Anyone gets a run here!
“Anyone who does not watch rugby league is not a real person.” Sydney millonare John Singleton.
“It must swell you with pride to see your side’s socks running around in a grand final” Andrew Denton to a Illawarra supporter in a thinly veiled attack on mergers as the St George/Illawarra Dragons head into the 1999 Grand Final
“A bomb under the west car park at Twickenham on an international day would end fascism in England for a generation.” Phil Toynbee.
“There was Vinnie Jones’s infamous grab at Paul Gascoigne. Mike Tyson got in on the act by biting a chunk out of Evander Holyfield’s ear. But sport can rarely have had such a bizarre charge as that leveled at rugby league hard man John Hopoate,” English tabloid The Mirror commenting on John Hoppoate’s vile act in 2001 when he stick fingers up oppositions players backsides.
“I think that anybody who witnessed the George Piggins – Malcolm Reilly fight at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1973, the game probably has never seen anything like it.”
“It was an unbelievable incident in which George wouldn’t back down from Reilly, who was the bigger man.” “It ended up with George actually grabbing Malcolm around the eye area with one of his claws, George I believe, later said that he told him that if he didn’t stop he’d pull his eye out, and I think Malcolm Reilly agreed that that was about to happen.” Great League journalists Peter Frilingos and Ian Heads talk about a famous fight between George Piggins and Mal Reilly. I tell you what, I do miss Chippy.
“We’re gonna rock tonight” Billy Idol before the 2002 grand final. An audio problem meant that he never got to sing anything.
“State of Origin is a classic encounter between NSW and Victoria…” Then NSW Premier Bob Carr. Always willing to jump on the winners bandwagon even if he had no idea about sport.
“He’s off, he’s off, he’s off, he’s off” Shayne Hayne when sending David Peachey off in the Sharks biggest ever loss against Parramatta in 2003.
“I think rugby league is a culture to despise.” Melbourne “sports” journalist (See AFL) Patrick Smith puts the boot into Rugby League after the sport battles through a number of unsavory scandals. At the same time the AFL had its own MAJOR cultural problems, but thats Melbourne journalism for you.
“[We’re] fortunate that we don’t have a rugby league culture in our team. I say that with respect to rugby league – I don’t know them all that well but you read and they often have a different make-up. We have traditional rugby schools, it’s very important to us how we prepare for rugby union games. It’s how important the rugby union ethos is.” South African rugby union coach Jake White blaiming Rugby League for poor player behaviour in Australian rugby union ranks. The hypocrisy of such a statement coming out of South Africa is over whelming.
“I’ve been a Souths fan since I was little kid so in the last decade or so, every win is special,” For get Hollywood star, footy fan Russell Crowe explains his love of the Bunnies..
“My reply to your anonymous caller? Whoever he is, he must be an idiot and a sad idiot at that,” Crowe’s written response to a Roosters fan that offered a bet of $250,000 on the Roosters vs Rabbitohs match late in 2004.
“Did the cheque arrive in a paper bag? When will these Roosters blokes learn that it’s not about money? It’s about heart and spirit.” Part of the above statement, Crowe would have the last laugh as the Bunnies beat the Roosters…..which leads to the next quote.
“That sort of thing is irresponsible and ridiculous. Rugby league is an exciting game. It doesn’t require that sort of money on it at all. I hope that guy is sitting at home right now thinking, ‘Thank god Russell isn’t an idiot like me.” Russell Crowe OWN’S™ that Roosters fan in during an interview after the match.
“Eight tries, eight conversions, one drop goal. No penalties landed; not a single one even attempted. What a relief to have a game of rugby uncluttered with pots at goal.” A Rugby Union writer for the Observer in the UK give his thoughts on the 2005 Challenge Cup Final.
“I don’t consider myself a celebrity,” he said. “And I’ve got a great family that makes sure it stays that way. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing union for Australia, they still reckon I’m not good enough to play reserve grade in rugby league.” Australian rugby union “sensation” Matt Giteau knows his place in the world.
“And as to TFF’s reprise of why on earth rugby league has scrums, a reader called Biddle maintains it is “for the same reason men have nipples – presumably they either served a purpose way back in the mists of time [when Adam played halfback for Molong], or they are destined to serve one sometime in the future”. And other readers insisted it was for the same reason that rugby union has a try line – just because!” From an article by that old bastard that writes for the Sydney Morning Herald, Peter Fitzsimons.
“In our game, the world game, is not like other codes – in Aussie Rules you miss, you get a behind. In rugby league you can get a point for a field goal. In our game, you miss by one inch, you get no reward, nothing.” Queensland Roar (Australian soccer club) coach Miron Bleiberg on the ABC’s Grandstand Radio show. Uh….surely the idea of a field goal in Rugby League is that you only get the points if you kick it between the posts. Not that I want to upset another precious but ignorant soccer person!
“There is no question the thing I marvel at is the aggressiveness with which they play without pads. You have to understand, I grew up watching and playing with pads. It’s part of your psyche. It’s hard to imagine the game without them,” Lloyd Carr, University of Michigan gridiron coach gives his opinion on Rugby League after being invited into the South Sydney club by owner Russell Crowe.
“It was rough on us, I’m not going to lie. They showed us the ropes,” Van Alstyne says diplomatically. Thompson added: “But if you are going to compare any game in the world to gridiron, it’s league.” Two promising football stars from the University of Michigan, defensive end Jeremy Van Alstyne and fullback Brian Thompson, after training with the Rabbitohs during the week.
“They are totally different games and there is a different running load,” Matthews said. “They have more physical contact but much less running. And in rugby league you can always see them coming, you know where they are coming from, which is straight in front of you. Our blokes get pounded from all different directions.” AFL coach Leigh Matthews in an article stating that adding one game of AFL State Of Origin would see players lives being put in danger. It seems a little bit of running coupled with the gutless nature of their sport (In which you hit players when their back is turned) is too much for the poor dears. Different sports alright….an AFL player would get killed in 5 minutes of Rugby Leagues State Of Origin.
“I brought an interview with Bruce Springsteen in New Jersey forward by a day just so I could make it to the big game on Sunday night,” he told the team. “If Bruce had said he couldn’t move the interview, I would have told him to get stuffed.’ Super mad Melbourne Storm fan Molly Meldrum at a team celebration he hosted at his house after the 2007 Grand Final win.
“I’ve not seen it,” commented the England international. “I’ve been watching the rugby league.” English soccer star Wayne Rooney when asked about the 2007 rugby union world cup.
“A bunch of us have been watching the play-offs – me and Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, and John O’Shea. We watched Saints-Leeds the night before a game and then Hull-Wigan on the coach back from our game,” Welsh soccer star and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs on his and the teams viewing habits.
“I loved Rugby League just as much as football. I played for my school team and for other junior teams in Salford and Langworthy and I’d just played my first game for Lancashire when United signed me as a schoolboy. Part of the deal was that I couldn’t play any other sports, which was disappointing because I loved my Rugby League. If I hadn’t been spotted, maybe I would have gone the other way.” Giggs again on his love for the greatest game of all.
“It’s like you’re running a marathon, at pace, while surviving about 20 or 40 small car crashes.” South Sydney owner Russell Crowe on the Jay Leno show when asked about the difference between Rugby League and Gridiron.
“You are going to a place where there is temptation and people just waiting to tempt you,” President Josefa Iloilo said. “The influence of alcohol on youths is one of the temptations you will face, so be prepared. Pray every morning and ask for the Lord’s guidance. You are like soldiers going into the battlefield, so be focused and don’t allow anything to distract you.” The President of Fiji to the national team ahead of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
“Johnathan doesn’t want to end up in the 50 per cent disposables bin in a short space of time – he’s trying to prolong his career,”Jonathan Thurstons manager Sam Ayoub. Keep in mind he is talking about a bloke earning hundreds of thousands of dollars to play a sport, and that the lowest offer on the table for his player is over $2 million dollars. I hope he survives….
“As a smaller player, this will give him a lot more confidence. He should be commended on the hard work he did. It’s really showing now.” Penrith trainer Carl Jennings on Jarrad Sammatt adding 10 kilograms over the off season. Jennings is English, a former Bradford Bulls trainer, and has ruined the season of many an NRL player and team but having players add bulk, killing their mobility, speed, endurance and pace off the mark. Why is he at Penrith then? He’s Matthew Elliotts mate…
“All the other drivers are AFL men but that is netball for boys” Australian V8 Supercar driver James Courtney speaking the truth while on a promotional visit to Penrith.
“I don’t even like the game. I think it’s a hopeless game. Rugby league’s a much better game.” Gold Coast United A League soccer club owner Clive Palmer on what he thinks about soccer.
“This is a rugby league town. Believe me, rugby league is not dying. You would think it should be terminal, given the self-inflicted injuries it has endured. You would think that women would stay away from the game in droves, but rugby league is a massive, massive game.” Sydney Swans AFL club Chairman Richard Colless on Rugby League in Sydney. He seems to be the only person in the AFL that isn’t ignorant of other sports.
”The punishment [the boxing authority] gave me was absurd. The punishment they gave [Graham] … well, you just can’t take away this guy’s money and stuff. He made a mistake. He probably has a family to support. Give him a suspension, give him some kind of fine but you can’t take this guy’s money and abuse him [just because] he made a mistake!” Iron Mike Tyson after being shown footage of James Graham biting Billy Slater in the 2012 NRL Grand Final.
”To win the public’s respect back, he can’t go doin’ it again. He has to work on himself. He has to work on improving himself and reinforce discipline in himself and he has to also move on from it. He has to see it as a bad day and not to let him hold it back … It was all because of a lack of discipline at that particular moment and he can’t ever repeat it.” Tyson outlining what Graham needs to do to salvage his reputation.
”Listen, it’s playing [American] football without f—ing helmets and stuff. It’s football with no equipment, so it’s tough and … you should expect something like that to happen. I’m sure there is a fear-factor in that you could break your neck and be paralysed in a second.” Mike Tyson on Rugby League.
Anthony Mundine – The Brainless Idiot
Anthony Mundine, you either love him, or your not related to him. Mundine has a gift, he could speak under water with a mouth full of marbles. While what he says isn’t always accurate, its usually entertaining.
“He is running on old legs, I am the man now” Anthony Mundine on some guy called Laurie Daley.
“Laurie Daley is running on old legs. I’ve got young legs. It’s time for the new generation, brother,” Anthony Mundine in 1997 prior to a State Of Origin match.
“I laughed it off. I thought it was crap, but I couldn’t have cared less.” Brad Fittler on the “Running on old legs” comment.
“They are a strong team, but I see us as the champions. They didn’t deserve the win.” Anthony Mundine leading into the Grand Final re-match between the Storm and The Dragons. The Storm won the game 70-10.
“I just think Tony (Anthony) should shut up, say ‘no comment’ and just play football.” Langlands reaction after the massacre
“You guys wouldn’t be here interviewing me if you didn’t think it was an injustice. The way I feel is Chris Anderson and the selectors have their bunch and they dictate what goes on and who is in the team and who’s not. Call it a dictatorship if you want. I don’t feel that it’s the form team or the best team on the paddock, you know, they have their boys. Like, for instance, Nathan Blacklock scored 24 tries this year, led the scoring in the finals series, the Dally M winger of the year. He wasn’t chosen. Another one, David Peachey – he’s been the most potent fullback this season. He stands out, above everyone I feel, and he wasn’t chosen, and myself. And we’re all Aboriginal and we’re all proud.”
“You think you haven’t been selected because of the colour of your skin?”
“Well, you can put one and one together. I’m sure you can. You’re not silly.” At the time Mundine was only behind the likes of Lauire Daley, Brad Fittler and Trent Barrett.
“Laurie Daley is running on old legs. I’m fresh. I’ve got young legs. It’s time for the new generation brother. It’s time for us to have a go. I want to be up against Laurie Daley as soon as possible”
“You’ve been quoted as saying you consider yourself champions. That last second try must still hurt.”
“Oh man, we know we had it, we know we blew it. That’s why it’s going to be a great game, great atmosphere. Hopefully the people can get there from down Melbourne and whoever’s coming from Sydney and witness the grand final replay, hopefully in favour of the other side.”
“There’s still a bit of speculation about the last minute try in the grand final. Have you had a chance to look at it over the off-season? Still go along with the ruling?”
“No, there’s still a lot of questions about that game; a forward pass to Matt Geyer, the last try, very controversial. There’s a lot of points you can put out, but you can’t undo it. We’ve got to go down there and prove to them and ourselves and especially our fans, you know, we should be the number one team.”
“Do you still consider them worthy premiers given that it was a last minute try?”
“I don’t really feel they deserved to win but they got the win. But we’re going out on Friday night. Be a good match, that’s what everyone’s looking forward to.”Melbourne beat the St George/Illawarra Dragons 70-10 in the Grand Final replay, one of the last games Mundine played before walking out on the Dragons.
“At the end of the day they all know who ‘The Man’ is – the selectors, my rivals and the public. Fittler will be selected in the side because it is very hard to beat the golden boy. In reality I should be in the side. He would know that what we have going isn’t a rivalry. I don’t see it as a rivalry. He hasn’t beaten me or outplayed me in the last five years. I have whipped him every time. Is he the benchmark for selection or not? By the selectors he has been considered the one for the job. If I beat him year after year, why isn’t that rewarded? My so-called rivals have not come close to me. From 1996 to this year I have not been beaten. That is a complete domination. Is that a rivalry? I call it a mismatch. I have nothing personal against Fittler or anyone for that matter, I just don’t like injustice being done.”
“We are setting a new standard. This kind of discrimination has been going on for 200 years and it’s got to stop. Hopefully now my other brothers won’t be afraid to speak out.” Munine speaks out after being called a Black C*** by an opposition player.
“I’ve told a lot of young Aboriginal boys to go to Queensland to play … they’ll give ’em a run up there,” Mundine said. “A black player would have to do three or four times more than any other bloke to be a chance in NSW. Politics and racism are part of the scene in rugby league. That’s why I got out.” Anthony Mundine trying to get publicity for a fight against some nothing fighter by bagging Rugby League once again. For the record 13 Aboriginal players have lined up for NSW.
“It is a quite ridiculous and an unnecessary comment. His heart might be in the right place but his comments do more bad than good.” NSW legend Brad Fittler one the ridiculous comments.
“I haven’t come across any kid who has gone to Queensland for a better go,” Walford said. “That isn’t the case. We create opportunities for everyone.” Former Dragons and ARL indigenous development manager Ricky Walford on Mundines stupid comments.
“If Choc wants to be a role model, he should be sending out a better message to the kids than that,” Salvatori said. “He’s shot from the hip and hasn’t thought too much about what he said. Racism in rugby league is a thing of the past. Greg Inglis will play for Australia for the next 10 years.” Another former Aboriginal star, Craig Salvatori one Mundines racist comments.
“I don’t know why he’d say that. Every now and then he has people scratching their heads,” Lazarus said. “If you’re good enough, you get in. Race or skin colour don’t come into it.” Australian Rugby League Legend Glen Lazarus on Mundines stupid comments.
“It would be silly to even comment on that.” Former Australian Test Captain, NSW State Of origin legend and Aboriginal star Laurie Daley on Mundines comments.
“So what would happen to Mundine? To cut a long story short, I’d knock him out. He wouldn’t admit that because he’s got a big mouth, but of course I’d knock him out. If I couldn’t knock him out, I’d be pretty disappointed. I mean, Sven Ottke knocked him out and he couldn’t break an egg.” Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe sums up the way everyone outside of Mundines tiny little circle of backslappers sees the boxer and his glass jaw.