Roar Pro
Joined April 2015
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Since NRL CEO Dave Smith announced that he has the power of discretion to compete with other codes and competitions to both retain and…
If you glance in the direction of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles after their terrible start to the season, the future may appear glum…
Agree on Keary Squidward, but he started really well.
My Standouts
Broncos – Ben Hunt and Sam Thaiday
Raiders – Josh Hodgson
Bulldogs – Michael Lichaa and Curtis Rona
Sharks – Jack Bird
Titans – James Roberts and Ryan James
Sea Eagles – NOBODY
Storm – Marika Koroibete (Too many more to mention)
Warriors – Ben Matulino and Tuimoala Lolohea
Knights – Dane Gagai and Kade Snowden
Cowboys – Johnathan Thurston and Jason Taumololo (Since round three)
Eels – Manu Ma’u and Reece Robinson
Panthers – Elijah Taylor
Rabbitohs – Glenn Stewart
Dragons – LINE SPEED and Trent Merrin
Roosters – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Boyd Cordner
Tigers – James Tedesco and Aaron Woods
Probably missed some as well
NRL first-term report: How is your team going? (Part 1)
The players who are known to be interested and fans of Rugby League like Dan Carter (always tweeting about NRL and Origin) and Jonny Wilkinson (self confessed big rugby league fan) should 100% definitely be looked at. Obviously Wilkinson has retired and Carter is on his way out soon enough though.
Players of that kind of profile would be the only players worth recruiting via the ‘war chest’
But clubs in general should be looking at South Africans and also the talented young French RL players that are not being regularly tested.
Dave Smith's 'war chest' dilemma
Ennis is so underrated because of some of his antics, which I think are often over played by the media, Brett Finch’s carry on last year made me laugh
Ennis is so tough and committed.
When those big frontowers come charging in the middle Ennis doesn’t hide.
Plus he gets the forwards rolling, we missed him so much in the GF. Souths missed Luke but had Koroisau (For me the best on the ground) we had Mbye who tried his best, just wasn’t comfortable as a dummyhalf in the biggest game of the year.
Ennis the Menace sinks Souths with a blinder
There was a South African who really stood out to me a while ago. Juan De Jongh, he looked really suited to being a league centre. Seems to have disappeared off the radar, though I don’t pay as much attention to Union as I once did.
Dave Smith's 'war chest' dilemma
I went in to this season predicting a Bulldogs vs Panthers GF.
Injuries are really hurting Penrith right now, as they did at the end of last season.
Suspensions and inconsistency have got to Canterbury.
I think Melbourne are one big scary forward away from being the team to beat this season. If Tom Learoyd-Lahrs can rediscover some form then every team should watch out.
Are Melbourne Storming to the 2015 NRL premiership?
Barry, I think Lichaa has been fantastic. I originally thought it was a mistake letting Ennis go but Lichaa has exceeded all my expectations.
Ennis the Menace sinks Souths with a blinder
I’d agree on the halves being adequate in clubs in Japan, Europe and Super Rugby. I think Foran could possibly be an international 12 but not for the All Blacks.
Obviously like you I want these players to stay in Rugby League.
I’d also like NRL clubs to be a little more open minded on Rugby Union players. Some really talented South Africans bouncing in and around the Springboks but not necessarily starters. The same in European rugby. Its heartbreaking seeing some of the talented footballers being wasted in Europe.
Dave Smith's 'war chest' dilemma
Eden, I don’t necessarily agree on that.
SBW left Canterbury in 2008 because he fell out with the club over some of his off-field activities and ideology plus finances. He went to Toulon on a hefty salary. When finished in France he went to NZ on decent money on a par with NRL money (before NRL got the new TV contract) if he made the All Blacks. Then had a stint in Japan on hefty money. Came back to League on good money. Then left again to try to retain the World Cup and also gained a big Adidas sponsorship deal thanks to his All Blacks connections.
Jarryd Hayne is leaving to fulfil a childhood dream, but is backed massively by Telstra amongst other big sponsorships.
Hunt and Folau went to the AFL because the AFL made them millionaires before the NRL could.
A challenge is a part of it but the risk is never worth it they aren’t financially rewarded.
Dave Smith's 'war chest' dilemma
‘Sydney clubs have won every premiership for a long time with many teams filled with players who aren’t from NSW.’
2014 South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs
2013 Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles
2012 Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs
2011 Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors
2010 St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters
2009 Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels
2008 Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm
2007 Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles
2006 Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm
2005 Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys
6 of the last 10 premierships won by Sydney clubs, though the Dragons are based in Wollongong. Hardly every premiership for a long time.
I agree the salary cap needs to be reformed in some way, shape or form so Bulldogs, Broncos, Roosters and Souths don’t hoover up all the talent.
I’m a Bulldogs fan but would love to see Israel Folau or Greg Inglis start a new era of superstars at Canberra or help kick start a Perth franchise.
The Titans have been mismanaged and made some poor buys and extensions for big money.
I also agree that the Sydney clubs do have an advantage over other clubs. Sydney is the biggest city in Australia and offers a great amount away from the game.
However, some of the biggest stars of this century have never played for a Sydney clubs.
The salary cap is broken and the NRL has to spread the love
Gappy, This is why I don’t rate these players
Beau Scott- Offers nothing with the ball anymore, I don’t agree with people that think he is a great defender and he gives away penalties with late shots on playmakers.
Josh Reynolds – plays hard and tough, but gives away too many penalties, poor kicking game and takes away the space from his outside men.
Greg Bird – Touches the ball too much for my liking. He has good skills and plays hard but doesn’t do enough with the ball to warrant the amount of touches he gets. Plus he’s a magnet for penalties.
State of Origin 2015 early edition: NSW’s front row
When I said I’m not a fan I meant I don’t rate them that highly. I think Tedesco is probably the long term fullback, not ready just yet though
State of Origin 2015 early edition: NSW’s front row
Cordner and Hoffman would both be in my side. Hoffman is good enough to play on the right edge.
State of Origin 2015 early edition: NSW’s front row
There is so much potential for French rugby league. This is the kind of thing that will help realise that potential.
UAE to bid for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
Yeah it was a stupid parochial style of support our own kind of thing that is not unexpected in our game.
SIX TO GO - The Challenge Cup, Wigan bias and some heroes
My mind always changes on selections. I think a lot of players never get a look in because they’re a bit unfashionable or because media people aren’t pumping their tires up.
I’m not a big fan of Jennings, Bird, Josh Reynolds or Beau Scott. Not too keen on Dugan either but he’s so tough, you’d think he’d get the nod with Hayne gone, Brett Stewart would be an option as well.
Agree on Klemmer from the bench. Cordner should be one of the first picked.
If Hodkinson and Reynolds are in the halves I think NSW really need a couple of ballplaying forwards, Glenn Stewart and maybe Tony Williams, Big body and subtle skills although he’s been inconsistent.
State of Origin 2015 early edition: NSW’s front row
Nice article Andy.
One point to make, I think Ben Flower is better than an average player.
Obviously cannot condone his moment of madness in the GF but I have always rated him quite highly.
SIX TO GO - The Challenge Cup, Wigan bias and some heroes
I think we all agree on that. Well, I hope we all agree on that.
UAE to bid for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
All hell has already broken loose. Greg Inglis is from NSW, So is Israel Folau, Peter Sterling is a Queenslander. Luke Keary is a Queenslander, who is only eligible for NSW.
Separate the Kangaroos from Origin. Origin isn’t a selection process for the Kangaroos ANYMORE.
UAE to bid for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
Gappy, there is absolutely no chance that NSW will think outside the box and pick Shaun Fensom or Aidan Tolman. They should but they will not.
State of Origin 2015 early edition: NSW’s front row
I don’t suggest that English or French players be allowed to play State of Origin.
I want New South Wales and Queensland to only select players that have genuine connection to those states.
Segeyaro’s connection is legitimate, so is his PNG parentage, birth and early up bringing.
SBW has a legitimate connection to NSW, he should have been eligible. Same goes for other Kiwi internationals.
UAE to bid for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
That is the point Segeyaro hasn’t played for Queensland yet but he is turning his back on PNG in hope that he will. He should be eligible for both. He shouldn’t have to turn his back on his country of birth and pardon the pun ORIGIN, to play for the state where he grew up.
Separate Origin eligibility from international eligibility.
UAE to bid for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
James Segeyaro is from PNG, wants to play for Queensland so turns his back on PNG. If Queensland turn their back on him. he will go back and play for PNG.
My point is let him be eligible for Queensland and PNG at the same time. Don’t force these players to play for Australia when they just want to play Origin. James Tamou, Akuila Uate, Lote Tuqiri, Petero Civoniceva, let these guys play for their countries and let them play Origin. Do not let them flip back and forth when it suits the Australian selectors.
UAE to bid for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
I understand your point but I believe that the countries I mentioned should be allowed to compete against the big three.
Wales and France have their own players almost at an elite level with two or three heritage players included in their sides. PNG is similar and so is Fiji.
I’d like to see a rugby league six nations international competition to replace the four nations. Give these countries a chance to play the big three more regularly and to develop a culture.
I have no problem with the legitimate heritage players used by the likes of Lebanon, Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. But I cant accept the shaky eligibility of the English players that represent Scotland and Ireland.
I haven’t done extensive research on the subject but I am sure not one of Scotland’s players that won the European championship at the end of last season was born or raised in Scotland. Add in the fact that their home games were held in Cumbria in the north of England, I just think it is unfair that they will compete in the next four nations at the expense of Wales and particularly France, who have so much history but also potential as a rugby league nation.
UAE to bid for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
Origin should be irrelevant to international selection in my opinion. I don’t buy the argument that Origin is a selection process for the Kangaroos.
Personally I’d like to see countries outside of the big three that have genuine born and bred rugby league players given preferential treatment to compete against the big three.
Fiji, France, Wales and PNG should be respected for developing their own players. It is unfair for Samoa, Scotland and Ireland to be so heavily boosted by heritage players. I give Samoa some credit though because at least their heritage players are legitimate. Fiji are in a similar situation to Samoa but have many more born and bred players.
UAE to bid for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
I’d love to see Curtis Rona and Josh Hoffman get a run. Would also include Lewis Brown, a great utility.
Representative weekend preview part one: Kiwis