Leeds have chosen to play Catalan at Headingley, leaving the biggest game of the weekend at St Helens as the hosts take on local rivals Wigan on Saturday night. To no ones surprise, Brain McLennan and Gary Hetherington chose to play the lowest rank side out of the two preliminary semi final winners, which was the French outfit after they scraped into the play offs in the final round of the season after a dramatic win over St Helens.
But selecting Catalan was not simply down to them being the lowest ranked side. Catalan have to travel from the south of France travelling over 1,500 miles, the fourth time they will have done the trip to the north of England in four weeks. To top it off, the St Helens and Wigan derby is always a fierce contest and the choice to send Wigan down the East Lancs Road and play their closest rivals will tire both teams a week before the Grand Final. Of course, only one can make Old Trafford.
So what will the outcome be come Friday and Saturday night? Well you would think Leeds will walk all over Catalan at Headingley. But as mentioned in the announcement, will Leeds have instantly motivated the Catalan side to prove they are not the worst of the four sides left in the competition? As for Saturday night, its another tough call. Without a doubt Wigan are the form team of the two. But Sean Long can, and has in the past, defeated Wigan single handedly. To make things even more nervous for Wigan fans, this is the last time Sean Long will walk onto the Knowsley Road pitch wearing the red vee shirt.
I'm predicting the Grand Final will host a Leeds V St Helens final.
Sunday 27 September 2009
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Leeds and Hull KR dominate Super League Dream Team
Leeds and Hull KR have dominated this year's Super League Dream Team with four players from the 2009 League Leaders, and four from East Hull have been included in the fantasy line up. The league's top try scorer after the regular season, Ryan Hall, is included along side team mates Keith Senior, Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield. Albert Goldthorpe Medal winner Michael Dobson was selected at scrum half with winger, Peter Fox, and second rower Ben Galea the other two robins selected by a panel of senior Rugby League journalists.
A Tap on the Twenty's favourite for Man of Steel, Brett Hodgson, heads the line up at full back with team mate Scott Moore at hooker. Adrian Morley's ten year wait to be included again has ended after his previous selection in 1999. Matt Gidley is the only St Helens player selected while youngster Sam Thomkins is chosen at stand off.
Brett Hodgson (Huddersfield)
Personally, he is my bet for Man of Steel. He has been a key element for Huddersfield all season leading them to a record breaking third place on the Super League ladder and a first Challenge Cup final appearance since 1962. Nathan Brown has brought out the best in the talented full back, while Hodgson has brought out the best in the rest of the team and lead from the back.
Peter Fox (HKR)
After making his international debut against France last year, Fox has developed into a threatening winger. He is there to score tries, which is what a winger is supposed to do. The skill is to be in the correct position to finish off either a team effort, or a chip to the corner. Whatever the scenario, Fox is always on the end of it.
Matt Gidley (St Helens)
Its not been the perfect season for St Helens. Compared to recent years this has been their worst so far since 2003, with no Challenge Cup or League Leader's shield to call their own. Bu despite the misfortune so far, Gidley has been a shining star in what could be describe as a team of burnt out candles.
Keith Senior (Leeds)
Senior has been one of a pair of a centre and winger partnership with Ryan Hall, being responsible for assistance in 13 Hall's tries. Despite his age and his lack of international form, he is still a key member of Leeds' domestic challenge as he has been for the past ten years.
Ryan Hall (Leeds)
A wonder kid at only 21 years of age, scoring 28 tries in 26 appearances. He has always been on Keith Senior's shoulder to finish off a try in the corner and has speed to burn as he tears up the left side of the Headingley pitch. A true and underrated speedster in the modern era.
Sam Tomkins (Wigan)
Another shining star from the red rose county, this time from Wigan. Easily the best young player of the year with massive potential to team up with Richie Myler at international level in the future. Not without his fair share of mistakes, but his hard working attitude and has earned him selection to the Dream Team this time round.
Michael Dobson (HKR)
I bet you won't believe me when I tell you he is only 25, as it seems he has been around for ages. Which is just as well because he is actually only 23 years of age. And after being given his chances at Catalan and Wigan before going back to Canberra, he has been able to take Super League by storm and become one of the league's best Australian imports.
Adrian Morley (Warrington)
After a ten year wait, he his finally back in the Dream Team. Admittedly a different player now than he was back then, his tackling technique has been cleaned up and his misbehaviour has been erased. What Warrington have now is a strong, powerful international prop forward who rarely gives less than 100% in any given game.
Scott Moore (Huddersfield)
He has been very dangerous for Huddersfield this season. Another English youngster who darts from acting half back and can race round marker defenders with total ease. He has made 250 more metres than Matt Diskin from the same position and can execute perfect passes from anywhere on the field.
Jamie Peacock (Leeds)
As ever, the current England captain has been a spectacular member of the Leeds side. Shaped from a similar mould as Adrian Morley, he is everything that Morley is and more. Never giving less than his best, he has proven a point this year afte leading England to a dismal World Cup campaign.
Ben Galea (HKR)
One of the two Hull KR second rowers selected in this team, the veteran 2005 NRL Grand Final winner has showed his experience and ripped opposition defenders right down the middle of the field consistently all year. The Maltese descendant has truly earned his place.
Clint Newton (HKR)
The second of the two selected Hull KR second rowers and its not just NRL winners medals the two players share. They share the same playing characteristics as each other, which is handy for the KR team as if one is having a bad game the other will undoubtedly rise to the challenge. However is both players are on top form, they can be a dangerous combination.
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds)
No surprise for the loose forward selection. He has lead Leeds from the back of the scrum, and his kicking game is second to none. Leeds always have the edge with his goal kicks, as shown against Warrington on their own patch when they scored less tries but won the game by two points in the dying seconds. A valuable member of the team.
A Tap on the Twenty's favourite for Man of Steel, Brett Hodgson, heads the line up at full back with team mate Scott Moore at hooker. Adrian Morley's ten year wait to be included again has ended after his previous selection in 1999. Matt Gidley is the only St Helens player selected while youngster Sam Thomkins is chosen at stand off.
Brett Hodgson (Huddersfield)
Personally, he is my bet for Man of Steel. He has been a key element for Huddersfield all season leading them to a record breaking third place on the Super League ladder and a first Challenge Cup final appearance since 1962. Nathan Brown has brought out the best in the talented full back, while Hodgson has brought out the best in the rest of the team and lead from the back.
Peter Fox (HKR)
After making his international debut against France last year, Fox has developed into a threatening winger. He is there to score tries, which is what a winger is supposed to do. The skill is to be in the correct position to finish off either a team effort, or a chip to the corner. Whatever the scenario, Fox is always on the end of it.
Matt Gidley (St Helens)
Its not been the perfect season for St Helens. Compared to recent years this has been their worst so far since 2003, with no Challenge Cup or League Leader's shield to call their own. Bu despite the misfortune so far, Gidley has been a shining star in what could be describe as a team of burnt out candles.
Keith Senior (Leeds)
Senior has been one of a pair of a centre and winger partnership with Ryan Hall, being responsible for assistance in 13 Hall's tries. Despite his age and his lack of international form, he is still a key member of Leeds' domestic challenge as he has been for the past ten years.
Ryan Hall (Leeds)
A wonder kid at only 21 years of age, scoring 28 tries in 26 appearances. He has always been on Keith Senior's shoulder to finish off a try in the corner and has speed to burn as he tears up the left side of the Headingley pitch. A true and underrated speedster in the modern era.
Sam Tomkins (Wigan)
Another shining star from the red rose county, this time from Wigan. Easily the best young player of the year with massive potential to team up with Richie Myler at international level in the future. Not without his fair share of mistakes, but his hard working attitude and has earned him selection to the Dream Team this time round.
Michael Dobson (HKR)
I bet you won't believe me when I tell you he is only 25, as it seems he has been around for ages. Which is just as well because he is actually only 23 years of age. And after being given his chances at Catalan and Wigan before going back to Canberra, he has been able to take Super League by storm and become one of the league's best Australian imports.
Adrian Morley (Warrington)
After a ten year wait, he his finally back in the Dream Team. Admittedly a different player now than he was back then, his tackling technique has been cleaned up and his misbehaviour has been erased. What Warrington have now is a strong, powerful international prop forward who rarely gives less than 100% in any given game.
Scott Moore (Huddersfield)
He has been very dangerous for Huddersfield this season. Another English youngster who darts from acting half back and can race round marker defenders with total ease. He has made 250 more metres than Matt Diskin from the same position and can execute perfect passes from anywhere on the field.
Jamie Peacock (Leeds)
As ever, the current England captain has been a spectacular member of the Leeds side. Shaped from a similar mould as Adrian Morley, he is everything that Morley is and more. Never giving less than his best, he has proven a point this year afte leading England to a dismal World Cup campaign.
Ben Galea (HKR)
One of the two Hull KR second rowers selected in this team, the veteran 2005 NRL Grand Final winner has showed his experience and ripped opposition defenders right down the middle of the field consistently all year. The Maltese descendant has truly earned his place.
Clint Newton (HKR)
The second of the two selected Hull KR second rowers and its not just NRL winners medals the two players share. They share the same playing characteristics as each other, which is handy for the KR team as if one is having a bad game the other will undoubtedly rise to the challenge. However is both players are on top form, they can be a dangerous combination.
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds)
No surprise for the loose forward selection. He has lead Leeds from the back of the scrum, and his kicking game is second to none. Leeds always have the edge with his goal kicks, as shown against Warrington on their own patch when they scored less tries but won the game by two points in the dying seconds. A valuable member of the team.
Wednesday 9 September 2009
An even briefer lookback on 2009
A few things I missed previously. It was great news that we were able to secure the 2013 Rugby League World Cup to be hosted away from Australia. While it was a massive success, the same ingredients need to be applied on this side of the world to develop expansion.
The news that the 2013 tournament will consist of twelve teams, an increase of two on the 2008 World Cup, was greeted warmly by senior member of the trade press. Twelve teams will eliminate the need of a "super pool" in the early stages of the tournament, but I feel this is the wrong option for the RLIF to go in keeping every single game as competitive as possible. The presumed format of four groups of three will mean the big three of New Zealand, Australia and England are separated along with whoever the fourth ranked team are in the RLIF Rankings. Qualifiers will then be dispersed or drawn into the four pools containing one of the major teams.
While the planning is in its very early stage, the news of the possibility that certain games may be used as double headers to attract audiences is very good news. Attendance figures was one of several key factors in the 2008 tournament, with more fans turning up than what was expected to make it a successful tournament. Double headers means that fans will be more inclined to attend, as they will be watching two games instead of one big game in the early stages of the tournament. The like of Australia V Scotland at Warrington might not seem attractive as a contest, but double it up with New Zealand V Fiji no the same day at the same venue, for example, and the punters are getting value for money.
The news that the 2013 tournament will consist of twelve teams, an increase of two on the 2008 World Cup, was greeted warmly by senior member of the trade press. Twelve teams will eliminate the need of a "super pool" in the early stages of the tournament, but I feel this is the wrong option for the RLIF to go in keeping every single game as competitive as possible. The presumed format of four groups of three will mean the big three of New Zealand, Australia and England are separated along with whoever the fourth ranked team are in the RLIF Rankings. Qualifiers will then be dispersed or drawn into the four pools containing one of the major teams.
While the planning is in its very early stage, the news of the possibility that certain games may be used as double headers to attract audiences is very good news. Attendance figures was one of several key factors in the 2008 tournament, with more fans turning up than what was expected to make it a successful tournament. Double headers means that fans will be more inclined to attend, as they will be watching two games instead of one big game in the early stages of the tournament. The like of Australia V Scotland at Warrington might not seem attractive as a contest, but double it up with New Zealand V Fiji no the same day at the same venue, for example, and the punters are getting value for money.
NRL on ESPN.
ESPN will show the final three matches of the NRL finals according to rugbyleague.com.
No announcement has been made, as far as I'm aware, on coverage for the 2010 season. However, ESPN will show both Preliminary Final matches on the 25th and 26th September, with the first match being shown live. The Grand Final on 4th October will also be shown live at 7am.
This comes four months after Setanta Sports went into administration and ceased broadcasting less than 24 hours before the second of this years State of Origin game in Sydney.
While it was nice you could get a live feed via Australian internet provider, Bigpond, it was only a matter of time before the NRL secured a deal with a UK broadcaster to show NRL games. The UK has the biggest TV ratings for NRL games outside of Australia and the league will no doubt have wanted a TV company to show games from this season's competition sooner. But for rugby league fans in the UK, British-born or ex-pats emigrating, this is definatly good news providing you subscribe to the channel.
No announcement has been made, as far as I'm aware, on coverage for the 2010 season. However, ESPN will show both Preliminary Final matches on the 25th and 26th September, with the first match being shown live. The Grand Final on 4th October will also be shown live at 7am.
This comes four months after Setanta Sports went into administration and ceased broadcasting less than 24 hours before the second of this years State of Origin game in Sydney.
While it was nice you could get a live feed via Australian internet provider, Bigpond, it was only a matter of time before the NRL secured a deal with a UK broadcaster to show NRL games. The UK has the biggest TV ratings for NRL games outside of Australia and the league will no doubt have wanted a TV company to show games from this season's competition sooner. But for rugby league fans in the UK, British-born or ex-pats emigrating, this is definatly good news providing you subscribe to the channel.
Tuesday 8 September 2009
Video game review: Rugby League Manager 2009
Rugby League Manager 2009 (inc Patch 4)
RRP: £0.00
Creator: Alex Thomas
Website: www.rugbyleaguemanager.com
They say the best things in life are free, but I fail to agree with that statement. The NHS isn't the rousing success it should be. Many experts agree we are letting our children down in state education, and the Lancashire hotpot given away by my local community centre the weekend before Christmas tasted like plastic in boiling water. But of course, there are exceptions to the rule.
I'm not talking about the toilet attendant who gives you a free lollipop if you freshen up during a night on the town either. I'm talking about one of the most addicting series of Rugby League games ever made. Admittedly the 2005 edition of this RL Manager series looked like an 11 year old had made a website and stuck a few hyper links together, it captured your attention for a whole three seconds. But the 2008 edition was a breakthrough, and set the platform for a scheduled 2010 and 2011 release as well as the current 2009 edition. The achievements of RLM2008 is the foundation to the 2009 game.
The presentation is the same similar theme from RLM08, and almost as if you were playing Football Manager. If it worked for Sports Interactive, it defiantly works for RLM09. The same 2D match play returns, which in my opinion is better than Football Manager's early games. It gives you a realistic bird's eye view of the players down below, as opposed to small circles running around a football field on FM. Away from the matches, the menus from RLM08 have been given a nice paint job to look like the entire game is sponsored by Leeds Met Carnegie, otherwise its exactly the same layout. The same list of managerial aspects down the left hand side. The same layout of player's names after clicking a sub-menu. The same female voice when trying to select the club to start your game with. And yet in an obvious way, this game is different.
Other than the layout and presentation of the game, 2009 it a completely different game to its older brother. You are given a lot more options when choosing your team tactics. They are no longer simply broken down into red zone, orange zone, yellow zone and green zone. Each zone has been split into three sections, meaning you can have different pre set tactics for centre yellow zone and left yellow zone. Up to 12 sections of the pitch can be tactically altered depending on where you are with possession. But here's the clever part, you can only plan up to six different sets-of-six tackles, and assign each set of six (labelled Set A, Set B etc) to any of the 12 sections of the pitch. Not only that, of the available set of advanced moves your team learns while establishing cohesion, only one advanced move for the forwards, and one advanced move for the backs can be used in each set of six. The challenge is finding the right move to use on the right part of the pitch while trying to break down the opposition defence.
RRP: £0.00
Creator: Alex Thomas
Website: www.rugbyleaguemanager.com
They say the best things in life are free, but I fail to agree with that statement. The NHS isn't the rousing success it should be. Many experts agree we are letting our children down in state education, and the Lancashire hotpot given away by my local community centre the weekend before Christmas tasted like plastic in boiling water. But of course, there are exceptions to the rule.
I'm not talking about the toilet attendant who gives you a free lollipop if you freshen up during a night on the town either. I'm talking about one of the most addicting series of Rugby League games ever made. Admittedly the 2005 edition of this RL Manager series looked like an 11 year old had made a website and stuck a few hyper links together, it captured your attention for a whole three seconds. But the 2008 edition was a breakthrough, and set the platform for a scheduled 2010 and 2011 release as well as the current 2009 edition. The achievements of RLM2008 is the foundation to the 2009 game.
The presentation is the same similar theme from RLM08, and almost as if you were playing Football Manager. If it worked for Sports Interactive, it defiantly works for RLM09. The same 2D match play returns, which in my opinion is better than Football Manager's early games. It gives you a realistic bird's eye view of the players down below, as opposed to small circles running around a football field on FM. Away from the matches, the menus from RLM08 have been given a nice paint job to look like the entire game is sponsored by Leeds Met Carnegie, otherwise its exactly the same layout. The same list of managerial aspects down the left hand side. The same layout of player's names after clicking a sub-menu. The same female voice when trying to select the club to start your game with. And yet in an obvious way, this game is different.
Other than the layout and presentation of the game, 2009 it a completely different game to its older brother. You are given a lot more options when choosing your team tactics. They are no longer simply broken down into red zone, orange zone, yellow zone and green zone. Each zone has been split into three sections, meaning you can have different pre set tactics for centre yellow zone and left yellow zone. Up to 12 sections of the pitch can be tactically altered depending on where you are with possession. But here's the clever part, you can only plan up to six different sets-of-six tackles, and assign each set of six (labelled Set A, Set B etc) to any of the 12 sections of the pitch. Not only that, of the available set of advanced moves your team learns while establishing cohesion, only one advanced move for the forwards, and one advanced move for the backs can be used in each set of six. The challenge is finding the right move to use on the right part of the pitch while trying to break down the opposition defence.
Another new aspect is you now have more involvement with both the academy an alliance teams. You now have to pick the sides your young protégés will line up in. Of course the more games a young player plays in, the faster he will develop. As a result I myself am developing a fullback that is good enough to allow me to get rid of Richie Mathers. This more limited approach into young player development means I have more choice in selecting what players I need in specific position to nurture. Thankfully, you don't get to watch either the academy or allience teams play. The result is simulated, which means your not spending too much time with the kids, but that leaves more time to focus on the main squad. After all, even the best of the youngsters won't come to you if your first team isn't winning.
Who that team is, is now up to you. The selection of teams to manage is phenomenal. Every team from Super League and NRL, to both Championships and Rugby League Conference. My only critisism up to now is that conference team line ups are not real players. But who has heard of a bunch of amateurs anyway? Not when you can expand you coaching career beyond the domestic game. State of Origin and the now defunct War of the Roses teams are included, as well as eleven national sides including the ten from last year's World Cup. And all of whom allow you to select your own squads from scratch. Don't like Billy Slater? Don't select him for either Queensland or Australia. Think that Kevin Penny deserves an England spot? Put him on the wing. The choice is entirely up to you.
Now I've never been a fan of games being released for the sake of it. Its annoying when games like the FIFA series take their previous year's game, update the teams and release it as the next instalment. Thankfully this game isn't a carbon copy of last years edition. All the good ingredients that made RLM08 a good game, plus some new elements, have turned RLM09 from an good home cooked meal into a appetising plate full Toby carvery dinner. Its nowhere near the standard of The Ivy, but this game doesn't intend to be perfect. What it does is give you an exciting gaming experience full to the brim with teams, features all nicely packaged and presented with a pretty bow on top. I love it.
Graphics - 8/10
Gameplay - 7/10
Sound - 5/10
Presentation - 8/10
Overall - 7.5/10
Who that team is, is now up to you. The selection of teams to manage is phenomenal. Every team from Super League and NRL, to both Championships and Rugby League Conference. My only critisism up to now is that conference team line ups are not real players. But who has heard of a bunch of amateurs anyway? Not when you can expand you coaching career beyond the domestic game. State of Origin and the now defunct War of the Roses teams are included, as well as eleven national sides including the ten from last year's World Cup. And all of whom allow you to select your own squads from scratch. Don't like Billy Slater? Don't select him for either Queensland or Australia. Think that Kevin Penny deserves an England spot? Put him on the wing. The choice is entirely up to you.
Now I've never been a fan of games being released for the sake of it. Its annoying when games like the FIFA series take their previous year's game, update the teams and release it as the next instalment. Thankfully this game isn't a carbon copy of last years edition. All the good ingredients that made RLM08 a good game, plus some new elements, have turned RLM09 from an good home cooked meal into a appetising plate full Toby carvery dinner. Its nowhere near the standard of The Ivy, but this game doesn't intend to be perfect. What it does is give you an exciting gaming experience full to the brim with teams, features all nicely packaged and presented with a pretty bow on top. I love it.
Graphics - 8/10
Gameplay - 7/10
Sound - 5/10
Presentation - 8/10
Overall - 7.5/10
Monday 7 September 2009
A brief lookback on 2009.
2009.
Eventful. Exciting. Pleasurable. And not without its fair share of controversy. So in the week leading up to the NRL play offs, its best to go over the highlights of what already has been a busy season so far.
I last left you in the aftermath of Martin Gleeson's transfer to Wigan, with a reported £100,000 plus Richie Mathers. I think its fair to say that for Warrington it was the deal of the century. While Mathers hasn't been the perfect fullback, he has performed above expectation considering what his form was like in Wigan's colours. Gleeson on the otherhand missed several games after their loss to Celtic and has done very little in the cherry and white overall since.
Speaking of Celtic, they're starting to remind me of the fictional Harchester United FC which was the focus of the TV drama series, Dream Team. Still only a baby compared to more established clubs, their catapult to the top flight in such a short space of time has seen them struggle to compete this season. An early Challenge Cup exit and with only three wins to their name in the league (Bradford, Wigan and Salford) they have failed to capture anyones imagination, especially the Bridgend locals if you were to read into their home attendance figures. Not wanted by many in Super League to begin the year with, their implosion will have no doubt put a smile on the fans of many Championship clubs. Espicially the fans of Widnes, Halifax and Leigh.
But the real drama occured in August when it was confirmed that no less than six of their first team players were to be deported on the basis of playing and staying in the UK on the wrong visas. The offence is estimated to have occured during the 2007 season in which Celtic were promoted to what was National League One. Captin Jace van Dijk, Tony Duggan, Damien Quinn, Darren Mapp, Mark Dalle Cort, and John Hannay are all alledged to have played under a working holiday visa illegally, despite this practise being allowed in the past and a UK Border Agency rule change preventing this practise between the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Who is to blame remains a closely guarded secret, which may be a first for Rugby League. This story has a million and one complications, as another semi proffesional club had, before the 2007 season, appealed to the UK Border Agency to let its players play under this type of visa and they were granted permission. This was reported in one of the trade newspapaers. So my own personal opintion of this is that is was an administrative error. Thats not to say Celtic shouldn't face the consequences whatever they may be, merely that they may have been careless in applying for visas for their overseas players.
Rugby League is never short of a scandal, and the Australian's have seen to it they are supplying more than their fair share of bad publicity. Countless players have been accused of assault, rape, disorderly behaviour and being intoxicated in a public place. In my opinion the media seem ot be having a field day with the NRL at the moment, reporting on every player that so much as sips a drop of shandy. And if, as an ex-player, you thought no one would expose the wrong doing you did during your day, you can guess again.
I honestly feel sorry for Matthew Johns. Not only has he lost his day job on Channel Nine, but he has no doubt had to relive memories and rebuild his family over events that have occured seven years ago while he was playing for Cronulla. The woman in question is no doubt cashing in on the story being sold to newspapaers. The original police investigation saw no one arrested or found guilty, so why she had to drag these events up is at this time is anyones guess. Although the timing is suspicious after Brett Stewart, Paul Gallen and others were accused of wrong doing in quick succession. Of course these stories do have consequences. I'm talking about the rumours that Coca-Cola were days away from signing a sponcership deal with the RFL to sponsor the Four Nations. League Express reported that a representative of Coca-Cola's visited Australia when a large proportion of player scandals were being unearthed and he reccommended that the multi-million pound company pull out of the deal. If I were Nigel wood at the time, I would have been furious as the RFL have done nothing wrong before the deal collapsed. Its merely Coca-Cola not wanting to tarnish their company's image by associating themselves with a sport that is in a bad light. But amazingly, I don't blame them for pulling the plug.
Now I think its time to talk about some rugby. Queensland secured their record breaking fourth straight State of Origin series win after game two in Sydney. Although in my opinion the player of the series was New South Welshman, Jarryd Hayne. For a player on the losing side, he was nothing short of sensational. A true inspiration which none of his team-mates wanted to follow. when it mattered, New South Wales were outplayed, out-enthused and showed no desire to perform at their best. Overall, NSW's performances can be compared to their captain's, Kurt Gidley. For two games he was more exposed and targeted than Katie Price's breasts on a nudest beach. And for the life of me, I cannot understand what goes on in a NSW selection commitee member's head. They chose to select both the ageing Trent Barrett and Brett Kimmorley in the halfs, while Peter Wallace and Terry Campese were there on merit what they did last season. For me, Jamie Soward can count himself unlucky not to be selected at five/eigth as he has clearly been the best number six in the NRL and as a result St George Illawarra have won the minor premiership, and are odds on to make the grand final.
But as for the NRL, fans in the UK have had a hard time of it over the past few months. Less than 24 hours before game two of State of Origin, Setanta Sports have the plug pulled on them by the administrators after the broadcaster spent millions of pounds it didn't have on football television rights. A well known internet forum almost went into melt down with fans desperatly trying to find illegal internet links that show the game. Thankfully Bigpond, an internet arm of Australian communications giant Telstra who sponsor the NRL itself, saved the day and showed a legal live feed for UK users only. And it would seem that until a UK based broadcaster is found, Bigpond will continue to show NRL matches live for UK users via the net on the following link; http://www.bigpondtv.com/nrllliveuk
More scandal involving rugby league, but this time it was the UK's turn to suffer the humiliation as Gareth Hock was found to have traces of a substance also found in cocaine in a urine sample he presented to random drug testers. Its not uncommon for rugby league players to take recreational drugs. Even the very best took them during their day, didn't they Andrew? Hock's only mistake was that he got caught and as a result he was banned for two years from playing the sport. However, I fail to understand why a young lad with a promising career in front of him would take such substances knowing he could get caught very easily. The RFL take cheating of this kind very seriously, as a result British Rugby League is one of the most scrutinous testers in the eyes of the World Anti-Doping Agency. There are people out there, not just youngsters, who would give their right arm to play Super League and yet Hock has thrown it all away with flour up his nose.
And finally congratulations must go to Warrington for winning their first Challenge Cup since 1974. Also Huddersfield must not be overlooked, as they have looked true dark horses in Nathan Brown's first season in charge, but on the day Warrington were the better side and such is the romance of the Challenge Cup that the best team on the day wins. Bt its seems to have been a year for unexpected successes. Both St George Illawarra and Canterbury have been fighting for the NRL minor premiership all year and as two of Sydney's most well supported clubs both teams successes have seen attendances rise in the NRL despite all the bad publicity. One only hopes that these two meet in the grand final because that is sure to be an exciting climax to the NRL season, and a match not to be missed.
Eventful. Exciting. Pleasurable. And not without its fair share of controversy. So in the week leading up to the NRL play offs, its best to go over the highlights of what already has been a busy season so far.
I last left you in the aftermath of Martin Gleeson's transfer to Wigan, with a reported £100,000 plus Richie Mathers. I think its fair to say that for Warrington it was the deal of the century. While Mathers hasn't been the perfect fullback, he has performed above expectation considering what his form was like in Wigan's colours. Gleeson on the otherhand missed several games after their loss to Celtic and has done very little in the cherry and white overall since.
Speaking of Celtic, they're starting to remind me of the fictional Harchester United FC which was the focus of the TV drama series, Dream Team. Still only a baby compared to more established clubs, their catapult to the top flight in such a short space of time has seen them struggle to compete this season. An early Challenge Cup exit and with only three wins to their name in the league (Bradford, Wigan and Salford) they have failed to capture anyones imagination, especially the Bridgend locals if you were to read into their home attendance figures. Not wanted by many in Super League to begin the year with, their implosion will have no doubt put a smile on the fans of many Championship clubs. Espicially the fans of Widnes, Halifax and Leigh.
But the real drama occured in August when it was confirmed that no less than six of their first team players were to be deported on the basis of playing and staying in the UK on the wrong visas. The offence is estimated to have occured during the 2007 season in which Celtic were promoted to what was National League One. Captin Jace van Dijk, Tony Duggan, Damien Quinn, Darren Mapp, Mark Dalle Cort, and John Hannay are all alledged to have played under a working holiday visa illegally, despite this practise being allowed in the past and a UK Border Agency rule change preventing this practise between the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Who is to blame remains a closely guarded secret, which may be a first for Rugby League. This story has a million and one complications, as another semi proffesional club had, before the 2007 season, appealed to the UK Border Agency to let its players play under this type of visa and they were granted permission. This was reported in one of the trade newspapaers. So my own personal opintion of this is that is was an administrative error. Thats not to say Celtic shouldn't face the consequences whatever they may be, merely that they may have been careless in applying for visas for their overseas players.
Rugby League is never short of a scandal, and the Australian's have seen to it they are supplying more than their fair share of bad publicity. Countless players have been accused of assault, rape, disorderly behaviour and being intoxicated in a public place. In my opinion the media seem ot be having a field day with the NRL at the moment, reporting on every player that so much as sips a drop of shandy. And if, as an ex-player, you thought no one would expose the wrong doing you did during your day, you can guess again.
I honestly feel sorry for Matthew Johns. Not only has he lost his day job on Channel Nine, but he has no doubt had to relive memories and rebuild his family over events that have occured seven years ago while he was playing for Cronulla. The woman in question is no doubt cashing in on the story being sold to newspapaers. The original police investigation saw no one arrested or found guilty, so why she had to drag these events up is at this time is anyones guess. Although the timing is suspicious after Brett Stewart, Paul Gallen and others were accused of wrong doing in quick succession. Of course these stories do have consequences. I'm talking about the rumours that Coca-Cola were days away from signing a sponcership deal with the RFL to sponsor the Four Nations. League Express reported that a representative of Coca-Cola's visited Australia when a large proportion of player scandals were being unearthed and he reccommended that the multi-million pound company pull out of the deal. If I were Nigel wood at the time, I would have been furious as the RFL have done nothing wrong before the deal collapsed. Its merely Coca-Cola not wanting to tarnish their company's image by associating themselves with a sport that is in a bad light. But amazingly, I don't blame them for pulling the plug.
Now I think its time to talk about some rugby. Queensland secured their record breaking fourth straight State of Origin series win after game two in Sydney. Although in my opinion the player of the series was New South Welshman, Jarryd Hayne. For a player on the losing side, he was nothing short of sensational. A true inspiration which none of his team-mates wanted to follow. when it mattered, New South Wales were outplayed, out-enthused and showed no desire to perform at their best. Overall, NSW's performances can be compared to their captain's, Kurt Gidley. For two games he was more exposed and targeted than Katie Price's breasts on a nudest beach. And for the life of me, I cannot understand what goes on in a NSW selection commitee member's head. They chose to select both the ageing Trent Barrett and Brett Kimmorley in the halfs, while Peter Wallace and Terry Campese were there on merit what they did last season. For me, Jamie Soward can count himself unlucky not to be selected at five/eigth as he has clearly been the best number six in the NRL and as a result St George Illawarra have won the minor premiership, and are odds on to make the grand final.
But as for the NRL, fans in the UK have had a hard time of it over the past few months. Less than 24 hours before game two of State of Origin, Setanta Sports have the plug pulled on them by the administrators after the broadcaster spent millions of pounds it didn't have on football television rights. A well known internet forum almost went into melt down with fans desperatly trying to find illegal internet links that show the game. Thankfully Bigpond, an internet arm of Australian communications giant Telstra who sponsor the NRL itself, saved the day and showed a legal live feed for UK users only. And it would seem that until a UK based broadcaster is found, Bigpond will continue to show NRL matches live for UK users via the net on the following link; http://www.bigpondtv.com/nrllliveuk
More scandal involving rugby league, but this time it was the UK's turn to suffer the humiliation as Gareth Hock was found to have traces of a substance also found in cocaine in a urine sample he presented to random drug testers. Its not uncommon for rugby league players to take recreational drugs. Even the very best took them during their day, didn't they Andrew? Hock's only mistake was that he got caught and as a result he was banned for two years from playing the sport. However, I fail to understand why a young lad with a promising career in front of him would take such substances knowing he could get caught very easily. The RFL take cheating of this kind very seriously, as a result British Rugby League is one of the most scrutinous testers in the eyes of the World Anti-Doping Agency. There are people out there, not just youngsters, who would give their right arm to play Super League and yet Hock has thrown it all away with flour up his nose.
And finally congratulations must go to Warrington for winning their first Challenge Cup since 1974. Also Huddersfield must not be overlooked, as they have looked true dark horses in Nathan Brown's first season in charge, but on the day Warrington were the better side and such is the romance of the Challenge Cup that the best team on the day wins. Bt its seems to have been a year for unexpected successes. Both St George Illawarra and Canterbury have been fighting for the NRL minor premiership all year and as two of Sydney's most well supported clubs both teams successes have seen attendances rise in the NRL despite all the bad publicity. One only hopes that these two meet in the grand final because that is sure to be an exciting climax to the NRL season, and a match not to be missed.
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