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NZ Warriors book finals spot

NRL Round 24, 2007
NZ Warriors 36 def Manly Sea Eagles 14

The NZ Warriors have put on a classy display to hand Manly a spanking, and earn themselves an NRL Finals spot for the first time in 4 long years.

Wairangi Koopu starring for the Warriors, the veteran playing his 150th game and scoring tries either side of half time to get the Warriors ahead.

Manly showed their willingness early, keeping in touch with the Warriors - but the full house at at Mt Smart Stadium demanded more, urging the home side to greater things. In the end, the understrength Manly side were unable to keep pace with the power and skill the NZ Warriors possess.

The Warriors now move to 27 points and also possess an impressive points difference, they are certainly assured a Top 8 spot - a win next week and favourable results from surrounding teams could even see them secure a Top 4 spot.

The move by Manly to rest several stars with minor injuries might yet prove costly to the Sea Eagles. A side that has been impressive all year, a slight drop in confidence could cost Manly the all important momentum moving into the finals.

Dragons dabbling with wooden spoon

While NRL punters have been talking about the Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights as the 2007 NRL wooden spoon contenders; many have forgotten all about the St George Illawarra Dragons and the very real possibility they could claim Rugby League’s most unwanted award.

The merged entity that is the St George Illawarra Dragons have never collected the wooden spoon and certainly don’t want to blemish their young but impressive record. Our statistics here at NRL News show the Dragons last collected the wooden spoon in 1938 as a stand alone club, only twice before this getting the spoon in 1922, 1926 - we are getting our good friend David Middleton to confirm these stats, as certain Dragons supporters have stated strongly they have never won the spoon in their long history.

The Dragons face the Eels in Monday Night NRL in this Round and next week they face heavyweights Manly in their final appearance for 2007. Already without Jason Ryles, the Dragons are facing a tough task against two top line teams.

In comparison, the Knights face the inconsistent Wests Tigers next week - they simply need to win, as their points difference is the worst of all spoon contenders and a loss would hand them the embarrassing prize. The Panthers are hosting the Warriors at Penrith - their recent form and the fact it’s a farewell game for several Panthers players - mean emotion will help them possibly upset the high flying NZ side.

So not only will there be plenty of interest in the final NRL Top 8 order, there will be a tonne of punters and fans watching intently to see who collects the spoon.

Cronulla Sharks curse kills the Titans

NRL Round 24, 2007
Cronulla Sharks 28 def Gold Coast Titans 12

The stifiling and smothering tactics of the Cronulla Sharks has claimed the scalp of the fancied Gold Coast Titans team tonight. The Sharks proving masters at dragging top line NRL sides down to their level and certainly making Toyota Park at nightmare ground for opposition teams to visit.

The Titans knew their season was on the line tonight, they really needed to show more desperation. They lacked focus at times, seemingly only realising the gravity of the situation once it was too late.

In a game where there was plenty of dropped ball, thousands of penalties and limited creativity - it certainly suited the Sharks much more than the Titans. At times, the amount of penalties blown and the constant stop start format of the game had me thinking I was watching Rugby Union. The Sharks do deserve credit however, they had nothing to play for and really gave their home fans a nice finale as they notched up a win to end their final Toyota Park match.

Greg Bird and Paul Gallen were standouts again, cutting through the opposition line and proving to be the driving force for the Sharks all night. The two NSW Origin reps also showed their teammates the way in defence, tackling with punishing force and showing good niggle tactics that ultimately worked in their favour, sucking the Titans into sledging and bickering all night. The only fault with these two Sharks players is their tendency to stay down regularly as they try to attract penalties. Gallen has been cautioned before for his acting and Bird tonight put on a Hollywood special as he lay down in goal to attract a penalty for a grapple, saving the Sharks from a drop-out.

The Titans struggled in attack yet again tonight, even when they had good field position at times they simply just couldn’t pierce through the impressive Sharks defence. As frustration set in, they began trying some uncharacteristic methods that proved wasteful - turning the ball over cheaply and driving John Cartwright nuts.

At the back Chris Walker had an unhappy night, dropping the pill several times and getting some unlucky calls from the officials. Scott Prince struggled to get into the game, his forwards unable to get any advantage as the Sharks ruck slowing tactics worked a treat. Hooker Nathan Friend at times looked dangerous, but the Titans could not build pressure and went for broke on most sets.

For the Sharks, their hooking duo of Issac de Gois and Kevin Kingston were in good knick, de Gois keeping the Cronulla momentum rolling and Kingston proving extremely dynamic when injected into the game. Kingston scoring a crucial solo try late in the game to get the Sharks over the line safely.

It certainly wasn’t a spectacle for the Rugby League fan - this was NRL trench warfare and only die hard supporters could stomach tonights main course. The speed and quality was certainly a few notches down from the NRL games played last night. The Titans will overall be happy with their first year back into the NRL and the Sharks will continue to build confidence to end their season on a high note.

Penrith Panthers show promise for 2008

NRL Round 24, 2007
Penrith Panthers 28 def Sydney Roosters 22

The Panthers again showcased their attacking flair, this week they put an end to the Sydney Roosters faint finals hopes in a display that will have Panthers fans quietly confident for next year.

The Roosters were continually forfeiting possession tonight and their completion rate was woeful, really hampering them and preventing any chance of a miracle comeback against the hot Panthers.

Penrith Panthers coach Matthew Elliott seems to have the right combination in place - this week Luke Lewis playing at pivot and combining nicely with Craig Gower. Lewis playing a second fiddle role and not overpowering Gower which Peter Wallace has done on occasions.

On most of the occasions Penrith spun the ball wide, their outside men were having huge success on the fringe. Frank Pritchard and Maurice Blair in particular proved a handful for the Roosters tonight, as did the high ball in attack from Penrith. Both Perret and Roberts spilling high bombs and opening the door for the Panthers in good territory.

The other area Penrith impressed was with their defence. They scrambled and showed good pride in their line tonight, preventing certain Roosters tries on at least 3 occasions. Good awareness from O’Hallaran and some good reads on the edge from Michael Gordon prevented certain 4 pointers.

For the Roosters, apart from poor handling - discipline absolutely killed them. Especially with Steve ‘Terminator’ Clarke doing the refereeing, the grapple tackle calls were coming thick and fast. At one stage Shillington giving away 2-3 penalties in the space of 5 minutes. When the Panthers got the opportunity they took it, something the Roosters simply couldn’t do.

The increasingly impressive form of the Panthers will see them avoid the wooden spoon this year and hand it squarely to Newcastle. The improving Penrith side would probably trouble some of the Top 8 sides at present with the way they are playing, the positive note they finish this year on puts them in good stead for a strong start to 2008.

Melbourne Storm: One of the Greats

The Melbourne Storm team of 2006 and 2007 has naturally received plenty of accolades for their table topping NRL form and a brand of Rugby League that has been unmatched by opponents in the past 2 years.

What I believe makes this Storm outfit even more impressive, is the fact that their current reign as NRL minor premiers over the past 2 years has occurred at a time when Rugby League is at its most even as every NRL side could possibly win on their day.

In previous decades a handful of teams could dominate for years on end. Teams that had good financial backing, all the best players and superior home grounds that were regularly full. Teams such as the Bulldogs, Brisbane and maybe St George (pre-merger) come to mind.

In the current era, a time where we see matches won by golden point regularly and games where a referees single penalty will turn a match - it makes the achievements of the Melbourne Storm even more impressive.

For the Storm to come out on top of the regular season table for 2 consecutive years, it shows not only their skill level and ability is superior - but their coaching team are absolute pioneers in techniques, as other clubs hastily try to follow.

The majority of NRL clubs do use wrestling coaches to improve their ruck slowing techniques, but the Storm took this to a new level - using skilled techniques to slow, hold and suspend tackled players in the air before they hit the ground - getting more time in the ruck without the worry of a penalty. Even today, opposing NRL teams try to copy the method of the Storm - but their execution is unable to match that of Melbourne.

Another tactic I believe the Storm pioneered was what I call ‘The Sleepwalker’. The sleepwalker play is where an attacking team hoists a bomb up in attack and sends several chasers through following the ball. The lead chaser or ’sleepwalker’ will leap for the ball and keep his eye on it, but his sole intention is to ‘body check’ the opposing fullback or catcher - so his teammates can get the scraps as he and the opposition catcher collide and are taken out of play.

Several other teams are employing the tactic of ’sleepwalkers’ now, one of the better exponents being Cronulla - where they send Luke Covell up high after a bomb and ensure his big frame collides with opposition challengers and gives Sharks outside backs the chance to collect the scraps. Referees cannot penalise a ’sleepwalker’ because they look to be going after the ball. They have their arms up and eye on the ball, so proving it was an intentional foul is impossible.

So smart, inventive plays by Melbourne continue to keep them on top. I rate the Storm side in such regard that they may even be the best side in the past 10 years, better than their own squad that won the 1999 Grand Final and even more talented and refined than the Brian Smith coached Eel’s from 2000-2003 that broke every record in their path on the back of honed tactics and skillful execution.

Unfortunately for the current Storm crop, as it proved for the Eels earlier this decade - being the best team for long periods of time simply doesn’t guarantee anything in NRL Finals Football. They may be brilliant this current Storm squad, but they only become legends when they lift that trophy, just as their Storm ancestors did in 1999.

Cowboys a cut above toiling Knights

By John Chelsea

Round 24, 2007
North Queensland Cowboys 34 def Newcastle Knights 18

The Knights came to play tonight, eager to send their home crowd off on a good note - but their best efforts were no match for the slick Cowboys who even without their big name forwards; made a mockery of the Knights defence to run away winners in a match that seals their Top 4 standing on the NRL ladder for 2007.

A more committed Knights side tried hard to bring the Cowboys down into an arm wrestle - but after some close periods, the Cowboys skipped away. An Ashley Graham intercept in the 55 minute put any Newcastle comeback to and end, after the Knights had a good run of possession and momentum.

When the struggling Knights did manage to get some good ball and field position, they rarely knew what to do. Captain Danny Buderus was able to guide the home side over the try line, through a nice short ball try assist - but on most occasions the cellar dwellers looked lost and overexcited as they reached enemy territory.

Newcastle Knights coach Brian Smith, usually a poker faced professional could be seen riding every play with the Knights. The pressure on Smith and the club obvious as they dug deep to try and grind out an upset win.

To the credit of the Cowboys, they certainly didn’t take their lowly ranked opponents lightly. The North Queenslanders got into Newcastle early, setting up camp several days before the game and showing their mind was clearly on the job. While the home semi final is critical to most sides, the Cowboys need it more than most - with many punters thinking the North Queensland side lacks depth in the forwards with so many of their big men out of action.

Once again the standout for the Cowboys was Matt Bowen. The lively fullback proving impossible to stop from any portion of the field, his light stepping proving hard work for the mostly bulky Knights lineup. Again Bowen was decisive in defence, making good decisions at critical times and snuffing out occasional Knights raids. The Cowboys played enterprising Rugby League, having success on the fringes and mostly capitalising on Knights errors.

The win by the Cowboys tonight sets up a blockbuster final round clash with the Bulldogs at Diary Farmers Stadium next week.
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Storm overwhelms Bulldogs

By Adam Sutcliffe

Latemail: Bulldogs Big Test

Word coming from the Bulldogs camp is that Willie Mason could be a late starter squeezed into the impressive Canterbury lineup to take on NRL Competition leaders the Melbourne Storm tonight.

Already boosted by the return of Mark O’Meley - the Bulldogs obviously know the importance of this game in keeping them in the Top 4 on the NRL Ladder. With the Eels and Warriors on their heels, the Bulldogs need to win the two remaining games against the Storm and Cowboys next week to hold on to their top 4 NRL table spot.

Mason has hinted through the week at his desire to ‘test’ himself against the Storm; who are the benchmark in the NRL at the moment. The rewards probably outweigh the risks for the Bulldogs in bringing Mason back tonight - by beating the Storm; they keep their NRL top 4 spot and get a massive momentum and confidence boost only weeks away from the NRL semi finals.

Don’t be surprised at all if the big man, Willie Mason strolls out on to Telstra Stadium or is injected from the bench by coach Steve Folkes.

Warriors are back big time

By Peter Roy

Only 24 hours after we discussed the sell-out match at Leichhardt Oval, across the ditch the Kiwi’s have come in their thousands to snap up tickets to the Warriors final home game of the season - selling out Mt Smart Stadium for the first time since the Warriors entered the premiership in 1995.

The rise of the NZ Warriors in 2007 has again woke the sleeping giant that is New Zealand Rugby League. After achieving good results earlier this decade when the Warriors reached the Grand Final things went downhill just as quickly, last year the Warriors were burdened with the second lowest crowd attendance figures in the NRL.

After tossing and turning, changing coaches and management over several years - things certainly look to be back on track for the Auckland based club. It’s obvious the potential lying within New Zealand - while it may be a staunch Rugby Union stomping ground, if the Warriors could break through for their maiden premiership the response would no doubt be enormous. Additional Kiwi supporters, merchandise, additional international NRL exposure and the possibility of more NRL clubs in other parts of New Zealand are not out of the question in the long term future.

While the National Rugby League (NRL) might not be played in every state of Australia, they do hold a draw card that is the envy of rival codes such as the AFL; purely because they have successfully expanded into New Zealand. The international potential is certainly there for the NRL, the Warriors will ignite the fuse should they take out the title - bringing lucrative rewards for the Kiwi Club and the NRL.

The Warriors have this year seemingly overcome their biggest weakness, ‘winning away from home’ - proving on several occasions in 2007 they can topple big teams outside of New Zealand. In most other departments the NZ Warriors are looking extremely good, their squad is talented, balanced, well coached and without any injury concerns.

With a win over the undermanned Manly Sea Eagles, it puts the Warriors in prime position for a home final. With that kind of launch pad and the possibility of a 3rd week home final if results fall their way - the Kiwi clan will never get a better tilt at the coveted prize; that is the NRL Rugby League Premiership.

Wests Tigers Record: Leichhardt Sold Out

John Chelsea

The Wests Tigers have set a new club record, completely selling out of tickets to their Leichhardt Oval clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs this Sunday. According to Wests Tigers officials, its the first time the joint venture club has sold out the Leichhardt venue prior to match day.

The Tigers have certainly put out the ‘House Full’ sign before, but never this early as both NRL teams gear up for one of the clashes of the season. A win for either side can almost assure them of one of the lower Top 8 spots come finals time.

The pressure seems more directed towards South Sydney, the giant killing Bunnies having to now face a hostile Leichhardt crowd and then back up next week with another tough match against the Sydney Roosters in yet another age old rivalry.

The Wests Tigers have now got Liam Fulton back on board after he was cleared late last night at the NRL Judiciary and their only concern would be the defence of Benji Marshall. The superstar pivot / halfback for the Wests Tigers has had some problems in the previous few weeks - with opposition teams peppering his wing with bombs and running large outside backs over the top of him. Coach Tim Sheens is not showing any concern openly, stating he is happy with Benji’s style - one that earned the Tigers the 2005 premiership.

The Bunnies will no doubt be running plenty of traffic at Marshall. The likes of big Paul Mellor, Nigel Vagana and even wide running Dean Widders will be ensuring Benji is fully tested and tired out from defence. This clash is expected to be a physical and firey affair, with both sides having so much at stake - there is sure to be some blow ups. You’d certainly have to like the Tigers chances with a loud Leichhardt full-house standing behind them.

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