2013 NRL Discussion

Manly Sea Eagles legends Paul Vautin and Terry Randall won't contest club elections



MANLY legends Paul Vautin and Terry Randall have revealed why they will not contest the Manly district club football elections next month.

There had been intense speculation that Vautin and Randall - both ex-Test forwards - would be wooed into joining the incumbent board of directors, who appear desperate to land a big-name former player.

But it won't be Vautin or Randall.

The fact Vautin and Randall have no desire to run is a major boost for a rival ticket, which already has former players Ray Brown, Alan Thompson, Warren Jowett and Max Krilich locked in.

"I don't have the time nor the inclination,'' Randall said. "My excavation business takes up a lot of my time.

"I have spent time on the board before. I have had my time, let someone else have a go and ask some questions.''

Vautin added: "I haven't been approached and I'm not interested. I have been there before (on the board) and had a good time."


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...t-club-elections/story-fni3gnk1-1226759929867

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I finally have my own team, says St George Illawarra NRL coach Steve Price



THE shadow cast by Wayne Bennett has been erased from St George Illawarra, with coach Steve Price declaring that he finally has the side he wants.

After two seasons juggling Bennett's left-overs, the Dragons coach said: "It feels like a new beginning.''

Only four players remain from the Dragons side that won the 2010 grand final - Brett Morris, Ben Creagh, Trent Merrin and Jason Nightingale.

Price had to make some tough calls to save his career.Price spoke openly and honestly about his team's transition when The Daily Telegraph shared breakfast with him at an eastern Sydney cafe at 6.30am yesterday.

NEW ERA
Asked whether he felt he had the team he wanted, Price said: "You could say that. A lot of great players, who have been the heart and soul of our club, have moved on or retired. One door closes, another opens.

"Everything goes in cycles. We happened to be going through that transition period and now, here we are with a new beginning.

"To be honest with you, I am really excited. We are really happy with our key signings."

PRESSURE

The Dragons' will re-assemble on Monday and the pressure starts immediately.

"There is great history at our footy club - there is always pressure and high demands,'' Price said."I am under no illusions. I understand all that. We had that for the majority of this year. It is a good feeling at this time of year but I am sure come the start of the season, it's game on.

HISTORY
The 11 successive titles between 1956 and 1966.A stunning achievement? Or a heavy weight to carry?

"I am big about the history of our club and admire what those great players have done for us,'' Price said.

"Mr Provan, Mr Langlands and others came and spoke to our guys.''

GOALS

"We want to be a competitive football team every week,'' Price said.

"Give our supporters the knowledge that every time we play and cross that white line we compete to the best of our ability.

"If we are doing that, the results will follow. I am very confident we have a side that can give us the results we need. It's important we get the pre-season right."

RECRUITS
Saints have bought well in Gareth Widdop, Joel Thompson, Dylan Farrell and Sam Williams along with Mike Cooper and Matt Groat.

"I had a meeting with Gareth before he went overseas (for the World Cup),'' Price said.

"He will bring a different dynamic to our footy club. I can see him being a leader going forward."I have watched Joel Thompson for a number of years now and can see a rep player of the future.

"Sam Williams will really put some pressure on our halves and Dylan Farrell will push for that centre spot with Gerard Beale. It's exciting times.''

PHILOSOPHY

Does a coach start to second-guess decisions when under pressure?

"It is important you stick to what you believe in,'' he said.

"I am sure anyone in coaching - or all walks of life - might think they are doing this or that right or wrong."But you have to have trust in the people around you.'

DRAGONS 2010 (grand final)

1.Darius Boyd (gone)
2.Brett Morris
3.Mark Gasnier (gone)
4.Matt Cooper (gone)
5.Jason Nightingale
6.Jamie Soward (gone)
7.Ben Hornby (c) (gone)
8.Neville Costigan (gone)
9.Dean Young (gone)
10.Michael Weyman (gone)
11.Beau Scott (gone)
12.Ben Creagh
13.Jeremy Smith (gone)

Interchange

14.Nathan Fien (gone)
15.Trent Merrin
16.Matt Prior (gone)
17.Jarrod Saffy (gone)

DRAGONS 2014 (possible)

1.Josh Dugan
2.Brett Morris
3.Gerard Beale
4.Dylan Farrell
5.Jason Nightingale
6.Gareth Widdop
7.Sam Williams
8.Dan Hunt
9.Mitch Rein
10.Ben Creagh
11.Tyson Frizzell
12.Joel Thompson
13.Trent Merrin

Interchange

14.Jack de Belin
15.Leeson Au Mau
16.Jack Stockwell
17.Bronson Harrison


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...oach-steve-price/story-fni3g9a3-1226760071975

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Georgallis joins Manly as Toovey's No.2

AAP
6:06pm Thu 14th November, 2013

Steve Georgallis will replace Brad Arthur as the Manly assistant coach for the 2014 NRL season.

Georgallis, who served a similar role with Wests Tigers in 2012, having worked previously with Penrith, where he served as caretaker coach at the end of the 2011 season, takes over from Arthur after his appointment at Parramatta last month.

"In the end it was a pretty easy decision to make," Georgallis said.

"I'm just really happy to be here and to be able to work with Geoff Toovey, David Penna and all the other trainers and staff.

"The team itself has a great culture, they're a tough team. I'm really looking forward to working with the players and trying to get the best out of them to hopefully go one better next year."

Toovey welcomed Georgallis to the club and believes Manly have made the right decision to ensure they stay at the top of the NRL in 2014.

"Steve comes with a wealth of experience, both as a player and coach, and we're excited to have him on board," Toovey said.

"To stay at the top in the NRL, you've got to be thinking ahead and constantly freshening things up and we definitely feel that this is something Steve can bring to our set-up."


http://www.nrl.com/georgallis-joins-manly-as-tooveys-no.2/tabid/10874/newsid/75392/default.aspx
 
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Kingston surrenders captaincy dream

By Matt Encarnacion
NRL.com
7:27am Fri 15th November, 2013
35146_20_1.jpg

Former skipper Kevin Kingston says he will need to earn his spot in the Panthers' best 17 in 2014.


Panthers coach Ivan Cleary's plan to include dynamic hooker James Segeyaro in his run-on side in 2014 look to have scuppered Kevin Kingston's chances of retaining the team's captaincy.

The incumbent skipper still harbours ambitions of leading the Panthers in the new season but said he was resigned to playing under a new leader – most likely prop Tim Grant – should he lose the starting gig.

"As of now, I don't think I'm the captain so I've got to earn that right again, earn the players' respect. Hopefully I get it," Kingston told NRL.com.

"I'm not even assured the nine spot. I definitely won't stand in the way of [James] Segeyaro coming up. With 'Chicko' being the first choice nine, and having good locks in this team, I've got to earn my spot in the 17 first.

"I'll still be a leader within the club, but the captaincy tag may have to wait. I'd love to be captain again, but I don't know how things are going to pan out. It's a long pre-season and you have to earn that spot."

Instead, Kingston has endorsed 25-year-old prop Tim Grant to be the long-term leader of the club. Since making his debut for the club in 2007, Grant has played 111 games for Panthers, represented NSW twice and the City Origin side three times.

"I totally recommend him as the next captain, whether it be this year or next year or however long it takes for him to get there," Kingston said.

"He'd be a great leader because he's well-respected in the team and in the community. He leads by doing, so I thoroughly recommend him."

In fact, Kingston believes there would be no shortage of leadership throughout Panthers' new-look team next season, with new recruitments Brent Kite and Jamie Soward arriving with plenty of experience.

Soward in particular has shown great maturity in the early stages of the pre-season.

"I'm absolutely pumped with the new recruits we have next year. [Phil Gould] and Ivan [Cleary] have done an excellent job recruiting, getting people at a good time in their careers," Kingston said.

"Brent Kite is going to be a great leader and guys like Elijah Taylor is going to be in his prime soon.

"But I'm excited with playing with Jamie the most. I didn't realise how much of a leader he would be. Seeing him on the field, the way he commands the ball and off the field, the example he's set for the younger guys.

"I've always had faith in Gus' and Ivan's ability to recruit, but I didn't realise how good a leader Jamie will be."

Penrith initially told Kingston earlier this year that his services were no longer needed at the club beyond 2013 but back-flipped mid-season, handing the veteran rake a one-year extension.

"There'll be a time where I'll definitely have to start thinking of what I'll be doing in 2015. There was a time last year where I thought I was leaving the club," Kingston said.

"But I reckon it's really good having one-year contracts anyway because it keeps you on your toes. It keeps you working hard so there's no complacency there. And I don't really want that, being 30.

"It won't be a distraction, I'm old enough to not let it affect my performance."


http://www.nrl.com/kingston-surrenders-captaincy-dream/tabid/10874/newsid/75395/default.aspx


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McCrone: Ricky factor already in play

By Chris Kennedy
NRL.com
7:42am Fri 15th November, 2013

With a new coach and disruptive influences gone, Raiders playmaker Josh McCrone is confident the Green Machine will be around come finals time in 2014.

McCrone welcomed the influence that former Canberra great Ricky Stuart has had on the club since he arrived.

"I think he's been awesome since he got here, he's a very approachable sort of bloke and he's brought another level of professionalism so far," McCrone told NRL.com.

'There's no doubting his passion for the club, it's a good thing to have in a coach."

McCrone said it was as much off-field disruption as on-field problems that contributed to Canberra's poor 13th-place finish in 2013.

"I'm confident we can make the eight. We had as much issues off the field as on the field [last year] so if we can clear up those issues off the field, I'm fairly confident that we definitely can, I think on-field success will follow," he said.

And with a disciplinarian like Stuart at the helm, McCrone said an improvement in that area shouldn't be in question.

"I think he's pretty straightforward, there's no guessing what he's thinking and that's a great thing in a coach/player relationship, so it's good," McCrone said.

With the group only just back at training, there has not yet been any talk of who will play in what positions, and although it seems likely McCrone will partner Terry Campese in the halves, he said he will be happy just to make the team.

"We haven't sat down and talked with Ricky about which way he's going to go, we're just trying to get the volume in the legs and just get rid of some body fat and put on some muscle.

"It'll be exciting, I'm just hoping to start the season somewhere to be honest," he said.

McCrone said there were no major injury concerns with the squad, with the handful of players recovering from off-season issues all likely to be back at training by Christmas or not long after.

"We've been pretty lucky, there's four or five in the injured group, almost everyone's out there running and the boys that are injured aren't that far away from coming back and training with us.

"Definitely by Round 1 we'll have everyone on deck but hopefully by Christmas or not long after."


[url]http://www.nrl.com/mccrone-ricky-factor-already-in-play/tabid/10874/newsid/75396/default.aspx[/URL]
 
Family frames Farrell's fresh start

By Chris Kennedy
NRL.com
7:49pm Fri 15th November, 2013

New Dragons recruit Dylan Farrell said family was a key reason for his move south from Redfern, with the centre excited for his first injury-free pre-season in years.

Having grown up in Culburra near Nowra on the New South Wales south coast, and playing junior footy for the Culburra Dolphins, Farrell still has plenty of family down that way – and the opportunity to see them more regularly was a key factor in his decision to leave South Sydney for St George Illawarra.

"I was pretty close to signing with Souths but then the opportunity came up to go to the Dragons, I had a son who was due just in a few months time [at the time Farrell signed] and I already have a three-year-old daughter so it was really just more [about] coming across closer to home and having that extra support," Farrell told NRL.com.

"One of my sisters lives in Figtree [in south west Wollongong] and I've got other family members around Wollongong so the whole reason was just to get closer to home."

Farrell said an extra positive was a first injury-free pre-season for several years, with previous years interrupted by groin surgery, hip surgery and back surgery.

"In the past I've had some surgeries so Round 1 it's felt like I'm catching up to everyone else. So I'm really looking forward to getting a full pre season under my belt," he said.

"When you're in rehab you're watching the boys out on the field, you don't really feel like part of the team so I'm really excited to do that."

The Dragons look to have a settled back three of Josh Dugan, Brett Morris and Jason Nightingale but with Matt Cooper retired and occasional centre Matt Prior gone to the Sharks, Farrell could be in line for a centre position come Round 1 – although with the likes of Gerard Beale, Kyle Stanley and Charly Runciman in the frame Farrell can take nothing for granted.

"There's a lot of competition and that's the best thing for a club – to have competition in each position – so I'm definitely not looking to walk straight into a position.

"I'll need to work hard for it and I'm definitely keen to do that," Farrell said.

The centre position not only looks to be Farrell's best chance of nailing down a first grade spot, it's also his preferred option. "I'd definitely prefer to play centre but if they want me to play I'm happy to be on the field anywhere," he said.

The Dragons have been one of the most active clubs in the off season player market, with Farrell joined by fellow fresh faces including Raiders Sam Williams and Joel Thompson, Storm and England Test five-eighth Gareth Widdop, Tiger Matt Groat and Warrington Wolves prop Mike Cooper, but Farrell said the new faces seem to have injected plenty of energy already.

"At the moment it's really good... we've had just a few sessions together, we have a really young squad and everyone's really keen to get going. I think everyone's just as excited as each other, even the players that have been here for a while," he said.

Farrell said his personal goals at this stage are just to enjoy the pre season before worrying about what he wants to achieve on the field at his new club.

"At the moment it's just really trying to work hard over the pre season, get as much out of that as I can.

"Recovery wise, fitness wise, strength wise, rehab wise – everything, just take the most out of it. So that's my number one goal there and then, when we finish pre season I'll start looking towards other things, just playing as many games as I can and trying to stay injury free."


http://www.nrl.com/family-frames-farrells-fresh-start/tabid/10874/newsid/75407/default.aspx
 
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The date and venue of the World Club Challenge has been confirmed



THE date and venue of the first World Club Challenge to be held on Australian soil in two decades have been confirmed - Saturday 22 February at Allianz Stadium.

The NRL is hoping to sellout the clash between Australian premiers Sydney Roosters and their Super League peers, Wigan Warriors, which will also be broadcast live on Channel Nine.

It's understood Wigan are planning to head Down Under two weeks in advance of the match and possibly play a lead-up game against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

Despite being on home turf at Moore Park, the schedule also creates a tough dilemma for the Roosters - with the inaugural NRL Nines tournament to be staged in Auckland the previous weekend.

All NRL clubs are expected to field at least two marquee players, but most of the Roosters squad will have barely resumed pre-season training after their post-World Cup break.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s-been-confirmed/story-fni3fbgz-1226761369703

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St George Illawarra star Kyle Stanley back on track and ready for season 2014



THIS time last year Kyle Stanley was a self-imposed prisoner.

His cell: the loungeroom. His warden: rampant hostility toward the entire world. His offence: a fourth knee reconstruction in five years.

"For about three weeks there I didn't leave the house, I'm pretty sure I fell into a depression," he recalled.

"I didn't want to get off the lounge, didn't want to talk to anyone.

"I get emotional just thinking about it, the way I let my temper get the better of me and what she had to put up with."

The 22-year-old is referring to his fiance Niketa and mother of his baby son Koah. Stanley might be the unluckiest man in rugby league, but his only regrets are reserved for them.

It's now the first anniversary of the worst moment of Stanley's life, and he'd previously endured had a trifecta of extraordinary hardship.

As a teenager he twice tore the ACL in his left knee, before his right knee suffered the same fate as the young playmaker was on the cusp of clinching the Dragons No. 6 jersey in late 2012.

"I was midway through my recovery, just at home and it started pouring down with rain," Stanley said.

"I went outside to bring some things inside off the patio, because they were getting wet. There was on heavy box and I sort of slipped on the tiles my bad (right) knee as I was carrying it inside."

At the time, Stanley thought nothing of the simple mishap. But the next morning his knee had swollen to distressing proportions. A few days later he was at Dragons HQ close to tears after being told the ACL was torn - again.

Generally positive during his first three setbacks - all of which occurred on the field - Stanley could no longer cope.He spent last pre-season moping on the couch until Nekita, perhaps out of self preservation, snapped.

"She was understanding to begin with but I was so bad that one day she said I just had to get over it," Stanley said."That was the moment I changed. I realised I had a family to support and I had to do it for them.

But condemned to the sidelines for the entire 2013 season, Stanley was hobbled in his ability to provide for his partner and child.

The previous Collective Bargaining Agreement gave clubs the right to pay players who were outed for an entire season only 25 per cent of their contract.The Hurstville United product revealed he accepted a pay cut in 2013, but harbours no ill-feelings toward his junior club.

"I was more than happy to take the pay cut, because the club was struggling with results and money wasn't coming through the door," he said.

"They stood by me, so I was happy to help them out."It was tough - I'd just bought a house and gotten engaged. It's good the rules have changed, knowing we are assured of 100 per cent of contract is a good thing."

With fake bone filling his right knee and a corpse's ligament inserted in his left, Stanley is ready go once more.In tandem with fullback Gerald Beale - who also succumbed to an ACL tear in 2013 - Stanley has spent the past few months adjusting his running style to avoid injuries to other parts of his legs as a result of "over compensation".

"Luck is amazing thing," he said.

"Some guys can go ten years without an injury and play more than 300 games.

"It's the cards that you're dealt with and you have to overcome them."I'd love to think I've had my fill of bad luck and now it's time for a change."


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-for-season-2014/story-fni3g9a3-1226761360966

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Parramatta Eels star Jacob Loko suffers another setback following knee injury



KYLE Stanley might be close to recovery, but the road back for another luckless NRL prodigy has grown even more steeper.

Eels powerhouse Jacob Loko has suffered another setback in his bid return from another knee injury, this time in the form of an infection.

The 21-year-old was ruled out for the final third of 2013 after dislocating his kneecap against Manly in Round 17.

The blow was a devastating one for Loko, who missed the second half of 2011 and all of 2012 thanks to a double ACL tear.It's believed he suffered the infection around a month ago, but has now resumed recovery work.

However, Eels officials are resigned to the fact Loko will not be fit to start next season and are unable to pinpoint a likely return date.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...wing-knee-injury/story-fni3ga7r-1226761343172
 
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Sydney Roosters begin their NRL title defence when training resumes Monday



WINNING starts on Monday was the book title of rugby league's greatest ever coach and Eastern Suburbs legend, Jack Gibson.

So it's appropriate that at 9am Monday, Trent Robinson's bid to become the first Roosters coach since Gibson to win back-to-back premierships, 39-years ago, begins.

It's the challenge and the mission Robinson plans to spell out in detail when his train-on squad - minus 16 World Cup players - meet for the first time since their grand final glory over Manly six weeks ago.

As far as Robinson is concerned, the Roosters success as a club will be measured on how they perform in 2014 - not last season.

The salary cap has ensured that the days of clubs building a 10-year dynasty are over.

But that won't stop Robinson from trying, claiming that even with a premiership ring hugging his finger, the Roosters are far from satisfied.

"Consistency within seasons is the mark of a team so that's what we're looking for now,'' Robinson said.

"When you're a footy team, people think that what's at the end of the year is all that matters and sure we were really focused on that, but that's not the only thing that defines us.

"We didn't want to have one good year and one poor year, we're about trying to build something.

"We want to be a top team year after year. That's what a top team means and obviously finals have to be a part of that, but that's what we want to be.

"We don't think we're finished as far as the style of footy we started playing last year, our defensive system, the culture that we wanted to put in place. And we don't think we're done.'

Robinson returned last Friday from an overseas trip with his family of which he combined a study tour of English Premier League clubs and French Rugby union club Clermont.

He has spent the past week in meetings with the Roosters coaching and backroom staff planning training schedules in the build-up to the World Club Challenge against Wigan on February 22

.On Monday he gets his hands on the players - and he can't wait.

"When you love what you do, a few weeks off, you start getting itchy feet to get back into it and get started especially when you know teams are already into it,'' Robinson said.

"There's going to be lots of different challenges again next season,"We've worked hard to change our perception within our club and I think that's had an effect on the outside.

"We had lots of tough games this year, but we'll talk about the challenge ahead and I think it will be a really challenging year which you want. That's what you thrive on.''

One dilemma facing Robinson is sorting out the future of his captain Anthony Minichiello. The veteran fullback is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal for next season.

Robinson is confident the deal will be finalised within the next two weeks.

With rising star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ready to make the switch from wing to fullback, Robinson said he planned to speak with both players about his vision for them in 2014 once they returned from their respective world cup duties.

"Hopefully it will get done, it's not over the line yet,'' Robinson said.

"Mini is our captain and he definitely led us strongly and is a strong reason why we won the premiership.

"I haven't spoken to Mini yet or Roger and there's a pretty selfless approach at our club so whatever is best for the team will get done.

"But Mini is a fullback, that's what he's done for us and we'll respect what's best for the team and also the best for the development of Roger as well.''


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...g-resumes-monday/story-fni3gn3s-1226761767844
 
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Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens has revealed he still has the desire to return to the NRL



TIM Sheens wants to coach NRL again but is realistic enough to know that opportunity might never come.

As the Kangaroos head into the knockout stage at the World Cup, Sheens took time out to reflect on 30 years as a head coach _ and why, at 63, he still has a desire to get back into the NRL.

In a wideranging interview, Sheens went back over three decades that has included four premierships and having his career all but pronounced dead twice.

He reckons of all the great captains he has coached current Kangaroo Cameron Smith is "as good as anyone, that's for sure" - but just don't ask him about Benji Marshall because that topic is still taboo.

Asked if he had a desire to coach NRL again, Sheens said: "I do, yeah."But there comes a point where you know it probably is not going to happen.

"You can't do something forever but when that point will be is something I am not controlling."I just want to continue coaching, where it is and how it is I don't know."

30 GREAT YEARS

Sheens is sitting back in the Kangaroos team hotel in Manchester telling you about how he started playing first grade for Penrith in 1970 and gave up his job as a real estate agent to become a full-time football coach in 1984.

And here he still is, at the World Cup coaching the Australian Test team, two weeks short of clocking up 30 years in one of the toughest jobs on the planet.

"You could never expect that at this stage I would be sitting here coaching the Kangaroos in a World Cup year," he said.

"I suppose I am a career coach in that respect. But I didn't start out to be. I started out just to have a go, coach Penrith and not finish last.

"I still enjoy it, I do."I look forward to my day because you are working with a bunch of very motivated people and that in turn keeps you pretty motivated.

"None of these people are looking at the clock at 4'o'clock and thinking knock off time is five.

"From their point of view there is no knock off time, they start early and finish late and the staff are the same."There is no such thing as a starting or finishing time in this. It is a profession, not a job.

"It is difficult to have any sort of normal life."

GREATEST MEMORIES

He is a four-time premiership winning coach but Sheens still rates taking Penrith to their first semi-final in 1985 alongside his greatest memories.

"Probably the first of everything is what you look back on," he said."And in 1985, getting Penrith to their first semi final ever was pretty special.

"It was top five back then and we made equal fifth and had to do a play off and beat a very, very good Manly side on a Tuesday night at the Cricket Ground in extra time to earn our first semi final which was on the Saturday.

"But Parramatta just went straight through us. Brett Kenny intercepted and he just cut us to pieces. But we played our semi that night against Manly.

"It was a big, big few days. They celebrated on the field like they'd won (a grand final), they were popping champagne on the field and I was trying to stop it.

"But he said the grand final wins at Canberra in 1989-90 and 1994 and the Wests Tigers in 2005 are all equally special.

WHY SMITH RATES WITH BEST

Sheens won't say who he rates the best player he has ever coached because he says you just don't judge different generations.

But when he starts mentioning some of the names he has worked with over the years, from Royce Simmons to Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley and Darren Lockyer, it puts in context what he says about the current Kangaroos captain.

"As a leader I think he is certainly as good as anyone I have coached, that's for sure," Sheens said."I don't rate one against the other, they are all different eras and I have been involved in a few eras.

"But as a leader Cameron is as good as any one of them."

And he says Smith's strength is simplicity.

"It is basically his mistake free football," Sheens said."For instance, in the ANZAC Test this year against a very aggressive New Zealand side down there in Canberra he had 99 touches for one mistake and that mistake was someone stole the ball off him and we stole it straight back

"Like he had no bad passes, very few if any missed tackles. He always seems to pick the right option. He never plays left when he should play right. He listens to his halves.

"He doesn't put himself up on any pedestal. There wouldn't be a player in the squad who would panic about approaching him. He is a leader by example."

BENJI - AND THE FUTURE

The fact Sheens still won't talk about Benji Marshall tells you everything you need to know about where their once father-son like relationship is at.

"I don't want to answer that," he said when asked if he still had a relationship with Marshall.

"I have never brought it up and I don't want to."Look, it's like what happened at Penrith and what happened at the Raiders and the Cowboys and the Tigers, it is just part of history.

"As you said when you sat down, now we are here with the Kangaroos looking to win the World Cup, That's what I'm thinking about. I am not going to look back on that.

"And it's the same deal when you ask if he looks back on the way it ended at the Tigers with regret."What is done is done, it's gone," he said.

"I don't try to think back, you just look forward.

"I always tell players not to be looking in the rear vision mirror, generally you crash if you don't keep your eyes on what's in front of you.

"My job at the moment is as the Australian coach and it is to get this side to make the final and after making the final win that final.

"I never get ahead of myself in that regard and if that is a reason I have survived this long, I don't know.

"But at the end of the day you just have to do your best and never cut a corner."


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...eturn-to-the-nrl/story-fni3fbgz-1226761584181
 
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Roosters start NRL pre-season minus SKD

By James MacSmith
AAP
10:08pm Sun 17th November, 2013

Sydney Roosters grand final hero Shaun Kenny-Dowall will not resume full training with the NRL premiers when they start pre-season training on Monday.

The Roosters return to the training field 43 days after their 26-18 win over Manly in the premiership decider with Kenny-Dowall still sidelined after suffering a broken jaw early in the game.

The 25-year-old centre drew comparisons with South Sydney great John Sattler for playing a large part of the game with the injury which was operated on two days after the grand final.

Kenny-Dowall produced one of the finest games of his career despite the injury and scored a converted try in the 60th minute that put the Roosters ahead 20-18 and from that point they were never headed.

According to the Roosters, Kenny-Dowall's recovery has gone better than expected but he will still not be ready to resume full contact training until the new year.

"SKD will return on a lighter load than the rest of the returning NRL squad and not engage in any contact drills until the new year, but has progressed better than first thought since breaking his jaw," read a statement on the Roosters website.

The former Kiwi representative will join 16 of his teammates who are away on World Cup duty, as absentees from the Roosters' first day back.

With the Roosters set to begin their bid to become the first side to secure back-to-back premierships against arch-rivals the Rabbitohs on March 6, after their World Club Challenge clash with Wigan at Allianz Stadium on February 22, incredibly premiership captain Anthony Minichiello remains unsigned.

As does forward Luke O'Donnell, another key member of their grand final winning team.

However the Roosters say they are confident of signing both players for the 2014 season.

The Roosters' grand final opponents also begin pre-season training on Monday with unsigned winger David Williams likely to attend after going AWOL following the Sea Eagles' defeat in the decider.


http://www.nrl.com/roosters-start-nrl-pre-season-minus-skd/tabid/10874/newsid/75422/default.aspx


- - - Updated - - -

St George Illawarra Dragons coach Steve Price calls on NRL to ban gang tackles



ST GEORGE Illawarra coach Steve Price has controversially called on the NRL to consider banning the gang tackle.

Price stressed rugby league would be faster - and sustain significantly less injuries - by limiting each tackle to just two defenders.

Data reveals play-the-balls used to take around four to five seconds to complete a decade ago - that figure is now seven seconds because three and four defenders are in every tackle.

Price's proposal would also outlaw the dangerous cannonball tackle and rugby league's twisting and wrestling tactics.

Having only two defenders in every tackle would also ease the strain and physical pressure on the bodies of NRL players.

Four forwards in a tackle could weigh a combined total of about 420kg - the equivalent of a cow.Price is hoping for the change with NRL head of football, Todd Greenberg, saying any recommendations would go to the game's competition committee early next month.

''I'd definitely like to see the third man eliminated,'' Price said.

''That's a decision (for) the NRL committee to make.''I'd like to see the game sped up around the ruck and create more space.

''It will be more entertaining from an offensive point of view. That's what the spectators want to see.

''It will also eliminate a lot of twisting and injuries. You want to see your best players playing the game week in, week out. That's what the fans pay their money for.

''I'm a fan of player safety and eliminating injuries.''

Price said rugby league should focus on attack.

''If you do bring in the two-man tackle it will reduce the seconds it takes for the play-the-ball,'' he said.

''It's a decision (for) the NRL have to make but we'll have to wait and see.

''Each year the amount of force the players are generating in terms of impact is quite severe.

''It's something we need to look at in rugby league going forward.''

Greenberg said last night he against the move in theory but the NRL would listen to any way of improving the game.

''We will not place a complete ban on a third man in a tackle. (But) we have listened to a range of different opinions and will ultimately make a decision with the games best interests,'' he said.

''We will consult with the competition committee in our next meeting in early December and then any recommendations will go to the commission in late December.''

Manly coach Geoff Toovey argued the three-man ban would be difficult for referees to police.Toovey did want to see an end to the cannonball tackle.

"I think everyone agrees we could do without that tackle in the game but I'm not so sure about the three-man rule,'' Toovey said.

"I can't see it working. I don't think you could stop players coming in to help a tackle being made.

"You might need to in order to put a player to ground or stop an offload."


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ban-gang-tackles/story-fni3fbgz-1226762000073
 
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I do agree with steve price that it would speed the game up an probably should be banned, but i think its too early for him to call for anything lol
 
I'd love to see it put to trial and a few different methods of policing it tried out. Hopefully in a few years they will have found something that works and it can be introduced to the game.
 
Limiting the tackle number to just 2 would be a disaster. Basically any big forward over 115kg would be unstoppable. Kasiano and G Burgess would be the best players in the comp.
 
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I'm not a fan of limiting rules like these. A team should be able to go into any tackle with as much or little tacklers as they want. Limiting to two tacklers also makes the offload highly less effective.
 
Aidos said:
Limiting the tackle number to just 2 would be a disaster. Basically any big forward over 115kg would be unstoppable. Kasiano and G Burgess would be the best players in the comp.
Click to expand...

I agree, and it would be impossible to enforce, Imaging defending your own goal line watching 2 players struggle as Gallen is motoring his way over to score.
 
Moylan still not number one

By Matt Encarnacion
NRL.com
6:30am Mon 18th November, 2013

35151_20_1.jpg

Lachlan Coote may be gone but Matt Moylan is facing a battle for the Panthers fullback spot on two new fronts in 2014.


He is finally in the top squad and incumbent fullback Lachlan Coote is long gone, but Penrith young gun Matt Moylan admits he still hasn't gotten the No. 1 jersey at the club.

Moylan, 22, became the face of the problematic second tier salary cap saga last season, limited to just 13 first grade games.

The St Clair junior would not have featured at all if not for injuries to Coote and team-mate Wes Naiqama. But because Moylan wasn't in Penrith's top 25 players, the club was restricted by the cap in how many times it could play him.

Moylan returned to training this week as part of the Panthers' first grade squad, and admitted the drama surrounding his playing status affected his development.

"It was tough. I tried not to think about it too much and just left it in the hands of my manager and the club, but it was pretty frustrating," he told NRL.com.

"At least I know it's not going to happen again next year."

No sooner has he joined the top squad, however, that Moylan is now facing stiff competition for the fullback spot from new recruit Kevin Naiqama and rising 18-year-old star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Moylan said that with his controversial rookie season behind him, the upcoming off-season was crucial for him to get bigger and better.

"The coaching staff want me to get stronger and fix things up with my defence," Moylan said.

"In the games I did play last season, I can take a fair bit out of it in terms of getting used to the speed and physicality of it.

"I just need to step it up this season. Getting stronger and improving my fitness, those are my main goals over the pre-season."

Also key is the presence of Watene-Zelezniak, who Moylan believes will play first grader sooner rather than later.

"He's a strong ball runner, and he's pretty quick too. He's a bit of a freak," Moylan said.

"He had a good year last year, helping the under-20s boys win the competition.

"I've just got to stay on my toes. There's a bit of competition, but that's a good thing. It makes you work harder."

Moylan says Penrith's strong recruitment drive, particularly the pick-ups of experienced halves Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace, will hasten his development.

"They'll be a massive help. They'll steer us around the park a bit more and once we get a bit of a combination going, then I think my footy and the team's footy will go to another level," he said.

"We had a pretty solid year last year. We finished the season strong so if we can build off that, then we're going well."


http://www.nrl.com/moylan-still-not-number-one/tabid/10874/newsid/75402/default.aspx
 
rhugh89 said:
New Penrith recruit Tyrone Peachey could leave New South Wales Blues feeling Peachy


  • NATHAN RYAN
  • FOX SPORTS
  • NOVEMBER 13, 2013 12:38PM

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Former Sharks player Tyrone Peachey makes a break on his debut against Canberra. Source: News Limited


PENRITH supremo Phil Gould believes Tyrone Peachey could be a future New South Wales Origin star, declaring he has the potential to fill the void Craig Wing left four years ago.

Having joined the Panthers on a two-year-deal, the 22-year-old nephew of Cronulla legend David Peachey is a key signing for the mountain men.According to Gould, his potential extends beyond the confines of first grade.

"Tyrone is a special talent," Gould told Foxsports.com.au.

"Personally I think he has the potential to go beyond NRL and even play Origin football so he was a key recruit for us.

"I think since Craig Wing left Australia, New South Wales have struggled for that impact bench player and I think Tyrone Peachey could be the answer for them in the next couple of years and I wanted to be a part of that development.

"I wanted him to be a part of the Panthers because he plays the type of football our coach Ivan Cleary likes to play."

​
Wing played 13 State of Origin games for the Blues and while Peachey is only seven games into his NRL career, his future is bright.

A resourceful player, Peachey can player a number of roles from five-eighth to lock. Peachey says his preferred position is lock but Gould says he will not be restricted to just one role.

"His versatility is a great strength, he is a player you can put out anywhere," Gould said.

"I can see him playing predominantly in the back row for the Panthers but he'll be schooled in many different positions and roles and I think that's important going ahead from an Origin perspective.

"Again I refer back to Craig Wing, I don't think we've had a bench player for NSW as good as Wing since he retired and I know my time coaching back there his impact was imperative to our success and I think Peachey can have the same affect for them.

"Having left Cronulla after making his NRL debut for the Sharks in round 10 of the 2013 season, Peachey says the persistence Gould and Ivan Cleary showed in wanting to acquire his services was the deal-clincher.

963657-2a51761e-4c00-11e3-95c1-9e9b6c573736.jpg

Raiders vs Sharks at Canberra Stadium. Sharks Tyrone Peachey Source: News Limited


"It was a big decision leaving Cronulla - I had been there since I was 16," Peachey told Foxsports.com.au.

"I grew up with the club and I could see I got used to Cronulla… the thing that made me change was Ivan and Gus were really keen to have me. They were calling me almost every day and calling my manger.

"You could see they were keen to have me. It's not that Cronulla didn't want me but they weren't as keen. I needed to start fresh."

The 2011 Toyota Cup lock of the year has moved into a house with his girlfriend which is close to the stadium.

While Peachey says he is not much of a personal goal setter, he has a list of achievements which includes adding some more weight to his 94kg frame and playing representative football, like Gould predicts he will.

"My first goal is to cement a spot in first grade and if everything goes well hopefully play City versus Country and hopefully NSW and Australia like (Andrew) Fifita," he said.

962265-66c747d6-4c00-11e3-95c1-9e9b6c573736.jpg

NRL Toyota Cup Team of the year announcement - Cronulla player Tyrone Peachey with his Uncle, David Peachey. Source: News Limited


Having left the Sharks, a club where his famous uncle built a legacy, both Peachey and Gould agreed that forging his own identity had nothing to do with him becoming a Panther.

"His name could have been Billy Smith for all I cared. All I was interested in was his ability," Gould said.

"We saw him as a key recruit. The Peachey name or the fact he was at Cronulla had nothing to do with it."


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s-feeling-peachy/story-fni3gfvk-1226758963713
Click to expand...

Gould doesn't think much about Gidley then
 
packo said:
I wouldn't call fiddle yam impact player, I wouldn't even call Craig wing that.
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Fiddle yam! :lol:

Wing was pretty underrated, I reckon he usually had a huge impact when he came into games off the bench. Gidley's strength is more that he covers a multitude of positions, than having a big impact when he does come on.
 
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