AFL’s new $6 million dollar man, Israel Folau, will be sacked when Queensland announce their new team to play NSW in State of Origin 2.
The QRL are noted for their loyalty and champion wingman Lote Tuqri was expected to be next in line, but his rugby union defection will count against him and veteran Brent Tate will get a recall on the Maroon’s right wing.
Tate has scored five tries from 15 Origins and has been in excellent touch for the Warriors in recent weeks.
The change won’t impact negatively on betting, as Tate is highly regarded and arguably a better defender than Folau, although not as strong in the air.
It remains to be seen what happens with Folau at club level, if the Broncos mathematically cannot make the semis, as the mail is strong that coach Ivan Cleary is angry over losing his star recruit.
The QRL were not impressed by Folau’s management that the signing was not held back until after the Origin series was over. The timing was obviously part of the deal by the astute AFL, who are desperate to take market share from the NRL in NSW and Queensland.
The other key change for the winning Maroon team will be Ben Hannant coming in for the injured Petero Civoniceva. Although based on his lack luster performance last weekend, he would have to improve this weekend.
He looked overweight and after ten minutes, was pedestrian in defence, something you cannot get away with at origin level.
Broncos discard David Taylor had a blinder last weekend against the big Panther pack, and he looks a readymade replacement as a starting prop to ensure the Maroons have authority and go forward in the crucial final 20 minutes.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
LATE NEWS: Tate breaks his jaw Sunday. Oh well!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
oikee At least their is an International game. The AFL have nothing.
mushi
Roar Guru
Oikee you can’t attribute the $8m News is getting as part owners of the NRL as profit for the storm.
Corey
Guest
I don't think the Broncos have spent their salary cap as of yet. Different issue, but still important, it should be enforced that clubs make public how much of the salary cap they have spent, not give out the individual figures, but the whole team- therefore, you can watch the salary cap rorts a bit more and figure out if they can sign a player for so much, as well as the player having some liability if they sign him and go over the cap.
Corey
Guest
I know the Rabbitohs will make a profit this year, would be surprised if the Dragons make a loss and the Broncos should make a profit. But the others are in dire straights. Clubs need to stop relying on the NRL hand outs and start looking for ways to make money. Increase crowd attendances by offering free food to the first 1000 ticket buyers every game, make merchandise that all people would like to wear (hoodies, caps, jumpers, etc.), drive home the community issues - focus on the community and they will focus on you!!! Clubs need to wake up to the fact that money handouts aren't always going to be given, if there are places with better returns for the NRL then changes will eventually be made and clubs will go bankrupt. Start building property developments now Sharkies and Roosters.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Steve, To be honest I would have selected Lote in the first place on the left wing next to Inglis - what an awesome double, But given they have left him out and Issy plays on the right, I think Tate is the best call for the team. The team selections are already done, the only thing to come is the announcement next week. Given Lote's age he may struggle to ever get a run again, shame as I rate him in the top 4 wingers in the world with Brett Morris, Manu Vatuvei and Ryan Hall.
Norm
Guest
Assuming you're correct Scott I'm hoping the AFL sign a few more Broncos.
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
I think you've got it right Scott, a pity there isn't a market for it...or is there?
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Yup $6 million is some pretty bad medicine.....
oikee
Guest
Rugby league international game is a absolute disgrace, like you said, they allow players to swap, change, do this do that, its the main feature why rugby league internationally has withered on the vine and nearly died. Only this last year or 2 did our dinosaurs realise, that like rugby union and soccer, theres gold in those there international games. Mate, our game is a walking disaster, now scott, you try to tell me i am wrong, show me one guy who has done good for rugby league, i will take him done to a office that knows there jobs and show you how stupid they really are, just now are these fools playing catch-up. They should never have been running our game. Why do you think Murdock walked away, he had more sense, and time wasting was not his proirity.He has hung in there, but only to show face with the aussie public, soon he gets to walk away for good, god help the game if we dont have leadership, its sinking now.
oikee
Guest
Stormin, there is lots wrong mate, just that so many people prefer to stick there head in the sand and sing lalala, lala. Take Scott here, i just finished telling him that news make a profit from the storm, 3 million last year. Now he said the Storm are losing 10 million this year. The NRL mind you pays news 8 million a year. Sounds weird, thats the NRL, this is how badly the game is run, so Scott seems to know the storm are losing another 2 million this year, so the NRL will have to fork out 10 million to news, so they can make a 3 million profit,. :) Yes, you might think this sounds very crazy, mate, come along for the ride, why do you think the game is in such a mess. Like you said, 1 or maybe 2 clubs might make a profit, last year 53 million lost, now 53 million divided by 14 clubs. nearly 4 million a club, some more, some less. That my friend is a business in crisis. Now, weight this up and ask yourself, how the hell this can happen, enter rugby league dinosaurs, scoping the cream from the top, what you left with, sour milk.
Stormin Red
Roar Rookie
I agree, there is something badly wrong when 15 of the 16 clubs are consistently making losses. There is always a lot of blaming other people (pokie tax, lack of members) but there never seems to be much done to actually fix the problem other than asking for more handouts. Maybe we should be looking into how the clubs are run so that they actually do have more money to spend on players.
uni no1
Guest
is it true that the NRL are going to change their name to OSDL (OTHER SPORTS DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE)? also if Mr Folau is from the western suburbs of sydney how does he play for QLD? is it the same wonderful rule that allowed tonie carroll to play for both the kiwis and australia?
Springs
Roar Guru
Tonga is a left side player, didn't stop them from selecting him for Origin 1. Also didn't stop NSW from selecting Tahu and Hayne on the right. I'm sure Boyd could play right side as well.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Paul You can thank your coach Henjak for that
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
oikee The Storm will lose $10m this FY
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Gob I agree, moral within their playing troops must have gone down
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Luke Where have I speculated? Everything I have said will be correct. The Ivan thing was just a typo or are u just a negative person dirty on the world?
Paul J
Guest
As a RL fan i'm sorry to see Izzy leave the game. As a Bronco fan i think it's great. We came within a whisker of a grand final in 2008. Then they sign a winger for $500K (Izzy) and we had to let go of Hannant, Stagg, Eastwood & Ennis. This year we'll be flat out making the 8.
mushi
Roar Guru
Is that 8m the payment to News for their 50% stake in the entire competition or for the storm? If it is for the competition then that is hardly attributable solely to the storm (and ignores the 65m injected into the storm over the last 5 years) And if it is just for the storm then half of that was already New’s money so they paid 4m to get 3m back….great business.