2013 NRL Discussion

Shattered Sydney Rooster Boyd Cordner slim chance of return this season



SYDNEY Roosters co-captain Boyd Cordner has described the moment he suffered a possible season ending broken ankle as "shattering".

Speaking exclusively for the first time since suffering the injury against Canberra over the weekend, the 21-year-old described the realistic chances of making it back on the field this season as "slim."

With the Roosters favourites to take out the premiership this season, Cordner instantly feared the worst.

"I knew it was bad," Cordner told Foxsports.com.au. "My first thought was disappointment. I was shattered because I know we have a pretty good chance of taking it out this year but it all flashed before my eyes. I was really concerned."

The New South Wales State of Origin representative suffered the injury to his left ankle in the 65th minute of Saturday’s 28-22 win over the Raiders and had "tight rope surgery" on Sunday night.

"In the short of it, it is a couple of wires through the ankle to hold it in place so the ligaments can grow in the right place," he said.

The “six to 10 week” process to return to the field all hinges on how his ankle responds although the young back rower is optimistic of making a grand final berth should the tri colours make it to the dance come Sunday October 6.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...turn-this-season/story-fni3gn3s-1226697279998
 
101 reasons for the Brisbane Broncos' trying times



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Brisbane Broncos look dejected. Source: News Limited

BRISBANE have more than 100 reasons why their premiership campaign has hit tough times the past two years with figures revealing Broncos Test stars have now missed 101 NRL games since 2012.

Putting the skids on Brisbane’s quest to end their club record premiership drought has been the fact the Broncos have on average been without at least two Test stars a game since 2012.

When Brisbane faces Parramatta on Friday night they will have over $1 million of talent on the sidelines in Jharal Yow Yeh, Justin Hodges and Alex Glenn.

Take two Test stars out of any NRL team and it would prove a devastating blow to that club’s premiership chances.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...cos-trying-times/story-fni3gv5x-1226697358680

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Cooper Cronk urges youngsters to dig deep as Storm makes late rally for premiership defence



COOPER Cronk says Melbourne Storm's young players must be fast-tracked if it is to defend its NRL title this year.

Fourth-placed Storm has won its past two games and heads to Newcastle on Sunday to play the Knights.

But the star halfback is far from content and called on the team's emerging players to speed up their development.

"I think we're OK, but we're not where we should be," Cronk said."This team is based on every player doing his own role and contributing, and when one cog in the wheel falls apart, it hurts."We have a few new younger guys we need to fast-track into playing consistent football for long periods."Everyone, when it is easy, can play well for 10 or 20 minutes."But big games and semi-finals are built on playing for 80 minutes."

The Storm looks to have shaken off its annual post-Origin hangover.


Read More:http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-for-premiership/story-fni3fbgz-1226697326598






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Sam Thaiday closes the gap with Twitter troll



IT took a chance meeting with a Twitter troll to convince Sam Thaiday the tide is turning against racism in rugby league.

The Broncos skipper was at the centre of a public racial assault from Blues fans after last year’s State of Origin opener, with several "keyboard warriors" attacking the Queensland enforcer over his indigenous heritage.

Before this weekend’s Close the Gap round, Thaiday revealed to The Courier-Mail that since that upsetting episode, one of his attackers has approached him to explain his actions.

"I was at a Christmas party and he came up to me and was very apologetic and said he meant no harm in the comments," Thaiday said. "If anything, it was a more of a rage after the State of Origin. He was a Blues supporter. That’s understandable sometimes, it would be pretty tough being in that situation. He’s had a tough old time since the incident."

Thaiday is well-versed in heat-of-the-moment reactions but yesterday he said racist comments from "fans" can still be heard on the field.

"We’re out there to win at all costs and sometimes things get said in the heat of moment which I think aren’t meant as a hurtful thing," he said. "It is a tough thing to hear but you can’t really react to those things these days either. The best way to deal with it is to try to help your side as much as possible. I’d rather beat someone on the scoreboard and on the field than beat their face in."

Despite Thaiday’s ability to take these slurs on the chin, he hopes racism can be eradicated from the game with the help of the Close the Gap round and All Stars matches.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...th-twitter-troll/story-fni3gv5x-1226697362881

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Key statistics can't split star halves pairings at South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Sea Eagles



THEY are the two most exciting halves combinations in the NRL - and only a conversion separates them.

On the eve of Friday night’s blockbuster between South Sydney and Manly, The Daily Telegraph has crunched all the numbers that matter in the mouth-watering battle pitting Bunnies duo Adam Reynolds and John Sutton against the Sea Eagles’ Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans.

Working in conjunction with Fox Sports Statistics, the comprehensive break down includes everything from 40/20s and line-break assists to ineffective tackles, forced drop outs, even big game experience.And the result? A dead heat.

“Impossible to split them," says Fox Sports statistician Aaron Wallace.“Maybe if they went to Golden Point you could give the Bunnies the result ... the fact Adam Reynolds kicks goals is about the only difference.”

Along with the Sydney Roosters, who boast NSW Origin pairing Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney, Souths and Manly have built their NRL premiership campaign on their halves.


Read More:http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...manly-sea-eagles/story-fni3fbgz-1226697390663

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Penrith Panthers forward Sam McKendry tells his story from catastrophic injury to NRL return



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THIS is the most inspirational story in rugby league.

Penrith prop Sam McKendry stands for courage, passion and unbreakable resolve. The best things in rugby league.McKendry, 24, fractured his C6 vertebrae in round seven against Parramatta.Some wanted him to retire.

Those who have been around football for a while at Penrith know all about serious neck injuries.

Their prop, John Farragher, tragically became a quadriplegic through rugby league back in May, 1978 when a scrum collapsed. He remains one of the most beloved figures at the club.But McKendry had an irresistible urge to play rugby league again.

After four months of training and rehabilitation, he returned to the NRL last Sunday when Penrith played North Queensland.McKendry had won a battle.And his toughness should be rewarded with a place in the New Zealand squad for this year’s World Cup.

"Here I am playing footy again ... and it’s good to be back," McKendry exclaimed on Wednesday."It was frightening, it’s not a good injury to have. I am just lucky. The injury could have been worse.“I guess it’s the risk you take when you play a professional sport.

"At the time I was still walking so that was a good sign and the neurosurgeons were pretty supportive and positive."The doctor knew straight away it was my neck when I started feeling tingling sensations in my fingers. The look on his face was pretty serious."

Told the scenario could have been catastrophic, McKendry said: "It could have been. You never know."Despite the chilling nature of the injury, the giant Panthers front-rower refused to even consider retirement."I never thought about it," McKendry said. "I always had a positive attitude."It could happen to anyone really. I kept training hard because I wanted to play again.

"There were periods when I couldn’t do much because of the injury. I just relaxed. It was good to have a bit of time off."It needed time to heal and when it eventually did I started to train full-time again and do weights."McKendry reeled out of a tackle on Parramatta centre Jacob Loko 15 minutes into the western derby at Centrebet Stadium on May 29.

He decided to play on for another 10 minutes despite the injury.He eventually came off, but then, unbelievably, went out for another stint.

"I just put my head in the wrong spot. I played on because I thought it was just a ‘stinger’ at the time," he said."It was probably my fault because I told the doctor it was a just a ‘stinger’."I said it was my shoulder, but I should have actually said it was my neck. I lost a bit of range lifting my arm after the game."The first thing I said to the doc was, ‘Am I playing next weekend?

"Everyone is different. Some heal quickly, some don’t. I was just lucky."

With a game under his belt, McKendry is preparing for Sunday’s match against New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.A bold showing against his fellow countrymen may well thrust him into the New Zealand side for whom he has already played eight Tests. Making the World Cup in October would be extraordinary.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ry-to-nrl-return/story-fni3gfvk-1226697326358
 
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The Mole from RLW has reported the following...

- Expect an announcement soon that the NSW CUP and QLD intrust super cup are no more, They will be replaced by the old Reserve grade competition, The NYC will survive but in a reduced format likely to be a mid-week televised series

- Justin Horo likely to be selected for NZ in the World Cup

- Jason Taumalolo was dropped by the Cowboys, The club says he missed training Jason says he didn't miss training he was just a bit late. It played out over twitter with Jason saying..."Sorry guys for what happened, I'll be cheering for the boys to get the win tonight ! I came late not missed training # getyourfactsright

 
Great news about the reserve grade comp. Been gone for far to long. I don't see why NYC would need to be a mid week comp though... Why is it so difficult to have 3 games on game day like the good old days...
 
That's great news indeed about reserve grade!!!

I think the Holden Cup will need to move to that time to maintain tv exposure and therefore sponsorship. I think I suggested this move a few years ago on here, imo it's a great solution for both comps.
 
I bet there'll be some anger in Queensland if the Queensland Cup is really shutting up shop, though ...
 
Eels sign four-year Darwin deal

By Ian McCullough
AAP
Thu 15th August, 1:11pm

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Jarryd Hayne and his Eels will play a key NRL fixture in Darwin next year.


Parramatta are hoping to play one of their NRL glamour fixtures in Darwin next year after the club announced details of a four-year agreement with the Northern Territory government on Thursday.

The club signed a deal that will see them play a trial match in Alice Springs each year in addition to an NRL home fixture in Darwin.


Read More: http://www.nrl.com/eels-sign-four-year-darwin-deal/tabid/10874/newsid/74050/default.aspx
 
Campese ruled out of Bulldogs clash

By David Barbeler
AAP
Thu 15th August, 5:14pm


Canberra captain Terry Campese will miss Saturday's NRL clash with Canterbury in a big blow to the ninth-placed Raiders' NRL finals bid.

Campese was ruled out on Thursday with the eye injury suffered when accidentally struck by teammate David Shillington during last weekend's 28-22 loss to the Sydney Roosters.

He'll be reassessed next week ahead of his side's clash with third-placed Manly.

Ironically, Shillington takes over as co-captain alongside halfback Josh McCrone, a role he held for almost two years while Campese battled back-to-back season-ending injuries.


Read More: http://www.nrl.com/campese-ruled-out-of-bulldogs-clash/tabid/10874/newsid/74054/default.aspx
 
Brisbane Broncos flyer Jordan Kahu goes from homeless to hero



HE is the NRL young gun who once lived in a car. But Jordan Kahu’s rugby league future has hit top gear with the boom utility signing an upgraded deal with the Broncos.

The courage of Kahu, who has fought back from two knee reconstructions, cannot be questioned.

On Friday night, he returns to the Broncos line-up at Suncorp Stadium, where he will take on the Eels with a metal plate and five screws in the left hand he broke against Cronulla five weeks ago.

But the Broncos have rewarded Kahu for his persistence, delivering a two-year contract that will keep the 22-year-old at Red Hill until the end of 2015.

For Kahu, who was being pursued by the Sharks, the deal also represents security - a far cry from the days when his family slept in a car as he chased his NRL dream.

In 2008, unable to break into New Zealand’s rugby ranks, Kahu, his older brother Jared and father Dave bought a one-way ticket to Australia.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...homeless-to-hero/story-fni3gv5x-1226698025396

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Matthew Johns: Riding the Greg Inglis express



ON Friday night, Greg Inglis will show why he is one of the greatest signings of the modern era, as Souths, with his influence re-emerge as a serious title favourite.

In 2013, with Greg Inglis brutalising defences, South Sydney have proved a monster of a football team. A team with great confidence, a decisive game plan, a relentless desire and a sense of destiny.

But in the last month without their champion, they have looked vulnerable, indecisive, with a sliding self-belief.

Against the Melbourne Storm last Friday night the Rabbits competed hard, but it was the Storm’s mistake-ridden performance rather than Souths themselves, which kept them in it.

The Bunnies’ attack lacked penetration and was far too sideways with the Melbourne defence simply shuffling them towards the touchline.

Only young Luke Keary really went directly into the defence of Melbourne and showed what a future he has.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...g-inglis-express/story-fni3fh9n-1226697961252
 
The refereeing in the Broncos vs Eels match was ordinary at times, Simple things like Knock ons and Forward passes either missed or incorrectly called
 
Refs have given Souths the game tonight. Most one sided officiating I have seen all year by a long stretch. Not that I care as I hate Manly and had $20 on Souths.
 
Just got home and saw the highlights on Fox Sports News of the Souths vs Manly game....I don't usually rant but what the hell


- The Steve Matai "No Try"...WTF was the video ref looking at, Disgraceful decision, give yourself an uppercut

- Jeff Lima and his twist of Watmough's injured leg, Obviously pre-concieved idea to target him and Jeff should've been sent off...Typical Souths dog act

- Once again we see a lop-sided penalty count. 6-2 at one stage and 10-5 in the end

- GI taking a dive, Not only is he the worlds best player but he is also the worlds best actor...Nice work give the man an award

- Not that it matters with GI taking a dive, We have already turned the game soft by banning the biff and shoulder charges

- Once again we will see a coach fined for raising genuine points about the officiating, Look up protected species in the dictionary and it should say NRL REFEREES

- The refereeing is not getting any better and it may have a direct impact on the finals series and the Grand Final itself, Goodbye Mr. Anderson

- Time to go back to 1 ref and get some touch judges that aren't clinically blind !!!

- Can't wait to see Souths fall flat on their faces during the finals, June premiers to fail...



This rant was proudly brought to you by the Statsman 8)
 
At least two NRL clubs are chasing sacked North Queensland coach Neil Henry



DEPARTING Cowboys coach Neil Henry has been approached by at least two NRL rivals and says he will happily accept an assistant's role to avert a 12-month coaching hiatus.

Ahead of the Cowboys' must-win clash against the Titans in Townsville on Saturday, Henry said he is determined to coach in the NRL next year even if he is required to play an ancillary role.

The former Maroons assistant has been linked with Melbourne, but Henry insists he has not visited the club nor made contact with Storm coach Craig Bellamy.

Henry has already been flagged as a potential assistant at the Wests Tigers, who are reviewing their coaching setup, and says he is reluctant to lay dormant next season.

“Why would I take a year off?” mused Henry, a former schoolteacher.“My bank account is not that healthy that I can take a year off, I might start some relief teaching.


Read More:http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...coach-neil-henry/story-fni3g8pa-1226698619926
 
Nightingale grounded that ball, Dragons were the better team and deserved the win....Once again we see disgraceful refereeing decide an NRL game...

Geoff Toovey was right...Who is accountable ?? Maybe there should be an investigation ??
 
North Queensland Cowboys board jumped the gun on Neil Henry, says James Tamou



TEST prop James Tamou believes North Queensland's board acted prematurely in sacking Neil Henry with the resurgent Cowboys still in contention for this year's premiership.

The Cowboys' seven-strong board dropped a bombshell on Henry when they agreed not to take up his 2014 extension after a narrow derby loss to the Broncos three weeks ago.

At the time, the Cowboys were floundering in 13th with a 5-12 win-loss record and seemingly no hope of making the playoffs.

But North Queensland powerbrokers now face the embarrassment of their deposed coach delivering a third consecutive finals campaign after the Cowboys' 22-10 defeat of the Titans on Saturday night.

The Cowboys are just one win adrift of the top eight and will likely qualify for the playoffs on percentages if they win their final three games against Newcastle (h), Cronulla (a) and the Tigers (h).

The prospect of a title challenge remains unlikely, but Henry is entitled to feel the season is not an abject failure if the Cowboys sneak into the finals and claim at least one scalp.

By contrast, Titans counterpart John Cartwright has been assured by Gold Coast hierarchy he is safe for next season despite facing a third successive finals wipeout.

Asked if the Cowboys board's decision to axe Henry was premature, Tamou said: "I think so. I was very surprised, I heard about it in the media and then Neil sat us down and told us I was very surprised.

"If we make the finals it will be good for Neil and good for us. I know the boys will put in, we'll definitely give it a crack."We were the ones that let him down and if that was me, I wouldn't be as happy as he is at the moment.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...says-james-tamou/story-fni3g8pa-1226699459853
 
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Monday Buzz: Dive drama engulfing the NRL



BLOG WITH BUZZ: IMAGINE this year’s grand final. Souths v Manly. The scores are locked at 16-all with five minutes to go.

The Sea Eagles are on the attack, 30 metres out. Daly Cherry-Evans makes a break but is caught high by Greg Inglis.Twelve months of blood, sweat and tears are on the line and he’d be an idiot to get to his feet when staying down could win a premiership.

It’s the issue that dominated talkback radio and footy discussions all weekend.Every coach and every player who watched Friday night’s game had serious doubts about the incident that left Inglis on the ground and won Souths a crucial penalty against Manly.

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire leapt to the defence of his champion fullback Sunday, rejecting claims Inglis took a dive.Amid fears this year’s premiership is in danger of being decided by the team with the best divers, Maguire insisted it was not a tactic to milk a penalty.

“Greg’s got a fat lip from the incident,” Maguire said. “He did get hit high and he didn’t lie down - 100 per cent, he didn’t.“We don’t play the game that way. The players don’t like it and neither do I.”

Inglis looked like he was about to get up and play the ball but then stayed down, apparently urged to do so by the Souths trainer. The video refs used the break in play to find Manly second-rower Justin Horo had clipped him high and Souths got the penalty.

“The trainer only went on because he was concerned Greg had been down a bit earlier with his knee,” Maguire insisted.


Read More: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ngulfing-the-nrl/story-fni3fbgz-1226699435861
 
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