2014 NRL Discussion

Big finish gets Broncos home in thriller

By Matt Harris, Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
9:40pm Sat 19th July, 2014

The Broncos have snapped a three-game losing streak with a thrilling 28-22 victory over the Warriors in a see-sawing contest in front over 37,000 fans that came out in force to support RiseForAlex Round.

Brisbane overcame an early 12-0 deficit after as many minutes to hold the lead 16-12 heading into half-time.

The Warriors led 22-18 midway through the second half until two tries to Dale Copley, who finished the match with 209 metres and four line breaks, broke the game open for Brisbane.

Despite a late charge by a desperate Warriors side, the Broncos defence manage to hold strong even though they were made to face four of the last six sets of the match.

With Jack Reed, Daniel Vidot and Corey Oates all omitted on match eve after a mid-week night out on the town, Anthony Griffin brought in an untested left-edge combination of Copley and Jordan Kahu, with the latter playing in his first NRL match of the season.

The Warriors first cracked Brisbane's line in the fourth minute when skipper Simon Mannering strolled over the line after being sent through a hole by Chad Townsend.

Shaun Johnson's reliable right boot took the visitors' lead out to 6-0, but that lead was soon to be doubled six minutes later through the dangerous Sam Tomkins.

Utilising a staggering 81 per cent of possession in the opening 10 minutes, a strong run by back-rower Ben Henry had the Broncos on the back foot, which enabled Tomkins to catch Brisbane napping by darting over the line from dummy half.

Johnson took the Warriors out to a 12-0 advantage with his conversion to leave the Broncos wondering when they'd touch the ball again.

Sam Thaiday managed to earn his side a penalty in the 14th minute, allowing the home side their first opportunity to attack the opposition line.

From the resulting set a Corey Parker short-ball to Ben Hannant saw the big blonde bopper crash over the try line from close range to take the score to 12-6 after Parker's conversion.

The visitors threated to extend their lead back to 12 points in the 25th minute after it appeared that Tomkins had crossed the chalk, however the English international was denied by a desperate try-saving tackle by stand-in fullback Hoffman, who swapped positions with Ben Barba prior top kick-off.

Brisbane then received a relieving penalty in the next set due to high contact on Andrew McCullough by Konrad Hurrell, allowing the home side to force a line-dropout and go on the attack again.

Chancing their arm on the last, Brisbane couldn't muster an opening in the Warriors' defensive line, but back-to-back mistakes by the New Zealanders in their next two sets allowed the Broncos to strike back with a try to Ben Hunt.

The in-form halfback received the ball from dummy half 20 metres out and decided to take on the Warriors defence, beating both Johnson and Tomkins to score his eighth try of the season.

Parker ensured Hunt's clever work was rewarded by nailing the conversion to lock the score up at 12-12.

With the Warriors slacking off in the final minutes of the first half, the Broncos pounced with a try to winger Kahu in the 39th minute after the 23-year-old received a cut-out pass from Hunt to sneak over in the corner.

Parker's conversion hit the right post to leave the scoreboard favouring the Broncos by 16-12 at the break.

Brisbane's half-time lead lasted all of two minutes as the Warriors took full advantage of a Broncos mistake from a bomb allowing Ben Henry to cross out wide from the resulting set.

Johnson couldn't direct his conversion on target, keeping the score at 16-16.

As quick as the Broncos surrendered their lead they regained it just as fast via a Parker penalty goal, which took the score to 18-16 in the 46th minute.

Just as the home side looked like posting further points, a fortuitous penalty gifted them prime field position and they didn't take long to make Brisbane pay.

Sweeping the ball out to the left, the Steeden found Ben Henry once again and the 22-year-old set course for the line to post his second four-pointer of the night despite the attention of three Broncos covering defenders.

Shaun Johnson coolly slotted the extra points to hand the Kiwis a 22-18 lead in the 53rd minute.

A brief break in play to attend to a concussed Todd Lowrie allowed both sides a breather as the margin remained at four points heading into the final 20 minutes.

Brisbane were the first side to snare points after the break in play when Dale Copley snuck over in the corner for his 13th try of the season.

Copley soon made that 14 tries for the year when he scored his second try of the night less than three minutes after his first.

When Parker struck the conversion from out wide, the Broncos had turned a four-point deficit into a 28-22 lead inside the space of four minutes.

The Warriors kept attacking Brisbane's line in the final five minutes with the Broncos' lack of ball control allowing the visitors multiple chances at squaring the ledger.

However, much to the relief of their fans, the Broncos managed to hold on to snap a three-game losing streak and more importantly keep them in touch with the top eight.


Brisbane Broncos - 28 (Dale Copley 2, Ben Hannant, Ben Hunt, Jordan Kahu tries; Corey Parker 4 goals)

Defeated

New Zealand Warriors - 22 (Ben Henry 2, Simon Mannering, Sam Tomkins tries; Shaun Johnson 3 goals)


Crowd: 37,082


http://www.nrl.com/big-finish-gets-broncos-home-in-thriller/tabid/10874/newsid/80368/default.aspx
 
This is the injury that has ruled Cory Paterson out for a while...OUCH !!

PatersonSMALL-700x933.jpg



http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/ouch-cory-patersons-gory-injury/
 
I was gonna say how on earth did he manage that during a game of league, but the cut is from the surgery to reattach the tendon, I take it?

Looks nasty as, anyway!
 
jamesgould said:
I was gonna say how on earth did he manage that during a game of league, but the cut is from the surgery to reattach the tendon, I take it?

Looks nasty as, anyway!
Click to expand...

According to the article he did it in the Round 10 game against the Sharks

It was a dislocation / break so yes the incision would be from surgery

Tore the tendon off the bone !!
 
Last edited:
Tiger cubs come to party against Bulldogs

By Matt Encarnacion, Western Sydney Correspondent
NRL.com
5:10pm Sun 20th July, 2014


The Wests Tigers much-heralded next generation – together with veteran Keith Lulia – took the Bulldogs to school with an entertaining 46-18 thumping at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

It was the ultimate coming of age party for the Tigers' raft of youngsters, with rookie fullback Mitch Moses overcoming a groin injury to help set up six of his side's eight tries, while 27-year-old winger Keith Lulia bagged a career-high four tries.

From trailing 18-16 at half time the Tigers did all of the damage in a second half avalanche, crossing for six unanswered tries and halting a worrying two-game slide to stay within striking distance of the top eight.

For the Bulldogs, their worst defensive performance of the season snapped a three game winning streak and wasted an opportunity to jump Manly to the top of the table.

From the moment Moses burst through the NRL's best defensive wall in the first minute, you knew this was going to be one of the great advertisements of dry weather football or, as the great Ray Warren put it, "like watching a fast game of tennis."

For at least the first half.

On the back of Moses' stunning start it was the home side that could've broken first, but Pat Richards' swivelled into the corner post and over the sideline.

So it was left to the Bulldogs to draw first blood, fullback Mitch Brown breaking into the backfield on a Sam Kasiano offload.

And after he was corralled by Moses with 20m to go, the Bulldogs immediately went left and took the early 6-0 lead on Krisnan Inu's second try of the season.

But Brown went from hero to villain in a matter of seconds, fumbling the kickoff and watching Tigers second-rower Bodene Thompson charging over on Blake Austin's double-pump not long after.

On a fast ANZ Stadium track, it was like the Tigers of yesteryear when an ad lib Robbie Farah grubber again proved too hot for Brown, who would've searched high and low for the nearest hole after the Tigers' rehearsed right side shift ended in right winger Keith Lulia crossing for the first of his four tries.

However not only did the visitors get the match back on serve when halfback Trent Hodkinson's little 17th minute dink behind the line bounced up for him to put Lafai over, but they also had the advantage when the biggest sweeper in rugby league history, Sam Kasiano, channelled his inner Darius Boyd and fired a cutout for wingman Corey Thompson on a right side shift three minutes later.

Just as the Bulldogs looked to be gathering momentum though, the Tigers returned serve with another sweeping movement – they were obviously targeting the inexperienced defensive combination of Tony Williams and Inu – giving Lulia his first career double and keeping the deficit to a reachable two points at halftime.

What began as a first career double turned into a first career hat-trick for Lulia when yet another Mitch Brown mistake – from a Kasiano offload on the first hit-up of the second half – set the 27-year-old up for his third try on a sublime Chris Lawrence tip-on.

But the former Knight, would you believe, still wasn't done.

After a Moses grubber was placed perfectly for second-rower Curtis Sironen to take a 24-18 lead, Lulia defied his standing as the third oldest player in the Tigers line-up by equalling the club record four tries in one game with a supremely athletic one-handed putdown millimetres inside the goal post in the 55th minute.

A stunned Bulldogs side could only watch as the Tigers went back-to-back-to-back-to-back, Austin finally getting an opposition big man to fall from a dummy and offload for Moses who drew the fullback and put Brooks over, before props Aaron Woods and James Gavet finished the rout with tries in the 71st and 80th minutes.

Hodkinson (lifting) and Josh Jackon (tripping) were both put on report in the first half, while Austin will also have a case to answer for a high shot on Drury Low in the 47th minute.


Wests Tigers - 46 (Lulia 4, Thompson, Sironen, Brooks, Woods, Gavet tries; Moses 2, Richards 3 goals)

Defeated

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs -18 (Inu, Lafai, Thompson tries; Hodkinson 3 goals)


Crowd: 22,225


http://www.nrl.com/tiger-cubs-come-to-party-against-bulldogs/tabid/10874/newsid/80380/default.aspx
 
Bulldogs prop Tim Browne is facing two months on the sidelines with a fractured skull


  • AAP
  • JULY 21, 2014 6:08PM

CANTERBURY prop Tim Browne is facing one-to-two months on the sidelines after being diagnosed with a fractured skull.

The 26-year-old was taken to hospital after suffering the injury to his forehead in the side’s 46-18 loss against the Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

Browne underwent scans and was discharged from hospital on Sunday night but will not know the extent of the injury until he consults a specialist on Wednesday.

Bulldogs head physiotherapist Steve McCullagh told the club’s website Browne will likely need surgery.

He said Browne was facing a recovery time of four-to-eight weeks but the full picture would not be known until Browne received further advice from doctors.

“It’s what we call a depressed fracture to his skull, it sounds really nasty ... Up on your forehead there’s two layers of your skull there, he’s cracked through that first layer and it is a depressed fracture which means it’s fallen back,” McCullagh said.

“Most likely Tim will need some surgery, it’s a little bit similar to when they have fractured cheekbones — they pop it back out, put it into alignment and put a plate across the area.”


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-fractured-skull/story-fni3g67w-1226996516018
 
Sea Eagles rally to down Dragons

By Dan Walsh
NRL.com
9:10pm Mon 21st July, 2014

The wolves may be at Manly's door, but as has been the case throughout 2014 it counted for little where it mattered most, as the Sea Eagles rallied against worrying pre-game rumours to post a solid 21-12 victory over the Dragons at Jubilee Oval.

With reports surfacing minutes before kickoff that superstars Brett Stewart and Anthony Watmough had asked for releases from the club in recent weeks off the back of the same rumours circulating about veteran centre Steve Matai, the Sea Eagles did enough to get the job done on Monday night.

Stewart and Matai in particular were instrumental in turning the Dragons’ right edge into an autobahn, repeatedly targeting a defensive combination of Benji Marshall and Josh Dugan that proved softer than microwaved marshmallow for three tries, while Watmough was typically bullish in making 139 metres and 20 tackles in his return from suspension.

The Sea Eagles fifth win from their last six matches will do little to dispel the talk of player mutiny on the Northern beaches, but it does install them two points clear at the top of the NRL tree, while the Dragons slip down to 12th behind the Titans on points differential.

Dragons five-eighth Gareth Widdop was the first to trouble the scorers with an early penalty goal from 25 metres out, but despite the home side enjoying the lion's share of territory and possession in the first 15 minutes it was Manly who crossed the stripe for first and second four-pointers of the match, with their opening tries seemingly rolling off a production line.

Locking the GPS firmly onto the Dragons number 7, Manly's left side trio of Kieran Foran, Stewart and Matai linked twice in the space of three minutes with the same second man play manoeuvring Matai to the outside of Marshall on both occasions, resulting in Matai's 12th try of the year and his younger Kiwi teammate following suit again to push the Sea Eagles up 10-2 after 23 minutes.

Matai's exit just short of the half hour mark with a suspected right knee injury did little to halt the Sea Eagles’ surge, as first Foran and then hooker Matt Ballin forced repeat sets through probing kicks.

With the Dragons’ indecisiveness on their line making Manly's left side shifts resemble little more than those conducted in training runs, only a contentious obstruction call denied the visitors a third to fill-in centre Tom Symonds in the 34th minute.

Having been on the receiving end, Marshall returned fire in the shadows of halftime, strolling through a worryingly large gap in the Manly goal line defence thanks to a simple ball from halves partner Widdop.

Marshall's first try in the red and white remarkably reduced the Sea Eagle's lead to just two at the break, an incredible effort from the home side given the battering they had taken.

As Matai re-entered the fray minutes after halftime it was Manly's turn under the microscope, with only the desperate diving effort of Jorge Taufua preventing opposite number Jason Nightingale from touching down a deft grubber from Dugan.

But it was the boot and then the slick hands of Daly Cherry-Evans that ensured the Sea Eagles were the next to score, as the Maroons halfback first piled the pressure on the Dragons’ back three with a booming kick in the 52nd minute, and then once an error was forced from returning winger Brett Morris, put Tom Symonds through the line to re-establish a 16-8 advantage for the visitors.

Adopting the mantra of 'when in doubt, go left', Foran and Stewart again combined at the Dragons’ line in the 61st minute, this time sending Taufua across for his ninth try from 10 games this season and stretching their lead to two converted tries.

Playing with the confidence of a side that had dropped just one of its last five starts the Dragons refused to die, at one point forcing four repeat sets in the space of five minutes, only for Cherry-Evans to regain possession with a wobbly 73rd minute line drop-out that bounced over the sideline.

Popping a late 20 metre field goal from the ensuing set, Cherry-Evans ensured there would be no last minute heroics from the home side, despite a typically spectacular 77th minute touchdown from Jason Nightingale.


Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - 21 (S Matai, K Foran T Symonds, J Taufua tries; J Lyon 2 goals, D Cherry-Evans field goal)

Defeated

St. George-Illawarra Dragons - 12 (B Marshall, J Nightingale tries; G Widdop 2 goals


Crowd:10,530


http://www.nrl.com/sea-eagles-rally-to-down-dragons/tabid/10874/newsid/80412/default.aspx
 
Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp applies for AVO against former teammate Terry Leabeater


  • JOSH MASSOUD, EXCLUSIVE
  • THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
  • JULY 22, 2014 8:02AM

PARRAMATTA chairman Steve Sharp has applied for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against former teammate and 1986 grand final winner, Terry Leabeater.

In latest bout of drama to beset the perennially dysfunctional Eels, two police officers served Leabeater with AVO documents yesterday.

The Daily Telegraph has sighted Sharp’s application for the AVO, which will be heard in Parramatta Local on 5 August.

Sharp is seeking to have Leabeater excluded from coming within 100 metres of Parramatta Leagues Club for the next two years.

The documents claim Sharp felt threatened and harassed after a series of exchanges with Leabeater through April and May.

The exchanges occurred after Sharp moved to have Leabeater’s membership suspended, and included a fiery confrontation at the Club AGM on 5 May that ended with Leabeater being escorted from the premises.

It’s not the first time an AVO has been sought to separate warring rugby league identities.

Last September Manly director Peter Peters applied for one against fellow board member Darrell Williams.

It was withdrawn in February.Leabeater and Sharp are on opposite sides of Parramatta’s political fault line, which has been volatile ever since Roy Spagnolo’s 3P ticket won control of the club in 2009.

Sharp ousted Spagnolo at the 2013 elections, with Leabeater claiming he congratulated the winners that very night and wished them luck.

A year later his relationship with Sharp had deteriorated.

In mid-April the pair exchanged some terse e-mails, before Leabeater sent Sharp a furious text message on 15 April, which berated him for public remarks about Spagnolo.

It read in part:

“You are a f...ing disgrace degenerating the greatest asset financially this club has ever had. “

You are an insecure little man who tells lies for personal gain and I am now your worst enemy . . .”
Click to expand...

In the AVO documents, Sharp claims he immediately commenced disciplinary proceedings against Leabeater and sent him a letter advising that his membership had been provisionally suspended until 16 October 2014.

Leabeater claims he never received the letter, thus explaining his attendance at the AGM a few weeks later.

Leabeater also says he was able to secure a replacement membership card from the front desk, having lost his old one.

He was given a voting paddle and proceeded to the meeting room, only to be confronted by club security a short time later and asked to leave.

Leabeater did so, but not before approaching Sharp with a parting verbal volley.

He also tossed the voting paddle in the chairman’s direction.

On 22 May Leabeater’s membership was suspended for five years.

On 28 May Leabeater sent Sharp another angry text message, following revelations in the press that morning, which linked the previous regime to tampering with memberships.

Sharp’s board has embarked on a long-running probe into the previous administration, forwarding certain findings to the NSW Government.

In the AVO document, Sharp says he is planning to send a letter advising Leabeater of his suspension, and is concerned it will result in further threats and harassment.

If granted the order would prevent Leabeater from contacting Sharp by any means, except via his own legal representative.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-terry-leabeater/story-fni3ga7r-1226996942347
 
Official Team Lists Round 20

NRL.com
4:00pm Tue 22nd July, 2014


BRONCOS V STORM - FRI 25 JULY, 7.40PM (LOCAL), SUNCORP STADIUM

Broncos

1. Josh Hoffman
2. Lachlan Maranta
3. Dale Copley
4. Justin Hodges (c)
5. Jordan Kahu
6. Ben Barba
7. Ben Hunt
8. Josh McGuire
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Corey Parker (c)
11. Alex Glenn
12. Matt Gillett
13. Sam Thaiday

14. Jake Granville
15. Ben Hannant
16. Martin Kennedy
17. Todd Lowrie
18. Jarrod Wallace
19. Jack Reed
20. Corey Oates
21. Daniel Vidot

Coach: Anthony Griffin

Storm

1. Billy Slater
2. Sisa Waqa
3. William Chambers
4. Mahe Fonua
5. Marika Koroibete
6. Ben Roberts
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Bryan Norrie
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Ryan Hinchcliffe

14. Tim Glasby
15. Tohu Harris
16. Kenny Bromwich
17. Jordan McLean
18. Dayne Weston
19. Young Tonumaipea

Coach: Craig Bellamy

PANTHERS V SHARKS - SAT 26 JULY, 3PM (LOCAL), CARRINGTON PARK

Panthers

1. Matt Moylan
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Dean Whare
4. Jamal Idris
5. Kevin Naiqama
6. Jamie Soward
7. Peter Wallace
8. Nigel Plum
9. James Segeyaro
10. Brent Kite
11. Bryce Cartwright
12. Isaah Yeo
13. Elijah Taylor

14. Lewis Brown
15. Jeremy Latimore
16. Adam Docker
17. Sam McKendry
23. Sika Manu

Coach: Ivan Cleary

Sharks

1. Michael Gordon
2. Sosaia Feki
3. Jonathan Wright
4. Ricky Leutele
5. Jacob Gagan
6. Fa'amanu Brown
7. Jeff Robson
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Michael Lichaa
10. Bryce Gibbs
11. Luke Lewis
12. Wade Graham (c)
13. Anthony Tupou

14. Pat Politoni
15. Chris Heighington
16. Tinirau Arona
17. Sam Tagataese
18. Tim Robinson
19. Matt Prior

Coach: James Shepard

TITANS V EELS - SAT 26 JULY, 5:30PM (LOCAL), CBUS SUPER STADIUM

Titans

1. Kevin Gordon
2. Anthony Don
3. James Roberts
4. Dave Taylor
5. Kalifa Faifai Loa
6. Brad Takairangi
7. Daniel Mortimer
8. Luke Douglas
9. Beau Falloon
10. Nate Myles (c)
11. Mark Minichiello
12. Paul Carter
13. Greg Bird (c)

14. Matthew White
15. Mark Ioane
16. Tom Kingston
17. Maurice Blair
18. Cody Nelson

Coach: John Cartwright

Eels

1. Jarryd Hayne (c)
2. Semi Radradra
3. Ryan Morgan
4. Willie Tonga
5. Vai Toutai
6. Corey Norman
7. Chris Sandow
8. Junior Paulo
9. Issac De Gois
10. Fuifui Moimoi
11. Kenny Edwards
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. David Gower

14. Joseph Paulo
15. Peni Terepo
16. Pauli Pauli
17. Ben Smith

Coach: Brad Arthur

BULLDOGS V COWBOYS - SAT 26 JULY, 7:30PM (LOCAL), ANZ STADIUM

Bulldogs

1. Mitch Brown
2. Corey Thompson
3. Josh Morris
4. Tim Lafai
5. Drury Low
6. Moses Mbye
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Sam Kasiano
9. Michael Ennis (c)
10. James Graham
11. Josh Jackson
12. Tony Williams
13. Greg Eastwood

14. Reni Maitua
15. Dale Finucane
16. Pat O'Hanlon
17. Lloyd Perrett
20. Damien Cook

Coach: Des Hasler

Cowboys

1. Michael Morgan
2. Matthew Wright
3. Tautau Moga
4. Kane Linnett
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Robert Lui
7. Johnathan Thurston (c)
8. Ashton Sims
9. Rory Kostjasyn
10. James Tamou
11. Tariq Sims
12. Jason Taumalolo
13. Glenn Hall

14. Ray Thompson
15. Scott Bolton
16. John Asiata
17. Sam Hoare

Coach: Paul Green

WARRIORS V SEA EAGLES - SUN 27 JULY, 2:00PM (NZ LOCAL), MT SMART STADIUM

Warriors

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ngani Laumape
3. Konrad Hurrell
4. Dane Nielsen
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Chad Townsend
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jacob Lillyman
9. Nathan Friend
10. Sueaia Matagi
11. Ben Henry
12. Simon Mannering (c)
13. Sebastine Ikahihifo

14. Feleti Mateo
15. Ben Matulino
16. Jayson Bukuya
17. Thomas Leuluai
20. Sam Rapira

Coach: Andrew McFadden

Sea Eagles

1. Brett Stewart
2. Jorge Taufua
3. Jamie Lyon
4. Steve Matai
5. Peta Hiku
6. Kieran Foran
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Josh Starling
9. Matt Ballin
10. Brenton Lawrence
11. Anthony Watmough
12. Jamie Buhrer
13. Tom Symonds

14. Jesse Sene-Lefao
15. Dunamis Lui
16. James Hasson
17. Jason King

Coach: Geoff Toovey

WESTS TIGERS V DRAGONS - SUN 27 JULY, 3:00PM, ANZ STADIUM

Wests Tigers

1. Mitchell Moses
2. Keith Lulia
3. Tim Simona
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Pat Richards
6. Blake Austin
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah (c)
10. Keith Galloway
11. Curtis Sironen
12. Bodene Thompson
13. Adam Blair

14. Ava Seumanufagai
15. Martin Taupau
16. Dene Halatau
17. James Gavet
18. Sauaso Sue

Coach: Mick Potter

Dragons

1. Adam Quinlan
2. Brett Morris
3. Josh Dugan
4. Gerard Beale
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Benji Marshall
8. Ben Creagh (c)
9. Mitch Rein
10. Mike Cooper
11. Leeson Ah Mau
12. Joel Thompson
13. Jack de Belin

14. Bronson Harrison
15. Shane Pumipi
16. Will Matthews
17. Jack Stockwell
19. Nathan Green
24. Charly Runicman

Coach: Paul McGregor

RAIDERS V RABBITOHS - MON 28 JULY, 7:00PM (LOCAL), GIO STADIUM

Raiders

1. Anthony Milford
2. Reece Robinson
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Jarrad Kennedy
5. Sami Sauiluma
6. Terry Campese (c)
7. Josh McCrone
8. David Shillington
9. Glen Buttriss
10. Brett White
11. Josh Papalii
12. Joel Edwards
13. Shaun Fensom

14. Kurt Baptiste
15. Paul Vaughan
16. Dane Tilse
17. Shannon Boyd
18. Matt Allwood

Coach: Ricky Stuart

Rabbitohs

1. Greg Inglis
2. Alex Johnston
3. Kirisome Auva'a
4. Dylan Walker
5. Bryson Goodwin
6. John Sutton (c)
7. Adam Reynolds
8. George Burgess
9. Issac Luke
10. Dave Tyrrell
11. Kyle Turner
12. Ben Te'o
13. Sam Burgess

14. Luke Keary
15. Ben Lowe
16. Jason Clark
17. Thomas Burgess
18. Joe Picker
19. Joel Reddy

Coach: Michael Maguire


http://www.nrl.com/News/WeeklyFeatures/OfficialTeamLists/tabid/10998/Default.aspx



 
Raiders assistant coach Parish exits

By Dan Walsh
NRL.com
11:00am Wed 23rd July, 2014

The Raiders can add 'assistant coach' to their lengthy shopping list, with support staffer Matt Parish being granted an immediate release to return to Sydney for personal reasons.

Parish, who followed Ricky Stuart from the Eels to the nation's capital last year as part of his coaching staff, was contracted to the Raiders until the end of 2016, but will instead return to Sydney in a bid to find employment closer to his family next year.

Raiders CEO Don Furner confirmed the club and Parish had reached a mutual agreement to part ways after the former Tigers utility informed management of his intentions to leave upon returning from NSW's successful Origin campaign where he acted as Laurie Daley's assistant.

“Matt sought an early release from the final year of his contract for family reasons and the Raiders were sympathetic to that request," Furner said.

"Both parties agreed it was important for this to happen now to minimise the disruption to the team and maximise the chances of Matt securing his coaching future and the Raiders finding a suitable replacement.

"Matt has been a fantastic asset for us this season and we wish him all the best for his future in the game.”


http://www.nrl.com/raiders-assistant-coach-parish-exits/tabid/10874/newsid/80451/default.aspx
 
NRL Late Mail: Josh Mansour and Paul Gallen no chance, Konrad Hurrell in doubt


  • TOM SANGSTER
  • NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA NETWORK
  • JULY 24, 2014 5:00PM

Friday, Jul 25, Broncos v Storm, Suncorp Stadium, NINE, 7:40pm

Matt Gillett (ankle) has been cleared to return for the Broncos. Decisions are yet to be made on Jack Reed, Daniel Vidot and Corey Oates, who were named on an extended bench after being stood down last week over a booze drama.

However, coach Anthony Griffin said he won’t be moving Lachlan Maranta or Dale Copley, meaning Reed (ankle) is unlikely to play as he battles an injury picked up in Queensland Cup.

However, expect Vidot to come onto the wing for Jordan Kahu, while Martin Kennedy will miss out for Oates.

The Storm travelled on Thursday morning and held their final training session in the afternoon.

They expect no changes.

Saturday, Jul 26, Panthers v Sharks, Carrington Park, Bathurst, FOX, 3.00pm

Peter Wallace (knee, ankle) has trained all week and will return.

Josh Mansour (ankle) has started light running, but did not travel with the squad to Bathurst on Wednesday and is aiming for next week.

David Simmons (knee) was named to return from injury in NSW Cup.

He also failed to travel with the NRL side and will arrive with the reserves team on Friday, suggesting young gun Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will retain his NRL wing spot.

The Sharks will cull their 19-man side after Friday morning’s final training session, before leaving for Bathurst at lunch time.

Despite reports suggesting Paul Gallen (bicep) will be a shock inclusion, the Sharks say their skipper is “absolutely no chance” and he may even miss next round.

Chris Heighington (calf) has been cleared to return.

Saturday, Jul 26, Titans v Eels, Robina Stadium, FOX, 5:30pm

The Titans have all 18 players fit, with Greg Bird and Cody Nelson (both suspension) returning and Beau Falloon (calf) cleared.

Albert Kelly (cork, bone bruising) hasn’t been named and won’t return early.

Aidan Sezer (pectoral) is progressing well and will likely be fit in a fortnight, although he may return through Queensland Cup.

Backline aces William Zillman and David Mead (both hamstring) are aiming for next week.

Will Hopoate and Tim Mannah (both shoulder) are edging closer to returns and could be late inclusions, although the Eels say they expect to be unchanged.

Saturday, Jul 26, Bulldogs v Cowboys, ANZ Stadium, FOX, 7:30pm

Josh Morris (knee) is again in doubt for the Bulldogs and will be given until game day.

Chase Stanley and Sam Perrett (both knee) are close to returns, but will likely be saved until next week.

The Cowboys have their final training run on Friday morning before flying down to Sydney in the afternoon.

They have no injury concerns and expect to be 1-17.

Sunday, Jul 27, Warriors v Sea Eagles, Mt Smart Stadium, FOX, 2:00pm (EST), 4:00pm (local)

Konrad Hurrell (concussion) is yet to be cleared by the Warriors. He missed training early in the week, as did Manu Vatuvei, Ben Henry (both knee), Dane Nielsen and Sebastine Ikahihifo.

Sam Rapira (back) has been cleared to return.The Sea Eagles will be unchanged, with James Hasson (concussion) cleared to return.

Sunday, Jul 27, Tigers v Dragons, ANZ Stadium, NINE, 3:00pm

Chris Lawrence (ankle) is the only concern for the Tigers. He is rated a “50-50” chance by the club and will have a final fitness test on Saturday.The Dragons have two sessions remaining.

Trent Merrin (shoulder) had a very light session on Wednesday, although the club says he is more likely for next week.

Dan Hunt (foot) is under observation and could be a late inclusion.

Monday, Jul 28, Raiders v Rabbitohs, GIO Stadium, FOX, 7:00pm

The Raiders have three sessions left but will be unchanged at this stage, with Brenko Lee (hamstring) and Jack Wighton (thumb) aiming for round 22.

The Rabbitohs expect no changes at this stage, with Ben Te’o (suspension) back.

Chris McQueen has begun light running, but medical staff say he will return next week at the earliest.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...hurrell-in-doubt/story-fni3fs14-1227000483146
 
Cronk guides Storm to victory

By Matt Harris, Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
9:52pm Fri 25th July, 2014

The Storm's recent dominance over the Broncos has stretched to seven consecutive games after a comprehensive first half display helped lay the foundation for a 30-8 victory at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The 22-point win sees the Storm move to 24 competition points and leapfrog the Broncos on the ladder to sit in sixth position.

Cooper Cronk was at the heart of everything, with the classy halfback scoring one try and having a hand in three others in another virtuoso Man of the Match performance in front of 36,319 spectators.

Melbourne also celebrated Cameron Smith becoming the highest points-scoring forward in NRL history, overtaking Craig Fitzgibbon's record of 1604 points with five goals to move the Storm skipper to 1607 first-grade points.

The Broncos hadn't defeated the Storm since Round 9, 2010, with that recent superiority looking set to continue after the southerners led 12-0 in the 14th minute.

Brisbane's performance was a spirited one considering the circumstances surrounding the week, where it was confirmed coach Anthony Griffin would depart at the end of the season, but a sloppy completion rate of 66 per cent had the home side constantly on the back foot.

Somehow only trailing 12-4 at half-time after the Storm dominated every facet of the first half, the Broncos had the first attacking foray of the second stanza in the 48th minute, Matt Gillett denied a try in the process.

Four minutes later the Storm had possession deep in Brisbane's territory and made it count when Ryan Hoffman scored his second try after being sent through a gap by Cooper Cronk close to the line. Smith added the extras to take the Storm out to an 18-4 lead in the 54th minute.

A disjointed set by Brisbane in the 62nd minute remarkably led to an Alex Glenn try after a Justin Hodges kick was battered infield by winger Jordan Kahu in the direction of Dale Copley, with Copley then flicking the ball back on the inside for Glenn to swoop on to score Brisbane's second try.

Corey Parker couldn't direct his conversion on target, keeping the score at 18-8 in favour of Melbourne.

Any chance of a Broncos comeback was quickly snuffed out by the Storm as Ryan Hinchcliffe crashed over underneath the posts to take the score out to 24-8. Smith's conversion took the 277-game veteran above Fitzgibbon's points scoring record of 1601 points.

Maestro Cronk was then involved again, running the ball on the last to sneak over in the corner for the Storm's fifth try in the 69th minute. With two minutes remaining Smith added further points with a penalty to take the score to 30-8 at fulltime.

In the first half, the Broncos received the kick-off and punted away possession on the third tackle, allowing the Storm to force line dropout from their first set.

After mounting that initial pressure, Melbourne drew first points after a cross-field kick by Cronk was marked by winger Marika Koroibete who stepped around opposite Lachlan Maranta to score the opening try in the corner.

Smith steered his conversion through the posts to take the Storm out to a 6-0 in the fifth minute.

The Storm maintained their momentum in the opening 10 minutes by dominating the possession count with four consecutive sets before Sisa Waqa was bundled into touch in the fifth set by a determined Broncos defence.

Melbourne doubled their lead after 14 minutes in contentious circumstances when Ryan Hoffman planted the ball down for a try after a no-try decision was initially awarded.

Hoffman had pounced on a loose ball from an aerial contest between Billy Slater and Ben Hunt to claim the try; however there were serious questions as to whether Slater had impeded Hunt while competing for the ball.

The video referee decision to award a try left Brisbane fans and Channel Nine commentators flabbergasted, yet there was little that could be done as the boot of Smith soon took the score out to 12-0.

The Broncos were struggling to see the ball with the Storm having 64 per cent of possession in the opening 25 minutes, but they soon had points on the scoreboard when Dale Copley crossed out wide two minutes later to take the score to 12-4.

For all of the Storm's possession and pressure the Broncos were holding strong with resolute defence, with no better example being Josh Hoffman's try-saving tackle on Cronk in the 35th minute which was originally awarded as a try.

Somehow the Broncos fullback prevented Cronk from placing the ball on single blade of grass to keep the scoreboard untouched.

The southerners received a penalty inside the last two minutes of the half which propelled them into another attacking position, but once again the gritty Broncos kept their defensive line intact to keep the score at 12-4 at half-time.


Melbourne Storm - 30 (Ryan Hoffman 2, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Marika Koroibete tries; Cameron Smith 5 goals)

Defeated

Brisbane Broncos - 8 (Dale Copley, Alex Glenn tries)


Crowd: 36,319


http://www.nrl.com/cronk-guides-storm-to-victory/tabid/10874/newsid/80526/default.aspx
 
Sharks upset Panthers in Bathurst

By Matt Encarnacion, Western Sydney Correspondent
NRL.com
5:16pm Sat 26th July, 2014

A signature barnstorming performance from prop Andrew Fifita has helped Cronulla to an 18-16 upset win over Penrith at Carrington Park in Bathurst.

Rookie winger Jacob Gagan also starred with two tries, as well as saving a certain four-pointer in the dying stages, to hand the Sharks just their fifth win of the season.

But it was a rampant Fifita, who set up two of his team's three tries, that stood out for a Cronulla side that consigned Penrith to consecutive defeats for the first time this year.

By the end of the weekend, the Panthers could fall as low as fourth.

On a sunny afternoon in central-western NSW, the Sharks had the early running from the kick-off, enjoying six of the first seven sets of the game before opening the scoring through Gagan via the boot of halfback Jeff Robson in the 10th minute.

The early blow for the "home" side was exacerbated when, just 16 minutes into his comeback from a knee injury, skipper Peter Wallace limped off clutching his leg.

His exit looked to have immediately sparked the Panthers into action, with their first foray into enemy territory ending in rookie wingman in Dallin Watene-Zelezniak finishing off a slick, 18th-minute right side shift.

But the setback failed to deter the Sharks, who again went the aerial route in the 24th minute for second-rower Wade Graham to tap-back to put fullback Michael Gordon over in the corner for a 10-4 lead.

Cronulla were clearly outpointing their higher-ranked counterparts in the middle of the park, and their ascendency continued when Gordon burst into the backfield and looked likely to score before he was grassed by opposite Matt Moylan.

The Shiremen were in just one play later though, going back-to-back on a blindside call by prop-cum-halfback in Fifita, whose cutout pass led to Gagan's double.

But just as their opponents looked to be running away with the game, Penrith, having regained Wallace late in the half, cut into the deficit with a left-side swing that put Kevin Naiqama into the corner to bring the hosts back within four points at the break.

The Panthers then took the lead for the first time on yet another rehearsed play out of Ivan Cleary's playbook, Wallace and Moylan linking for the third time to send Whare over in the 51st minute.

But just as the Panthers seemed to have taken the ascendency, Cronulla twice denied Penrith on their own line on try-saving tackles from Ricky Leutele and Jeff Robson, before going coast-to-coast on a Fifita bust on halfway that ended in front-row speedster Sam Tagataese recapturing the lead.

The Sharks thought they had secured the win when yet another Robson cross field kick was tapped back by Gagan for Wright, but the referee ruled it was knock-on.

Penrith then went close to stealing it with a movement that twice went the width of the field only for Naiqama desperately taken into touch by Gagan, and the Sharks held on for one of their gustiest victories of the season.


Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks -18 (Gagan 2, Gordon, Tagataese tries; Gordon goal)

Defeated

Penrith Panthers - 16 (Watene-Zelezniak, Naiqama, Whare tries; Soward 2 goals)

Crowd: 8,824


http://www.nrl.com/sharks-upset-panthers-in-bathurst/tabid/10874/newsid/80541/default.aspx
 
Has Dave Taylor found his position? While the Titans haven't been too great, Dave Taylor on a personal level has been fantastic at cente, less defense & more just hard out running.
 
Hayne double inspires Eels triumph

By Tony Webeck, Chief Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
7:39pm Sat 26th July, 2014

A three-try burst in the space of 13 minutes from a Jarryd Hayne-inspired Parramatta has kept the Eels' slim finals hopes alive while at the same time sounding the death knell on a Titans season once again let down by a poor showing at home.

More than 14,000 fans converged on Cbus Super Stadium for the die-or-die encounter but it was those wearing a deeper shade of blue and gold who walked away with belief intact for at least one more week after Hayne turned the game on its head and the Eels triumphed 24-18.

The late inclusions of Will Hopoate, Tim Mannah and Ken Sio gave Parramatta a significant bonus in personnel but it was the sheer brilliance of Hayne and the controlled kicking game of halfback Chris Sandow that always made the Eels look the team more likely.

Hayne's first try was a pure solo effort in the 54th minute when he pushed off on the outside of Titans lock Greg Bird 60 metres from the tryline and then put an in-and-away on fullback Kevin Gordon to score in the south-west corner, Sandow's conversion levelling scores at 12 apiece.

Six minutes later and on the back of penalty for a shepherd by James Roberts, the Eels went deep into Titans territory and two tackles into the set Hayne speared through on a Sandow pass to put his side in front for the first time.

Hayne was at it again in the 69th minute when he instigated another Eels raid with a scything run from deep in his own half, with a grubber from Sandow behind the uprights being spilled by Mortimer and pounced on by Corey Norman.

Roberts added to his own personal highlights reel with a long-range try in the final minute of the game but it was too little, too late for a side that has now won just two games from 10 at home this season.

Although they were first to score in the fifth minute the Titans could credit their gritty defence for an 8-6 half-time advantage after the Eels dominated much of the territory and possession for the majority of the half.

New South Wales Origin rep Will Hopoate was a late inclusion for the Eels but it didn't take long before he was introduced to the runaway 'Coal Train' when a superb cut-out pass from makeshift five-eighth Brad Takairangi found his makeshift centre in Dave Taylor in wide open space close to the Parramatta line for an early shot across the bow.

Titans makeshift goal-kicker Kevin Gordon added the extras but the Eels soon gained the ascendancy with Sandow and Hayne challenging the Titans defence and earning numerous back-to-back sets.

In the 15th minute the Eels wasted an attacking opportunity with a fifth set in succession in the Titans' half but even though the home side's defence was holding strong, a poor kicking game at the other end kept inviting the Eels to try their hand.

Eventually Sandow found a way through in the 19th minute when he held off on a face-ball that hit an unmarked Ken Sio on the wing and the try was awarded despite the suggestion that Sandow had gone behind lead runner Tepai Moeroa in the lead-up.

In the 30th minute the Eels were at it again and when a cross-field kick from Norman was spilled by Ryan Morgan and then grounded by Kenny Edwards the video referee was called upon, confirming the on-field decision of no try.

Two minutes later Semi Radradra wasted a wonderful chance to put his side in front when he failed to grasp a cut-out pass from Edwards with only 88-kilogram Gordon between him and the tryline with possession eventually turning to give the Titans a shot to add to their tally.

Kalifa Faifai Loa looked certain to score in the 35th minute before he was held up in an extraordinary effort from Hopoate, and then two minutes before half-time Gordon gave the Titans a two-point lead with a penalty goal after a strip on Taylor just 10 metres from the Parramatta tryline.

The Titans extended their half-time advantage when half Daniel Mortimer finally got a kick to land on the spot in the 50th minute when a cross-field chip on the third tackle found an unmarked Anthony Don who grounded the ball just inside the dead-ball line.

Although the Titans' makeshift halves, centre and fullback were doing enough to keep their side in front and their defence had absorbed a mountain of pressure in the first 40 minutes, when Hayne put his foot down he proved once again that there are few who can go with him.


Parramatta Eels - 24 (Jarryd Hayne 2, Ken Sio, Corey Norman tries; Chris Sandow 4 goals)

Defeated

Gold Coast Titans - 18 (Dave Taylor, Anthony Don, James Roberts tries; Kevin Gordon 2, Anthony Don goals)


Crowd: 14,175


http://www.nrl.com/hayne-double-inspires-eels-triumph/tabid/10874/newsid/80543/default.aspx
 
Joshhh said:
Has Dave Taylor found his position? While the Titans haven't been too great, Dave Taylor on a personal level has been fantastic at cente, less defense & more just hard out running.
Click to expand...

Gotta admit he has been great since moving to the centres !!



Dave Taylor Stats - Round 19

[TABLE="width: 300"]
[TR]
[TD]RUNS[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]METRES[/TD]
[TD]238[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TACKLE BREAKS[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LINE BREAKS[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]OFFLOADS[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TRY ASSISTS[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LINE BREAK ASSISTS[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TACKLES[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]MISSED TACKLES[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]ERRORS[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PENALTIES CONCEDED[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TRIES[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Dave Taylor Stats - Round 20

[TABLE="width: 300"]
[TR]
[TD]RUNS[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]METRES[/TD]
[TD]161[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TACKLE BREAKS[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LINE BREAKS[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]OFFLOADS[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TRY ASSISTS[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LINE BREAK ASSISTS[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TACKLES[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]MISSED TACKLES[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]ERRORS[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PENALTIES CONCEDED[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TRIES[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
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