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Farewell Wendell Sailor
Wendell Sailor has announced his retirement from the NRL today. What are your favourite memories of Big Dell and do you think he should have played on for one more year?
- by SMH Online at 10:29 AM
- Comments (57)
NRL Grand Final
David Gallop presides over a National Rugby League but there is a storm brewing over which city should host the grand final? Should the NRL pay heed to the word "national" and send the grand final elsewhere?
more- by SMH Online at 12:22 PM
- Comments (69)
Kangaroos dodge a bullet
Australia should have lost their opening game of the Four Nations Tournament against New Zealand at the Stoop in London.
more- by SMH Online at 9:08 AM
- Comments (57)
Grand final player ratings
Will Swanton rates the 34 players on show in league's showcase season finish.
- by SMH Online at 10:23 PM
- Comments (81)
Bulldogs v Eels
For Sydneysiders, tonight's match at ANZ Stadium between the Bulldogs and Eels is the clash of the year.
more- by SMH Online at 11:08 AM
- Comments (64)
NRL All Stars v Indigenous DreamTime team
WITH the 2010 NRL draw released yesterday, an announcement will be made today on the historic match to unofficially kick off the season between the Indigenous DreamTime team and an NRL All Stars side.
more- by SMH Online at 5:36 PM
- Comments (32)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with Greg Prichard's final rankings for the year? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 7:11 PM
- Comments (24)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 1:57 PM
- Comments (40)
Daniel Vidot charge
The charge laid against Daniel Vidot of the Canberra Raiders following his stoush with Ben Rogers of the Newcastle Knights has stirred debate.
more- by Ed at 10:07 AM
- Comments (86)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 10:39 AM
- Comments (19)
NRL power rankings
Just how far can the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tiger go this year?
more- by Ed at 7:54 PM
- Comments (11)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 2:54 PM
- Comments (23)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 4:21 PM
- Comments (11)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 2:58 PM
- Comments (20)
Karmichael Hunt switches to AFL
Is rugby league in crisis?
The code has suffered in recent years with players heading overseas on lucrative contracts to the English Super League and in more recent times to rugby union in Australia, France and Japan.
more- by Ed at 9:52 AM
- Comments (243)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 10:33 AM
- Comments (3)
Origin III - player ratings
Andrew Stevenson rates the 34 player from State of Origin III.
more- by Ed at 11:22 PM
- Comments (158)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 8:13 PM
- Comments (2)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 9:21 PM
- Comments (11)
Lyon leaves Origin arena for good
The headline every Blues fan wanted to see? You bet. It hasn't arrived officially but the withdrawal of Jamie Lyon from the third State of Origin match with injury surely draws the curtain on his representative career.
more- by Ed at 11:46 AM
- Comments (87)
Origin III
NSW selectors have called up some new faces for Game III, including Brett Kimmorley and Michael Ennis, while Michael Jennings returns from injury.
Did the selectors make the right calls? Should Peter Wallace have been left in?
And will the Blues be able to chalk up a win?
- by SMH Online at 6:23 PM
- Comments (155)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 9:07 PM
- Comments (3)
Farewell Hazem El Masri
Bulldogs representative winger Hazem El Masri is set to announce his retirement from rugby league at the end of the season
more- by Ed at 12:11 PM
- Comments (175)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
more- by Ed at 9:42 PM
- Comments (1)
Pick your Australian squad
The Sun-Herald on Sunday had some very disturbing news for NSW fans - the Blues could have their smallest representation ever for the Australian squad.
more- by Ed at 9:31 AM
- Comments (86)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
- by Ed at 7:22 PM
- Comments (10)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.
- by Ed at 8:02 AM
- Comments (12)
State or Origin player ratings
Andrew Stevenson rates the 34 players in Origin I. Do you agree
more- by Ed at 11:39 PM
- Comments (143)
NRL Power Rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate.
more- by Ed at 10:49 PM
- Comments (22)
NRL power rankings
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more- by Ed at 8:17 PM
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Team of the week
The Herald's team of experts pick the best 13 from round 11 of the National Rugby League.
more- by Ed at 7:43 PM
- Comments (4)
State against state, mate against mate
The NSW Origin team has been named for Game 1. Who was unlucky to miss out? Who shouldn't be there? Does it even matter against the dominant Maroons? Sound off on all things Origin.
- by SMH Online at 7:56 PM
- Comments (130)
Team of the week
The Herald's team of experts pick the best 13 from round 10 of the National Rugby League. Do you agree?
more- by Ed at 10:24 PM
- Comments (16)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate.
more- by Ed at 9:39 PM
- Comments (68)
Team of the week
The Herald's team of experts pick the best 13 from round nineof the National Rugby League.
more- by Ed at 10:33 PM
- Comments (6)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate.
- by Ed at 10:12 PM
- Comments (6)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate.
more- by Ed at 12:57 PM
- Comments (16)
Team of the week
The Herald's team of experts pick the best 13 from round eight of the National Rugby League. Do you agree?
more- by Ed at 1:44 PM
- Comments (31)
Team of the week
The Herald's team of experts pick the best 13 from round seven of the National Rugby League. Do you agree?
more- by Ed at 3:01 PM
- Comments (11)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate.
more- by Ed at 2:59 PM
- Comments (8)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate.
more- by Ed at 6:18 PM
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NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's rankings.
more- by Ed at 5:12 PM
- Comments (12)
Team of the week
The Herald's team of experts pick the best 13 from round five of the National Rugby League. Do you agree with this week's selection?
more- by Ed at 7:44 AM
- Comments (7)
NRL power rankings
Do you agree with this week's ranking?
more- by Ed at 10:07 AM
- Comments (6)
Team of the week
The Herald's team of experts pick the best 13 from round four of the National Rugby League. Do you agree?
more- by Ed at 9:37 PM
- Comments (4)
NRL power rankings
How is your team really travelling in the NRL? There's a new No.1 and the Titans are on the move.
more- by Ed at 9:27 AM
- Comments (8)
Team of the week
The Herald's team of experts pick the best 13 from round three of the National Rugby League.
more- by Ed at 7:24 PM
- Comments (8)
Power rankings
Do you agree with this week's rankings.
more- by Ed at 7:40 PM
- Comments (9)
Team of the week
Herald's team of experts pick the best team for Rd 2.
more- by Ed at 12:09 PM
- Comments (5)
Power rankings
There's a new number one and the Rabbitohs are on the rise. Do you agree with this week's rankings?
more- by Ed at 8:06 PM
- Comments (16)
Team of the week
The Herald's team of experts pick the best 13 from round one of the National Rugby League. Do you agree?
more- by Ed at 7:39 PM
- Comments (8)
Early days or a sign of things to come?
Now you don't win or lose a competition in March but the weekend threw up some interesting results.
Are the Bulldogs and Souths for real? Are the Roosters still contenders and what do we make of Manly's shocking start?
Sound off on what you thought of the opening weekend of the season.
- by SMH Online at 5:05 PM
- Comments (19)
Power Rankings
The first for the year, based on a last season form, personnel changes and good old gut feeling.
more- by Ed at 12:58 PM
- Comments (10)
Make your predictions
The Herald's experts have made their predictions for who will win and make the eight - and all bar one expect the competition to be headed by the Sea Eagles or the Warriors.
more- by Ed at 1:26 PM
- Comments (33)
Pick of the Pacific
Rugby League historian, author and journalist Ian Heads has named his all-time Polynesian/Pacific team, made up of players who appeared in the NSW competition or NRL. Size, speed, skill, it's hard to imagine them being bested by many sides.
more- by Ed at 4:03 PM
- Comments (34)
Rugby's NRL 13
The news that Cronulla's feeder club and the Southern Districts rugby union club are to form a partnership comes hot on the heels of Benji Marshall's bid to play rugby union in the NRL off-season.
A number of top-level players have been lost from the NRL in recent years, and we have come up with quite a formidable lineup of ex-players currently the 15-a-side game.
more- by SMH Online at 12:00 AM
- Comments (40)
The best of the best?
The much-talked about World Cup is about to end. While Australia has yet to be challenged, there have been some upsets and dramatic matches between the other teams. Has it been a worthwhile tournament, or is it a pointless exercise? And will your view change if Saturday's final goes down to the wire?
- by SMH Online at 9:54 AM
- Comments (60)
Battle for second?
The battle for international rugby league supremacy is underway and there already questions over the tournament's credibility with hot favourites Australia cruising past New Zealand in their opener.
more- by SMH Online at 11:06 AM
- Comments (52)
Grand final player ratings
Thje 34 players score a rating out of 10 from the Herald's writers Jamie Pandaram and Andrew Stevenson.
more- by SMH Online at 9:17 PM
- Comments (47)
Grand final re-match
It has been a memorable final series. There have been fairytale runs, last-gasp wins and off-field controversy galore.
Despite the upsets, for the second consecutive year the McIntyre system has thrown up a grand final between first and second. And just like last year, it is Manly versus Melbourne.
more- by Ed at 10:32 PM
- Comments (61)
Deja vu for the Tri Colours
The 30-13 loss for the Sydney Roosters against the New Zealand Warriors is a case of deja vu for the tri colours. For the second week running the Roosters ran into the sheds at half-time leading by more than a converted try, but as with the loss against the Brisbane Broncos, they were overrun in the second half without scoring a point.
more- by Ed at 10:34 PM
- Comments (57)
Team of the year
JUST months after Herald columnist Paul Sheehan suggested Paul Gallen should have been in jail, Fairfax journalists have voted the Cronulla captain the inaugural winner of the LeagueHQ player of the year award.
more- by SMH Online at 10:12 AM
- Comments (42)
NRL Power Rankings
In the final power rankings for 2008, Greg Prichard nominates the Sea Eagles as the big threat to the Melbourne Storm. Do you agree with his assessment?
- by SMH Online at 11:22 AM
- Comments (14)
Team of the Week
Fairfax's journalists have named their team of the week. Do you agree with their selection?
more- by Ed at 5:20 PM
- Comments (2)
NRL Power Rankings
The Raiders are in freefall but the Knights are on the charge. With one round to go, do you agree with Greg Prichard's assessment of where your team is at?
- by SMH Online at 12:20 PM
- Comments (13)
Countdown to the finals
With just a week to go, the minor premiership is still up in the air. There is a three-way battle for the top spot but does it mean anything?
more- by SMH Online at 11:42 AM
- Comments (40)
NRL Power Rankings
The Raiders enter the top three while Warriors are also on the way up in this week's power rankings. Do you agree?
- by SMH Online at 6:38 PM
- Comments (8)
NRL Power Rankings
The Sharks move into the top three while the Roosters take a tumble
after their loss to the Eels in this week's power rankings. Do you agree?
- by SMH Online at 7:15 PM
- Comments (10)
NRL Power Rankings
Nothing has changed at the top but further down the ladder, Newcastle and Souths are on the way up in this week's power rankings. Do you agree?
- by SMH Online at 8:07 PM
- Comments (7)
NRL Power Rankings
The Roosters and Broncos move up while the Sharks drop out of the top four and the Titans continue their slide in this week's power rankings. Do you agree?
- by SMH Online at 7:24 PM
- Comments (33)
Sonny's French rugby date
Bulldog star, Sonny Bill Williams has signed a two-year contract worth $3 million with French rugby union team Toulon.
The response among the league fraternity has been mixed with David Gallop saying that the New Zealander will never play league again if he plays French rugby union. Sonny Bill on the other hand is adamant that he has made the right decision.
What do you think?
- by SMH Online at 8:35 PM
- Comments (378)
NRL Power Rankings
The Eels's slump continues and the Rabbitohs come back to the pack, but the Raiders, Panthers and Broncos make up big ground in this week's power rankings. Do you agree?
- by SMH Online at 12:39 PM
- Comments (16)
Fairfax team of the week
Fairfax's team of experts name the best performed 13 from round 19 of the NRL. Do you agree?
more- by SMH Online at 2:14 PM
- Comments (32)
What's wrong with the Eels
What has gone wrong with the Parramatta Eels?
They have gone from the team most likely to challenge the hegemony of the Melbourne Storm to a bunch of also rans.
There is a consensus that rarely, if ever, has such a talented player roster has performed so poorly.
Former Eels legend Peter Sterling says it's the forward play that's causing Parramatta so many problems. While another favourite son, Ray Price, says the team plays as individual.
Meanwhile Fairfax columnist has linked the problem with change of coach, comparing the Eels with the Newcastle Knights. Eels coach Michael Hagan traded places with Knights mentor Brian Smith at the start of the 2007 season.
Why do you think Parramatta have gone off the rails?
- by Ed at 10:10 PM
- Comments (89)
NRL Power Rankings
The Rabbitohs continue their rise, but it's the Panthers who are the big movers. Do you agree with Greg Prichard's ratings?
- by SMH Online at 1:43 PM
- Comments (37)
Fairfax team of the week
Fairfax's rugby league writers choose the best team from round 17 of the NRL (number of times selected in brackets)
more- by SMH Online at 11:19 AM
- Comments (7)
Origin player ratings
Do you agree with Jamie Pandaram's assessments for Origin III?
more- by SMH Online at 11:28 PM
- Comments (159)
Origin III - blow by blow
Click shift refresh for latest details
(Live barracking - have your say)
NSW 10: Cooper try, Craig Fitzgibbon 3 goals. QLD 16: Folau 2, Slater tries, Thurston 2 goals.
- by SMH Online at 7:26 PM
- Comments (55)
NRL Power Rankings
The Soouth Sydney Rabbioths continue their stunning rise, while the Storm will now have to deliver. Do you agree with Greg Prichard's assessment after Round 16?
- by SMH Online at 2:14 PM
- Comments (6)
Fairfax team of the week
Every week Fairfax's experts pick their team of the week. Do you agree with this week's selection?
more- by SMH Online at 12:03 AM
- Comments (16)
NRL Power Rankings
Greg Prichard rates every NRL team after round 15. The Dragons continue to climb in his estimattion while the Broncos and Rabbitohs have also found traction. Do you agree with his assessment?
- by SMH Online at 11:20 AM
- Comments (9)
Blues for Origin III
There are five changes for the NSW Blues for Origin III, how do you rate the new team and what are their strengths and weaknesses?
more- by SMH Online at 10:31 AM
- Comments (32)
Fairfax team of the week
Every week Fairfax's experts pick their team of the week. Do you agree with this week's selection?
more- by SMH Online at 12:09 AM
- Comments (7)
Pick your Blues team
If the Blues selectors were not originally inclined to make changes for Origin III, then their hand has been forced by injuries.
more- by SMH Online at 9:37 AM
- Comments (57)
NRL Power Rankings
Two Sydney glamour clubs are on the rise while Queensland powerhouses, the Broncos and Cowboys, are languishing. Do you agree with Greg Prichard's assessment after Round 14?
- by SMH Online at 1:06 PM
- Comments (14)
Fairfax team of the week
Fairfax's rugby league writers choose the best team from round 14 of the NRL. Do you agree?
more- by SMH Online at 11:48 AM
- Comments (20)
Gasnier v Gasnier
There'll never be a batsmen as good as Don Bradman, a leg-spinner as good as Bill O'Reilly or a centre as good as Reg Gasnier. The game's not the same. Nor are the players. It's every old-timer's lament.
- by SMH Online at 1:23 PM
- Comments (47)
Origin II - player ratings
Jamie Pandaram runs his eyes over all 34 players and there is no surprise who his man of the match is.
more- by SMH Online at 11:16 PM
- Comments (170)
NRL Power Rankings
Souths have climbed up the bottom while the Storm still cling on to top spot. Do you agree with this week's rankings?
- by SMH Online at 10:23 AM
- Comments (13)
Fairfax team of the week
Fairfax's rugby league writers choose the best team from round 13 of the NRL (number of times selected in brackets)
more- by SMH Online at 1:20 PM
- Comments (16)
NRL power rankings
The Dragons are on the move while the Eels are falling towards the bottom spot.
Do you agree with Greg Prichard's rankings?
- by SMH Online at 7:03 PM
- Comments (14)
NRL power rankings
The Roosters are on the march to the top while the Bulldogs haven't moved despite their Monday night win.
Do you agree with Greg Prichard's rankings?
- by SMH Online at 7:06 PM
- Comments (5)
Fairfax team of the week
Fairfax's rugby league writers choose the best team from round 11 of the NRL (number of times selected in brackets)
Fullback: Preston Campbell - Gold Coast (2)
Wing: Aiden Kirk - Warriors (1)
Centre: Nigel Vagana - South Sydney (1)
Centre: Brett Delaney - Gold Coast (2)
Wing: Shaun Kenny-Dowell - Sydney Roosters (1)
Five-eighth: Braith Anasta - Sydney Roosters (5)
Halfback: Mitchell Pearce - Sydney Roosters (1)
Prop: Justin Poore - Dragons (2)
Hooker: Robbie Farah - Wests Tigers (2)
Prop: Jason Ryles - Dragons (1)
Second-row: Ryan Hoffman - Melbourne Storm (1)
Second-row: Sonny Bill Williams - Bulldogs (5)
Lock: Reni Maitua - Bulldogs (1)
- by SMH Online at 12:59 AM
- Comments (3)
State of Origin player ratings
Paul Suttor rates all 34 players in Origin I. Mark Gasnier was the best while a string of players scored just five. Do you agree with his assessment?
more- by SMH Online at 11:20 PM
- Comments (87)
State of Origin I
NSW 18 Qld 4 - refresh the page for updates.
That's fulltime. Craig Bellamy triumphs in his first game as Blues coach.
more- by SMH Online at 7:26 PM
- Comments (14)
NRL power rankings
The Panthers are in the rise while their western suburbs rivals, the Eels, are in danger of free fall.
Do you agree with Greg Prichard's rankings?
- by SMH Online at 7:22 PM
- Comments (12)
Fairfax team of the week
Fairfax's rugby league writers choose the best team from round 10 of the NRL (number of times selected in brackets)
more- by SMH Online at 10:45 AM
- Comments (24)
Make your Origin predictions
Both teams have made selection gambles leading into the opening clash of State of Origin on Wednesday night at ANZ Stadium.
more- by SMH Online at 5:21 AM
- Comments (36)
NRL power rankings
The Cowboys are in free fall while Manly, Parramatta and Penrith are on the moves. Do you agree with Greg Prichard's power rankings?
- by Ed at 10:41 PM
- Comments (2)
Origin selection
The NSW selectors have named their squad for Origin I. Do you agree with the selection?
Brett Stewart, Jarryd Hayne, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Anthony Quinn, Greg Bird, Peter Wallace, Brett White, Danny Buderus (capt), Ben Cross, Ryan Hoffman, Willie Mason, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Anthony Laffranchi, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon, Ben Hornby.
- by SMH Online at 10:49 AM
- Comments (188)
Fairfax team of the week
Fairfax's rugby league writers choose the best team from round nineof the NRL (number of times selected in brackets)
more- by SMH Online at 11:51 PM
- Comments (8)
Farewell Jack Gibson
Rugby league's team of the century coach, Jack Gibson, has passed away today.
more- by SMH Online at 8:37 PM
- Comments (60)
NRL power rankings
The Titans have slipped, the Broncos and Warriors are on the move and just how far did North Queensland fall after losing to the Bunnies? Have your say on this week's power rankings.
- by SMH Online at 10:05 AM
- Comments (9)
Fairfax team of the week
Do you agree with this week's selection?
more- by SMH Online at 9:55 PM
- Comments (1)
Pick your Origin halves
The inside word has it that the Blues No.7 job is Kurt Gidley's. The Newcastle utility is a definite starter in the 17 but it seems the credentials of Peter Wallace, Mitchell Pearce, Todd Carney and Brett Finch - not to mention veterans Brett Kimmorley and Matt Orford - will be overlooked.
more- by SMH Online at 9:27 AM
- Comments (48)
NRL Power Rankings
There's movement in the top five while the Tigers are the week's biggest movers? All in this week's power rankings.
Do you agree with your club's rating?
- by SMH Online at 9:53 PM
- Comments (5)
Fairfax team of the week
Do you agree with this week's selection?
more- by SMH Online at 10:36 PM
- Comments (12)
Australian team selection
So at last we have some clarity on what the term ``incumbent'' means for representative selection. Australia coach Ricky Stuart has said that a one-off test does not generate the sort of loyalty with selectors than it does with a man who's played seven, eight or nine tests and done the business.
more- by SMH Online at 7:24 AM
- Comments (42)
Should he stay or should he go?
Phil Gould called on Nathan Brown to resign his post as St George Illawarra's coach this week, as much for Brown's sake as the Dragons's.
With Wayne Bennett scheduled to take over at the Dragons in 2009, it leaves Brown in an unenviable position, but yesterday his team did the business, thrashing a lacklustre Roosters outfit.
- by Ed at 11:36 PM
- Comments (6)
NRL power rankings
There's a new No.1 this week and just how far have some fancied teams slipped down the ladder? All in this week's power rankings.
Do you agree with your club's rating?
- by SMH Online at 9:05 PM
- Comments (17)
Fairfax team of the week
Do you agree with this week's selection?
more- by SMH Online at 11:04 PM
- Comments (21)
Team of the century
The Team of the Century is some football side. If Mal Meninga is a shock selection having played on four Kangaroos tours and representing Australia on 45 occasions then it says something about the calibre of players he beat to the centre position.
What do you think of the team?
A couple of points worth noting:
Only two players from before the Second World War and both are on the bench.
Premierships count for lot - Norm Provan played in 10 for St George, Ron Coote seven for the Rabbitohs and Roosters while Clive Churchill played in five for South Sydney and coached them to another four.
How much of an impact has the State of Origin concept done for the selection of Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and Andrew Johns?
- by SMH Online at 10:52 PM
- Comments (150)
Disgruntled Dogs hot under collar
Reni Maitua isn't the only player considering his future at the Bulldogs. Just days after Maitua finally confirmed to club management he wanted to explore his options elsewhere, Sin Bin has been told other players are unhappy the Bulldogs have offered Dragons centre Matt Cooper $400,000 when they were only prepared to pay Willie Tonga $300,000 to stay. Tonga has since signed a deal with North Queensland and some of his teammates are not happy, particularly as the deal would make Cooper the highest paid player at the club.
- by SMH Online at 8:30 PM
- Comments (10)
Beetson's swipe at league
Tonight is rugby league's big night, the centrepiece celebration of the Centenary Year festivities.
It's the naming of the team of the century.
One man who is a chance to be selected, Arthur Beetson, has decided not to attend because he is unhappy with the state of the game.
Self-deprecating comments aside, Beetson says he still loves rugby league but he is disillusioned with its current administration.
He cites, scrums, referees and administrators as three of the game's current ills.
Do you agree with him?
- by SMH Online at 9:57 PM
- Comments (100)
NRL Power Rankings
There's no change in the top four or bottom two, but which teams are scrambling for the middle ground in ths power rankings this week?
Do you agree with your club's rating?
- by SMH Online at 6:07 AM
- Comments (9)
Fairfax team of the week
Do you agree with this week's selection?
more- by SMH Online at 10:58 PM
- Comments (13)
Representative selections
The rep season is just around the corner and already debate is fierce for some key positions: the No.1 and No.6 Australian jerseys are up for grabs as is the NSW halfback position.
Who do you favour?
more- by SMH Online at 10:02 AM
- Comments (53)
NRL Power Rankings
The Roosters have hit the big time in Prichard's power rankings this week, while Souths have slipped down the greasy pole.
Do you agree with your club's rating?
- by SMH Online at 8:16 PM
- Comments (12)
Team of the week
Do you agree with this week's selection?
more- by SMH Online at 6:37 AM
- Comments (14)
Talking points - round five
Your chance to praise or unload on your team.
more- by SMH Online at 8:39 AM
- Comments (29)
Can the Roosters win the premiership?
Willie Mason says there's something Dogs-like about the Roosters.
Sydney Roosters fans may disagree, they may point to this team looking a lot like the side that qualified for three successive grand finals from 2002 to 2004.
Bulldogs fans, well, they've been saying the Roosters are buying the premiership.
Whatever side of the fence you stand on, there is something ominous about the Roosters' monster forward pack. Their relentless roll upfield provides the perfect platform for Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta to launch attacking raids.
And the defence is outstanding.
How far do you think the Roosters will go this year?
- by SMH Online at 10:42 PM
- Comments (73)
Bred not bought - round two
Canterbury accuse the Roosters of poaching their players who the Dogs have spent time and money developing.
Jamie Pandaram and Andrew Stevenson argue in today's Herald that the Roosters have acted like every other club in the NRL, including the Dogs.
Where do you stand on the argument.
- by SMH Online at 2:36 PM
- Comments (67)
NRL power rankings
There are two big winners in Prichard's power rankings this week, while there's also a new No.1 - Plus a first-timer at the bottom og the table.
Do you agree with your club's rating?
- by SMH Online at 7:49 PM
- Comments (8)
Fairfax team of the week
Do you agree with the selection by Fairfax's rugby league experts? Join the debate.
more- by SMH Online at 11:43 PM
- Comments (22)
Talking points - round three
What got you passionate about your team in round three?
Dip in and have your say?
more- by SMH Online at 6:32 AM
- Comments (20)
Video referee strikes again
The Eels and Knights have continued the run of controversial Friday night games. If the prowler or shoulder charge can't make the headlines, then the video referee can be relied on to fill the void.
more- by SMH Online at 11:21 PM
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Fangs for nothing, says toothless Shark
CRONULLA front-rower Ben Ross won't be smiling in coming weeks for more reasons than his seven-match suspension - he is still without a front tooth. After losing three teeth in his head clash with Manly's Josh Perry in round one, he had two put back in, but the option of having his front tooth reinserted would have left him sidelined for at least a month. Ross decided to play on, and was promptly rubbed out of the game after his hit on Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk a week later. But alas, it is too late to reinsert the tooth.
more- by SMH Online at 9:37 PM
- Comments (4)
Fairfax team of the week
Do you agree with the selections made by Fairfax's league experts?
more- by SMH Online at 12:53 AM
- Comments (20)
Talking points - round two
Friday night set the tone for this weekend. The favourites were upset and a big hit became a talking point. How do you think your team is travelling?
more- by SMH Online at 8:49 AM
- Comments (15)
Tackling the Hunt-Anasta incident
In the 18th minute of the Good Friday clash, Braith Anasta's head jolted back as it connected with Karmichael Hunt's shoulder or top part of the arm.
more- by Ed at 12:16 AM
- Comments (154)
Clubs can't afford to Potter about
FORMER Dragons and Bulldogs fullback Mick Potter has admitted he is desperate to return to Australia - but his former clubs must act soon if he's any chance of coaching either of them next season.
more- by SMH Online at 8:47 PM
- Comments (2)
NRL power rankings
The competition ladder does not take into account injuries, suspensions, current form, Prichard's power rankings do.
Do you agree with his assessment. Join the debate.
- by SMH Online at 9:23 PM
- Comments (26)
Fairfax team of the week
Do you agree with the 13 selected for round one?
more- by SMH Online at 7:16 AM
- Comments (57)
Player Ratings
Andrew Stevenson runs his eye over the opening game of the NRL between two of the competition's fiercest rivals. Do you agree with his assessments?
more- by SMH Online at 11:32 PM
- Comments (49)
Armani bait best for hooking Roosters
With the Roosters struggling to field a recognised hooker for tonight's opening match against South Sydney, the Rabbitohs are bemused that their arch rivals let them snare not just Craig Wing - but George Ndaira. "I don't know what happened there but the day after he signed for us George was on his way to Jacksonville wearing an Armani suit so he's done well," Wing said. "He showed some good form in the trials so he'll get a run in first grade for us at some stage."
- by SMH Online at 9:00 PM
- Comments (2)
Top eight predictions
The Herald's experts have gazed in the crystal ball and predicted their top eight. six clubs have made all six experts' lists: Melbourne, Parramatta, Brisbane, Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and North Queensland.
Tell the experts where they are wrong.
more- by SMH Online at 7:53 AM
- Comments (66)
Dogs v Roosters - two months too early
Following a series of high profile defections to the Roosters, the Bulldogs have bit back with a t-shirt that says the Bondi Junction club does not produce any of its own talent.
Roosters legend Arthur Beetson says the Bulldogs are hyprocrites.
Which side of the argument do you fall on?
Are both clubs are as bad as each other?
Or is a pre-season stink just what the game needs?
- by Ed at 12:04 AM
- Comments (110)
Wayne Bennett leaves the Broncos
The longest coach-club relationship in rugby league will come to an end this year following the announcement that Wayne Bennett will quit the Brisbane Broncos.
What impact do you think he has had on the game?
Would you want Wayne Bennett to coach your club?
Do you think the six-time premiership winning coach ranks is the best coach in rugby league's history?
- by Ed at 11:24 AM
- Comments (51)
Turn back the clock
Yesterday National Rugby League met with the 16 clubs to discuss, among other things, to return the grand final to a 3pm kick-off on the first Sunday in October.
The case for change is compelling.
more- by Ed at 10:01 PM
- Comments (176)
Is Willie worth it?
The Willie Mason saga continues. Whether it be trying out for the NFL or becoming a boxer, the big fella just can't keep out of the headlines and he now looks on his way out of the Bulldogs.
Mason has been linked with a number of clubs both in Australia and overseas, but where will he end up? Should your club chase him?
He has represented state and country and has won a premiership but is his on-the-field talent worth his off-field headlines?
Here's your chance to have your say on one of the game's most colourful characters.
- by SMH Online at 11:09 AM
- Comments (119)
Grand final player ratings
Was Greg Inglis the best player on the field and Matt Orford the worst? Andrew Stevenson thinks so.
more- by SMH Online at 11:59 PM
- Comments (68)
Author tips script to go out the window
Author and Manly supporter Thomas Keneally has urged fellow Sea Eagles fans - or those who like a bet, at least - to take advantage of what he described as the generous odds about their team winning the grand final.
more- by SMH Online at 12:01 AM
- Comments (7)
Vale Frank Hyde
Sin Bin can remember as a lad sitting in the front yard listening to Frank Hyde's commentary on 2SM before the days of live telecasts and every match being shown on television. He was the conduit for a young boy's passion for the game.
Hyde was the voice of rugby league - unbiased and incisive. The league was rougher on the field than nowadays, but the commentary of it was far more gentlemanly.
What are your favourite memories of Frank Hyde's commentary?
- by SMH Online at 10:08 AM
- Comments (57)
Celebrating the grand final
Phil Gould says that those AFL types sure know how to throw a party down in Melbourne for the grand final.
How should the NRL mark grand final week?
- by SMH Online at 12:00 AM
- Comments (22)
The Polynesian XIII
Andrew Stevenson has picked an all-Polynesian squad. Would any current NRL team beat it? Have we left anyone out? Would you rather see this team take on a best of the rest from the NRL than see a Test match between Australia and New Zealand?
- by SMH Online at 5:34 PM
- Comments (64)
Mower's the pity for Morrin as ban bites
AS BRAD Morrin's teammates prepare to face the Eels for the first time since he infamously bit Timana Tahu, the full impact of his moment of madness has hit the Bulldogs forward hard.
more- by SMH Online at 12:00 AM
- Comments (4)
On your selection
Who out of the Australian Prime Minister's XIII can force their way into the Test team? As usual injuries have made a number of positions available.
The disadvantage for the PM XIII side is that they are players are out of the finals and history says finals performances count for a lot at the selection table.
more- by Ed at 5:42 PM
- Comments (19)
Eels v Warriors
The Eels have done it. A brilliant defensive effort has seen the Eels defeat the Warriors with two late tries, but the genesis of the victory came when Parramatta made 23 consecutive tackles mid-way through the second-half.
What does this result say about the premiership hopes of both team. Can either the Warriors or the Eels defeat the top two. Will the Warriors survive the weekend?
- by Ed at 5:36 AM
- Comments (13)
Choke's on King, but Storm want last laugh
Melbourne have already been given a taste of things to come as they aim to go one better than last season, with Gold Coast players taunting Storm stars about choking in last year's decider. Sin Bin hears that Melbourne centre Matt King sent some choice words about Titan Daniel Conn's tattoos during their round-25 match last Sunday.
more- by SMH Online at 12:02 AM
- Comments (4)
Your pick for No.6
Who should be the Kangaroos five-eighth be for the one-off Test against New Zealand in October?
With Darren Lockyer injured and Jonathan Thurston certain to play half-back the position is wide open.
- by Ed at 12:28 PM
- Comments (60)
Joey caught out
Andrew Johns has admitted to having a drug and alcohol problem for 14 years after he was arrested and cautioned for possessing ecstasy.
"There's medical reasons [that] contribute to my reckless behaviour but I don't want to make excuses. I've done the wrong thing and I'm so ashamed of it," Johns told The Footy Show last night.
What is your reaction? What is your opinion of Johns after his admission last night? Do you have sympathy for him? Do you think rugby league has done him any favours by turning a blind eye to his problems?
This forum is now closed
- by SMH Online at 7:16 AM
- Comments (381)
Who will make the top eight
The calculations have been done. The Eels, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Tigers and Bulldogs know what they have to do to qualify for the finals. Your job is to gaze into the crystal ball and tell Sin Bin, what teams will make the eight and who will grab the precious home semi-final.
more- by Ed at 10:17 PM
- Comments (17)
Whew - no one's messing with Nine's call boys
IMAGINE a world without Rabs. No Sterlo. Sans Gus. This was the situation being discussed last week amid speculation that Channel Nine was about to hand over its rugby league coverage to Fox Sports.
more- by SMH Online at 12:00 AM
- Comments (48)
Struggle Street has ocean views
Manly co-owner Max Delmege has attacked South Sydney, claiming the cashed-up Rabbitohs
are more deserving of the "silvertails" tag.
Do you agree?
- by SMH Online at 11:16 PM
- Comments (49)
A fight to the finish: how d'ya like them grapples?
IF IT happens, remember where you read it first. Here's a suggestion for grand final entertainment that might get the fans into the stadium in time for premier league
more- by SMH Online at 12:00 AM
- Comments (4)
Grappling with the grapple tackles
The grapple tackle has reared its head again and, as always seems to be the case, the issue is raised after a Melbourne Storm game.
The grapple tackle has become synonymous with the club and while there is plenty of evidence to suggest that they have engaged in the practice, is it fair to label the Storm as the primary source of the problem?
more- by SMH Online at 9:47 PM
- Comments (31)
Who will make the top eight?
And then there were 11.
Round 22 of the NRL effectively eliminated St George, Canberra and Newcastle from the top-eight race with those clubs joining Penrith and Cronulla on the also-rans list.
Which of the remaining 11 teams will squeeze into the eight?
more- by SMH Online at 8:27 AM
- Comments (43)
Squealer goes nuts over Saint's dastardly deed
LEON PRYCE, the Great Britain international best known in Australia for unfavourably comparing Manly to Blackpool during last year's Tri-Nations, has been banned for three matches and fined £300 after pleading guilty to a charge of "ungentlemanly conduct" - squeezing an opposing player's testicles.
more- by SMH Online at 12:00 AM
- Comments (6)
Sydney clubs
NRL CEO David Gallop thinks there are too many clubs based in Sydney. Do you agree with him? If so, which club(s) should move or fold and why?
Are there too many clubs in the competition, not just in Sydney. Has expansion been a success.
Jump in and have your say.
- by SMH Online at 12:01 AM
- Comments (122)
Briggs makes his TV debut before Bulldogs
IT'S been a big week for Fred Briggs, the 27-year-old carpenter plucked from the Jim Beam Cup to play for the Bulldogs tonight. After being named in the Bulldogs side on Tuesday, Briggs featured in a documentary shown on SBS the following night about his junior club, the La Perouse Panthers.
more- by SMH Online at 1:26 AM
- Comments (10)
Chocolate soldiers competition
Box of chocolates ... following the clean out at Penrith, SinBin can reveal the style of player that coach Matthew Elliott is looking to sign for 2008. If you can identify these four chocolate soldiers you are indeed a hardcore Pennies fan. First correct email received at smhsport@smh.com.au that identifies the quartet will receive a prize that we find under Roy Masters's desk.
- by SMH Online at 10:43 PM
- Comments (18)
Wigan have a spot for Hodgson if he joins exodus
Let's leave it at the shorts ... Willie Mason cops an eyeful of Nate Myles's scarlet Y-fronts and decides that's quite enough attire-swapping for one night.
more- by SMH Online at 9:40 PM
- Comments (15)
Origin III player rating
Was Greg Bird the best and Dane Carlaw the worst? Dip in and have your say.
- by SMH Online at 12:22 AM
- Comments (146)
Origin III - blow by blow
80th min El Masri conversion from the sideline and that's full time. NSW 18 QLD 6
more- by SMH Online at 7:47 PM
- Comments (9)
Rudder steers course to land of Rising Sun
After being unable to get a start back in the NRL, former Newcastle five-eighth Sean Rudder has secured himself a deal to play rugby union in Japan.
more- by SMH Online at 10:19 PM
- Comments (8)
Support for NSW dream team
NSW coach Graham Murray is lucky he has friends in high places. Sin Bin understands former NSW coach Phil Gould's idea to bring in a coaching "Dream Team" of Blues greats Laurie Daley, Brad Fittler and Andrew and Matthew Johns for the dead-rubber game three was seriously considered behind closed doors at the NSWRL.
more- by SMH Online at 12:00 AM
- Comments (28)
What's wrong with rugby league
There's a blandness enveloping the game. From dummy-half running to the bleaching of a player's personality by the NRL Thought Police, league is losing touch with its larriken past and its traditions.
The salary cap has evened out the competition to the point where, as Roy Masters writes, parity has produced uniformity. Tribalism is gone and with it the great rivalries that generates so much of its passionate support.
So it's over to you, rugby league supporters, to tell us where you think the game has gone wrong and what can it do to rectify the problem.
The best entries will be published in The Sydney Morning Herald next week but your real name and a valid e-mail address must be supplied.
- by SMH Online at 11:08 PM
- Comments (484)
Player ratings for Origin II
Andrew Stevenson delivers his verdict on the 34 players in Origin II. Do you agree with him?
- by SMH Online at 12:32 AM
- Comments (275)
State of Origin II - blow by blow
80th min: NSW and QLD trade errors. The Blues have one last chance but Cooper's kick into the in-goal is easily defused. QLD win the series.
more- by Ed at 7:12 PM
- Comments (24)
Does the NRL need to change the high-shot rule?
"I've got to change my coaching style . . . if it's an advantage to lay down, I'll have them laying down," so said Ricky Stuart after a spiteful game.
No it wasn't the local derby last night at Oki Jubilee, it was after the game between the Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders in August 2003.
- by SMH Online at 10:48 AM
- Comments (64)
Minto victim of hysterical revisionism
Wikipedia, one of the world's biggest reference points, likes to boast that anyone can edit the online encyclopedia, and the following (edited) entry on Scott Minto that was posted on the website earlier this week - and hastily removed - proves it.
more- by SMH Online at 12:01 AM
- Comments (16)
Weekend washup
Upsets, send-offs and Origin speculation. Just another weekend in the NRL.
more- by SMH Online at 1:39 PM
- Comments (23)
Player transfers
Clint Newton quits the Knights one day and is selected for the Melbourne Storm the next.
Jamie Soward kicks the Roosters to victory against the Sharks last week and is playing for St George this weekend.
Luke MacDougall quits Saints and defies the current trend by actually moving to Newcastle.
Josh Lewis quits the Roosters and is now playing for the Titans.
When will these mid-season transfers end?
more- by SMH Online at 7:25 PM
- Comments (72)
Player ratings - your say
The Herald's Andrew Stevenson sticks his neck out and rates all 34 players from Origin 1.
Do you agree with him? Have your say.
more- by SMH Online at 12:26 AM
- Comments (132)
Origin 1 - Blow by blow
Queensland 25 - NSW 18
80th min. Mullen kicks the ball into the in-goal area but Hunt brings it back into the field of play. Game over.
more- by SMH Online at 7:43 PM
- Comments (39)
Who will win Origin 1?
Roy Masters questions the stamina of the Maroons pack.
Many other experts wonder whether the NSW squad, with five debutantes, has the experience to topple the Maroons?
Queensland have the home ground advantage, NSW probably has, on paper, the better bench.
The Blues have the more imposing forward pack, the Maroons have almost the full Australian backline.
Absorb these variables and decide: who will win Origin 1 and why?
And don't forget to enter the tipping competition for a year's worth of fuel.
- by SMH Online at 6:24 PM
- Comments (39)
A Polyphonic spree
The University of South Sydney has released the first lesson in its acclaimed Advanced Pronunciation Course for Broadcasters.
- by SMH Online at 9:59 PM
- Comments (12)
Mullen in. Costigan in. Did Origin selectors get it right?
In an intriguing morning of squad announcements, 20-year-old Newcastle halfback Jarrod Mullen has claimed the NSW No. 7 jersey over Brett Kimmorley and Neville Costigan has been named in Queensland's second-row, barely a year after being dumped by the Broncos. Run your eye over the respective Origin squads, and let us know whether you think the selectors have got it right.
- by SMH Online at 1:19 PM
- Comments (116)
Millward won't be updating resume
IF THE Dragons keep losing and Nathan Brown gets the sack as coach, the spotlight will fall on Ian Millward as one of the more likely alternatives. But he is adamant he has no interest in death-riding Brown.
more- by SMH Online at 12:00 AM
- Comments (11)
One code to take them all on
Early in April, Phil Derriman wrote an article that appeared on the back page of the Sydney Morning Herald news section (not a noted piece of real estate for sports writing) broaching the unfashionable topic of a unified rugby code. It went largely unnoticed.
- by SMH Online at 3:04 PM
- Comments (70)
Obstruction of justice and the Origin selection riddle
Wayne Bennett warned the referee's crackdown on obstruction was going to decide the course of a game - and it almost did until the Warriors pulled one out of the fire against Souths on Sunday.
Now Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has joined the debate, calling for an NFL-style video referee-style challenge.
Spectators are getting frustrated and players and coaches are confused. Decoy plays produce some of the most exciting moments on the paddock, but we're seeing great tries called back, and kept waiting as video refs take an eternity to come to their baffling interpretations.
Now the possibility that the rule could be changed mid-competition has been raised.
From a fan's point of view, how do you think the obstruction rule should be policed?
more- by SMH Online at 1:12 PM
- Comments (39)
Dragons face blame game
Coach Nathan Brown and chief executive Peter Doust have held on through some difficult times at St George Illawarra but the situation the Dragons find themselves in could become their greatest test of survival.
more- by SMH Online at 12:01 AM
- Comments (37)
Anasta v Williams: where do you stand?
Poor old Braith Anasta. Voted most overrated player by his peers three years in a row, endured a barren try-scoring run on his move to the Chooks, built himself up for a switch to lock before a talent drought saw him back at five-eighth - and now sledged by an NRL rookie.
- by SMH Online at 6:19 PM
- Comments (74)
How do we raise the international game?
It's depressing for a Kiwi in Sydney, as this anonymous Sin Bin contributor is, to get all fired up for a big trans-Tasman Test and ask your Aussie colleagues if they're fired up too - and be met with a response like "not really, but I'm looking forward to Parra and the Dogs though!"
- by SMH Online at 5:43 PM
- Comments (105)
Cap could squeeze Tate out
BRISBANE probably won't have enough room under the salary cap to keep both Justin Hodges and Brent Tate after this season. And if it comes to a choice between the two outside backs, Hodges will get the nod.
more- by SMH Online at 9:40 PM
- Comments (22)
A complacent selection?
Incumbency has again beaten form in Australia's team selection. Any changes from the side that scraped a tournament victory in last year's Tri-Nations are injury-enforced.
This has led to Mark O'Meley being dropped in the interests of balance in the forwards. A harsh call on Ogre?
And in light of Willie Mason's latest outburst, do you think selectors might want to send a message about this kind of behaviour, and drop Mason and bring back O'Meley? After all, Willie's been talked about as a future captain, chiefly by himself. Wouldn't a rocket up him make him think a little more about how a captain should behave?
more- by SMH Online at 9:43 AM
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Murray gives nod for Origin half
Brett Kimmorley's bid for a State of Origin comeback following the retirement of Andrew Johns has been met with great enthusiasm from Blues coach Graham Murray, who thought the Cronulla halfback's game against St George Illawarra on Monday night was sensational.
- by SMH Online at 12:16 AM
- Comments (36)
Andrew Johns' career
Share your thoughts on Andrew Johns' incredible career. Will you miss him? What were some of his greatest moments?
- by SMH Online at 3:05 PM
- Comments (402)
Turner twist: Storm winger on ropes after pre-season tug-of-war
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says winger Steve Turner will return to first grade "when he deserves to". It isn't that Turner is in the bad books. Bellamy just can't fit him in, which is ironic since Melbourne fought so hard to keep the player in the off-season after he agreed to terms with Gold Coast.
- by SMH Online at 12:05 AM
- Comments (10)
On merit, should Nathan make the Blues?
Big is best in State of Origin. Which bodes badly for Nathan Merritt, Souths' instinctive, lightning quick, but diminuitive winger.
Merritt has four tries already in 2007, including the individual try of the year so far with a spectacular chip and regather against Parramatta.
He was the top NRL tryscorer last year, with his 22 tries adding a little sparkle to an otherwise dismal, wooden spoon-winning, year for the Rabbitohs.
However, the shadow of another small and brilliant Nathan - Nathan Blacklock - hangs over Merritt. Blacklock's non-selection for Origin in 2001 caused outrage at the time, and with good reason. He was the NRL's top try-scorer three years running between 1999 and 2001, but never made Origin.
more- by SMH Online at 8:21 PM
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White Mundine? Man, that's daft
Despite his Tongan heritage, Willie Mason's detractors at a rival newspaper have begun privately dubbing him the "White Mundine" because of his outspoken views.
more- by SMH Online at 12:07 AM
- Comments (15)
Shouldn't Joey just poop or get off the pot?
Queensland coach Mal Meninga and captain Darren Lockyer have called for Andrew Johns to make himself available for next month's Test against New Zealand or be barred from playing State of Origin.
Johns himself has confirmed that he has asked the Knights to let him play Origin and the indications from Newcastle coach Brian Smith are that he'll okay it, as long as Joey's fit and in form.
Danny Buderus waffled about Johns playing if he was 100 per cent fit, the planets were aligned and the auguries favourable. The usual will-he-won't-he jive we get with Joey, whether it's a retirement, a comeback or a code switch.
And then there was the Twenty20 cricket debacle. For a bloke who claims to be uncomfortable in the goldfishbowl of Newcastle, he courts a lot of media coverage.
What's your call?
Should Johns be able to pick and choose his representative appearances?
Does putting the Blues ahead of the Kangaroos tell the world international footy is a joke?
And how much patience do you have for Joey's endless stoking of media speculation about his state of retirement?
Isn't it time for Joey to poop or get off the pot?
- by SMH Online at 9:00 AM
- Comments (129)
Dragons cheering for the Irish
INJURED Dragons halfback Mathew Head is the cousin of Ireland cricket captain Trent Johnston, and received a phone call from him after Ireland's historic upset win over Pakistan at the World Cup. "Everyone in our family is stoked for him. We're all pretty close so I speak to him a fair bit, and he gave me a call after they beat Pakistan," Head said. "The day they played was St Patrick's Day so it was a big day for all of Ireland and especially the supporters over there. They all went to the same hotel that night, and I'm pretty sure had a good night and Trent enjoyed it." Head, a promising cricketer himself, used to play in the backyard with Johnston, who is 10 years older and qualifies to play for Ireland through marriage. "For a Dapto boy to be captaining Ireland through to the Super Eights series of the World Cup, he's gone enormous," Head said.
more- by SMH Online at 10:27 PM
- Comments (19)
Who'll be poached next?
Timana Tahu's comments that rugby union is boring and that centres only touched the ball a couple of times a game would have given his club confidence that he wasn't going anywhere.
Until he declared yesterday that he was just creating a smokescreen and he'd really been quietly harbouring an ambition to try his luck in the other code for years.
Australian rugby union is in crisis and they're willing to pay big bucks to buy quality footballers, which our game has in spades.
The whipser is that union is chasing Eric Groethe Jr hard too.
Who else is on the rugby hitlist, and what can league do to hold onto its best players?
- by SMH Online at 12:45 PM
- Comments (175)
Willie for captain?
Willie Mason must be favoured by the football gods. No sooner had Mason, in his Sun-Herald column, declared he wanted the Kangaroos captaincy than events conspired to make him the top candidate for the Anzac Test.
Mason is a controversial figure. He speaks before he thinks, he's a hothead, and he has no track record as a tactician. But his teammates do look to him as a leader.
Would you like to see Willie Mason lead the country? If not, then who?
- by SMH Online at 3:35 PM
- Comments (108)
It's a wipeout: surfboards in salary cap
NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert has ruled that surfboards the Titans gave to each of their players must be included in the salary cap - but Souths officials are confident the silver rabbit that is threatening to sideline Adam MacDougall this weekend if he doesn't return it will not cause similar problems.
more- by SMH Online at 12:12 AM
- Comments (15)
Two strikes policy for drug users
NRL chief executive David Gallop is to propose a two-strikes-and-you're-out policy for players who take recreational drugs.
What action should be taken against players who return positive results to in-house drugs tests?
- by SMH Online at 1:45 PM
- Comments (31)
Finals on Canberra's radar
Rookie Canberra halfback Michael Dobson says a return to the NRL top eight is within the Raiders' grasp.
While many have already written off Canberra's chances of making the finals for the fifth time in six seasons, Dobson remains optimistic.
What do you think?
- by SMH Online at 2:19 PM
- Comments (64)
Give Gould the brutal truth
Phil Gould has heard plenty of anecdotal evidence that rugby league is struggling against AFL's push into the game's traditional heartland. He's calling for true stories to help him establish the real state of grassroots rugby league in the bush, as well as the city. If you have a story, please post it in the feedback form at the bottom of this blog and we'll pass it on, or email Phil at shsport@mail.fairfax.com.au.
more- by SMH Online at 9:01 AM
- Comments (21)
The year of the grudge
After last year's coaching merry-go-round, there's expected to be extra feeling as coaches come up against their old clubs.
The Herald's experts have identified several juicy clashes coming up which are set for fireworks.
As players come up against their old clubs, like Souths' Roy Asotasi against his old Bulldogs' teammates, there'll be some extra sting to the tackles.
Which battles are you most looking forward to?
- by SMH Online at 10:46 AM
- Comments (13)
League news agenda 2007
Last year it was the grapple tackle. This year, Roosters coach Chris Anderson's controversial single marker tactic at the ruck looms as the issue of the season.
more- by SMH Online at 11:30 AM
- Comments (17)
The biggest question of all
We've decided to cut to the chase and open Sin Bin 2007 with the ultimate question - who'll win the premiership?
The first round of the NRL is tantalisingly close. The sides have all had a couple of hit-outs, so we have a bit of form to go on.
Key players are already crocked, demonstrating the peril of predicting anything this far out, but we've seen the teams - the question now is who will get it together?
more- by SMH Online at 10:20 AM
- Comments (78)
Would Thurston have been the difference?
Phil Gould has asked the question - why wasn't Johnathan Thurston playing halfback for Australia on Saturday night?
- by SMH Online at 12:51 PM
- Comments (92)
Heat is on for whingeing Pom
The heat is really on now for Leon Pryce in tomorrow night's Tri Nations game between his Great Britain side and Australia in Sydney. He drew an enormous amount of attention to himself with his criticism of Australians and Bondi beach earlier in the week and now he has been thrust into the key position of five-eighth, with Danny McGuire ruled out today because of injury.
- by Greg Prichard at 1:26 PM
- Comments (116)
The great-grandmother of all stuff-ups
THE Nathan Fien episode has left the Tri-Nations with tin-pot tournament status, which is what it deserves under the circumstances. You couldn't call it amateur hour, because in terms of amateurism the people running the event who let it reach the stage where Fien actually played for New Zealand have much more longevity than that. The International Federation should kick the Kiwis out of the event, but it won't have the guts. What do you think?
- by Alex Brown at 1:40 PM
- Comments (41)
NRL grand final live: Storm v Broncos
Full-time: Storm 8 Broncos 15
The Brisbane Broncos are the 2006 NRL premiers after defeating the Melbourne Storm 15-8 in the grand final at Telstra Stadium in Sydney.
- by SMH Online at 5:35 PM
- Comments (78)
Trio could do the bolt into Tri-Nations
There could be a bolter or two among Melbourne forwards Brett White, Ryan Hoffman and Dallas Johnson in the 23-man Australian squad to be named on Monday for the Tri-Nations series.
more- by SMH Online at 10:53 PM
- Comments (7)
Webcke's worries a world away
And you thought you knew everything about Shane Webcke? Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett revealed yesterday one of the most imposing players in the game used to be a nervous wreck before matches.
- by SMH Online at 10:55 PM
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Trophy to be up in time for breakfast
The NRL premiership trophy will be on display at Thursday's grand final breakfast despite being put on a flight to Perth in a baggage handling mix-up.
- by SMH Online at 10:33 PM
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Pledge allegiance
For the first time in history there's no NSW team in the NRL grand final on Sunday. Whether you're a Bulldogs, Dragons or even a Rabbitohs supporter, you're naturally disappointed your team isn't there. But you'll still be watching, right?
more- by SMH Online at 7:36 AM
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Storm v Dragons live
Full-time: Storm 24 Dragons 10
The Melbourne Storm have beaten the St George Illawarra Dragons at Telstra Stadium to set up a meeting with the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL grand final.
- by SMH Online at 6:35 PM
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Bulldogs v Broncos live
Full-time: Bulldogs 20 Broncos 37
The Broncos have booked the first NRL Grand Final berth after a stunning comeback win over the Bulldogs at Aussie Stadium.
- by SMH Online at 5:13 PM
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Gower injury gives Orford chance
Manly halfback Matt Orford has been given one last shot to press for Test selection after being called into the Prime Minister's XIII to replace the injured Craig Gower.
more- by SMH Online at 10:38 PM
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Sound thrashings
Two NRL semi-finals and two completely lopsided matches. The finals race is now down to four after the Dragons demolished Manly 28-0 and the Broncos humiliated the Knights 50-6.
- by SMH Online at 8:00 PM
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Knights v Broncos live
Fulltime: Broncos 50 Knights 6
The Brisbane Broncos have booked an NRL preliminary final date against the Bulldogs after smashing the Newcastle Knights 50-6 at Aussie Stadium.
- by SMH Online at 7:30 PM
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Dragons v Sea Eagles live
Fulltime: Dragons 28 Manly 0
The St George Illawarra Dragons have thrashed the Manly Sea Eagles 28-0 in their NRL semi-final at Aussie Stadium tonight to book a preliminary final berth against the Melbourne Storm.
- by SMH Online at 7:40 PM
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Buderus wouldn't have beaten 'slap'
NRL match review committee boss Greg McCallum is convinced Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus would have been found guilty had he contested the minor high-tackle charge from round 24 that cost him his unblemished judiciary record.
more- by SMH Online at 8:49 PM
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Does the NRL judiciary need fixing?
Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus has urged a review of the judicial process after he was denied a possible grand final spot by the NRL judiciary for a dangerous throw.
- by SMH Online at 9:02 AM
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Now there are six
The first week of NRL finals largely went to form, with the bottom two teams in the eight – the Raiders and Eels – eliminated and the Dragons' win over the Broncos at Suncorp the only result that could be called an upset. Here's how our writers called the matches – how do you see it?
- by SMH Online at 8:15 AM
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Beavis, Raper in clash over Barrett
LEADING player agent Wayne Beavis and John Raper were involved in a "terse" exchange of words at Tuesday night's Dally M awards over the league immortal's public criticism of Dragons captain Trent Barrett. Beavis, who manages Barrett, took exception to Raper's accusation that the Wigan-bound international was not putting in for St George Illawarra.
more- by SMH Online at 10:55 PM
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The best player, but the best hooker?
Melbourne and Queensland Origin hooker Cameron Smith, voted the NRL's best player at last night's Dally M awards, is a certainty to wear the No.9 jersey for the Kangaroos in the Tri-Nations, with incumbent Danny Buderus making himself unavailable.
- by SMH Online at 11:31 AM
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Who will upset who?
It's well documented that the eighth-ranked side (Parramatta Eels this year) has never beaten the top ranked side (Melbourne Storm this year) in the first round of the NRL finals. But every finals series throws up an upset where one of the bottom four sides beats a top-four side in the first week.
- by SMH Online at 11:40 AM
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Leagues to get their house in order
David Moffett's contentious plan to streamline the various leagues into a single body is dead and buried but a new proposal to house them under the one roof is gaining pace.
more- by SMH Online at 11:04 PM
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Jason Taylor's great leap
The possibility that Jason Taylor may have been chased by the Roosters appears to have spurred South Sydney into action in promoting the coach to the head role at the Rabbitohs.
more- by SMH Online at 9:32 AM
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Was dumping Stuart the right call?
At 5pm on Monday, the Sydney Roosters released a statement announcing that the club had reached an agreement to part ways with coach Ricky Stuart. The announcement came after a 42-16 thrashing by the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday that added fuel to speculation Stuart was to be sacked.
more- by SMH Online at 11:56 AM
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Rivals tip top two to triumph
Asked who, excluding their own team, would win the competition, not one of the NRL coaches who had a pick went past the top two teams - Melbourne and the Bulldogs.
more- by SMH Online at 10:57 PM
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Joey learns value of a five-letter word
From the start of the Andrew Johns judiciary hearing on Wednesday night, there was an air of inevitability about the result.
more- by SMH Online at 10:26 PM
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JT in run-off with McRae at Rabbitohs
People are saying how strange it will be if coach Jason Taylor takes Parramatta to the finals and then starts as an assistant coach at lowly South Sydney next year - as he signed to do before Brian Smith's resignation elevated him to first grade at the Eels.
more- by SMH Online at 11:05 PM
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Souths pull white rabbit out of the hat
Everything old is new again at the new South Sydney, with the Rabbitohs planning to revert to a plain white rabbit for their club logo next season.
more- by SMH Online at 10:10 PM
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Walker can ride to Broncos' rescue
Former Queensland Origin star Chris Walker may head back to Brisbane next season.
more- by SMH Online at 11:05 PM
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Joey's swearing all part of the action
Just because the NRL allows a situation where everything that is said on the field can be heard on Sports Ears and television, doesn't mean it can admonish Andrew Johns for swearing during a game.
more- by SMH Online at 11:12 PM
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How to avoid Joey's record balls-up
Eels media manager Damian Kelly looked bewitched, bothered and bewildered after Andrew Johns stormed off and left him holding the baby - or at least the match ball in a glass case, - at Parramatta Stadium last Saturday night.
more- by SMH Online at 9:50 PM
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AFL originality
It will obviously be a long time - if ever - before Victoria can field a State of Origin team, but former AFL coach Robert Shaw has a novel idea. He reckons a team of AFL players could be picked and coached to beat NSW and Queensland at league.
- by SMH Online at 10:18 PM
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Joey can't bat, won't bat, says Hughes
Graeme Hughes, the last person to have represented NSW in league and cricket, has ridiculed the idea of Andrew Johns playing a series of Twenty20 matches next summer and does not believe the world's greatest halfback will actually bat.
more- by SMH Online at 10:49 PM
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Knights struggle without Buderus
Everyone knows about the Andrew Johns factor and how Newcastle's record without him is very poor, but the Danny Buderus factor is a pretty big one as well.
more- by SMH Online at 10:27 PM
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Willie the subject for FOGS of war
ST George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown and former Test star Mark Geyer were involved in a heated exchange at Brisbane's Treasury Casino on the eve of Origin II - over the merits of NSW forward Willie Mason.
more- by SMH Online at 10:23 PM
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Crossing codes: Ryan on verge of Super 14
The Sydney Roosters have withdrawn their offer to Ryan Cross in the strongest indication yet that he is heading to rugby union.
more- by SMH Online at 10:35 PM
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Smith's son set to brighten up the Knights with Fairleigh told he's not needed
NEWCASTLE premier league coach David Fairleigh has been told he does not fit into Brian Smith's plans for next season, amid speculation that Smith's son, Rohan, may join the club.
more- by SMH Online at 11:08 PM
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Dry club throws Latu a lifeline
Sacked Cronulla hooker Tevita Latu may have a number of playing options despite being deregistered by the NRL for assaulting a 19-year-old woman - including an alcohol-free rugby union club in New Zealand that is interested in recruiting him.
more- by SMH Online at 11:49 PM
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Was it vintage Origin?
It seemed all over after three Blues tries. Then State of Origin did what it does best, motivating Queensland to level the match and come close to winning.
Was last night's match vintage Origin?
How did you rate last night's performance and what are your predictions for the rest of the series?
- by SMH Online at 8:02 AM
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Predict the Origin scoreline
How much will Craig Gower's injury affect the Blues' chances in the opening NRL State of Origin match tonight?
Should Andrew Johns have made himself available as an emergency replacement?
What's your prediction for tonight's scoreline?
- by SMH Online at 10:46 AM
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Troubled Eels expect Lyon to come full circle and re-sign by Monday
PARRAMATTA have asked Jamie Lyon - through his manager, George Mimis -to tell the club by Monday whether he will accept the club's three-year contract offer worth about $900,000.
more- by SMH Online at 10:54 PM
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Half a million reasons for Gasnier to stay a Dragon
MARK Gasnier would have gone to rugby union before the ARU withdrew its offer on Wednesday if he had been serious about switching codes.
more- by SMH Online at 9:42 PM
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What if Blues need a half in the decider, Joey?
Andrew Johns has made his decision to retire from rep football after tonight's Test, but when asked whether there was any chance of a rethink, he replied: "I don't think so."
more- by SMH Online at 11:50 PM
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Final call for NRL stars flying to London
MELBOURNE five-eighth Scott Hill may be the latest big-name player headed to England to finish his career after Salford confirmed an approach to the former NSW Origin star.
more- by SMH Online at 10:36 PM
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Eddie's plan to save Gasnier is all talk - so fire up
Sin Bin can exclusively reveal how Channel Nine plans to make Mark Gasnier their latest network star.
more- by SMH Online at 10:09 PM
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Well, Hoppa's always been good in the ring
AFTER declaring that league had become "a girls' game", John Hopoate may have finally found a sport he considers tough enough - although the former NRL bad boy admits his only pugilistic experience has been "in bars".
more- by SMH Online at 11:59 PM
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Joey won't put neck on the line in surf tribute
WHILE Andrew Johns is still hopeful of playing against St George Illawarra tomorrow night, the Newcastle captain has canned plans to surf in the Luke Egan Tribute Expression Session at Newcastle Beach on Sunday.
more- by SMH Online at 9:53 PM
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Panthers lashed over 'insensitive' treatment of coach
CANBERRA general manager Don Furner has launched into Penrith chief executive Glenn Matthews on the eve of tomorrow night's clash between the two teams in Canberra, branding him "insensitive" towards Panthers coach John Lang.
more- by SMH Online at 9:56 PM
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Dogs still welcome in Nine's house
CHANNEL Nine sports boss Steve Crawley says that the bad behaviour of a small number of so-called Bulldogs supporters will not influence his decision on what game to schedule for the network's Friday night coverage.
more- by SMH Online at 12:25 AM
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Tricycles, cats and acrobats: it's game on
We can reveal exclusively the spectacular entertainment plans drawn up by forward-thinking Newcastle officials for the club's next home game against the Bulldogs next Friday night.
more- by SMH Online at 9:53 PM
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Your say: How did you tip?
The first round is always the hardest to tip. Did anyone get seven out of seven?
- by SMH Online at 6:57 PM
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Why Ricko was never a dancer
How did Luke Ricketson get a start on Dancing with the Stars anyway?
more- by SMH Online at 9:10 PM
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Sin Bin is coming
Stand by for NRL Season 2006. This year Greg Prichard and Brad Walter's Sin Bin column goes interactive.
Every Friday here from March 10.
- by SMH Online at 6:09 PM
- Comments (6)
