• Home
• NRL Table
• NRL Draw
• Power Rankings
• Forum
• About
• Email Us

French show early form, beat Scottish in ACT

The French Rugby League outfit have held out a gutsy Scottish side to the tune of 36-18 in the other Rugby League World Cup match last night in Canberra.

Featuring a dozen stars from the UK Super League Catalans team, the French had too much experience and firepower for their smaller opponents.

Five-eighth Thomas Bosc led France effectively and with the occasional show of attacking flair but the foundation was laid by the strong running of forward Adel Fellous.

French full-back Jared Taylor scored the first try of the match when he was on the supporting end of a bustling 40 metre line break from Adel Fellous in the 16th minute.

Catalans star Bosc converted and the semi-final hopefuls were away.

Three minutes later Scotland struck back via a slick backline movement that ended with a try in the corner for Jonathan Steel.

But the first half was dominated by dropped ball, ill-disciplined tackling and strong running forwards with some big hits from both sides.

The Bravehearts came out a different side in the second half with prop Oliver Wilkes grabbing a try in the 46th minute to bring the difference back to a converted try.

Scotland were denied an opportunity to tie the game up at 24-all in the 66th minute when video referee Phil Cooley opted not to award a try to five-eighth John Duffy.

It didn’t matter in the end with France’s Jerome Guisset and Christophe Moly both scoring tries in the final ten minutes to run away with the win.

The game was the opening match of Pool 2, which also includes Fiji.

Defiant Australia roll Kiwi’s in opener

The Australia v NZ clash was a huge test for this 2008 Rugby League World Cup, which was crying out for a competitive match-up between two of the three most powerful teams involved.Even though it was the third fixture of the tournament, last night’s match also featured the opening ceremony - but for a while, it would have been appropriate to hold the closing ceremony as well, such was the apparent inevitability about the winner.

Let’s face it, the same teams are highly likely to meet again in the November 22 final in Brisbane. That might be being slightly unfair to England, but they will have to show far more than they did on Saturday night in the true opener against PNG.

So will New Zealand, really. They did their best to ensure the tournament began predictably, and the bookmakers, who have posted the Kangaroos as $1.20 favourites to win the entire tournament, were proved correct (as Craig Bellamy would attest, the odds don’t lie). At half-time, the Kiwis were clinging to this game with one little finger, and tournament director Colin Love was joining them.

The Kiwis appeared to leave their aggression in a particularly fearsome haka, which began in a huddle. As soon as the game started, they were in a muddle.

As early as the eighth minute, the Australians showed their hand - a left one - by spreading to that very side in a slick play which only broke down when centre Greg Inglis lost possession in a tackle. But they kept going the same way, and scored their two first-half tries on the left side.

The first came after 14 minutes, three minutes after Johnathan Thurston’s penalty goal opened the scoring, when Inglis redeemed himself by stepping Steve Matai.

Their second went a little wider, left winger Monaghan scoring on debut.

The Australians were exploiting even the smallest chinks in the Kiwi defence. In this case, it was just the slightest hesitancy from Matai, who was suffering from a thumb injury and also the knowledge that he had been placed on report for his 13th minute high hit on Australian lock Paul Gallen. Matai’s menace was sorely missed.

In between, there was a spark of hope for the Kiwis through a flash of brilliance from five-eighth Benji Marshall, who was all tongue and terror during the haka. After 27 minutes, he terrified the Australians by sending New Zealand back-rower Sika Manu, the Kiwis’ only debutant, on his way to the tryline. It was brilliant but brief.

Eight minutes after half-time, normality resumed and the Australians scored through Israel Folau, his first of two tries. Lockyer was creating havoc with every touch, even if at 31 he was one of the oldest on the field, and the two players who made up the youngest ever Australian centre pairing had both scored.

Halfback Thurston, playing despite his uncle being killed over the weekend, played with the carefree nature which suits him best, even though it was clear he was entitled to have more than one care in the World Cup. His flick to Billy Slater on the hour was audacious, if a little fortuitous after the ball cannoned off the fullback’s thigh.

Not long before that, the Mexican wave had started. Next, the Kangaroos travel to Melbourne, Australia’s Mexico, to take on England. It will be kind of appropriate: the tournament hosts and the tournament bosses fleeing south over the border, wondering about the damage that was done the previous night.

AUSTRALIA 30 (I Folau 2, G Inglis, J Monaghan, B Slater tries; J Thurston 4, C Smith goals) bt NEW ZEALAND 6 (S Manu try; S Matai goal) at Sydney Football Stadium. Referee: A Klein. Crowd: 34,157.

England do it tough against PNG

England were headed towards an embarrassing first-up loss to the Kumuls when they trailed 16-12 at half-time but scored four tries to one in the final 40 minutes to secure the victory. The English side eventually getting home 32-22.

World Cup contenders England were expected to make easy work of the underdog Kumuls, but they were made to fight all the way before securing the win. Smith scored in the 29th minute and again just 11 minutes after half-time as England drew level at 16-all.

The Leeds flyer completed his hat-trick on debut in the 73rd minute as the Lions eventually cruised home to take the Pool A encounter.

Fellow winger Ade Gardner also got among the tries to score twice and centre Martin Gleeson was England’s other tryscorer in the six tries to four win.

Despite the loss PNG will be buoyed by their opening effort when they really threatened one of the top-rated teams in the tournament.

Rod Griffin levelled scores 6-6 in the 20th minute before late first half tries to Jason Chan and George Keppa, in the final seconds of the half, gave the Kumuls an unlikely four-point lead at the break.

But the Kumuls were unable to keep up the intensity in the second half, and Penrith hooker Paul Aiton ended the English domination by scoring a consolation try in the 75th minute.

England’s win means they take the early lead in the pool ahead of today’s heavyweight clash between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Lions will need a huge improvement to threaten Australia in their next game at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome next Sunday. The Kumuls head to the Gold Coast to face the Kiwis at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

ENGLAND 32 (L Smith 3 A Gardner 2 M Gleeson tries K Sinfield 4 goals) bt PAPUA NEW GUINEA 22 (P Aiton J Chan R Griffin G Keppa tries J Wilshere 3 goals) at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Referee: S Hayne. Crowd: 10,780.

Joey Johns: Hagan a big loss to NRL

Andrew Johns has declared the NRL will be worse off without the likeable Michael Hagan, referring to Hagan as one of the few remaining ‘honest blokes’ left in the game of coaching at the moment. Joey also confirming Hagan as his most influential coach during his playing days.

Johns chatted at length with Hagan during the recent charity walk Joey was hosting for NIB and The BlackDog Institute.

It was during the walk; where Hagan opened up to Johns and discussed the stress of the Eels role and how the distance and commute was hurting him and his family. Michael Hagan’s wife Sue and his daughters Melissa, Lauren and Danielle all still live in Newcastle.Despite the concerns, Johns still didn’t believe Hagan would pull the pin with 12 months remaining at the Eels. In saying that, Johns also felt the weight of the world would be lifted from Hagans shoulders and the former Knights and Eels coach could get his life back to some extent.

“He was obviously sick of the constant grind of coaching, which is the main reason I will never take it up.” said Johns.

Joey also felt that one of the reasons for Hagan quitting could have something to do with how the NRL has changed in recent years; with methodical, ruck-dominated games the norm.

“Rugby league is going to miss Hages. For one thing, it’s going to miss his honesty and his easy-going nature.” declared Johns

Joey sticking up for his former mentor; confirming that in the day and age of cut throat coaching - Hagan remained an honest and easy going guy.

Michael Hagan always put the players first; a players coach - a strong endorsement from Johns. However, it may have been this honesty and support for players that landed Hagan in trouble at the Eels. His decision to keep more experienced Eels on the park during the tougher times this year, was frustrating the younger players at Parramatta - players that didn’t like to be told what to do or held back.

Johns also declared Hagan the most influential coach he played under; a massive call considering the ability and coaches that Joey played under during his time at the Knights, NSW and Australia.

“With all my off-field dramas, he had a lot to deal with and he probably aged quite a bit because of me. But he was able to bring out my best because he understood me so well and was such a great people manager.” said Johns

Without doubt, his greatest triumph was obviously the Knights’ premiership win in 2001. Joey and Hagan combining to topple the seemingly unbeatable Eels that year.

That was Hagans first year as coach and the whole environment at Newcastle that season was ideal, which culminated in the premiership win, an atmosphere totally created by Hagan.

“The thing with Hages is it didn’t matter how good or bad the team was going, his relaxed and steady temperament never changed. We loved playing under him and it wasn’t just me he brought the best out of.” recalled Johns

The game has lost a great coach but even more, it has lost a great bloke.

Daniel Anderson to bring Eels into line

Leading Super League and former NRL coach Daniel Anderson is the hardliner coach that Parramatta want to put things back together after a horror 2008 season on and off the field. With Hagan quitting the post, the Eels are set to appoint their former local man to the job of head coach.

Anderson has the required heavyweight backing from within the club. It’s believed that unless there is a major hurdle during negotiations, he will get the job.

Anderson knows the Eels infrastructure well and knows what it takes to succeed at the top level. It’s believed that Anderson has the right skills to mend broken bridges among dissenting juniors and senior players at the Eels; an issue that gave Hagan such a hard time during his reign.

Anderson is currently in the US after retiring from his recent post at English club St Helens. He was highly successful during his UK stint, similar to his time with the New Zealand Warriors, getting the Kiwis into the 2002 NRL grand final. He has also coached the NZ national team.

But it was at Parramatta that Anderson began his coaching days - starting in the junior grades and working under the highly experienced Brian Smith, and he remains well respected by most Eels senior officials.

Insiders at the club say Anderson, who has a reputation as a strict disciplinarian as well as being an excellent tactician, is exactly the type of coach it needs to lead Parramatta to a recovery after a year in which there were consistently poor performances on the field. The off-field problems were highlighted by representative star Jarryd Hayne being shot at Kings Cross at 4am.

Hagan, who cited family and health reasons and a loss of passion for coaching as the reasons he quit with one year left on his contract, was loath to criticise his players, but he said in leaving yesterday that there were some young players at Parramatta - as there were at other clubs - who, by their actions, had shown a lack of respect for the game.

Anderson is returning to Sydney to live, whether he has a job or not. He will settle with his family near Parramatta. His manager, Jim Banaghan, phoned him yesterday to tell him that Hagan had quit and opened up one of the most sought-after jobs in the competition.

“Daniel felt sorry for Michael Hagan, under the circumstances,” Banaghan said. “But it is only natural that he was extremely interested in the job, now that it has become vacant. He described it as a tremendous opportunity, and asked me to tell [Parramatta chief executive] Denis Fitzgerald that he wants to be considered.”

Banaghan spoke to Fitzgerald yesterday, and said he planned to speak to him again in the next couple of days. He said Anderson was due to return to Sydney on November 4.

“Daniel and Parramatta would be a match made in heaven,” Banaghan said. “He grew up in the district, he went to Parramatta Marist [High School] and he did very well as a coach at Parramatta, before the Warriors picked him up. He describes himself as a true-blue Westie. He’s been to New Zealand and England with his family, but he told his kids that as soon as the first one was ready for high school, they would all head home to Sydney. That’s what he’s doing now.

“It’s only natural that he has always held an interest in the Parramatta job.”

Fitzgerald said Anderson, Parramatta assistant coach David Fairleigh and Eels Toyota Cup coach Matt Cameron were all contenders for the job. He said Sharks assistant and former Parramatta lower-grade coach Shane Flanagan could also come under consideration and that experienced coaches who did not have positions next year, including former Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes, were welcome to register interest.

Asked about Anderson, Fitzgerald said his experience in coaching first grade was an advantage and that he intended speaking to him when he returned to Sydney. Banaghan said he was confident that, if talks began, Anderson and Parramatta could work out a deal.

Hagan told Parramatta’s star player, Nathan Hindmarsh, of his resignation by phone on Monday. night. Hindmarsh, who is holidaying in Bali, said yesterday Anderson, Fairleigh, Cameron and Flanagan were all terrific contenders.

“Daniel was my first coach at Parra, in SG Ball,” Hindmarsh said. “I got on well with him. He’s a good bloke and he’s got that bit of mongrel in him, where, if you get out of line, you’ll quickly hear about it.” Hindmarsh said he was sad to see Hagan leave the club.

Knights chase Souths’ Nadira

THE Knights are in negotiations with journeyman South Sydney hooker George Ndaira in the hope of using him as a back-up to Cronulla recruit Isaac De Gois next season.

If Ndaira agrees to terms on a one-year deal, Newcastle would be his fourth NRL club in as many years after stints with the Dragons (2006), Roosters (2007) and Rabbitohs (2008).

The 23-year-old Lebanese international would also join former teammates Chris Houston and Danny Wicks as the third member of the Dragons’ 2005 premiership-winning Jersey Flegg (under-20) team at the Knights.

Though Matt Hilder is already on their books for next season, Knights coach Brian Smith would like to have Ndaira on board to avoid using skipper Kurt Gidley in the dummy-half hybrid role the dynamic fullback was forced to play several times this year.

“We want to avoid that if possible,” Smith said.

Smith’s preference for Hilder is to use him as a utility player off the bench as a back-rower and to cover the hooking and halves roles.

The coach said 16 members of the Dragons’ 2005 Flegg squad, including Wicks and Houston, Josh and Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Beau Ryan and Lee Te Maari, were now playing in the NRL. The Knights have little room to move under their salary cap for next season. But if Ndaira agrees to terms, it is understood he would be included among second-tier players and not among the top 25 considered under the NRL salary cap. Knights strategic development manager Keith Onslow denied speculation Ndaira had already agreed to terms or signed a contract with the Knights.

An Arncliffe Scots junior, like Knights and former Dragons centre Wes Naiqama, Ndaira played 14 games for the Rabbitohs this year. He did not play an NRL match with the Roosters last year and made his senior debut among three appearances for the Dragons in 2006.

Onslow said negotiations with Ndaira would have no impact on discussions to retain veteran outside back Adam MacDougall.

The former Test player and his manager, George Mimis, have said they were satisfied with the status of their talks with the Knights.

The Knights are waiting for chief executive Steve Burraston to return from an overseas holiday later this month to finalise salary cap calculations.

Michael Hagan quits Eels

Michael Hagan has today quit his post as coach of the Parramatta Eels after only 2 seasons at the Western Sydney NRL outfit, citing family and personal health reasons. It’s been a tough 12 months for Hagan and the Eels, who stuttered badly to miss the NRL finals.

The questions were immediately being asked; was this a case of Hagan being tapped on the shoulder by Denis Fitzgerald or was the likeable coach genuinely ready to walkaway from a challenge that was seemingly too big.

Hagan announceed a press conference to confirm he was walking away from the Eels with 12 months still left to run on his agreement with Parramatta.

Formerly with the Knights, it initially seemed Hagan settled in well in 2007 - getting the Eels firing and narrowly missing the Grand Final - however, since then he’s been under the pump after the Eels never reach any heights in 2008. Some hinted at the loss of several players, such as Timana Tahu, Tim Smith and Ian Hindmarsh - while others felt the softly, softly approach of Hagan wasn’t bringing the players into line.

It was rumoured throughout the year that younger players, particularly the Polynesian juniors at the club didn’t warm to Hagan and there was constant disharmony. The transition from the hard line approach of Brian Smith, to Jason Taylor and then to the quietly spoken Michael Hagan seems to have run off the rails - with many feeling a middle ground coach is needed to steady the ship.

Former Eels lower grades and NZ Warriors mentor Daniel Anderson seems a virtual certainty to get the gig as coach of the Eels. Anderson recently leaving the UK after a highly successful stint with St Helens and is believed to be well liked and respected at the Eels; a role he would easily slip back into after several seasons at Parramatta under Brian Smith.

Michael Hagan was adamant however that other circumstances were responsible for his decision to walk.

“My daughters are in their final years of high school in Newcastle and the constant travel was taking its toll,” Hagan said.

“I’ve also got a number of issues with my personal health which I need to get sorted out.

“After much thought and discussion with those closest to me I decided it would be best to go now prior to the start of pre-season training.”

Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said the club was surprised by Hagan’s decision but understood the reasoning for his decision and was sympathetic to his situation regarding his family and also his health. The decision if true, makes things easier for Denis Fitzgerald and the Eels - who were keeping a close eye on Hagan during the pre-season to see if he was up to the task of getting things back in shape. The Eels confirming Hagan only had the pre-season to prove himself, otherwise his contract would not be reviewed past 2009.

Fitzgerald said the club wouldn’t rush in to find a new coach but he expected to have a new head coach in place by December.

At this stage, assistant coaches David Fairleigh and Matthew Cameron would begin a caretaker role until a head coach is officially appointed.

Peter Wallace arrested at birthday bash

The poor run of off-field drama continues for the Brisbane Broncos, with star halfback and NSW Origin Rep Peter Wallace arrested and charged after an incident at a Sunshine Coast hotel on Sunday night.

23 year old Wallace was also apparently hurt in a run-in with security after it’s alleged he refused to leave O’Malley’s Irish pub at Mooloolaba shortly after 12am. It was apparently a birthday celebration for Peter Wallace, that got way out of hand for the young NRL star.

Wallace, was carted off to Maroochydore police station, where an ambulance was eventually called for his injuries. He was then taken to Nambour hospital before leaving later that night.

He is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on November 14 charged with disorderly behaviour and failing to leave a licensed premises.

The incident continues a horror run for the Broncos of late. Apart from off-field dramas, the Broncos face a new frontier with long term coach Wayne Bennett leaving this year and new face Ivan Henjack taking over.

Three other Broncos players remain under investigation for sexual assault following an incident in a Brisbane nightclub toilet.

In a separate incident during September’s finals series, captain Darren Lockyer allegedly manhandled a bar manager during a drunken night on the town.

Ben Roberts baits Robbie Farah

Kiwi and Bulldogs League player Ben Roberts is surely set for the sack at the Dogs after trying to start a fight with Wests Tigers star Robbie Farah at the famous NRL haunt -Sapphire Suite in Kings Cross. In the spotlight constantly in recent years for off-field dramas, surely it’s time for Roberts to go.

Roberts risks becoming the latest NRL star to have his club deal ripped up for bringing his club into disrepute, following the same path as Canberra pair Todd Carney and Bronx Goodwin.

Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg is aware of the allegations but has been unable to question Roberts, who is in Samoa preparing for the World Cup.

The incident occurred a fortnight ago at the well-known nightspot, where an intoxicated Roberts attempted to bait Farah into trading blows. The Tigers star handled the matter in style, refusing to be drawn into the fight.

Roberts was then ejected by security before a member of his group came forward and apologised to Farah. Roberts is on his last warning at the Bulldogs after being charged with assaulting police in Wollongong on February 3, earning a $2200 fine.

The Bulldogs five-eighth was also dumped from first grade and fined $5000 for becoming involved in a fight at Cronulla’s Sting Bar in July. Roberts only escaped the sack because of a clerical error by the Bulldogs’ previous management in relation to drink-driving offences.

“At this stage we’ve been unable to speak to Ben, but I can assure we’re treating the matter very seriously,” Greenberg said.

Goodwin legal team to fight Raiders

Axed Canberra rookie Bronx Goodwin will now apparently fight the Raiders’ decision to rip up his $600,000 contract in the industrial relations courts. A well known name in League circles, son of ‘Lord’ Ted Goodwin, Bronx will fight the Canberra decision to ace him after being charged with two counts of assault.

Goodwin and his legal team remain amazed and outraged at how a player with a clean record for 5 years can be kicked out for a first offence.

In 2008, we have seen not only several players sacked for discipline reasons but also the likes of Sonny Bill Williams walk out on a binding contract. What must be concerning for the players and NRL, is the fact that clubs can use ‘minor’ discipline breaches as the ideal chance to ‘boot out’ a player that might not be sitting nicely within the clubs plans.

As juniors emerge all the time and the style of the game changes, it seems clubs maybe playing the ‘discipline’ card to tear up contracts and restructure their team quickly and easily; reducing cost and disruption.

“I’m absolutely disappointed and devastated. There’s no way in the world I thought it would come to this,” Goodwin said.

“I can’t really say too much because I’m going to leave my legal team to deal with things now. I just don’t think I deserved to be sacked, especially given this was the first time I’ve been in trouble in five years at the Raiders.”

Goodwin, 23, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court last Thursday and was fined $1300 and placed on a one-year good behaviour bond.

After a one-hour hearing last Friday, the Canberra board voted to terminate Goodwin’s three-year contract for bringing the club into disrepute.

The incident Goodwin was involved in occurred outside the All Bar Nun nightclub in Canberra on the same July night when halfback Todd Carney was reported for misbehaviour inside the club.

The Sunday Telegraph understands Goodwin was defending Carney, who had his contract torn up by the Raiders in August for a host of alcohol-fuelled indiscretions. Goodwin’s agent Sam Ayoub, who fronted the Raiders board along with his client, labelled the decision “an absolute joke”.

“There’s little for me to say at the moment. We’ve immediately placed the matter in the hands of our solicitors to deal with it in the appropriate manner,” Ayoub said.

“In my mind it’s an absolute joke that a player is discriminated against in the way that Bronx has just because he’s a footballer and just because he’s Todd Carney’s best mate.”

It is believed the fact Goodwin lived with Carney in Canberra and remained close friends with him was a major issue for the board.

The emergence of rookies David Milne and Justin Carney may have counted against Goodwin, who was re-signed to a three-year, $600,000 deal following the departure of William Zillman to the Gold Coast.

The Raiders signed Dane Tilse in 2006 after he was sacked by Newcastle and Neville Costigan in the same year he was shown the door by the Broncos.

Both had contracts torn up for off-field incidents.

NRL chief executive David Gallop will examine the Goodwin case tomorrow.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Email Us: NRLFeedback@gmail.com NRL News - Rugby League · · Login - NRL Results - NRL Rugby League - Sitemap