NRL Tipping with a Twist

March 10, 2010

While punters are gearing up for tipping competitions, fantasy leagues and dream teams – there is a little known comp out there for NRL fans called ‘Last Man Standing’.

A unique concept, where the single objective is to select one winning team each week. Succeed and continue to the next week, lose and your immediately eliminated.

Run by SportingBet Australia, the chance to win $50,000 in Prize Money is an attractive one for serious NRL fans and with some a unique and exciting concept this competition is sure to grow in the coming years.

Find Out More – Click Here

Last Man Standing NRL is free to enter, so simply open either a Sportingbet members or betting account and register here up until 7pm March 12th and select the team you think will win their head to head game in round 1. If your selection wins you move through to the next round– if they lose you are eliminated. Competition continues each week until the end of the NRL grand final or there is one person left. Last Man Standing wins $50,000 cash – if there is more than one entrant left at the conclusion of the grand final – those left will split the $50,000 cash.

Think that’s easy – there is a twist. From round13 your selection each weekend must be made at the plus/minus line instead of head to head.

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Storm to get edge with science

March 10, 2010

Melbourne Storm players are used to sweating at training – just not usually in the name of sports science.

As the quest for every possible advantage by NRL clubs continue, the Melbourne side will attempt to gauge exactly how much fluids they are losing after peak periods of exertion.

The defending NRL premiers will tomorrow be sweat tested by sports drink partner Gatorade during a 90-minute skills and conditioning session at Visy Park.

The session, scheduled to begin at 1.30pm, is designed to provide useful scientific data to the Melbourne Storm’s coaching staff in a bid to further individualize the training programs of players.

Each Storm player, including Golden Boot winners Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis, will be have a number of patches placed across their body to capture sweat from different areas, with the results to determine how the players should hydrate pre, during and post exercise.

The players’ heart rates, fluid consumption and weight will also be recorded to later determine individual sweat rates.

The information provided to players is designed to help them understand how they can fuel themselves so they not only perform better but also feel better when training or competing.

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NRL Teams Round 1 2010

March 9, 2010

Kick off for the 2010 NRL season is only days away, after a long off-season the teams are finally ready to go round for yet another year of exciting footy. Here is how your team and squad will lineup for Round 1 starting on Friday night with the Eels/Dragons and Broncos/Cowboys.

FRIDAY

PARRAMATTA EELS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS at Parramatta Stadium, 7.35pm

EELS: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Timana Tahu, Eric Grothe, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson, Nathan Cayless (capt), Matt Keating, Justin Poore, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith, Feleti Mateo. Interchange: Kris Keating, Shane Shackleton, Fuifui Moimoi, Tim Mannah, Krisnan Inu. (one to be omitted).

DRAGONS: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Beau Scott, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (capt), Matt Prior, Nathan Fien, Michael Weyman, Jeremy Smith, Ben Creagh, Dean Young. Interchange: Jon Green, Trent Merrin, Dan Hunt, Jarrod Saffy.

Referees: Tony Archer, Gavin Badger

BRISBANE BRONCOS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm

BRONCOS: Corey Norman, Antonio Winterstein, Gerard Beale, Israel Folau, Denan Kemp, Darren Lockyer (capt), Peter Wallace, Nick Kenny, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Ben Te’o, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire, Mitchell Dodds.

COWBOYS: Ty Williams, John Williams, Ashley Graham, Willie Tonga, Michael Bani, Grant Rovelli, Johnathan Thurston (capt), Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne, Antonio Kaufusi, Scott Bolton, Steve Southern, Luke ODonnell. Interchange: Anthony Watts, Steve Rapira, Willie Mason, Manase Manuokafoa, Carl Webb, James Tamou. (Two to be omitted)

Referees: Jared Maxwell, Gerard Sutton

SATURDAY

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS at ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm

BULLDOGS: Luke Patten, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Jamal Idris, Bryson Goodwin, Ben Roberts, Brett Kimmorley, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Michael Hodgson, Yileen Gordon, Andrew Ryan (capt), David Stagg. Interchange: Mickey Paea, Gary Warburton, Jarrad Hickey, Ben Barba.

KNIGHTS: Shannon McDonnell, Akulia Uate, Junior Sau, Adam MacDougall, Cooper Vuna, Jarrod Mullen, Scott Dureau, Ben Cross, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Steve Simpson (capt), Cory Paterson, Mark Taufua. Interchange: Daniel Tolar, George Ndaira, Richard Fa’aosa, Zeb Taia, Wes Naqaima.

Referees: Jason Robinson, Bernard Sutton

PENRITH PANTHERS v CANBERRA RAIDERS at CUA Stadium, 7.30pm

PANTHERS: Lachlan Coote, Michael Gordon, Michael Jennings, Adrian Purtell, Shane Elford, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Petero Civoniceva (capt), Frank Pritchard, Trent Waterhouse, Luke Lewis. Interchange: Joseph Paulo, Nathan Smith, Matthew Bell, Sam McKendry, Brad Tighe, Nigel Plum, Frank Puletua. (three to be omitted)

RAIDERS: Josh Dugan, Reece Robinson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Terry Campese, Marc Herbert, David Shillington, Alan Tongue (capt), Scott Logan, Danny Galea, Bronson Harrison, Josh Miller. Interchange: Travis Waddell, Trevor Thurling, Troy Thompson, Dane Tilse, Shaun Fensom, James Stuart. (two to be omitted).

Referees: Steve Lyons, Alan Shortall

CRONULLA SHARKS v MELBOURNE STORM at Toyota Stadium, 7.30pm

SHARKS: Nathan Stapleton, Isaac Gordon, Ben Pomeroy, Blake Ferguson, Luke Covell, Trent Barrett (capt), Scott Porter, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Luke Douglas, Grant Millington, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Adam Cuthbertson, Josh Cordoba, Albert Kelly, Paul Aiton.

STORM: Billy Slater, Luke MacDougall, Dane Nielsen, Greg Inglis, Anthony Quinn, Brett Finch, Cam Smith (capt), Aiden Tolman, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Jeff Lima, Adam Blair, Ryan Hoffman, Todd Lowrie. Interchange Rory Kostjasyn, Kevin Proctor, Hep Cahill, Jesse Bromwich, Ryan Tandy, Bryan Norrie. Two to be omitted.

Referees: Ben Cummins, Brett Suttor

SUNDAY

GOLD COAST TITANS v WARRIORS at Skilled Park, 1pm

TITANS: Preston Campbell, Kevin Gordon, Mat Rogers, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Greg Bird, Scott Prince (capt), Luke Bailey (c), Nathan Friend, Brad Meyers, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Sam Tagataese, Will Matthews, Riley Brown, Michael Henderson, William Zillman, Bodene Thompson. (three to be omitted)

WARRIORS: Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Brett Seymour, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Russell Packer, Lewis Brown, Ben Matulino, Micheal Luck (capt). Interchange: Wade McKinnon, Jeremy Latimore, Jesse Royal, Sione Lousi, Joel Moon. (one to be omitted)

Referees: Matt Cecchin, Chris James

SYDNEY ROOSTERS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS at Sydney Football Stadium, 3pm

ROOSTERS: Todd Carney, Anthony Minichiello, Phil Graham, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta, (capt) Mitchell Pearce, Lopini Paea, James Aubusson, Jason Ryles, Tom Symonds, Mitchell Aubusson, Nate Myles. Interchange Aidan Guerra, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Ben Jones, Nick Kouparitsas, Daniel Conn. one to be omitted.

SOUTHS: Rhys Wesser, Nathan Merritt, Colin Best, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), Eddy Pettybourne, David Taylor, Sam Burgess. Interchange: Scott Geddes, Shannan McPherson, Ben Lowe, Jason Clark.

Referees: Ashley Klein, Tony De Las Heras

MONDAY

WESTS TIGERS v MANLY SEA EAGLES at Sydney Football Stadium, 7pm

TIGERS: Tim Moltzen, Lote Tuqiri, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Benji Marshall, Robert Lui, Bryce Gibbs, Robbie Farah (capt), Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Jason Cayless, Junior Moors, Mark Flanagan, Daniel Fitzhenry.

SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Tony Williams, Steve Matai, David Williams, Jamie Lyon (c), Kieran Foran, Jason King (capt), Matt Ballin, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough, Chris Bailey, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Terence Seu Seu, Brent Kite, George Rose, Shane Rodney.

Referees: Jared Maxwell, Gavin Badger

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Knights sponsors could walk

March 9, 2010

The latest headache for Knights boss Steve Burraston is the grilling he is copping from Knights sponsors NIB and McDonalds.

The situation for Newcastle is made even more dire, given their tough financial position in recent years. Should a sponsor walk away, it could have dire consequences for the club that doesn’t receive any direct Leagues club backing.

While in some cases any publicity is good publicity, in this instance it’s nowhere near ideal – with Health Insurance giant NIB and child-friendly McDonalds not the kinds of companies that would want any loose association with such negative headlines.

However, talks are continuing as Knight boss Burraston and his team work to ensure sponsors that the future will be much rosier.

“Both meetings held today were constructive and offered an opportunity for our sponsors to discuss a number of concerns.” said Burraston

“Our meeting with NIB was positive and we will now provide further information to assist with their internal discussions and the ongoing relationship between the two organisations.

“The meeting with McDonald’s was also fruitful and they are now considering the information we presented today.

“I’m pleased and thankful both sponsors gave us the opportunity to brief them today.” confirmed the Knights boss.

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Taniela Tuiaki miracle recovery

March 8, 2010

Barnstorming Wests Tigers flanker Taniela Tuiaki has continued making a miracle recovery from his ankle injury after recent surgery had some medico’s suggesting he could miss at least half the season in 2010.

Recent fitness tests show that Taniela Tuiaki could be ready for a come back in around 8 weeks, which is a much better prospect that originally thought.

The value of Tuiaki to the Tigers is massive, with the 105kg powerhouse proving a try scoring sensation in 2009 and at times proving impossible to tackle by opposing players close to the try-line.

It was no coincidence that when Taniela Tuiaki was struck down with injury the Wests Tigers late charge for the semi-finals started to come off the rails. Tuiaki was on-track to become the seasons top try scorer but was pipped at the post after he sat out with injury.

The prospect of Taniela Tuiaki on one side and Lote Tiquiri on the other is a mouthwatering prospect for Wests Tigers fans as they also welcome the likes of Jason Cayless into their forward pack to join the talented and hard-working Gareth Ellis who shot to stardom last year for the club.

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Soward stays with Dragons

March 8, 2010

In a boost for the Dragons club, promising half Jamie Soward has signed a deal to stay with the St George Illawarra outfit until the end of 2013. The no.7 has continued to raise his profile since coming from the Roosters and has blossomed under the guidance of super-coach Wayne Bennett.

Only 25 years old, Soward has a big few years ahead of him and it’s hard to believe former coach Chris Anderson marked him ‘unwanted’ during his tenure at the Roosters – a move that still haunts the Bondi club until this day.

Soward continues to grow in confidence and representative jerseys await the talented half, with his 2009 season proving a real clinical one – after he guided the Dragons to the Minor Premiership and bagged a tonne of points along the way.

The signature comes at an ideal time for the red and whites, with the season set to kick off on Friday night with their blockbuster clash with the Eels at Parramatta Stadium. Having his own future confirmed and also a platform for the club to build on is a great scenario for the Dragons to be in.

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Can the Warriors make an impact?

March 8, 2010

NZ Warriors Season Preview by The NZ Sports Blog (Ritchie)

2010 is shaping as the return of the bad boys in the NRL. Some people might call it second chances, some people call it allowing criminals to channel their aggression on the sporting field. Either way you look at it, there are a bunch of guys with criminal convictions, dubious acquittals, pending trials and a raft of off-field transgressions that are back playing NRL this year.

The Warriors have a former badboy in halfback Brett Seymour. The guy is a talent and by all accounts has been on the straight and narrow since arriving in Auckland. To be completely honest, their season hinges on whether or not he performs. He was sacked by the Sharks for constantly getting pissed and was sacked by the Broncos previous to that. Who is to say he won’t do it again?

No one, but the guy must know by now that if the Warriors sack him then no one else in the NRL will go anywhere near him.

I’ve read a few articles written by some “experts” as to the Warriors chances. Some idiot today said they would get the wooden spoon. I think anyone who has even the tiniest but of Rugby League knowledge would probably give that dishonour to the Knights. Two of their players are now in jail for drug supply and trafficking. Not exactly the intro to the season that you want. What about the Cronulla Sharks? This side cannot notch up points in attack. Ricky Stuart and his merry-men would struggle to score in a ‘you-know-what’.

In actual fact, the Warriors hopes hinge on the fitness and form of Steve Price and Brent Tate. We won the first two games last year. Tate and Price played. Tate got injured in the third game, we lost. Price only managed 14 games last year. Enough said.

Jerome Wopati (I’m glad Peter Wopati got the sack) needs to step up. He had a terrible season but like it or not he is the best we have got. His hands let him down and when you have the likes of Vatuvei and Locke outside you then your handling skills are imperative. Expect big things from him.

Finally, Mannering is captaining the side. Price apparently didn’t like it but to be honest I don’t think it is going to change too much. There looks like there is a management-type group in there with Michael Luck in there as well. I’m sure it will allow Price time to focus on getting himself right and playing well. Hopefully his body will hold and he will go alright. Jacob Lillyman was less than impressive last year. He has Origin experience and what we got from him last year was mediocre. Expect him to feature heavily this year or I’m pretty sure he might have to start looking elsewhere.

Warriors wont win it, but I think they will go close.

In other NRL news, the Tigers will go alright, they have signed Lote Tiquiri who I think will waltz straight back into State of Origin and an Australian jumper. He played his last game of Union for Leicester last weekend and is expected to take his place on the wing for the Tigers next weekend. He’ll take a couple of games to get back into the swing of things and eventually move into fullback. Pretty exciting stuff.

Other bad boys with second shots – Todd Carney has been picked up by the Roosters and while being groomed as a fullback by coach Brian Smith will more than likely end up playing in the halves there with Mitchell Pearce. Probably won’t be enough to get them from the bottom of the table. I think they’ll finish 14th.

The Titans have got Greg Bird after he successfully navigated through 2 court cases. He is still a good player and will be handy for the struggling NSW Origin side as well.

Daine Laurie has been released by the Tigers and picked up by the Panthers. He has plenty of potential, but snitches report that he is at short odds to misbehave and cause trouble once more.

Timana Tahu makes a return from Union to bolster an already formidable Eels outfit. Expect them to be there or there abouts near the end of the season.

Expect a fall from grace for the Dragons, knocked out early in the playoffs last year after such a good year, they have lost players like Justin Poore, Chase Stanley, Micky Paea and the ever-present Wendell Sailor and I think their depth could be challenged if injury strikes.

Finally though, I think it will be hard to go past Melbourne for the premiership. I think they look too strong. They have Inglis, Slater, Smith, Cronk, Blair, Lima, Hoffman, the list just goes on.

I’ll leave you with some predictions for how the table might look at the end of the regular season…

1. Melbourne
2. Manly
3. Paramatta
4. Gold Coast
5. Warriors
6. Canterbury
7. Broncos
8. Wests
9. North Queensland
10. South Sydney
11. Penrith
12. St George
13. Canberra
14. Sydney City
15. Cronulla
16. Newcastle

Oh yeah, Warriors playing a home game against the Roosters in Christchurch in Round 16. Expect a huge and very vocal Canterbury crowd. We don’t get much down here but one day we are going to make the big men sit up and take notice of the huge crowds we get!! Can’t wait!

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Daniel Mortimer stays an Eel

March 8, 2010

There seems to have been little doubt in Daniel Mortimers mind about staying with the Parramatta Eels, with the talented young half today choosing to stay with the blue and golds for a further 2 years.

While strong interest from Canterbury was a small consideration, Mortimer and his father have suggested that the real focus has always been on Parramatta – as the link between the Mortimer name and the Bulldogs was 20 years ago and they’ve all moved on since then.

It’s believed privately that father Peter Mortimer wasn’t totally impressed by the past discipline record at the Bulldogs and felt more comfortable with the playing group and structure in place at the Eels that has allowed Daniel to prosper in the past 12 months.

The decision while a major boost for Parramatta would naturally be frustrating for the Bulldogs, given their lack of a future halves choice past Brett Kimmorley. While Noddy has settled in well and is performing beautifully, his partner in Ben Roberts has been solid without setting the world on fire in recent years.

The option of Mortimer for the Dogs would have been ideal, given he could have played either half or five-eighth years into the future.

For the Eels who had to cough up additional dollars for the rookie star, it means a certain salary cap reshuffle at years end – with veterans Nathan Cayless, Luke Burt and probably Eric Grothe coming under the spotlight to free up cash for future years as the club tries to hang on to a host of new stars.

The timing of the Mortimer signature is a good one, given it’s prior to the NRL 2010 season kick off on Friday Night – the Eels have been talked up plenty in the off-season and they need to deliver on expectations as they face last years Minor Premiers the St George Illawarrra Dragons at Parramatta Stadium in the season opener.

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NRL value bets in 2010

March 4, 2010

NRL Betting BookieIt’s all systems go for the NRL next week, with the first games kicking off on Friday 12th March. Not only has the National Rugby League enjoyed growth in corporate sponsorships, club membership growth and impressive TV ratings – the betting pool on League is outpacing AFL and looks set to continue this year.

So, with so many punters out there in NRL land – who is the best value bets for this season?

As it stands, here are the prices to win the Premiership for the 16 NRL teams: Eels $6, Bulldogs $7, Storm $7.50, Dragons $7.50, Titans $11, Manly $11, Souths $11, Wests Tigers $13, Brisbane $21, Penrith $21, Newcastle $26, Cowboys $26, Roosters $26, Canberra $34, Warriors $34, Sharks $41

Looking at these figures, the first firm value pick seems to be the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Bunnies have a strong squad for 2010 and under new coach John Lang could represent a consistent outfit. All the ahead of Souths, while having the chance at winning the prize – show very little value at those odds.

In the middle of the pack, the Broncos and Panthers at $21 offer some great value odds. Both these sides are giant killers on their day and if they get the bounce of the ball a few weeks, they could easily get into the Top 8. Many are predicting the Broncos to miss the Top 8 but you can never count them out. For the Panthers, they’ve shown exciting preseason form, have cleared a lot of dead wood out and have a capable squad.

Following these teams, the Roosters are the next best betting option. Sitting at $26 to win the title. While they might have run dead last in 2009, they are a whole new looking side this year. Premier coach Brian Smith is guiding them around and they have some genuine match winners in Todd Carney and Mitch Pearce. Don’t count them out.

Finally, for those that want mammoth value and like picking from the rear of the field – the NZ Warriors are offering the juiciest odds of $34 to win the comp. Most don’t have the Warriors in their Top 8 calculations, but given this side are a 1 team country – anything could happen. Just like in 2003, they got on a consistent roll that took them all the way to the Grand Final. The fairytale does happen in modern day NRL, so throw a lazy hundred on the Kiwis and you never know – you could get a handy payday at the backend of the year.

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Graham injury opens door for Burns

February 23, 2010

Travis Burns Wade Graham Panthers 2010Rising Penrith star Wade Graham may have to concede his five-eighth position to Travis Burns in the early rounds, with the talented pivot set to have his shoulder checked out after more problems in early trials.

Still only 19, Graham arrived in the Panthers side nearly 2 years ago and along with Lachlan Coote has proved a handy player, bringing confidence well above his years.

With the arrival of livewire Travis Burns to the Panthers fold in 2010 – the race for the five-eighth spot was always going to be an interesting one.

There is no doubting the ability of Burns. The former Manly and Cowboys no.6 boasts great footwork and plenty of options in attack and despite his smaller size, has impressive defensive technique in the line.

It seems attitude has been the only thing holding Burns back. While most halves come with some cheekiness, Burns brings it in bucketloads and can be guilty of being a hothead at times. Overstepping the mark has cost him penalties in the past and previous teams have been forced to move him along.

But after some hot trial game form, Burns really stamped his mark for Penrith.

Now with Wade Graham facing possible time on the sidelines with shoulder issues, Burns gets first crack at pivot and going on current form, there is little chance the firebrand no.6 will give up his spot easily.

Penrith Panthers Profile:
Year entered premiership: 1967
Premierships: 2 – 1991, 2003
Finishes over the past three years: 2009 – 11th; 2008 – 12th; 2007 – 16th (last)
Coach: Matthew Elliott
Captain: Petero Civoniceva

Gains: David Simmons (Sharks), Kevin Kingston (Eels), Adrian Purtell (Raiders), Nigel Plum (Raiders), Travis Burns (Cowboys), Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers), Ray Nasso (Eels, NYC)

Losses: Paul Aiton (Sharks), Geoff Daniela (Wests Tigers), Junior Tia Kilifi (Bulldogs), Adam Woolnough (retired), Junior Moors (Wests Tigers)

Key Player: Luke Lewis is the most crucial of Penrith’s five internationals. Playing lock, he does a mountain of work in defence, and in attack he plays as a second five-eighth.

Rising Star: Sam McKendry is as big as they come at 188cm and 117kgs. The giant prop, who has excelled in the Toyota Cup competition, is ready to earn a permanent place in the Panthers’ NRL squad as Petero Civoniceva’s apprentice.

Best team: Lachlan Coote, Michael Gordon, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, Adrian Purtell, Wade Graham, Luke Walsh, Petero Civoniceva, Masada Iosefa, Tim Grant, Frank Pritchard, Trent Waterhouse, Luke Lewis. Interchange: Kevin Kingston, Matt Bell, Sam McKendry, Daine Laurie.

Betting: Centrebet $21, TAB SportsBet $21.

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