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Scott is one of The Roar's assistant editors and live bloggers. He has written over 2500 articles covering everything from rugby league to basketball, from tennis to cricket.
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England have reportedly opted out of World Rugby’s proposed Nations League, with the fate of the proposed tournament expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Adam Griffith and Troy Cooley will share duties as the Australian bowling cup for a huge winter of cricket ahead.
Scans have confirmed the worst possible news for North Queensland Cowboys enforcer Jason Taumalolo, with the lock sustaining a Grade 3 medial ligament tear.
Round 2 is behind us, and there is plenty to discuss as the season starts to take shape. Here are my NRL talking points from another cracking weekend of action.
It could be all one-way traffic when the Bulls host the Chiefs in Round 6 of the Super Rugby season. Join The Roar for live scores of the match from 12:05am (AEDT).
The Sunwolves will play their first game since being informed of a long-range exit from Super Rugby, and could struggle to match it with the fast-improving Lions in Japan. Join The Roar for live scores of the match from 9:55pm (AEDT).
Match result: The Brisbane Lions have staged a monumental Round 1 upset, hammering defending premiers the West Coast Eagles at the Gabba by 44 points.
Match result: The Melbourne Storm have picked up their second victory on the trot to kick-off the 2019 NRL season, getting the better of the Canberra Raiders by 12 points away from home.
The St George Illawarra Dragons will aim to turn around a difficult start to the season when they play their first home game of the year against early premiership favourites the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
They say Round 1 is the hardest of the season to tip, and many will be hoping that’s the case, with improvement surely in order for tipping this weekend. Welcome to The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel.
The Sunwolves have been reportedly axed from Super Rugby by SANZAAR, and the rugby world, to put it nicely, is fuming.
The Wallabies will take on Samoa in their final match at home before departing for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The first round of 2019 is in the books, and it was an absolute cracker. Close games, free-flowing footy, the Sydney Cricket Ground back in action, and some big crowds highlighted the weekend. Let’s get going with the first edition of talking points for the year.
Match result: Melbourne City have shortened the gap between themselves and Sydney FC with a two-goal win over the Sky Blues on Sunday.
Match result: The Collingwood Magpies have had to wait until the final day of the 2019 AFLW season, but they have picked up their first victory, getting the better of the Brisbane Lions by six points at Princess Park.
The Perth Wildcats will be back on their home floor for Game 3 of the NBL grand final series against Melbourne United, with the series tied at one game apiece. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10:35pm (AEDT).
The book of feuds resumes in Round 1, as the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the 40th time. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:55pm (AEDT).
The Newcastle Knights are primed and ready for a finals charge in 2019, and get to open their season at home against the in-turmoil Cronulla Sharks. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this clash from 6pm (AEDT).
The Melbourne Storm have won their opening match of the NRL season again, getting the better of the Brisbane Broncos at home.
The Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos will kick the new NRL season to life when they clash at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the opener from 7:50pm (AEDT).
I’m not 100% certain the Titans are all that bad, but they need to be at full strength to perform. Ashley Taylor out is a killer blow. I’ll give it another week before I make my mind up.
Seven talking points from NRL Round 2
Maybe not – Pangai Junior was phenomenal. Love watching him play.
Seven talking points from NRL Round 2
Emcie – have to politely disagree. The Bulldogs turn up when they face the Dragons. Cost us finals in 2017 and then belted the stuffing out of us at Kogarah last year.
I’m certain they will turn up then.
Seven talking points from NRL Round 2
Excuses, yes… Need to be better though.
I wouldn’t be either Geoff. As I said – signs are there. Just need things to click. Hard work playing the Storm.
Seven talking points from NRL Round 2
Not sure Mary will make changes that drastic though based on what we have seen previously…
Seven talking points from NRL Round 2
Oh, absolutely. Doesn’t make it any less frustrating as a Dragons man Matt!
Seven talking points from NRL Round 2
This has what has made it hard early this Geoff – don’t want to jump the gun on a few teams playing weak opposition.
Seven talking points from NRL Round 2
As bad as that would be, it wouldn’t surprise me James. There is the problem of switching off for one ball, and as we say in umpiring circles, that’ll be the one that teaches you a lesson.
It’s time to change the leg-side no-LBW rule
It’s unbelievable. Even if you get 80% of decisions right, you’re going pretty well. The concentration and mental drain (especially over four days) is also something to take into account. I’m buggered – both mentally, and the soreness in your legs and feet – by the end of a two days – let alone four or five at a much higher level.
It’s time to change the leg-side no-LBW rule
Okay, Kersi got me involved in this piece, and your comment is now forcing a response.
I get the umpiring has been… well, there has been some questionable stuff this year. But umpires aren’t making the rules up as they go along. Umpiring cricket is one of the toughest gigs in sport. It’s a game of millimetres for us… 50-50 decisions happen, and while howlers are never a great look, we still only get a split second to make our mind up on a ball travelling at up to 140km/h. Not only do we need to judge where it lands and where it would go on to hit, but there is a batsmen down there trying to get something on it, followed by 11 fielders screaming in your face. Umpires are also dealing with the heat, humidity and so on, but don’t get any breaks during the game to sit in the shade and think about things like a batting side.
I also understand they are the top umpires in the country and should be doing a better job, so I’m not making excuses, but perspective people. It’s a tough gig.
It’s time to change the leg-side no-LBW rule
Nah – had the Tigers tenth mate.
Been impressive, but let’s reserve judgement for a few weeks TM.
Seven talking points from NRL Round 2
THE CROWD’S TIPS ARE IN
Rabbitohs (71.4%)
Storm (62.7%)
Broncos (53.4%)
Sharks (61.2%)
Knights (54.2%)
Roosters (93%)
Eels (58.4%)
Tigers (61.3%)
The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 2
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The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 2
G’day Joe,
When you refresh the page, does the comment revert to how you originally had it with regards to paragraphing and line spacing, or does it remain in a format you didn’t originally put it in?
The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 2
I was at those matches last year, and Samoa vs Tonga in particular was the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced in a sporting arena. 20,000 made the noise for 80+. Every run and hit was celebrated, and I’ve also never seen so many flags in one place.
Will definitely be going again this year, and I don’t think you need to be a rugby league fan to appreciate it, and just how good it is.
Rugby AU would be missing a trick by not doing something similar.
Wallabies set for World Cup warm-up match against Samoa at new Parramatta Stadium
Yep, I like the idea of picking four specific bench players, but Brendon Smith was the best of the lot this weekend.
NRL team of the week: Round 1
Woah, woah, woah? Where did I say anything like that?
Seven talking points from NRL Round 1
Look, it’s a fair shout, but stats don’t tell the whole story. The Tigers were clunky for the first hour.
Seven talking points from NRL Round 1
Yeah, Cowboys or Rabbitohs James. Both sides outstanding.
Seven talking points from NRL Round 1
Fatigue is the biggest part of the battle for mine Chris – especially on hot days.
It’s time to change the leg-side no-LBW rule