2013 NRL Discussion

Spine must step up to cover Johnathan Thurston, says Cowboys coach Neil Henry



NORTH Queensland coach Neil Henry has issued the challenge for his team's spine to "take on some responsibility" for the Cowboys' season tonight and step up in the absence of superstar playmaker Johnathan Thurston.

Struggling at 13th place on the NRL ladder, Henry has no doubt the home clash with Manly is a must-win game for his Cowboys if they're to make a genuine late season surge at the finals.

"It's not mission impossible at all," Henry said.

"It's a massive game in the context of the season. It's a game we really need to win and we need to string some games together to be a chance of making the top eight."

With Thurston absent, Henry is calling upon halfback Robert Lui, five-eighth Ray Thompson, fullback Clint Greenshields and hooker Anthony Mitchell to take the game by the scruff of the neck.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...coach-neil-henry/story-fni3g8pa-1226679243290

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Brisbane Broncos to go on the attack



BRISBANE players believe it is time to get creative, with Broncos backline stars keen to throw caution to the wind to spark an attacking frenzy and save their season.

Origin centre Justin Hodges and tryscoring winger Josh Hoffman are the two leading voices on a desire to mix up the Broncos attack, calling upon Brisbane to repeat the thrilling football that almost led to one of the most stunning comebacks in NRL history on Friday night.

Brisbane scored two tries in four minutes and had 30 seconds left to try to win the game before ultimately falling short in the 19-18 loss to Cronulla.

Hoffman said that was the type of football this Broncos team was capable of producing and wants to see them replicate those creative instincts in the coming weeks.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...go-on-the-attack/story-fni3gv5x-1226679239504

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Phil Rothfield says low rugby league crowds in Sydney's west a big worry



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Eels fans at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph

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Western Sydney Wanderers fans at the same end of Parramatta Stadium last A-League season. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph



RUGBY league is in trouble in Sydney's west when not even a traditional local derby can attract 10,000 fans. Look at the two photographs that accompany this column. One is an A-League game, the other an NRL match between two fierce rivals.


Both at Parramatta Stadium, both on the northern terrace of the stadium.

Who would have thought the round-ball game could provide so much more atmosphere than a Parramatta Eels game, remembering this was the ground that used to be full to capacity during the footy season to watch Sterling and Kenny, Price and Cronin, Grothe and Ella.Right now the Parramatta Eels are on the bottom of the scrapheap and as low as you can get.They've fallen from an average home crowd of 17,000 in 2010 to 13,000 this year.Saturday night had everything going for it. No rain, perfect Sydney weather. Plus it was school holidays.We couldn't even blame State of Origin because these two teams weren't missing anyone who will be playing on Wednesday night.

There was no AFL or any other competing sport in Sydney, not that we regard GWS as genuine opposition anyway. The Lions tour is done and dusted, the trophy back home in the UK.You can't even blame the Ashes cricket because the 5.30pm kick-off at the footy allowed you plenty of time to get home for the first over from Trent Bridge on Fox Sports.

There was nothing you could blame apart from the fact this Parramatta Eels side can't play.


Read More:http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...west-a-big-worry/story-fni3fbgz-1226679229418
 
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I had a glimpse just before I headed out Saturday night and barely recognised any of the players names they were fielding, and apparently they've had 8 or 9 debutants this season which is pretty intense along with dropping your most paid player. Parra are in all sorts.
 
The Lurker Has reported the following...

Daley delivers the goods

Laurie Daley will be back in charge of the Blues State of origin campaign next year irrespective of the result on Wednesday night. Daley signed a two-year contract when he beat Brad Fittler and Trent Barrett to get the job last year.

The deal was done under former CEO Geoff Carr, who has now retired and has been replaced by Dave Trodden.

There were initial fears that if rookie coach Daley struggled in charge of the Origin campaign, the second year of his deal would be reviewed. But the former Tigers chairman is impressed by Daley and has confirmed he will be in charge for 2014.

Dragons to eat humble pie?

The St George Illawarra Dragons have a strained relationship with player manager Sam Ayoub, ever since his man Jamie Soward was dumped from first grade and shipped off to England. And they are desperately hoping that bad experience doesn't harm their chances of retaining schoolboy star Jackson Hastings, the best young half-back in the game.

Hastings is also managed by Ayoub, whose clients include elite players Johnathan Thurston and Robbie Farah.


Read More: http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/the-lurkernrl-rumour-filemonday-243769
 
Knee injury ends Dan Hunt's NRL season

AAP
Wed 17th July, 11:57am


St George Illawarra prop Dan Hunt has been ruled out for the rest of the NRL season after undergoing knee surgery.

The 26-year-old suffered a partial strain to his patella tendon in the Dragons' round 16 loss to Penrith and hasn't played a game since.

The club decided surgery was the best option for Hunt, whose side are battling to avoid the wooden spoon for the first time as a joint-venture.

"Dan will not be able to take any further part in the Dragons' 2013 campaign but will approach his rehabilitation with all the energy he usually puts into his performances on the field," performance director Andrew Gray said in a statement on Wednesday.


Read More: http://www.nrl.com/knee-injury-ends-dan-hunts-nrl-season/tabid/10874/newsid/73509/default.aspx


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The Lurker has reported the following...

Benji on the box

Tigers officials will be closely monitoring Channel 9 over the next day or two to see if Benji Marshall pops up on the small screen. The five-eighth generally plays by his own rules and angered the club a few weeks back by fronting on The Footy Show before the round 17 clash with Cronulla.

The Tigers have regulations in place forbidding players from appearing the night before a game but Marshall didn't bother seeking special dispensation.

Beaver gets his chance

Steve Menzies may be the latest former great to be inducted to the Manly coaching ranks. After successfully bringing along Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey, the Sea Eagles are looking at giving 'Beaver' a start in junior development when he returns from Europe.

Read More: http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/the-lurkernrl-rumour-filewednesday-244026
 
Ex-Origin coach Murray's new health scare


By Ed Jackson
AAP
Thu 18th July, 3:24pm


Former NSW State of Origin coach Graham Murray's second health scare in months has shocked the 58-year-old's friends.

Murray is in the intensive care unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane after suffering a suspected heart attack.

It's the second time in less than six months Murray has been in hospital after spending a week in a coma following a heart attack in March.

That illness forced the former North Queensland and Sydney Roosters coach to step down from his role as head coach of Queensland Cup team Wynnum-Manly.

Murray had been a regular visitor to the club's training in recent weeks as he recovered and club chief executive Scott Thornton said the news he was back in hospital was a big blow.

"He was travelling well," Thornton told AAP."It's a bit of a shock he's gone down again."


Read More: http://www.nrl.com/ex-origin-coach-murrays-new-health-scare/tabid/10874/newsid/73545/default.aspx
 
Comparing the Queensland State of Origin team with the St George side that won 11 successive premierships



DAVID Middleton knows enough about this debate to dodge it entirely.

"These current Queenslanders versus the greatest St George Dragons? Oh, I'm not going near that," the revered league historian laughs."I know it's a topic to create plenty of debate ... but please don't ask me to pick a side."

So how about the rest of you?

With Queensland having won eight straight Origin series - in the process creating three potential Immortals in Darren Lockyer, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis - should we be calling them the greatest league team ever?

Currently, that gong sits with those unbeatable Dragons, who not only won 11 consecutive premierships but commanded such pull that, when Frank Sinatra visited Sydney in '61, Chook Raper passed him his phone number saying: "Any dramas while you're here, Frankie, you just give me a call".

Already containing a trio of bone fide Immortals - Raper, Reg Gasnier and Graeme Langlands - the Dragons boasted so many genuine greats, the biggest struggle League Central had was simply selecting the 13 who best defined more than a decade of dominance.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ive-premierships/story-fni3fbgz-1226681612965

 
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The Mole from RLW has reported the following....

- Chris Sandow has got officials at Parramatta offside, After being dropped last week to NSW Cup Sandow ruled himself out of the game on Friday afternoon claiming he had a leg injury

- Standby for some major developments in the ASADA investigation into certain NRL Clubs next week, The NRL made a "gentlemans agreement" with ASADA not to make these developments public until after the Origins series so they didn't overshadow Rugby League's showpiece event

- Broncos Assistant coach Kristian Woolf is shaping as a dark horse to take over from Neil Henry at the Cowboys next year should he be sacked, Woolf is a former lower grade coach with the cowboys and apparently has plenty of support up north

- Beau Ryan's Knee injury is alot worse than the Sharks first thought with the winger possibly missing the rest of the season

- The Dragons got angry with the Mole from RLW after he reported this last week....

"St George Illawarra have been criticised over their recruitment for a long time, Now club insiders have revealed one of the reasons why...Apparently the negotiation process takes longer at the Dragons than any other club because Steve Price, Peter Doust and Craig Young must get approval from every board member to even start negotiations with a player, overall this process can take 48-72 hours more than rival clubs "

The dragons contacted RLW and said it was totally false and inaccurate


 
Star Sydney Rooster Sonny Bill Williams ruled out of clash against Cronulla Sharks


  • NEWS LIMITED
  • JULY 19, 2013 11:50AM

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Sonny Bill Williams on the charge for the Roosters. Picture: Mark Nolan Source: Getty Images


SONNY Bill Williams has been ruled out of Saturday night's clash against the Sharks at Allianz Stadium.

Williams picked up a hamstring injury against the Dragons last match and has been unable to recover, despite the bye last week.

Isaac Liu was named 18th man on Tuesday and is expected to come into the 17.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion) has been cleared to play after missing last match.

Origin stars James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce and Michael Jennings are expected to back up, although Luke Lewis (calf) has been ruled out for the Sharks and is expected to miss a month.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-cronulla-sharks/story-fni3gn3s-1226681917322

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Canberra Raiders forward Josh Papalii's about turn to stir Parramatta Eels



THE Parramatta Eels might not have discussed Josh Papalii in the lead-up to the battle against Canberra Saturday night, but they haven't forgotten what he did earlier this year.

Papalii's clash against the club he reneged on earlier this season provides a welcome dose of intrigue to a fixture that bookmakers predict will be the most lop-sided affair of 2013.

Hurtling toward back-to-back wooden spoons with zero success on the road since last August, the Eels are rated $8 bolters to upset a Raiders outfit undefeated in 11 outings at home over the same period.

Hooker Matt Keating said their long term motivation is now to escape the premiership cellar, but Saturday night's immediate task could also involve payback for Papalii.

Eels officials were furious when the rampaging back-rower signed a letter of intent in February to join the club from next season, only to change his mind a few weeks later.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-parramatta-eels/story-fni3gmmu-1226682168147
 
Galea retires due to injury

By Ian Laybourn
AAP
Sat 20th July, 5:42am


Hull's Australian forward Ben Galea has announced his retirement from rugby league with immediate effect.

The 34-year-old secondrower had planned to hang up his boots at the end of the season, the 15th of his career, but a torn pectoral muscle sustained in Hull's

Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Catalan Dragons in Perpignan last weekend, brought forward his retirement.

Galea made 15 appearances for the Black and Whites after joining them from city rivals Hull KR at the end of last season.

He had five seasons at Craven Park and is also a former NRL winner from his three-year spell in Sydney with Wests Tigers.


Read More: http://www.nrl.com/galea-retires-due-to-injury/tabid/10874/newsid/73575/default.aspx
 
Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Griffin faces the music


  • TODD BALYM
  • THE SUNDAY MAIL (QLD)
  • JULY 21, 2013 12:00AM

BRONCOS coach Anthony Griffin will face a public grilling by disgruntled members as statistics show Brisbane have the NRL's most underperforming halves.

Aware of the growing anger in the fan base, Broncos chief executive Paul White wrote to members this week to explain the club's situation and offer exclusive online chats with Griffin and himself in coming weeks.

Griffin is set to face the tough questions on Tuesday night and on the back of six losses from their past seven games, the under-fire coach can expect some fiery curve balls about why the season has gone so horribly wrong.

"I know many of you have strong comments on team selections, player positions and performances," White said in a letter to members.

"He will try to answer as many of your questions as he can, so please take this opportunity to go 'one-on-one' with the coach - a very direct, honest, straight-shooting and respectful man with an enormous knowledge of rugby league and coaching strategies."


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-faces-the-music/story-fni3gv5x-1226682458452



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Gold Coast Titans forward Dave Taylor to play through injury


  • TODD BALYM
  • THE SUNDAY MAIL (QLD)
  • JULY 21, 2013 12:00AM

DAVE Taylor must carry a sternum injury for the rest of the season, with Gold Coast coach John Cartwright revealing the former Test and Origin forward has rushed back from injury to help his club.

Taylor was initially tipped to miss up to eight weeks with a sternum problem but will on Sunday make his return for the Titans after just three weeks on the sidelines as they look to re-ignite their season against Manly at Brookvale Oval.

With Origin stars Nate Myles and Greg Bird being rested, it will be up to Taylor and his fellow forwards to get the Titans' season back on track following two heavy defeats that saw the club tumble out of the top eight.

"It's a tough injury, the sternum - there's only one thing that will fix it and it's rest," Cartwright said."He has had plenty of rest, it's as good as it's going to be I would say for the rest of the year. He just has to grit his teeth and put up with it."It's probably a six to eight week injury that he had, so he is going to feel pain. But there's no long-term effect by playing.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...y-through-injury/story-fni3grk4-1226682450515

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South Sydney Rabbitohs young guns flying the flag in Redfern



THE little master Clive Churchill would be looking down with a red and green twinkle in his eye.

The South Sydney Juniors production line that produced champions Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote, George Piggins and Gary Stevens is buzzing like clockwork as the Bunnies sit on top of the competition ladder.

Run your eye over the list of talent nurtured through the ranks of the Alexandria Rovers, La Perouse Panthers, Coogee Wombats and Kensington United and every player has a brilliant story attached to their rise to the top with the pride of the league.

Halfback Adam Reynolds started life a torpedo punt kick across Elizabeth St in the flats opposite Redfern Oval, five-eighth John Sutton won 10 junior competitions in a row playing for the Alexandria Rovers and the newest kid on the block, Dylan Walker, is a Mascot Jet whose mum was born on Pitcairn Island.

The last time the Rabbitohs tasted premiership glory with John Sattler as captain was 1971, when the Bunnies boasted local juniors Ray Branighan, Paul Sait, Keith Edwards, McCarthy, Coote, Piggins and Stevens, with Churchill coaching the side.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-flag-in-redfern/story-fni3gki8-1226682471564
 
Injury to Warriors flyer Glen Fisiiahi could end his season


  • AAP
  • JULY 21, 2013 4:42PM

WINGER Glen Fisiiahi's pectoral injury might not only end his NRL campaign with the Warriors, it could also ruin his chances of being available for Tonga at the rugby league World Cup beginning in late October.

Team doctor John Mayhew says further assessment is required, but the initial diagnosis isn't promising.If it's confirmed Fisiiahi has torn the pectoral muscle on his right side, he will face a lengthy term in recovery.

Warriors prop Jacob Lillyman needed surgery after tearing his pectoral in the opening trial of the season in early February.He missed the first eight matches of the NRL campaign before returning in May.

Fisiiahi has had his best season since his 2011 debut, but a cloud hung over his immediate future when he left the field in the 60th minute of Friday's 24-14 win over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-end-his-season/story-fni3gs8m-1226682722402

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NRL grand final ticket prices double



NRL fans have been slugged with massive ticket price increases for this year's grand final with some seats selling for more than double what they cost last year.

In a blow to the game in its heartland, the NRL has announced the biggest ticket price hike in history for the premiership decider, 138 per cent in some areas of ANZ Stadium.

It will cost $1380 for a family of four to sit in the best seats. Last year it was only $580.

Even the prices for cheaper family tickets behind the goal posts have increased from $200 last year to $425.

Individual seats in the best viewing areas have skyrocketed from $200 last year to $345.

The same seats at last night's Manchester United blockbuster were just $189.

The NRL tickets are almost double the price of what Australia's most elite football code, the Australian Rugby Union, is charging for Bledisloe Cup tickets at ANZ Stadium.

Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...et-prices-double/story-fni3fbgz-1226682682649


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Time for James Tamou to step up, says North Queensland Cowboys coach Neil Henry



COWBOYS coach Neil Henry says James Tamou must step up and emulate front-row colleague Matt Scott after being accused of playing "soft" ahead of this Friday night's blockbuster against the Broncos.

NSW enforcer Tamou is under pressure to dominate the Broncos pack in Townsville, with Henry treating the derby clash as Queensland's equivalent of an NRL grand final.

Both sides must win six of their last seven games to make the finals - and Henry is banking on his Test front-row alliance of Tamou and Scott to effectively deliver the bullet to Brisbane's season.

Former Maroons and Test prop Greg Dowling on Sunday blasted Tamou's erratic form, just a week after the 113kg man mountain claimed he didn't deserve a NSW jumper for Origin III.

Scott was superb in the decider, charging for 149m and clearly outpointing his clubmate Tamou, who managed just 88m from 10 hit-ups in NSW's 12-10 defeat.

Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...coach-neil-henry/story-fni3g8pa-1226682762054

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Robert Craddock: Cam Smith a gamble worth taking for the Brisbane Broncos



HE would not come cheap and might be past his prime by the time he got here but Cameron Smith could still be a perfect fit for the Broncos.

Just let's forget for a minute that the Melbourne Storm captain is regarded as the best hooker to ever play the game.It's his ability as a leader the Broncos would profit by, as much as his playing ability.

There have been many times since Darren Lockyer retired that the Broncos looked rudderless in terms of composure and strategy, particularly their last tackle plays ... like lost sheep who need a shepherd.

Smith's icy temperament is similar to Lockyer's.Certainly his on-field vision and ability to marshal a team around a field is reminiscent of the Brisbane champion.Smith's on-field creativity is such that the Wallabies studied his running patterns a few years ago and shamelessly copied them.

The gamble is that Smith would be three months short of his 32nd birthday by the time he played for Brisbane, an age when many man of his trade have mothballed their jersey and boots.

Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...brisbane-broncos/story-fni3fh9n-1226682752956

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Darren Lockyer tells Brisbane Broncos it's time to pay big to get Cam Smith



EXCLUSIVE: BRISBANE legend Darren Lockyer has urged club hierarchy to make a big-money play for Cameron Smith, hailing the Queensland skipper the man to rebuild the embattled Broncos as a premiership force.

Having watched Brisbane's slide towards the NRL cellar with concern, Lockyer delivered his recruitment blueprint aimed at reinvigorating the Broncos and breaking a seven-year title drought.

Languishing in 12th ahead of this Friday's crucial derby clash with the Cowboys, Brisbane have been linked with a number of marquee stars, including Bulldogs sensation Ben Barba and Maroons rookie Daly Cherry-Evans.

But Lockyer, who left a huge leadership void at Red Hill following his retirement in 2011, believes Smith, his Test and Origin captaincy successor, should be the No.1 target.

The Storm champion is off-contract at the end of next season, meaning rival clubs can formally approach him from November 1 this year.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...to-get-cam-smith/story-fni3gv5x-1226682743947

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Paul Crawley: Sutton a Johnny come lately



GREG Inglis's injury has given us an unexpected bonus.

Maligned for much of his career as a man who never lived up to his potential, Sutton is showing why Souths always rated him so highly.

Inglis is out for six to eight weeks and more than likely out of Dally M medal contention. Sutton will be the player who benefits most from GI's absence.It should also help Sutton come into calculations for the end-of-season Kangaroos tour to the World Cup if he can lead the Rabbitohs to their first minor premiership since 1989 and the club's first premiership since 1971.

When Dally M voting went behind closed doors after round 16, Sutton was equal second with Inglis and Jarrod Mullen on 15 points, one point behind leader Cooper Cronk.

No Rabbitoh has won the game's top individual prize since Robert Laurie took out the first Dally M Medal in 1980 and, with Inglis out for so long, Sutton is shaping as the best chance yet.

More than that, though, with Inglis out we're forced to realise the good work Sutton is doing.Sutton has led his team in their biggest games this year.

Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...hnny-come-lately/story-fni3gki8-1226682748267
 
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The Lurker has reported the following...

Storm to lose some staff

Craig Bellamy has the biggest staff in the NRL - but not for much longer. The new owners of the Storm are about to embark on a massive cost cutting exercise that will see several members of the backroom staff made redundant.

News Limited, previous owners of the club, were prepared to run Melbourne at a loss - but the new regime is more concerned about the bottom line, resulting in massive belt-tightening.

Read More: http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/the-lurkernrl-rumour-filemonday-244771
 
The Dragons look like they could attack for five hours and still not cross the stripe tonight.

Had to laugh at the ref calling a knock on after he'd initially said back. "Got a call from someone in a better position" ... he was five metres away directly in line!!! :lol:
 
This will sow a few seeds of doubt as to how they're going to go without Inglis, now.

Great work by the Dragons, they never gave up!
 
Bryan Fletchers joke of the week on the Matty Johns Show...

Q: How do you turn a Fox into an Elephant ??

A: Get married to it....
 
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