodigal son, back home after four seasons with Penrith, has turned heads with with his streamlined physique following months of rehab work to repair a torn chest muscle.

Those who have followed his career cannot recall the giant Fijian-born prop looking in better shape entering a season, suggesting the damaging prop will go around again for Queensland and Australia as well as leading Brisbane's pack into battle.

"Pet has trained extremely hard and he's got a great attitude, He's been professional enough to get himself into such great shape which is a credit to him," coach Anthony Griffin said.

"He's 35, or whatever he owns up to being, and he's played the most Origin and Tests of any front-rower in the game.

"If he gets through the game (on Saturday night) he's going to be a vital player for us in round one."

Griffin said Civoniceva had done a "hell of a lot of work" during the preseason.

"He's not going into Saturday's trial cold," he said.

"He's coming back from a major injury which is going to cop a lot of impact.

"Our medical staff don't want him starting. They'd prefer he comes into the game after some of the heat and physicality has gone out of it but he'll get some good minutes."

The game's most decorated forward will find out if his torn pectoral muscle has fully repaired itself against a powerful Melbourne Storm side at North Hobart Oval on Saturday night.

But Griffin said he could not be more impressed with the work the 45-Test and 30-Origin veteran has put in to prepare himself for his comeback.

Griffin was reminded before the team left for Hobart on Friday that it was his one-year anniversary after replacing Ivan Henjak as coach in 2011.

"It's gone very quickly," he said.

"It doesn't seem like 12 months and nothing much has changed out on the football field."

Nothing much that is except champion Darren Lockyer has retired, Civoniceva has returned home and Sam Thaiday will be only the seventh player to captain the club.

Thaiday makes his first appearance as Broncos captain against Melbourne and Griffin said the club's new skipper was settling into the leadership role very nicely.

Griffin said Saturday night's trial would determine a few positions for the opening NRL game of the season against Parramatta, including who partners Civoniceva up front and who starts in Lockyer's number six jumper, at least for game one.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted February 17, 2012 18:39:40

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ARL Commission finally kicks off

Updated February 10, 2012 21:05:54

The long-awaited new Australian Rugby League Commission has been officially launched by chairman John Grant and hailed as a great new era for rugby league by NRL chief executive David Gallop.

The commission, which has been almost four years in the making, will take over the game with immediate effect with the former ARL dissolved at a meeting at 8:30am (AEDT) on Friday ahead of a media conference which also commemorated the opening the code's new headquarters at Moore Park.

"We finally have the result we wanted," Grant said.

"Rugby league has today achieved something many sporting competitions around the world are working very, very hard on and that's independent governance.

"More importantly it's been done at a time when the game is in great shape. Let me acknowledge the leap of faith the game has taken."

Long-standing NRL boss Gallop will assume a similar role with the new commission which is made up of seven other members from the business world.

Gallop said the rugby league was ready to dive into an exciting new era, with new opportunities for players and grass roots communities.

"It's a special day because it's a day when rugby league springboards into the future and that springboard can only happen because of the success and the strength of the game going into the 2012 season," he said.

"The game is built on strong foundation stones, we have the closest sporting competition of it's kind in the world and our players and clubs are regarded for making a positive difference in the community.

"The game has always been about innovation over it's more than 100 years of history."

He invited the commissioners to "dive in" because the swim would be very pleasant, and offered a tongue-in-cheek warning that while there were sharks in the water, their tongues were sharper than their teeth.

The new set-up also brings to a close News Limited's 17-year involvement in the running of the NRL.

The new board members are Gary Pemberton, the man widely credited with securing record broadcasting rights for the Sydney Olympics, Harris Farm founder and chairwoman Catherine Harris; brand strategist Ian Elliot and business heavyweights Peter Gregg and Jeremy Sutcliffe.

Highly-respected Indigenous educationalist Dr Chris Sarra - Queensland's Australian of the Year in 2009 and a key figure in the Indigenous All Stars concept - is also on board along with former New South Wales skipper Wayne Pearce.

The end of the current ARL will not affect the NSWRL and QRL, which will continue to oversee representative sides in their respective states.

The Country Rugby League will merge with the NSWRL and be based at the new HQ in Sydney.

Chairman of the now-dissolved ARL John Chalk said the move to independence had received unanimous support at the final board meeting.

"A lot of people have put the game first and foremost and I'd like to pay tribute to those directors," he said.

Also on Friday, the NRL's new $20 million headquarters was officially opened, with Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese saying Rugby League Central would become the home of the sport in Australia.

The Federal Government chipped in $11 million of the $20 million needed to build the four-storey building at Moore Park, with the NRL funding $7.5 million and the NSW Government $1.1 million.

ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, nrl, rugby-league, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted February 10, 2012 12:09:35

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Commission urged to get ball rolling on NRL expansion

Raman Goraya

Updated February 10, 2012 16:29:36

The bid team trying to bring a second rugby league team to Brisbane has called on the NRL and the game's new commission to open the door for official tenders.

The game's chief executive David Gallop has put discussions regarding expansion on the backburner with the code focussing on the beginning of the new Rugby League Commission and its crucial broadcast rights deal for the 2013 season and onwards.

But Brisbane Bombers bid director Craig Davison says the NRL needs to start executing plans as early as this year if it is serious about viable expansion and matching the growth of the AFL into new markets.

"The main thing we need is some guidance about when it is, and who it might be," Davison said.

"Who it might be is very important. One of the first things they should do is come out and clearly say at some point in time this year 'we are going to expand,it will be this particular year, and we are calling for tenders in these particular areas'.

"If it is 2015, working backwards they are going to have to call for tenders this year so the winners can be announced maybe later this year and then you are going to have that 18 months that you need so you are ready to go.

Davison said he was confused by Gallop's assessment that the prospective bidders had both "positives and negatives" when none have been invited to present their business plans to the NRL.

The AFL has secured markets on the Gold Coast and greater western Sydney in the last two years fresh off the back of a $1.25 billion TV rights deal over the next five years.

But Gallop's main concern has been making sure the NRL's existing clubs first reap the benefits from a new deal - tipped to be in the same region as the AFL's - before bringing in new teams to share in the revenue pie.

"Our clubs need more money. Let's get our TV deal done, let's make our existing clubs and existing players get the benefits for that for the first couple of years and then we can start to look at expansion," he told Grandstand TV.

Davison did agree with Gallop's plan to embrace the game's saturation of the Sydney market but sees expansion with new teams in Brisbane and Perth as a win-win situation to help preserve those clubs.

"You have history in Sydney, you have to protect that history. Long term if you are running a smart business and getting more money through the TV rights you can protect those Sydney teams," he said.

"We are self-funded, we are not going to the NRL cap in hand.

"Here we have two teams coming into the competition, you are going to get extra revenue from the TV stations for these two new teams and some of that money will go back and pay for the salary cap."

Davison also added the game's new commission has a responsibility to protect rugby league by developing a national presence.

"The job of the commission and David Gallop is to protect the game from the AFL and other entertainment options in the market place," he said.

"By adding a team in WA and adding a team in Brisbane, you are gaining a new market and consolidating the current market."

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted February 10, 2012 16:17:46

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Sea Eagles turn the tide on Tigers

Updated March 09, 2012 22:57:01

A determined Manly piled on 20 points in under 20 minutes after half-time to defeat the Tigers 22-18 in an exciting contest in Gosford on Friday night.

The Tigers led 8-2 after the first 40 minutes before Manly unleashed three converted tries and a penalty to skip out to an amazing 22-8 lead.

Jason King, Daly Cherry-Evans and Tony Williams all crossed the line after costly handling and defensive errors by the Tigers.

The Tigers rallied well late with Ryan and Reddy scoring tries to set up a nail-biting finish, but the Sea Eagles held on to make it two victories from their opening two games.

Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran indicated coach Geoff Toovey would have been pleased with Manly's 89 per cent completion rate in the second half.

"Toovs just said we had to focus on completing [our sets] better and staying in the game," he told Grandstand.

"We just went away from it in the first half.

"He said just go out there and match their energy and the time will come and it did early on."

To compound the Tigers' miserable evening, winger Matt Utai will be sidelined for up to six weeks with medial ligament damage in his right knee.

Key back rower Gareth Ellis also limped off never to return after sustaining a badly corked thigh when tackling Anthony Watmough in the first play after the interval.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens offered no excuses for his team's poor start to the second half, but conceded the loss of Ellis hurt.

"It was a very good first half of footy from both teams, but the first 15 minutes of the second we were careless," Sheens said.

"A lot of our errors were self-inflicted, we dropped a lot of ball, missed tackles and didn't complete.

"We lost Gareth which hurt us and then the dropped ball for the try and we are up against it."

The Sea Eagles only returned home from a bruising encounter against the Warriors in Auckland late on Sunday night where they lost Steve Matai and Glenn Stewart for this game with injury.

It was not the ideal way to prepare for a clash with the premiership favourites, and after going in at half-time six points down and very much on the back foot, it looked as if their arduous trip across the Tasman would come back to hurt them.

The Tigers also had a short turnaround following their golden-point win over Cronulla last Sunday, and after a slow start to the game, opened the scoring when an ecstatic Adam Blair raced over in the 28th minute after taking advantage of a superb decoy run from Chris Lawrence.

Blair was at the centre of the Battle of Brookvale last season as a Melbourne player against Manly when he and Stewart traded blows on the sideline after being sin-binned.

A Benji Marshall penalty from close range stretched the Tigers' lead just before half-time, but Manly closed the gap with two points of its own from Jamie Lyon with the last play of the half.

It followed a dubious penalty call against Chris Heighington for tackling Cherry-Evans without the ball that infuriated Tim Sheens' side.

The Tigers started the second half in the worst possible way when full-back Tom Humble then spilt a regulation high ball right in front of his own posts and Manly skipper Jason King rumbled his way to the line for a rare try.

Lyon then converted a close-range penalty before Cherry-Evans capped off a brilliant 10-minute spell as he demonstrated his class with a magnificent long-range try.

The young half-back threw two dummies to wrong-foot the Tigers defence and race 60 metres to the line.

Geoff Toovey's side was very much now on top as the Tigers looked a pale shadow of their first-half performance.

Manly sealed the points with a third try from Williams when the giant backrower steamrollered his way past Robbie Farah to score with Lyon adding the extras to make the score 22-8 before a late Tigers comeback.

Foran said Williams is becoming a pivotal part of the Sea Eagles side since moving to the back row.

"He gives us so much go forward an impact," he said.

"He has just taken his game to a new level."

Sea Eagles: 22 (D Cherry-Evans, J King, T Williams tries; J Lyon 3/3 con; 2/2 pens)

Tigers: 18 (A Blair, J Reddy, B Ryan tries; B Marshall 2/3 con, 1/1 pen)

ABC/AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, gosford-2250, nsw, australia, manly-4179, qld, leichhardt-2040, balmain-2041

First posted March 09, 2012 21:34:08

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Tigers lose Reddy for Sharks clash

Updated March 02, 2012 16:42:44

Wests Tigers will be without utility Joel Reddy for Sunday's opening round match against Cronulla due to an ankle injury.

Reddy, who was named on a five-man interchange bench earlier this week, suffered the injury at training, with club officials hopeful of having him back for the round two match against Manly.

While Reddy was named on the bench, there was a suggestion the former Parramatta centre would start at full-back in place of rookie James Tedesco.

Tigers officials also dismissed rumours the Leichhardt Oval match was a sell-out, with just under 1,500 tickets still available.

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, sydney-2000, cronulla-2230

First posted March 02, 2012 16:27:16

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Bowen brilliance breaks Broncos

Updated March 10, 2012 09:39:25

A piece of Matt Bowen birthday magic in the dying minutes clinched North Queensland a thrilling 28-26 victory over the Broncos in Brisbane on Friday night.

Trailing by four points, Gerard Beale's failed attempt to take a late bomb gave the Cowboys prime field position to try and escape with a last-gasp victory.

A slippery Bowen picked up the ball from the scrum base, dummied his way through the line and sprinted 20 metres to score under the posts and hand Johnathan Thurston the easiest of conversions to win the game.

The spectacular try capped a roller-coaster 30th birthday for the electric full-back, who was also culpable for a few errors that proved costly at the other end.

Bowen and team-mate Brent Tate both agreed the Cowboys deserved the pasting they copped during the week for last weekend's defeat to the Titans, but were happy to come out victorious in front of a massive crowd of 47,171.

"It still wasn't a really polished performance, we still handed way too much ball over," Tate told Grandstand.

"But it was a pretty gutsy performance. There is still plenty of rust in us but to guts it out and get a win like that, I'm pretty stoked."

Tate said he was hoping game-breakers Thurston and Bowen would pull out something special.

"When he got behind I must admit I was thinking - JT and Mango - I hope they come to the fore," he said.

"And the little magician, he snuck away with it."

The Cowboys lead 16-8 at the break before Brisbane scored two tries in five minutes after half-time to take a shock 20-16 lead.

Bench forward Josh McGuire could not believe his luck, swooping on one of Bowen's spilled balls on 42 minutes.

The Broncos were in again when centre Jack Reed delivered a one-handed looping pass to winger Beale to score before the enigmatic Bowen touched down for the first in his double off a lovely Thurston pass.

But Ben Te'o looked to have given Brisbane the win when he capped a superb Broncos counterattack only for Bowen late try to end Brisbane's nine-game winning streak at Lang Park.

The Cowboys were helped considerably in the first half by a 7-3 penalty count.

Their opening try of the match, however, came from some poor Brisbane defence with lock Dallas Johnson ambling across in just the fifth minute without being touched.

Brisbane replied when winger Jharal Yow Yeh slid over in the right corner following a quick shift and spread with skipper Sam Thaiday, playing his 150th game for the club, delivering the last pass.

Cowboys: 28 (M Bowen 2, D Johnson, J Segeyaro, B Tate tries; J Thurston 3/4 conv)

Broncos: 26 (G Beale, J McGuire, B Te'o, J Yow Yeh tries; C Parker 4/4 conv; 1/1 pen)

ABC/AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia, townsville-4810

First posted March 09, 2012 22:35:33

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Wallace a candidate to fill Locky's shoes

Updated February 10, 2012 20:51:25

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has not ruled out playing Peter Wallace at five-eighth should youngsters Ben Hunt and Corey Norman fail to fire in the trial matches against Gold Coast and Melbourne.

Hunt, 21, and Norman, 20, resume their battle for retired five-eighth Darren Lockyer's number six jumper against the Titans on Saturday night with Griffin admitting former Wallace is a possible back-up option if required.

Hunt will start at five-eighth outside Wallace in the Pizzey Park trial for which Titans coach John Cartwright has named a near full strength line-up, including the club's prized off-season signings Jamal Idris, Beau Champion and Nate Myles.

"It's an option," said Griffin when asked if Wallace could play five-eighth.

Griffin was critical of both Norman and Hunt for not taking the game to North Queensland in the second half of last week's 28-22 win in Redcliffe and has challenged them to step things up against some quality opposition.

"At the moment I'm happy to keep Pete at number seven," Griffin said.

"Pete came here as a five-eighth so I know he can play there.

"That may be an option but at the moment we're concentrating on on him staying at half-back."

Saturday's clash gives Griffin a chance to see representative prop Ben Hannant and Josh McGuire go up against two quality props in Luke Bailey and another Titans forward recruit, Luke Douglas.

Hannant has been training the house down and desperately wants to be reunited with Petero Civoniceva in the Broncos front row this season.

A fine-tuned McGuire also looks ready to resume where he left off late last season, his end-of-year form so impressive he made the Kangaroos train-on squad.

"Ben was disappointed about missing that rep stuff (Four Nations) but I think he'd be the first to admit his form probably wasn't up to his standard at the end of last year," Griffin said.

"I've got a massive rap for the way he's prepared himself during the off-season, he's got a terrific attitude and he's in really good shape.

"He's done everything he can to get himself ready."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted February 10, 2012 20:51:25

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Knights name new recruits to face Dragons

Updated February 24, 2012 16:27:05

Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett has announced his team for next Thursday's season opener against St George Illawarra, with four recruits given starting spots.

Clive Churchill Medal winner Darius Boyd, who followed Bennett from the Dragons in the off-season, has been named at full-back, while returning champion Danny Buderus will start at hooker alongside front row recruits Kade Snowden and Adam Cuthbertson.

As expected, Boyd's inclusion at number one pushes skipper Kurt Gidley into the halves where he will partner former New South Waler representative Jarrod Mullen for the clash at Hunter Stadium.

Lock Neville Costigan says the club is well prepared for the upcoming season after a torrid preseason under Bennett, culminating in a physical trial victory over Cronulla last weekend.

Costigan says Cuthbertson and Snowden impressed Bennett with their performances against the Sharks' pack.

"Kade and Cuthbertson up front went well against them. Wayne was pretty happy as well," he said.

"They've got good size and just their work ethic has been good.

"It was a bit physical against the Sharks. It was certainly a good hit-out before the season starts."

Costigan insists the Knights are yet to set long-term goals for the year, with bookmakers installing them second favourites for the title after Bennett's arrival.

"We haven't really talked about what we want to achieve for the season yet," he said.

"But I think all the boys have goals and that sort of stuff."

Knights fans will be hoping Boyd will have a similar impact in Newcastle as he did in the red and white at the Dragons, with Costigan predicting he will have an instant effect on the likes of wingers Akuila Uate and James McManus.

"His talk has helped us, especially in the trials," he said.

"Last year, hardly any of the boys spoke on the field.

"Because he's getting a bit of a role as a senior player, and he's playing rep footy, he's taught the backs heaps here already."

Knights squad: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Wes Naiqama, Timana Tahu, Akuila Uate, Kurt Gidley, Jarrod Mullen, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus, Adam Cuthbertson, Chris Houston, Zeb Taia, Neville Costigan

Interchange: Matt Hilder, Richie Fa'aoso, Joel Edwards, Alex McKinnon

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, newcastle-2300, wollongong-2500, nsw, australia

First posted February 24, 2012 16:27:05

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