Roar Pro
Joined July 2017
51.9k
Views
28
Published
156
Comments
An avid supporter of the National Rugby League (NRL) and advocate for all things Rugby League, taking an expansionist view of the game - particularly the growth of the International game, English Super League, Oztag and reserve grade - in the effort to #growrugbyleague
Published
Comments
In 2010, the NRL adopted their own version of an all-stars concept which pitted a fan-voted squad involving at least one player per club…
In 2020, the restart to the NRL season on May 28 saw a raft of rule changes that shaped the game dramatically, notably the…
With just under six weeks out from the kick-off to the upcoming NRL season, I looked into the crystal ball for 2021 and conjured…
At the halfway point of the 2020 NRL season, I discussed who the most valuable player was for each club. My argument was that…
Another storm is brewing in the Victorian capital with the potential to prolong the club’s past decade of success and usher in another ten-year…
For years, rugby league fans always wondered if State of Origin would work better if it was played in the NRL’s postseason rather than…
Due to the COVID-affected sporting calendar, the NRL made the unprecedented decision to move the State of Origin series to the post-season and have…
There has been plenty of conjecture each year the Dally M award ceremony has been held, mainly surrounding the current process in which the…
Everyone loves an underdog, and that sentiment cannot be expressed stronger than the displays of the proud and passionate New Zealand Warriors club in…
State of Origin was born in 1980, pitting New South Wales against Queensland, in a three-game series played under residential eligibility rules. After two…
Prior to COVID, it was exciting that ANZ and Allianz stadiums were to receive some much-needed upgrading, with the NSW government pledging $1.8 billion…
The recent signing of Sonny Bill Williams to the Sydney Roosters has sparked an outcry of unfairness and controversy among supporters of the game.…
After looking at the bottom eight teams yesterday, let's move on to the MVPs for the top eight clubs. Manly Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic…
The following is a list of most valuable players (MVPs) for each NRL club currently languishing in the bottom eight of the ladder. The…
The prospect of a second COVID-19 wave across Australia is feeling more and more like a matter of when, not if, the further we…
On March 10, the NRL suspended Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players Jayden Okunbor and Corey Harawira-Naera indefinitely for their role in an act of consensual sex…
The third and final article for my post-COVID rugby league vision will be rapid-firing a range of topics surrounding the game. If you missed…
I hope everybody reading this article is praising our new rugby league god, Peter V’landys - the messiah who prevailed through all the adversity…
For the past 27 years I have been a supporter of my beloved Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, although last night’s 42-6 drubbing at the hands of…
The recommencement of the NRL season saw the introduction of the new set-restart rule giving teams a fresh set of six for ruck infringements…
Hi Sammy, when I say passion has been brought to the game, I say that meaning that these two First Nations teams play this game with purpose, with meaning.
.
Players in these squads have a week-long build up to this game, learning and refreshing the traditions of their culture. When they run out on game day the players feel there is something to play for – their heritage.
.
With the original concept of an NRL all-stars team, those boys were thrown together out of popularity and didn’t have the same “passion” as the Indigenous nor the Māori that have taken their place. Hence why I suggest expanding the concept to Pacific Islands and Great Britain teams.
.
At no point do I mention this game being divisive with hatred.
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup
That’s more like it, and another unique lineup! I haven’t seen any identical yet!
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup
Hi Jiks, although a good lineup it wouldn’t fit the All-Stars criterion for one player per NRL club + 1 wildcard. Looks like you have doubles/triples of players from Manly, Melbourne, Roosters, Titans and Warriors.
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup
Rate this one highly as well! 11 differences from mine too. Just reiterates how much quality there is in the NRL
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup
Rate it. 9 changes from mine, very strong on paper!
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup
Nat, you also doubled up on Dragons (Lomax and Kerr) and you’re missing a Tigers player
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup
Agreed. Just like State of origin, international test matches etc.
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup
I can see the argument in not calling it All-Stars because the match is more of an unsanctioned international test – in saying that, pitting Indigenous against Māori has improved this exhibition match and brought passion to it.
.
Expanding this concept to include a Pacific Islands team and Great Britain Lions would be ideal!
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup
Rate it, especially for the fact that your lineup has 13 differences to mine yet is still looking very strong!
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup
I didn’t see Barry’s but I’d like to think my predictions can sway you, John hahahah
Predictions for the 2021 NRL season
To be honest, I completely forgot about Staggs’ injury… if I’m to pick another MVP it’ll have to be Payne Haas
Predictions for the 2021 NRL season
Hi Harry, I agree with this. They trialled it last season for a couple of games (i.e. reverting to how scrums used to pack) but it seems like they did not follow through with it for 2021. Hopefully they make it mandatory for forwards to pack scrums in the near future.
Will the 2021 rule changes work for the NRL?
I read an article on “serious about rugby league” saying that the NRL is potentially going to buy a stake or takeover the ESL. I think if the game was cross promoted and advertised better worldwide WITH a set international calendar then having the NRL partner with the only other pro league in the world would benefit the game as a whole. Obviously there are pros and cons but am curious to hear what others think.
Here's how to save rugby league in England
“ NRL clubs need to release their players when called up.”
Hear hear! Such a disgrace there are no repercussions for players that pull out of rep footy with weak excuses – needs to be changed.
Nevertheless, In a COVID-free future, the way forward is definitely test football. Prior to the pandemic, the IRL body finally set a calendar for the international game which meant meaningful tests for Aus/NZ/Tonga/Samoa/Fiji/PNG/Cook Islands in the Oceania Cup, the return of Aus tour to England, Euro Cup involving Eng/Scotland/Ireland/Wales/Italy/France as well as lower ranked nations AS WELL AS America’s and African comps and other meaningful tests. It is such a shame this opportunity couldn’t come to fruition due to a virus.
“We aren’t asking for the world, just a chance to show you what the world can do”
When the building blocks are reset post-pandemic, the game needs to persist with test footy. There is so much potential and a long term strategy must be adhered to.
Rugby league internationalists need to accept that Origin is the best
Yeah that makes no sense. When Luke Thompson got done 4 weeks, they said England games would have counted if they were on – I always thought trial games counted as well but I’m not sure.
Predicted lineups and analysis for State of Origin 2020
Actually forgot to mention, I think Boyd Cordner should consider himself lucky he is the captain because I feel his spot in the side could easily be replaced. Not in the best form of his career in 2020.
Predicted lineups and analysis for State of Origin 2020
The spine is solid. Brimson is a weapon and I really rate Grant very highly – he is the game’s next superstar.
The Maroons forward pack definitely makes up for their backline, it’ll be interesting to see who Bennett selects from 2-5 particularly with Val Holmes out for game 1.. but in the past QLD have had their spine and forward pack stronger than the backs and still won a series so very difficult to think this will be a walkover for NSW!
Predicted lineups and analysis for State of Origin 2020
Hi Dexter,
I went with the 3x backrower 1x prop bench for NSW due to Fittler’s tendency to steer away from the “number 14 utility” jersey. Any injury in the halves would see Wighton shift there – conversely, if Wighton left the field I’m sure Murray or Angus could cover for a game.
In saying that, I would love to see Papenhuyzen as the super sub. Many disagree with my Stephen Crichton selection and want to see Gutho there which is also a good option. For mine, I’d rather see a specialist centre in Crichton or Lomax.
I copped plenty of flak from Roosters fans by leaving Tupou out – he is very good but I think they’ll select the incumbent wingers.
Predicted lineups and analysis for State of Origin 2020
In all honesty Will, having Bennett there is gonna help a whole lot. Plus the spine is very strong as well as the forward pack and bench rotation littered with experience and youth – wouldn’t surprise me if there was an upset
Predicted lineups and analysis for State of Origin 2020
I actually forgot about Val Holmes being suspended – makes their backline much weaker without him!
.
I think you may be right with Gutho – he played very well towards the back end of the season and may have played himself into a Blues jumper – ditto with Paps, he is an absolute freak and his performance in the GF was outstanding (not to mention his positive attitude and humility – that’s a player youd want in your team)
Predicted lineups and analysis for State of Origin 2020
For full detail read the article posted, but in short: Tinker too much with eligibility criterion and it will turn into an all-stars game. No connection. Furthermore, if you satisfy the current criteria and pledge allegiance to Australia as your tier 1 nation then no dramas, you qualify. But Something many of us forget is not every gun player is from NSW or QLD. What works with origin is the rivalry translates to passion for both player and fan and the beauty of this conjured up concept works for the masses. It does not need another team. But this is just my opinion.
Now is the perfect time to expand State of Origin
The best rugby league players don’t have to play State of Origin
Wrote the above article in September: the best players dont have to play origin.
Leave SOO as is otherwise you’ll kill the concept and rivalry – the best players playing the game is for internationals: what should be viewed as the pinnacle of the game.
Now is the perfect time to expand State of Origin
Yes. A panel of judges, whether 5/10/15, getting paid to judge every game every round would achieve a FAIRER result.
Overhauling the Dally M voting process is best and fairest
Are you a fan of the current system or could you see improvements to it?
I thought Cleary was going to get it too and the closeness in the contest shouldn’t have been a surprise, so I’m not knocking Wighton for winning, but Personally, tweaking it to multiple judges Or the PVL 1-10 system rather than one Judge would solve the stigma issue.
Overhauling the Dally M voting process is best and fairest
Hi Malek, wow you really went in with this one i am impressed! I think your best lineup is Number 3 for sure!
The ultimate NRL All-Stars team lineup