All the latest National Rugby League News from all 16 NRL clubs.
Yeah its just a trial, but the first footy match of the season was very much appreciated in my lavish surroundings. It was an entertaining game, some big hits and a surprise winner. While some say trial games mean nothing, I disagree. Ive seen to many teams in two many sports write off poor trial…
Well, we all heard the news this week. If you have followed my comments over the last year you know what I think of Matthew Elliott’s coaching. I mean, he seems like a nice enough bloke, but between selecting park footballs ahead of good youngsters, bulking up the side to the point where their lack…
News this week that the St George-Illawarra Dragons needed to release a number of players to get under the 2006 salary cap came as a surprise, especially as the club only just re-signed fullback Clint Greenshields to a one year deal and Luke Bailey to a similar deal just a few months earlier. The Dragons…
This is a very young story coming out of New Zealand but it seems the someone within the company that owns the New Zealand Warriors allegedly offered Warriors NRL players as a bargaining chip in their effort to secure the rights to a Pacific Islands rugby union side. Now, if this is the case, I…
Congratulations have to go to the West Tigers. This is a team spending well under the salary cap. A small side with a big heart. The key to the Tigers incredible Grand Final success was without doubt their defense. They just offered nothing to the Cowboys who’s pack outweighed the Tigers pack by over 30…
After missing out on signing anyone decent, South Sydney is now tossing up poor signings with speculation they will make some TERRIBLE moves. Straight out of the Shane Richardson book of “Promises I Like To Make” comes talk that he is on the verge of signing ANOTHER Great Britain international. Lets me see, Paul Sculthrope,…
Why do the Warriors suck? On the field, off the field, they just don’t have anything at all you can get excited about. As other NRL clubs battle it out for survival in a crowded market, the Warriors have an entire country all to themselves. Its not even as if its a bad market, its…
Well, the Panthers 2005 season is over and now its time to stand back and have a look at what happened to the club. After a brilliant, magical 2003 season and an exceptional 2004 season, Panthers fans held high hopes that going into 2005 the club would once again be one of the best teams…
The Penrith Panthers announced last week that they would release State Of Origin forward Ben Ross because of salary cap issues the club was having. Needless to say, this news wasn’t very well received by Panthers fans. Just weeks after signing Preston Campbell to a one year deal, the panthers now find themselves having to…
A lot of debate this week has centered on wether Andrew Johns should be included as an Immortal while he is still playing the game. Many good judges say that Johns is the best player they have seen and most accept that he is the best halfback of all time. However, the step up from…
Well, Penrith had a good win over the Melbourne Storm on the weekend in what was probably their best performance of the year. The Storm didn’t play their best football but its the first game in 2005 that has seen the Panthers put in an entire 80 minutes worth of effort. Penrith are now not…
Well, Sonny Bill Williams came back from injury this week and five minutes after running onto the field he was off again with an injury that could keep him out of the game for over a month. I think its about time Bulldogs officials realize that for all of his talent, Sonny Bill is still…
Well it was bound to happen. The NRL expands the comp to 16 teams, and the West Tigers start whinging because they were “Forced” to merge. When the ARL and SL merged in 1998 the goal was to cut the competition back to 14 teams. Because of this, some teams were forced to merge while…
You know, following a crap club like Penrith really toughens you up. You get to a point where nothing surprises you. So as the Panthers romped away with the lead against Manly, I had a big smile on my face. For the first time this season Penrith looked in control. They had worked hard and…
OK, so they were followed by about 6,496 others, but still, thats a pathetic crowd for ANY club. With so many people willing to point the finger at Melbourne when they get 8,500 people to a game, you have to wonder where the critics are when Souths get even less to a game! Where are…
You have to hand it to some of these players….they really think they can have their cake and eat it too. So last week, Braith Anasta heads over to have a meeting at the headquarters of the ARU and predictably, there are about 1000 journo’s following. Who would have thought….I mean, it was just a…
How bad are the Panthers going? Its funny because when the Panthers win, Im ok. But when they lose, it just ruins my whole week. If you went on League Unlimited last week you will have seen that I predicted the big Dragons win before the game. The Panthers defence is just tragic at the…
Well I gave them a number of weeks to get their act together but they haven’t come good. The Panthers lost to a poor Raiders side on the weekend. I only saw the first half of the match..but still..you could see the problems the Panthers had despite their good start to the match. The Panthers…
Ive had alot to say this week about Stacey Jones as news emeraged he had quit on the Warriors completely and will head to France to play. Im not surprised, I suggested this move was on the cards about a year ago. What Im am surprised about is the attitude of NZ fans who keep…
From broken promises to leaked memo’s to over protective board members and fans to a decade of having won nothing…..South Sydney, The Rabbitohs….call them what ever they like, they are a terrible football club. The Bunnies have really shown this year how ingrained failure is at their club. Lets just look at what they have…
How good are Manly going. At the top of the NRL ladder, flying high and playing really well over some good opposition. As I watched them last weekend I thought about why they are so good…..and it hit me like an weekly Adrian Morley stiff arm that supposedly bounced off my chest! Manly brought players…
Much has been said about the Roosters forum this season. Some are puzzled as to why they are going so poorly but I have to say, I’m not surprised at all. The Roosters build their best sides on the back of two things. 1. They were one of the most athletic sides ever. Big, fast,…
The Bulldogs have Broken the cap again and they should get their $100,000 fine and told any breach in the next 10 years thats under $100,000 will result in the loss of 10 competition point. They weren’t the only club to break the cap, with a few other teams doing their bit as well. But…
Terrible! Penrith thoroughly deserves their record at the moment. Right now most of the side are playing like crap. The Panthers forwards have to take much of the blame if you ask me. They start games TERRIBLY and its not until the starters are replaced by bench players that the team starts to look good…
Keith Galloway has accept John Hopoate’s apology over this vicious attacking…..and thats the problem with the game today. Hopoate has spent nearly an entire season on the sidelines because of suspension. He has brought the game into disrepute more times then any other player I have seen in my lifetimes. Even in places like Victoria,…
The Sydney Roosters threat to challenge the NRL on the Salary Cap under the Trade Practices act is the second most disgraceful act by a Rugby League club since the Brisbane Broncos decision to help build Super League. Coming off of a golden era for the club, the Roosters have played in three NRL Grand…