And so once again another season comes to a close. 2009 has seen us witness some great rugby league, although I feel us pommies were let down by Setanta Sports with the lack of NRL coverage resulting in the Irish company's demise in the UK. However, Super League has provided some wonderful talking points, a few of which will be discussed and reviewd at a later date.
So for now it is time for the second annual A Tap on the Twenty awards. These awards range from the absurd to praising the achievements to these hardened warriors in our own special way. Either way, they still have more credability than the Golden Boot award.
Below are the official awards for 2009.
The unofficial 'Stuard Fielden Award in Extreme Incompetence': Setanta Sports
Chocker of the Year: St George Illawarra
Try of the Year: Cameron Smith V England (Novemeber 2009)
Match of the Year: Australia V New Zealand (Four Nations, week one)
Special Mention Award: Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta, New South Wales & Australia)
Team of the Year: Parramatta
Player of the Year: Brett Hodgson (Huddersfield)
Friday, 20 November 2009
News on the Challenge Cup.
A lot has been made so far of the removal and inclusion of certain sporting events that have been reccommended to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. England cricket home tests have been included on the recommended list of protected sports for free-to-air viewing, while The Derby and our own Challenge Cup final have been removed.
If this list is approved, then that does not mean that the BBC will drop its coverage, it simply means that when the next TV deal is negociated, Sky, ESPN or any other cable or sattillite broadcaster can bid for live coverage of the final. The other preceding rounds are not already protected anyway.
The inclusion of the Ashes and other home tests has infuriated the England and Wales Cricket Board, and they have spoken against the proposed list. Their reason is that they will lose a lot of money they are relying of Sky for their money from broadcast rights. If Channel 4 or the BBC for example, bid for the rights they are afraid they will not get enough money to fund their grassroots programmes.
from a rugby league point of view, Sky don't need to bid for the Challenge Cup rights. Thery are a profit making organisation and make most of their money from selling TV boxsets. In purchasing exclusive TV rights for Super League and Championship games, they already have every rugby league supporter who can afford Sky or cable television. As an expansionist myself, its important to have the Challenge Cup on free-to-air TV to show the rest of the country what a wonderful game rugby league is. We have the best of both worlds currently in that the BBC will show the Challenge Cup nationally and spreading the game nationawide, and we get Sky's money for Super League.
Anybody who says that Sky must have the Challenge Cup broadcast rights is dillusional.
If this list is approved, then that does not mean that the BBC will drop its coverage, it simply means that when the next TV deal is negociated, Sky, ESPN or any other cable or sattillite broadcaster can bid for live coverage of the final. The other preceding rounds are not already protected anyway.
The inclusion of the Ashes and other home tests has infuriated the England and Wales Cricket Board, and they have spoken against the proposed list. Their reason is that they will lose a lot of money they are relying of Sky for their money from broadcast rights. If Channel 4 or the BBC for example, bid for the rights they are afraid they will not get enough money to fund their grassroots programmes.
from a rugby league point of view, Sky don't need to bid for the Challenge Cup rights. Thery are a profit making organisation and make most of their money from selling TV boxsets. In purchasing exclusive TV rights for Super League and Championship games, they already have every rugby league supporter who can afford Sky or cable television. As an expansionist myself, its important to have the Challenge Cup on free-to-air TV to show the rest of the country what a wonderful game rugby league is. We have the best of both worlds currently in that the BBC will show the Challenge Cup nationally and spreading the game nationawide, and we get Sky's money for Super League.
Anybody who says that Sky must have the Challenge Cup broadcast rights is dillusional.
Friday, 13 November 2009
Four Nations final - England V Australia.
"Kyle, who?"That was Jonathan Thurston's reponse when asked by an in-house journalist if he felt intimidated by Sam Thomkins and Kyle Eastmond before the big show down at Elland Road tomorrow evening. After last week's England performance against New Zealand, this comment will only add to the fire burning within the host's camp and bring the squad together as a group. Ultimatly, its a good thing.
In my opinion, tomorrow will see England be provided with their best chance of winning a test series against Australia since Great Britain's chance against a depleated Australian squad in 2003. Australia look a shadow of their former selves and have failed to get out of second gear on a consistant basis throught the tournament. They scraped a draw against the world champions, they sat back in the second half against England at Wigan, and for half an hour France were the better side last week. Its a worry for Tim Sheens who would have been expected to insert some pride into the green and gold jersey after Ricky Stuart lost the world cup last year.
Looking at the team line ups, England remain unchanged from their 20-12 defeat of New Zealand last week, while Australia bring back two familiar names in Billy Slater and Cameron Smith from the France game replacing Kurt Gidley and Robbie Farrah but with the former being named in the 19-man squad. John Morris misses out in favour of Greg Inglis but only the back row has been changed in the starting 13 from the one that faced England two weeks ago. Luke Lewis replaces Anthony Watmough.
And now for the tired old preview that was issued out this time two weeks ago. England CAN beat Australia if the forwards perform. And for forty minutes in Wigan the English forwards did just that. It was the first half which let the side down massivley. With no Lee Smith or Tom Briscoe on an exposed right wing, the figures of Peter Fox and Chris Bridge provide some defensive stability to stop Greg Inglis and that left win threat in green and gold.
With Australia having not convincingly performed on a consistant basis all tournament, England will not have a better chance to beat the old enemy for the first time in 37 years.
Picture: Uploaded from Wikipedia.org. Contact author if your copyright has been affected.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
England through to Four Nations final with Australia.
England and Australia both qualified for the Four Nations final with successful defeats of both New Zealand and Australia respectivly.
France 4-42 Australia
Australia were pretty much assured of a final apperance despite having still not mathematically qualified beforehand. Only an enormous upset from the French and an unpredicted England win over New Zealand could have stopped them from appering at Leeds. But the Morris twins made sure Australia had the chance to avenge their world cup defeat with two tries apiece along with contributions from hat-traick hero Michael Jennings, and Penrith's Luke Lewis.
But Australia still failed to get out of second gear making their consistancy a real worry for Tim Sheens going into the final showdown. The French showed the same grit and determination they had displayed throughout this tournament in the first half, but eventually collapsing due to the fast paced nature of the Australian's, who lead only 8-0 at half time. It was arguably one of the worst Australian performances I have seen in the first fourty minutes despite the lack of big named Aussies in the starting seventeen.
It wasn't a full strength Australian side that stepped onto the field where Super League began all those years ago, but not many players would have made an impression on the coaching staff as Australia were allowed to be dominated by Bobbie Goulding's French side, who have clearly been given a new breath of fresh air by the former Great Britain scrum half after their dismal apperance in the world cup. France can look forward to a bright future with Goulding at the helm. He has installed some disipline and patriotism into the squad and they look like a future threat to any of the 'big three' in future years.
Australia meanwhile must live up to their pre-tournament hype and become the team that threatened to brush aside the competition.
England 20-12 New Zealand
England were quite good against the current world champions.
Now there's a sentence I didn't think I would be writing this time last week. England looked like a side capable of actually competing with the best in the world. With Kevin Sinfield at hooker and the inclusion of both Peter Fox and Chris Bridge, they looked solid in defence and showed an attacking flair that had been missing up until that point. Even the troublesome half back combinations seemed to work in Sam Thomkins playing in his usual scrum half role, with the usually unimpressive Kyle Eastmond making an impressive performance.
In defence, England prevented New Zealand, and when I say New Zealand I mean Benji Marshall, from making as many yards and closed them down quickly when they looked like creating half a chance. Jamie Peacock still looked unimpressive out of position in the back row, but Morley, Burgess and Graham made up for him in the prop forwards.
England did exactly what they've been doing all tournament. They played no different to how they performed against Australia the week before in the second half, but this time it was done for 80 minutes and the tactics worked. This shows that England can win this tournament if they play in the same manner and style as they have done for the last 120 minutes of rugby.
France 4-42 Australia
Australia were pretty much assured of a final apperance despite having still not mathematically qualified beforehand. Only an enormous upset from the French and an unpredicted England win over New Zealand could have stopped them from appering at Leeds. But the Morris twins made sure Australia had the chance to avenge their world cup defeat with two tries apiece along with contributions from hat-traick hero Michael Jennings, and Penrith's Luke Lewis.
But Australia still failed to get out of second gear making their consistancy a real worry for Tim Sheens going into the final showdown. The French showed the same grit and determination they had displayed throughout this tournament in the first half, but eventually collapsing due to the fast paced nature of the Australian's, who lead only 8-0 at half time. It was arguably one of the worst Australian performances I have seen in the first fourty minutes despite the lack of big named Aussies in the starting seventeen.
It wasn't a full strength Australian side that stepped onto the field where Super League began all those years ago, but not many players would have made an impression on the coaching staff as Australia were allowed to be dominated by Bobbie Goulding's French side, who have clearly been given a new breath of fresh air by the former Great Britain scrum half after their dismal apperance in the world cup. France can look forward to a bright future with Goulding at the helm. He has installed some disipline and patriotism into the squad and they look like a future threat to any of the 'big three' in future years.
Australia meanwhile must live up to their pre-tournament hype and become the team that threatened to brush aside the competition.
England 20-12 New Zealand
England were quite good against the current world champions.
Now there's a sentence I didn't think I would be writing this time last week. England looked like a side capable of actually competing with the best in the world. With Kevin Sinfield at hooker and the inclusion of both Peter Fox and Chris Bridge, they looked solid in defence and showed an attacking flair that had been missing up until that point. Even the troublesome half back combinations seemed to work in Sam Thomkins playing in his usual scrum half role, with the usually unimpressive Kyle Eastmond making an impressive performance.
In defence, England prevented New Zealand, and when I say New Zealand I mean Benji Marshall, from making as many yards and closed them down quickly when they looked like creating half a chance. Jamie Peacock still looked unimpressive out of position in the back row, but Morley, Burgess and Graham made up for him in the prop forwards.
England did exactly what they've been doing all tournament. They played no different to how they performed against Australia the week before in the second half, but this time it was done for 80 minutes and the tactics worked. This shows that England can win this tournament if they play in the same manner and style as they have done for the last 120 minutes of rugby.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Get Leon Williamson to referee in Super League.
What a refreshing change to the standard of refereeing we have seen during the international season this year.
New Zealand referee, Leon Williamson, has shown that there are consistantly good referees out there in the world. He has shown in his performance that he has the testicles to make the big calls without the need for video technology for every decision. He showed Jean-Phillipe Baile the red card for an awful stiff arm tackle on Richie Myler when England hosted France in this year's Four Nations opener. He sin binned four players in Scotland's European Cup game against Lebanon. Two players were sent to the sideline for persistant lying on at the play the ball after several warnings, and two for violent conduct.
We have also seen that he can use the 'on report' system the way it was meant to be used, and not as a cop out so the referee can't be blamed for changing the game. David Ferriol was placed on report and eventually banned for a sly elbow to Kevin Sinfield's face away from the view of the referee and Liam Ayoub of Lebanon was put on report for the same offence.
He has the ability to control the big international teams, having refereed both Australia and England despite having never been a senior ref in either Super League or the NRL. His performance yesterday during the France V Australia game showed he is not out of his depth, and as a neutral neutral referee would be the perfect candidate to control the Four Nations final next week.
However, Australia refused both his and French referee Thiery Alibert's services for the England game in Wigan on the grounds that "neither are full-time referees." Englishman Steve Ganson stepped in, but I can't help but assume that this time Shane Hayne will step out onto Elland Road regardless of the fact he is Australian. Its a kick in the teeth for those who believe in the international game and want to see it expand. One factor is the use of neutral referees in all international games that will give the game credability internationally, but this is being handicapped by Australian officials who insist on using referees who they claim to be full-time.
Which is why, if its possible, the RFL should bring Leon Williamson to Super League and become a full-time official. He could fill the remaining gap left after Ashley Klein's departure from this country and the increase of Super League teams from 12 to 14. He would arguably be the most consistent in Super League based on his performance in the Four Nations.
New Zealand referee, Leon Williamson, has shown that there are consistantly good referees out there in the world. He has shown in his performance that he has the testicles to make the big calls without the need for video technology for every decision. He showed Jean-Phillipe Baile the red card for an awful stiff arm tackle on Richie Myler when England hosted France in this year's Four Nations opener. He sin binned four players in Scotland's European Cup game against Lebanon. Two players were sent to the sideline for persistant lying on at the play the ball after several warnings, and two for violent conduct.
We have also seen that he can use the 'on report' system the way it was meant to be used, and not as a cop out so the referee can't be blamed for changing the game. David Ferriol was placed on report and eventually banned for a sly elbow to Kevin Sinfield's face away from the view of the referee and Liam Ayoub of Lebanon was put on report for the same offence.
He has the ability to control the big international teams, having refereed both Australia and England despite having never been a senior ref in either Super League or the NRL. His performance yesterday during the France V Australia game showed he is not out of his depth, and as a neutral neutral referee would be the perfect candidate to control the Four Nations final next week.
However, Australia refused both his and French referee Thiery Alibert's services for the England game in Wigan on the grounds that "neither are full-time referees." Englishman Steve Ganson stepped in, but I can't help but assume that this time Shane Hayne will step out onto Elland Road regardless of the fact he is Australian. Its a kick in the teeth for those who believe in the international game and want to see it expand. One factor is the use of neutral referees in all international games that will give the game credability internationally, but this is being handicapped by Australian officials who insist on using referees who they claim to be full-time.
Which is why, if its possible, the RFL should bring Leon Williamson to Super League and become a full-time official. He could fill the remaining gap left after Ashley Klein's departure from this country and the increase of Super League teams from 12 to 14. He would arguably be the most consistent in Super League based on his performance in the Four Nations.
Saturday, 31 October 2009
England fightback too late against Australia.
England 16-26 Australia
It wasn't pretty was it?
To summarise the first half from and England perspective, it was nothing short of abysmal. Poor defence, poor organisation and a one dimensional attack thanks to a lack of organisation from both Danny McGuire and Sam Thomkins.
Greg Inglis consistently ran through the England right wing like a knife through butter. Tim Sheens used the obvious tactic and targeted Tom Briscoe on that right hand side, taking advantage of Briscoe's lack of experience. They did it by streaching the England defence, and it looked like they were able to do it on any area of the pitch.
Billy Slater scored what I would consider the try of the game. From a play the ball on the Australian right side,Cameron Smith passed what the players call an 'X ball' (where the recieving player runs behind an option runner, but its timed so to not obstruct the defence) to Thurston, who did the same to Lockyer, who did the same to Slater to score in the other corner.
Once the floodgates opened early on, it looked like Australia would repeat their 52-4 mauling of England in Melbourne last year. Thankfully, Australia decided not to to enflict their wrath and the second half reflected that.
The million pound question has to be, did Australia take their foot off the gas or did England actually play some decent rugby in the second half?
The second half allowed England to throw the ball around a bit more. They were able to get into their opponents half, which Australia prevented in the first half. Eorl Crabtree put his hand up and showed he is a good prop after all, out playing both Adrian Morley and the out of position Jamie Peacock.
Sam Burgess, the worst England forward on the pitch in the first half, improved his work rate and ultimatly scored his try before he deserved it. But it lifted the spirits of both the England players and the fans.
Even Thomkins showed a spark of cretivity and doubled a one dimenstional attack with the help of Kevin Sinfield, and Kyle Eastmond later in the game. Although he didn't have the perfect game. His execution was too slow against the fast paced Australian defence, which meant most of the time he was forced to take the tackle which lost momentum for the English side.
As for McGuire, it was ironic when he was finally taken off that so many fans jeered the Leeds stand off. He didn't show any enthusiasm and looked like he didn't know what he was doing most of the time.
So where now for England?
I firmly believe if the second English side turn up to Huddersfield to face New Zealand on next week. If England can throw the ball around a bit and the halfs are given the space to move around, then England can defeat New Zealand and secure their place in the final at Leeds.
The New Zealand side, whilst good, are very young and may suffer from jet lag and the amount of travelling they will have to face. They looked bery dodgey in the first half against France and looked very exposed.
Its do or die for both England and Tony Smith.
It wasn't pretty was it?
To summarise the first half from and England perspective, it was nothing short of abysmal. Poor defence, poor organisation and a one dimensional attack thanks to a lack of organisation from both Danny McGuire and Sam Thomkins.
Greg Inglis consistently ran through the England right wing like a knife through butter. Tim Sheens used the obvious tactic and targeted Tom Briscoe on that right hand side, taking advantage of Briscoe's lack of experience. They did it by streaching the England defence, and it looked like they were able to do it on any area of the pitch.
Billy Slater scored what I would consider the try of the game. From a play the ball on the Australian right side,Cameron Smith passed what the players call an 'X ball' (where the recieving player runs behind an option runner, but its timed so to not obstruct the defence) to Thurston, who did the same to Lockyer, who did the same to Slater to score in the other corner.
Once the floodgates opened early on, it looked like Australia would repeat their 52-4 mauling of England in Melbourne last year. Thankfully, Australia decided not to to enflict their wrath and the second half reflected that.
The million pound question has to be, did Australia take their foot off the gas or did England actually play some decent rugby in the second half?
The second half allowed England to throw the ball around a bit more. They were able to get into their opponents half, which Australia prevented in the first half. Eorl Crabtree put his hand up and showed he is a good prop after all, out playing both Adrian Morley and the out of position Jamie Peacock.
Sam Burgess, the worst England forward on the pitch in the first half, improved his work rate and ultimatly scored his try before he deserved it. But it lifted the spirits of both the England players and the fans.
Even Thomkins showed a spark of cretivity and doubled a one dimenstional attack with the help of Kevin Sinfield, and Kyle Eastmond later in the game. Although he didn't have the perfect game. His execution was too slow against the fast paced Australian defence, which meant most of the time he was forced to take the tackle which lost momentum for the English side.
As for McGuire, it was ironic when he was finally taken off that so many fans jeered the Leeds stand off. He didn't show any enthusiasm and looked like he didn't know what he was doing most of the time.
So where now for England?
I firmly believe if the second English side turn up to Huddersfield to face New Zealand on next week. If England can throw the ball around a bit and the halfs are given the space to move around, then England can defeat New Zealand and secure their place in the final at Leeds.
The New Zealand side, whilst good, are very young and may suffer from jet lag and the amount of travelling they will have to face. They looked bery dodgey in the first half against France and looked very exposed.
Its do or die for both England and Tony Smith.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Four Nations preview - England V Australia.
The England line up for their match against Australia is as follows.
Shaun Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Lee Smith
Michael Shenton
Ryan Hall
Danny McGuire
Sam Thomkins
Adrian Morley
James Roby
James Graham
Gareth Ellis
Jamie Peacock
Kevin Sinfield
Sam Burgess
Eorl Crabtree
Kyle Eastmond
Ben Westwood
Compare that to the Australian team that line up as follows;
Billy Slater
Brett Morris
Greg Inglis
Brett Hodges
Jarryd Hayne
Darren Lockyer
Jonathan Thurston
Ben Hannant
Cameron Smith
Petro Civoniceva
Anthony Watmough
Paul Gallen
Nathan Hindmarsh
(From four of the following)
Brett White
David Shillington
Luke Lewis
Robbie Farah
Kurt Gidley
Trent Waterhouse
They say rugby league is a seventeen man game. Now without disrespecting the Australians, their bench doesn't look as threatening as I first feared no matter who is filtered out. But their starting thirteen is more threatening than when they annihilated England in Melbourne last year.
As I said twelve months ago, England's forward pack can beat Australia on top of their game. Its the English back line I fear will let the side down. Tom Briscoe's nerves must be shaking like a Tickle Me Elmo with the thought of facing up to who was considered the NRL's best player, Jarryd Hayne. With 26 first team apperances and 13 tries, its a complete mis-match in terms of experience when you consider Hayne has starred in 109 NRL and representative games scoring 90 tries in total.
Despite his man of the match performance against Wales, I wish Sam Thomkins all the luck in the world when he faces the four time consecutive State of Origin winning half back pairing of Darren Lockyer and Jonathan Thurston. Thomkins will be buoyed by playing on his club's home ground at international level. But he will have to be on top of his game to even have a chance of out smarting Lockyer or Thurston.
Its a worrying thought that England's 52-4 defeat last year may not have been a one off after all.
Shaun Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Lee Smith
Michael Shenton
Ryan Hall
Danny McGuire
Sam Thomkins
Adrian Morley
James Roby
James Graham
Gareth Ellis
Jamie Peacock
Kevin Sinfield
Sam Burgess
Eorl Crabtree
Kyle Eastmond
Ben Westwood
Compare that to the Australian team that line up as follows;
Billy Slater
Brett Morris
Greg Inglis
Brett Hodges
Jarryd Hayne
Darren Lockyer
Jonathan Thurston
Ben Hannant
Cameron Smith
Petro Civoniceva
Anthony Watmough
Paul Gallen
Nathan Hindmarsh
(From four of the following)
Brett White
David Shillington
Luke Lewis
Robbie Farah
Kurt Gidley
Trent Waterhouse
They say rugby league is a seventeen man game. Now without disrespecting the Australians, their bench doesn't look as threatening as I first feared no matter who is filtered out. But their starting thirteen is more threatening than when they annihilated England in Melbourne last year.
As I said twelve months ago, England's forward pack can beat Australia on top of their game. Its the English back line I fear will let the side down. Tom Briscoe's nerves must be shaking like a Tickle Me Elmo with the thought of facing up to who was considered the NRL's best player, Jarryd Hayne. With 26 first team apperances and 13 tries, its a complete mis-match in terms of experience when you consider Hayne has starred in 109 NRL and representative games scoring 90 tries in total.
Despite his man of the match performance against Wales, I wish Sam Thomkins all the luck in the world when he faces the four time consecutive State of Origin winning half back pairing of Darren Lockyer and Jonathan Thurston. Thomkins will be buoyed by playing on his club's home ground at international level. But he will have to be on top of his game to even have a chance of out smarting Lockyer or Thurston.
Its a worrying thought that England's 52-4 defeat last year may not have been a one off after all.
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