Roar Rookie
Joined May 2017
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I am a Brit who follows the NRL. Not so much Super League as the coverage on TV is truly awful and I'm hundreds of miles from the nearest ground. I was lucky enough to be in Oz many years ago and went to Kogarah to see St. George's last ever game as a stand alone side. My biggest memory is thinking I'd have trouble catching Blacklock with a few yards head start!! Boy, could he fly.
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As a NRL-loving Brit I read loads of articles on The Roar and on other sites and am genuinely confused by this doom and…
Joseph Leilua sums up everything about the Raiders. One day he is unplayable and the next he is having brain explosions all over the pitch.
I feel sorry for Austin as he never has a platform to work from. After a few one out runs he gets the ball on the 4th/5th tackle with Leilua in the ruck and Rapana wandering around in the middle. Stuart needs to bring more structure in but he seems a little clueless at the moment.
Ten talking points from NRL Round 19
As a Brit I always think that Mitchell Pearce gets to be made the scapegoat most of the time even though I thought he was one of the Blues’ better players.
I equally never understand why people think Woods is so great. He ambled around often out of position in defence. Queensland won it up front with Nappa and Wallace showing how it should be done.
State of Origin 2017 Game 3 player ratings: New South Wales Blues
As a Brit I always think that Mitchell Pearce gets to be made the scapegoat most of the time even though I thought he was one of the Blues’ better players.
I equally never understand why people think Woods is so great. He ambled around often out of position in defence. Queensland won it up front with Nappa and Wallace showing how it should be done.
Hang your heads in shame, New South Wales
The officials were a little harsh on Manly but they often gave the ref no other option than to blow the whistle. I think it was Matthew Wright who tackled a player and then thought he’d have a second go and then went for a third. As I say, no option but a penalty.
Stop your moaning Manly, you got exactly what you deserved
Hey Rod, I agree that Super League offers up some good games but as I said the camera work drives me crazy. Literally every 5th tackle play gets shown no matter what. The innovation of having replays in a box at the corner of the screen is definitely the way forward.
NRL fans have it better than you realise
The prediction? Who knows! Queensland have got rid of their flotsam and look a lot stronger but this really is a coin toss. If I’m a betting man (being a Brit I don’t dabble in these shenanigans) then I’d say a late minute score by Holmes will seal the series.
State of Origin 2017 expert tips and predictions: NSW Blues vs Queensland Maroons - Game 2
I take slight issue with the Titans vs Rabbitohs remarks. Agreed, it wasn’t the most mouth-watering of prospects as it proved but the game can’t always dish up pure gold. Sometimes it is refreshing to see two struggling sides desperately trying to eek out a win.
The mention of a “an injury-depleted Gold Coast team” implies they’re not worthy of telly coverage but it is hardly the Titan’s fault half their players are busted. Good on them that they still put in a decent 80 minute shift despite of this.
Having players on Origin duty often gives the rookies their first starting spots and that can only be excellent for the game. Sometimes seeing the same old faces can be a bit mundane.
Also, will the Titans miss Hayne that much? Am I the only one to notice that the side were going great guns until he joined them half way through last season.
Is it still an ambush if you see it coming?
I think Walters must be eating a bit of humble pie now as he has dropped the players most pundits were surprised to be included in Origin 1. To his credit he hasn’t dug his heels in and has bowed to common sense by dropping Myles, Thaiday and Lillyman. Oates can count himself as unlucky but it seemed madness to me not picking Holmes. What more do you want in a winger? He is safe, speedy, brave and most importantly doesn’t seem fazed by the big occasion.
Bring on Wednesday!
Cameron Smith confirms Johnathan Thurston will start Game 2
I think the praise for Corey Norman is overdoing it a bit. He had a good game but it was the unrelenting defence of the Eels’ pack and a bit of occasional magic from Gutherson that left the Dragons bereft of ideas. He was awful against the Cowboys the round before which seems to be his default setting.
I’d say only Bryce Cartwright is a more overrated player in the comp. Isaah Yeo is ten times the player he is but doesn’t get the plaudits because he can’t flick a ball behind his back into row Z, which the commentators think is a wonderful thing.
Nine talking points from NRL Round 15
He is one lucky coach. With the roster of players he has the Raiders should be in the top four at the very least. Nathan Brown would chew his arm off to have half their quality in the Knight’s ranks.
Ricky Stuart signs extension with Raiders
I am still mystified how Gagai gets the wing spot ahead of Holmes. He’s not even the best winger at the Knights!
Thurston and Slater both firming for Origin 2
This maybe weird to say but Leilua and Rapana are making it really hard for Sezer and especially Austin. It is difficult for Austin to set up plays he wants in the opposition half when on 3rd & 4th tackle he looks up to see Leilua in the ruck and Rapana hanging round the middle. They’re both great getting out of their half with runs from dummy half but Hodgson should push them out the way if they try it in the oppo’s half. The Raiders need more structure to help their halves.
Ten talking points from NRL Round 13
He clearly was an extraordinary player but his Origin selection seems a bit bizarre. Last season the Titans were going great guns until he joined them. His first match saw him throw a silly pass for an interception which cost them the game and he hasn’t done much better since.
Smith: We will target Hayne at centre
Obviously Slater is a legend but Boyd has been the best FB in Australia for the last couple of years. It would be harsh on Boyd to stick him on the wing in the form he’s in.
As a Brit I can’t fathom how Holmes misses out. I’m always hearing how great Dane Gagai is but I’ve never really seen it myself. For me the back three would be Boyd, Holmes & Oates.
Original sin: Kevin Walters is silly for not picking Billy
I don’t know how Adrian Vowles faired in Australia but he was a legend when he came to the UK. For a guy who wasn’t that big he hit as hard as anyone I’ve seen in the tackle.
The worst players to ever play State of Origin
Lets face it, if it wasn’t for his name Hayne would have trouble getting into the Titan’s side simply based on his performances. His first match for the club saw him throw an intercept pass which cost them the game and he has carried on in the same vein ever since.
The Titans looked a close knit bunch before he arrived but he seems to have unravelled that. If I were Anthony Don I would be hacked off to know he was getting paid the same. I would be absolutely spewing to know he’s getting zillions more!
Twelve talking points from NRL Round 22