The NRL thread

[Luke]

First topic message reminder :

Following on from other threads to make the RL section easier to follow, we know have this thread. So all news etc from what is in my opnion the best league in RL, views and other things that people want to add or put across about the Aussie/New Zealand leagues, please feel free to put in here.

Parramatta's remarkable skipper Nathan Hindmarsh has announced that this year will be his last. After a fantastic career that has spaned 15 years, and over 300 games, all for the Eels.

Melbourne's Cooper Cronk has signed a 4 year deal to remain at the club.

New Zealand Warriors utility Lewis Brown will be leaving the club at the end of this year. After agreeing a 3 year deal with the Penrith Panthers.

A potential white night has gone public with his intentions to save financially stricken NRL club the Gold Coast Titans.
Billy Rae has said that his consortium are deadly series in there take over bid. Meanwhile media reports say that Scott Hill & 5 other buisness men are a rival consortium to take over the Titans.
Th

[Luke]

PARRAMATTA
Have signed Stand off Luke Kelly, from Melbourne on a 2 year deal, starting next week.

The sides for the origin game 2 (NSW side on the left).

1- Brett Stewart - Billy Slater.
2- Jarryd Hayne - Darius Boyd.
3- Michael Jennings - Greg Inglis.
4- Josh Morris - Justin Hodges.
5- Akuila Uate - Brent Tate.
6- Todd Carney - Jonathan Thurston.
7- Mitchell Pearce - Cooper Cronk.
8- Tim Grant - Matt Scott.
9- Robbie Farah - Cameron Smith.
10- James Tamou - Petero Civoniceva.
11- Greg Bird - Nate Myles.
12- Glenn Stewart - Dave Taylor.
13- Paul Gallen - Ashley Harrison.

SUBS
14- Trent Merrin - Matt Gillett.
15- Luke Lewis - Ben Hannant.
16- Ben Creagh - David Shillington.
17- Anthony Watmough - Corey Parker.

GAME
State of origin games 2, Wednesday 13th June at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Queensland lead 1-0.

[Pal Joey]

Trent Barrett, NSW Spokesman:
"Nah, dunno mate... Ricky's done enough talkin' already this week"

Both teams keeping very tight lipped... mind games, compliments for the opposition all of a sudden. It wasn't like that a day ago.

Both teams had training sessions today. Very wet today but it looked fine when both sides were on the field.

Less than 24 hours to go now... it's do or die for NSW. Again.

[Kenny]

Blues , Blues , Blues

[Pal Joey]

Just got back... nerves shredded in that 2nd half. What a relief. Some iffy tries but for once it favoured us. Unbelievable noise. So much passion from the fans like never before.

[Kenny]

So you went LB ? i was great seeing all those blue wigs the stadium looked fantastic

[Pal Joey]

It was amazing. I wasn't wearing a blue wig though. That's more for the 20-35s

[Kenny]

Did you have a blue top on though ?

[Pal Joey]

No, a boring black coat. Had a touch of blue on me though!

[Kenny]

Well you need a blue wig and shirt on for the decider , i will put my NSW shirt on aswell ............heard Slater will miss the game thats got to be good news hasn't it ?

[George Hotel1895]

I think the momentum is with NSW now and i now expect them to win the series for the first time in about 6 years i think

[Pal Joey]

Bracing myself for the final game. It's going to be a huge relief if we can scrape home.

[Kenny]

It is the 4th of July isn't it ?

[Pal Joey]

Yes, 4th of July.

Melbourne beat Manly 26-22. Tight game, 4 tries a piece but Smith's boot the difference.

Bad injury to Glenn Stewart. Grade 1 or 2 cruciate... still unclear but certainly he will miss the Decider on July 4.

[Kenny]

Thats bad news for NSW who will they bring in ?

4th July should be a good day for rugby Origin decider then in the evening the 2nd England v Exiles game

[Luke]

QUEENSLAD & MELBOURNE

Full back Billy Slater is likely to miss the next 6 weeks, after suffering a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament in the knee.

NEWCASTLE

Have retained the services of hooker Danny Buderus for an extra year, till the end of 2013.

PENRITH

Have signed North Queensland hooker James Segeyaro, on a 3 year contract. Starting from 2013.

[Pal Joey]

Thats bad news for NSW who will they bring in ?

4th July should be a good day for rugby Origin decider then in the evening the 2nd England v Exiles game

I'd say Luke Lewis will come off the bench and maybe one of Jamie Buhrer, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman or even Feliti Mateo will come into the side.

correction: was a torn medial ligament to Stewart so they're saying 3-4 weeks. Tony Williams has a slim chance but is still out with his back injury.

[Kenny]

I know this is a stupid question but given the selection of some players and possible selection of others who aren't born into Origin rugby , do you think a English player will ever be selected ? say someone like Luke Burgess who probably not play international rugby . ( i know there are better players then him i was just using him as an example )

[Pal Joey]

A lot of controversy with the NZ born players already and I can see the point of George's article about the series turning into a farce if that were to happen more and more. There is talk every other year of including an NZ side (they did it in the Oz Super League years) but it didn't exactly captivate the Aussie masses from memory.

Still would be great to see a Tomkins, Burgess or somebody of that quality have a run.
Do you think they have ancestors from NSW or ancestors who perhaps knew someone who stole a slice of bread in 1787?
Then they would be "in" in my book!

[Kenny]

Im sure if they looked hard enough they could find something

[Kenny]

Brett Finch could be set to join Canterbury

[Pal Joey]

Matty Bowen is putting his hand up to replace Billy Slater in the Qld side for the final Origin match. Ben Barba also being considered. The other option is to put Inglis at fullback and bring in a winger.

[George Hotel1895]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-star-brett-stewart-offered-35m-to-quit-nrl-and-join-london-irish-rugby-club/story-e6frexnr-1226404879660
Brett Stewart could be on his way to union. Does he have an English parent or grandparent? If so he could easily get into the English national union side.
I'm pretty sure that i read somewhere that he does qualify to play for England through a parent or grandparent.

[Luke]

ORIGIN
NSW, Have dropped Akuila Uate from the deciding game. The full sqaud is:
Brett Stewart, Brett Morris, Micheal Jennings, Josh Morris, Jarryd Hayne, Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Tim Grant, Robbie Farah, James Tamou, Greg Bird, Glenn Stewart, Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams, Trent Merrin, Ben Creagh & Beau Scott.

Meanwhile

Queensland have major injury concerns, With Justin Hodges, Ashley Harrison, Ben Hannant, Sam Thaiday & Billy Slater all rated doubtful for the final game.

[George Hotel1895]

Bush football can make you money.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-growth-can-bank-on-bush-games-says-bulldogs-ceo-todd-greenberg/story-e6frep5x-1226408330083

[Luke]

NORTH QUEENSLAD COWBOYS

Forward Corey Paterson will be joining SL club Hull KR from next year, on a 2 year deal.

[Luke]

CANTERBURY
Have signed winger Drury Low from Canberra, and forward Sam Perret from Sydney Roosters.

PARRAMATTA
Have signed Manly back rower Dave Harrison on a 2 year deal starting in 2013.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Have signed hooker Nafe Seluini from Penrith on a 1 1/2 year deal.

ORIGIN
The sides for wednesday's decieding game have been announced. They are (Queenslands is on the left).
1- Greg Inglis - Brett Stewart.
2- Darius Boyd - Jarryd Hayne.
3- Dane Neilsen - Michael Jennings.
4- Justin Hodges - Josh Morris.
5- Brent Tate - Brett Morris.
6- Johnathan Thurston - Todd Carney.
7- Cooper Cronk - Mitchell Pearce.
8- Matt Scott - Tim Grant.
9- Cameron Smith - Robbie Farah.
10- Petero Civoniceva - James Tamou.
11- Nate Myles - Greg Bird.
12- Sam Thaiday - Beau Scott.
13- Corey Parker - Paul Gallen.

14- Matt Gillett - Ben Creagh.
15- Ben Hannant - Anthony Watmough.
16- Ben Te'o - Tony Williams.
17- David Shillington - Luke Lewis.

[Pal Joey]

Looking forward to the match, tiger?

Things a little quiet here and I hear the Maroons have also gone into media lockdown.

Table updated after tonight's game.

https://www.606v2.com/t27604p50-nrl-results-and-table

[Luke]

I am though going to miss it because of work (i start at 7 am), best thing is i don't care who wins. So will watch the highlights as a pure neautral and just enjoy the whole spectacle.

LB
Do you think NSW have to win, as this could be there best chance? As the longer they go without a series win the harder it gets.

[Pal Joey]

Definitely. It was only in 2005 that the series was almost level and games won/lost were about the same too.

Now it's stretched out a bit - Series 16-12 and matches 50-42.

Yes, we are desperate. The scary thing is - so we were in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the NSW pundits keep saying 'the Blues can win it'.

It sounds worse each and every year!

[Luke]

Yes, but during most of those years Queensland had undoubtably the best side in RL, abit like the RL equivelent of Spain.

But from what i've seen this year, i just think they look ordinary by there standards. Still fancy them to win though, just because they shown that mentally and know how to win when need.

[Pal Joey]

They unveiled a statue of Arthur Beetson outside Suncorp which will really motivate them.

It's developing into an 'avenue of legends' with The King, Darren Lockyer et all already there. Very inspirational stuff.

Also with Sam Thaiday back I think they will play better than the last match.

Half an hour to kick off...

[Kenny]

Come on you Blues

[Pal Joey]

Are you watching?

In the sheds at the moment. Billy Slater in the commentary box... going through the teams now.

[Kenny]

Yes im watching , but we have Brian Carney and Shaun McCrea talking it up before the game

Started a thread about it

[Pal Joey]

OK, will go there...

[Kenny]

What a game of rugby league , if the England Exiles game is half as good i will be happy

[Pal Joey]

Feel gutted now. Trying not to think of it.

Cricket looks like it will be delayed too.

[Kenny]

Yes , losing by one point is somehow worse then losing by 6 or 7

[Pal Joey]

Yes it is worse. It's happened a few times as well. A continuing nightmare!

[George Hotel1895]

Ballin re-signs with the Sea Eagles
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/matt-ballin-re-signs-with-manly-for-three-years/story-e6frep5x-1226419831487

[Pal Joey]

Good news.

Also the Raiders have just thrashed the Storm 40-12.....!!!

Unbelievable. Melbourne did look a bit off their game but Canberra were very entertaining. Great game to watch.

Teams like Canterbury and the Broncos... will be nipping at their heels getting closer to the top of the table if they keep winning and Melbourne drop another game.

[aucklandlaurie]

jeez Linebreaker Ive been watching the rugby, and you come along and tell me that the Raiders have beaten the Storm, well that the first reply game Ive gotta watch. i didnt eventhink to use the remote.

[Pal Joey]

Warriors just won too now 32-14. So they move into the 8.
Wests-Tigers move out.

[aucklandlaurie]

If I was Jeff Toovey I would be pretty pizzed off with Manlys second half effort, sure the game was won by the break, but you wouldnt wanrt to see your team make a habit of it against some of the competition thats about.

[George Hotel1895]

Luke Lewes wants to quit panthers
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/former-penrith-panthers-captain-luke-lewis-wants-a-release-from-the-club/story-e6frep8o-1226420608097

[George Hotel1895]

Up for grabs
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/nz-warriors-player-omar-slaimankhel-has-become-the-focus-of-an-nrl-bidding-war/story-e6frepax-1226420440115

[aucklandlaurie]

Ive never really bought the NRL argument that draws arent good for the game.
Last night the Chooks and the Sharks had a 14 all draw, neither team deserved to win, neither team deserved to lose, and noone died.in fairness it was a true reflection of the game.

[George Hotel1895]

Michael searle to quit as Titans boss
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/mchael-searle-set-to-quit-as-titans-boss/story-e6frep5x-1226421992555

[aucklandlaurie]

Looks like I'm not the only one to have an opinion on draws in the NRL.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10818681

[George Hotel1895]

Tim Moltzen signs 2 year deal with the Tigers.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/tim-moltzen-signs-a-three-year-deal-with-the-wests-tigers/story-e6frepao-1226427484017

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