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

Brad Clyde walking or sacked by Bulldogs?

The Bulldogs have yesterday claimed Brad Clyde was sacked from his Bulldogs marketing and management position.

In a surprising move; the club have initially claimed Clyde was forced from his position - yet they have in the same breath sung the praises of the well-liked League personality.

Quite honestly, the Bulldogs need to come out and actually say why; if he was indeed sacked the reasons for the chop? If he was axed, reasons should be provided as to why - otherwise don’t butter it up and wave smiling as the 8 year club man leaves Belmore with bags packed.

Clyde, 38, is currently on vacation and was apparently informed of his fate while away. Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg admitted last night the club and Clyde had parted and officials have started searching for a replacement. “It is with regret that we can confirm the departure of Bradley Clyde,” Greenberg told the media.

“He really is a top bloke and has been a great servant to this club. “He has had seven challenging years here and Bradley is looking to explore new directions. He’s also looking to complete his masters of sports management degree. “We really do wish Bradley well in his future endeavours.” T

The Bulldogs had hinted at a sharper, more tight knit unit for 2009 - it’s hard to see without clear reasoning why sacking Clyde was a smart move. Some corners suggest that Clyde was simply another victim of the mass clean out thats taken place at Belmore - as the club tries hard to give the place a totally fresh outlook.

Clyde was unavailable for comment last night. Clyde made his name in Canberra, with 178 games for The Green Machinea between 1988 and 1998 before linking with the Canterbury Bulldogs, where he totalled 36 first-grade games in 1999 and 2000.

Soon after hanging up the boots, Clyde joined the Belmore office in a marketing capacity.

With his distinguished playing recording, and strong connections in the Rugby League community - few expect Clyde to be on the sidelines for long. It will only be a matter of time before the League icon will provide his expertise to another NRL club.

Eels celebrate before hard road ahead

Parramatta Eels young gun Jarryd Hayne and upcoming junior Taulima Tautai were making the most of their festive season before the hard road ahead in 2009; the popular Eels players celebrating in a big way at a local Parramatta Nitespot overnight.

The two Eels were among several hundred revellers at the Albion Hotel in Parramatta, an event on Sunday night that had to be closely monitored by local Police command and several new Police Public Order Squads. Also at the sold out event, was reformed NRL bad boy Wes Naiqama.

Hayne and Tautai are two key youngsters for the Eels, who along with the likes of Kris Inu and the Keating brothers are required to fire up to breathe new life into the aging roster at Parramatta. A roster that is seeing the twilight years of veterans Cayless, Hindmarsh and Wagon.

While new coach Daniel Anderson has reportedly marshalled his players along for Sunday afternoon training sessions, some media outlets reported Eels players unhappy with the new off-season weekend regime. While Parramatta players were naturally tight lipped about their new training day; not wanting to off-side the coach, the likes of Hayne and TT showed no signs of discontent as they made the most of their off-season late into Sunday night - hitting the dancefloor and mingling with friends and fans.

For Hayne, 2008 remained a forgettable year. While the young Eels outside back debuted for Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup - the year was kicked off with controversy after he was ’shot at’ during a mix-up in Kings Cross. Hayne struggled to find top gear during the year, reports suggesting he asked to replace Luke Burt at the fullback position after poor on-field results for the Eels.

For Tautai, 2009 presents his big chance. With Tony Williams now moving to Manly, Ben Smith continuing to fight injury and Eric Grothe Jnr on the outter - early form from TT could see his cement a permanent Eels spot.

The flipside of the coin is the new boss Daniel Anderson, the former St Helens and Warriors coach starts from a clean slate and has little if any connection to any Eels players; excluding some of the older brigade such as Nathan Cayless, Nathan Hindmarsh and Daniel Wagon.

This could present a problem to some of the younger stars of the team, who according to some suggestions struggle with authority and are reluctant to toe the line.

With Anderson a noted hard liner and not having previous connections to players, he could open the door for new comers in the lower grades rather than fight personal battles with wayward young guns.

Billy Slater nabs RLPA Golden Boot

Melbourne Storm and Australian custodian Billy Slater has finished a stellar season and helped heal some of his personal and team World Cup pain by nabbing rugby league’s RLPA Golden Boot trophy.

The form fullback of the NRL can now class himself as the major custodian in the world at present; the prize awarded each year to the player adjudged best in the world. Aside from his howler pass in the recent Rugby League World Cup final, Slater has been in a class of his own all year. Out pointing all other fullbacks by a major margin.

The award was won by Slater at the annual Rugby League Players’ Association event in Sydney, adding to the swag of awards for the Storm speedster, Slater also took home the RLPA’s representative player of 2008.

The bag of awards won by Slater will sit nicely alongside the Rugby League International Federation’s player of the year award and World Cup player of the competition earlier in November.

The continued accolades from all parts of the globe for should help ease the pain from Slater’s wild pass that helped New Zealand five-eighth Benji Marshall nail a crucial try in the Kiwis’ upset win over the Kangaroos only a week ago.

Sydney Roosters captain and NSW rep Braith Anasta took home the RLPA Players’ Player of 2008, only 12 months after being awarded the NRL’s most overrated player.

Anasta had to share the award with Penrith captain Petero Civoniceva, the Penrith forward remaining a form forward in the NRL after years at the top. This award being voted by fellow players, ensuring extra kudos for the joint winners.

Kiwi and Eels forward Nathan Cayless took home the RLPA’s Kiwi Representative Player of the Year while new kid on the block from Manly David Williams was a standout for Rookie of the 2008 season.

Slater was virtually unstoppable in 2008, defending stoutly and also scoring 14 tries as the Storm continued to be the benchmark throughout 2008, before eventually being outgunned in the Grand Final.

Slater was unlucky not to beat surprise Dally M winner Matt Orford earlier in the year; missing out by only a few points. Helping the Slater cause was impressive form for not only his club but also at state and national levels where he remained a cut above.

Slater was in good company, with other nominees including, rising star Greg Inglis, mercurial Johnathan Thurston, Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall and the best from the UK Super League; the award considered by many to be the highest individual honour in Rugby League.

Judged by 12 rugby league icons, including game writers and former players, consisting of former Queensland icon Wally Lewis, UK standout Garry Schofield, Channel 9 commentator Peter Sterling and former Kiwi captain Hugh McGahan who picked from the games best.

Other winners at the event included Manly’s Jason King being named Dennis Tutty Clubman of the Year, Raiders work-a-holic Alan Tongue nabbing Education and Welfare Player of the Year and Shaun Fensom the NYC (Toyota Cup Player of the Year 2008).

Complete Listing; The 2008  (RLPA) Rugby League Players Association Awards

   The Players Player of  2008
Braith Anasta and Petero Civoniceva

  2008 Golden Boot
Billy Slater

   Rookie of the Year
David Williams

   New Zealand Player of the Year
Nathan Cayless

   Australian Player of the Year
Billy Slater

   Dennis Tutty Clubman of the Year
Jason King

   NYC Player of the Year
Shaun Fensom

Education Welfare Player of the Year
Alan Tongue

Education Welfare Officer of the Year
Scot Czislowski

Jamie Peacock family stuck in Thailand

A nervous and anxious England rugby league captain Jamie Peacock will remain on edge as his his family continues to be stranded in Bangkok due to anti-government protests keeping Thailand and it’s major airport in lock-down. Making matters worse, Peacocks wife is in advanced stages of pregnancy - adding to the tension of the situation.

The leading UK Rugby League forward is nervously awaiting a safe return of his clan to England including his 4-year-old son Lewis and his wifes mothers after protesters have forced the closure of the countries major airport.

Originally due back in country on the Monday but have now been caught up in the growing Thai political situation.

“They have now effectively been held hostage for three days,” Peacock confirmed with media outlets in his home country.

“It’s rather frustrating to be honest and I’m worrying as well.

“I am also very worried the stress of this all could bring on an early labour - we only managed to conceive the second time due to IVF treatment.

“What if my wife has to give birth in Bangkok?”

Things don’t look like ending anytime soon, with protesters in Thailand refusing to negotiate at this stage.

Leaders from the People’s Alliance for Democracy have apparently said, they will only agree to negotiations if Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat steps down from his post.

Peacock said some comfort was had in knowing his family were able to establish new, temporary accommodation in Bangkok - not far from the airport, but obviously its only small comfort for the worried husband and father.

“The protesters are effectively holding hostage thousands of innocent people,” Peacock said.

“My wife needs to return to England to have an injection (for her pregnancy) immediately, having missed the appointment in England yesterday.

“These protesters are kidding themselves if they feel this protest is peaceful and harmless.

“What do my family have to do with the politics of Thailand?”

“I think the story has gone under (the radar) a little bit and more of an effort needs to be made to get all the people who are stuck there out of there, because the country is on the brink of a lot of trouble,” he said.

Matt Head crosses fingers at Dragons

Such is the wrap on Matt Head - some in League circles say the livewire no.7 could have been a consistent NSW representative had he not been plagued by injury. Next year will mark another chapter in the Head career; returning to St George Illawarra after several years away from his junior club and crossing fingers he doesn’t have to face another major breakdown.

Putting the minds of Dragons’ fans at ease, who have all watched and held their breath as Head struggled with constant knee problems during his early years at the club, but still only young at 26 - Head feels he is in good shape and the return home could be just the medicine for his body and mind.

Head hit the training grounds in Wollongong this week before new coach Wayne Bennett comes on board next week.

It’s been a tough few years for Head, who left St George Illawarra to mix it in the UK Super League with the Hull side during the midd of the 2007 NRL season - after struggling to beat 2 knee reconstructions. The Wollongong local then copped shoulder trouble during his time in the UK and upon return to Australian, joined the Wests Tigers hoping for a fresh start - but injury also finished that comeback attempt.

Head has shown more than enough at the Dragons and Tigers - to confirm, when fully fit - he is up there with the very best.

Believed to be now on a heavily incentive based Dragons contract, Head will need to remain fit and be playing regularly to pickup any decent pay cheques from the club.

“I’ve had my fair share of bad luck, but I’m trying to put that all behind me,” Head shrugged.

“The coaching staff are working hard with us with the knee in the gym and occasionally I’ll have a session off just to make sure the knee is right to go for the next session.

“It’s one of those things that we’re going to manage, but in saying that, when it comes season time it’s time to rip in and have a dig.”

When St George Illawarra signed Jamie Soward in 2007, Head like many others in the NRL world felt that door had closed for good at his junior club.

At the time, former Dragons coach Nathan Brown declared “if (Head) didn’t have the bad injury run that he had, I’ve got no doubt he’d be the NSW halfback now”.

And so St George Illawarra are relying on the faith that Head will realise his potential.

A mentor for Head early on in his career, Dragons recruitment manager Craig Young yesterday denied the club took a gamble signing the playmaker.

“If we considered it a gamble we don’t sign him,” he said.

“It’s too critical in the salary cap to do anything we thought would be a risk.

“We’re very confident in his ability, we think he provides a great option for us in the halves.”

Ricky Stuart apologizes over RLWC outburst

Under fire Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart has called his own comments “offensive” and issued a complete apology to the World Cup officials he attacked verbally after Australia were beaten in the RLWC final.

Issuing a statement through agent John Fordham, Stuart is reported to have sent inidivudal apologies on Thursday to World Cup final referee Ashley Klein and British referees official Stuart Cummings after Stuarts emotional outburst in a Brisbane hotel on Sunday.

Calling his manner “inappropriate and offensive”, Stuart said emotion totally got the better of him after the upset loss to New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday night.

“Still on my mind were the disappointed faces of my players who had worked so hard during the tournament,” said Stuart in the statement.

Regardless of these latest developments, Ricky Stuart remains under investigation by the Rugby League International Federation investigation for the allegations that he called Klein a “f…ing cheat” and “the c… who cost us the World Cup” when he crossed pathes with the referee the following morning.

Stuart said through Fordham “it’s something for which I now deeply regret”.

“It’s a hard thing for me to admit, but I was certainly not in control of my emotions at the time and acted irresponsibly and irrationally,” wrote Stuart in his apology, adding “but that’s not an excuse for my behaviour”.

The statement said Stuart was trying to contact Klein and Cummings to personally convey his apology.

Stuart will return to Sydney from leave early next week to respond to alleged breaches of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup’s Code of Conduct.

The matter is being independently investigated for the RLIF by Robert Weber SC.

Lockyer man of match decision explained

After fans were left scratching their head at the decision to choose Darren Lockyer for the man of the match award; it’s been revealed today that a 4-person judging team actually wanted to change their choice.

A panel consisting of Bob McCarthy (Australia), Brian Noble (England), Darrell Williams (New Zealand) and James Pickering (Fiji) were instructed to lodge their vote with 10 minutes remaining in the World Cup Final. The Australia still in the fight and Darren Lockyer having a top-shelf game, the panel came up with the Broncos pivot as the choice.

But after the Kiwi’s stunned the World with their historic victory in the final minutes, it has surfaced today that the panel wanted to change their initial decision with 3 minutes to go in the final.

But the voting panel were informed their initial vote was final and could not be changed - robbing a New Zealand player of receiving the coveted award.

Kiwi standouts Adam Blair, Nathan Cayless, Sam Rapira, Jeremy Smith, Lance Hohaia and Nathan Fien were all in the hunt for the man of the match gong, with Lockyer and Anthony Laffranchi leading the Australian choices.

Each voter chose secretly and independently,  with pivot Lockyer coming out the majority winner with 10 minutes to go.

Williams would not go into detail about the apparent about face in the final minutes; with suggestions the voting panel tried unsuccessfully to have the choice changed.

With minutes to go in the game, the match was still in the balance but with 3 minutes left, panel members had a strong idea the Kiwis would come home and felt they were in a better position to vote.

Williams, a former New Zealand rep, admitted the final decision had to be reached after 70 minutes.

“We were caught out - we probably needed that final 10 minutes,” Williams told the media afterwards.

“It was difficult. In hindsight, perhaps one of the Kiwis should have got it. We didn’t vote as a group - we all voted independently.”

Hybrid must happen: League v Union

It’s been talked about forever, but it’s a concept that really needs to happen. The following would no doubt be enormous, it has the potential to make State of Origin or even Super 14 look like suburban fixtures.

Talk is abound that a ‘hybrid game’ is being discussed, a new set of rules allowing League players to square off against the best from Union. Kangaroos vs Wallabies, the ultimate showdown. It would have League folk and Rah Rah faithful packing out stadiums and pubs everywhere - the ultimate event on the Australian sporting calendar.

Just imagine, Jonathan Thurston v Matt Giteau. Greg Inglis v Stirling Mortlock.

There would be magic clashes of individuals all over the park, it’s a dream of sporting fans across Australia for seemingly years.

With talk again opening up - that dream could become a reality; a potential cross-code showdown could be on the horizon. While the ARU today said nothing has been discussed or tabled; the fact that the hybrid concept is again on the table is a positive sign.

Naturally both Union and League bosses would fear such a concept unless they got a decent portion of control and a pocket full of pennies from the event. Any promoter that has the majority stake in the event, could potentially become untouchable overnight. If it was successful, the concept could dwarf both codes and threaten a whole new world for Australian Rugby Football. This would not doubt be the reason bosses from both the League and Union would be scared to commit.

The promotion has always had the fans crying out for it …  but without any official nod from either the Australian Rugby Union or Australian Rugby League - there is still some way to go before we have an answer to the ultimate pub hypothetical.

News Ltd reports today reveal promoter Phil Franks is the man behind the push, having tabled his proposal to both governing bodies for their backing.

The proposal would see the Kangaroos and Wallabies play a hybrid version of the codes at ANZ Stadium, most likely in front of a sell-out crowd and for an anticipated $15 million return.

While Franks is yet to formally speak to ARU chief executive John O’Neill or ARL counterpart Geoff Carr - but plans to personally approach the pair this week.

“I didn’t want to speak to them until they got a taste of the enormity and benefit of it,” Franks told News Ltd last night.

“John O’Neill is the sort of man that can make this happen because he is a business genius.”

Instead of playing the match under the rules structure of one code - Franks is pushing for the development of a hybrid set of rules which would see the teams on an even playing field - possibly 12-a-side.

Two men who have been flagged as members of a rule-change committee are former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer and Rugby League Immortal Bob Fulton.

Dwyer admits his excited by the concept.

“There’s a lot of reasons for playing it,” Dwyer told News Ltd.

“One of the important reasons is, if we are in the entertainment industry and those people that we are trying to attract want to see it - and it does seem like the people we’re trying to attract do want to see it - then isn’t that what we’re here for?”

Fulton was equally supportive.

“It will be an absolutely outstanding promotion and, just being a football fan, I’d love to see it,” Fulton told News Ltd.

“And I’m sure there’s plenty of other people that, as long as the t’s are crossed and the i’s dotted in relation to getting it together, would love to see it also.

“The players from both codes would also love to be involved in a game of this stature.”

Boardroom politics could very easily signal the end of discussions - but with both codes in need of funding, this could just be the money-spinning promotion they were after.

Emotions all round: Stewart and Bennett

All the talk today is about Ricky Stuart getting himself into water for allegedly berating Rugby League World Cup officials after the Australians shock loss; but there was just as much emotion pumping from the usually poker faced Wayne Bennett as the Kiwis took the ultimate prize. The timeless Bennett unable to resist the fist pumps and high fives on Saturday night as his consultant role helped take the Kiwis to the top of the Rugby League world.

The experienced Bennett is often criticised for being devoid of emotion and not ‘promoting’ the game in press conferences and other media events. The former Broncos coach who some say only experienced such extensive coaching success after having so many juniors at his disposal in Brisbane, proved his haters wrong again - taking on the tough gig of moulding the inexperienced New Zealand side, but coming out the other side and ultimately slapping his former employers in the face as he helped plot the downfall of the Kangaroos.

New Zealand should write Bennett a blank cheque and ensure the experienced campaigner remains on-board as a consultant to the national Rugby League side, unlike the mistake the Kiwis made in their Union ranks by choosing Graham Henry over Robbie Deans; surely they won’t mess this one up.

While Bennett and the Kiwi squad would still be sucking back their cigars, the aftermath of the emotional boilover continues to engulf Roos coach Ricky Stuart as he fights accusations of an alleged verbal spray aimed at World Cup match officials including referee Ashley Klein.

The Australian coach wouldn’t be drawn today on any of the allegations or discuss his future as head coach when approached by reporters at a charity golf event in Canberra for CanTeen. Such is the irony and theatre of Rugby League; only 48 hours ago - Australian media outlets reported that Ricky Stuart had been offered the national coaching role for life.

But his Kangaroos and Cronulla pupil Paul Gallen provided the clearest evidence of an alleged conspiracy theory in the Australian camp by referring to “a stitch-up” in an interview on Channel 9.

Stuart is believed to be furious at several calls during the game that cost the Roos big-time and made accusations that an Australian loss suited the organisers and the future of the World Cup, which, up until the final, had been written off as a one-horse race after the Kangaroos’ crushing defeats of the Kiwis, England, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

Stuart made the bizarre claims of a conspiracy to a startled Carr immediately after the final at Suncorp Stadium, while the victorious Kiwis were still celebrating exuberantly.

It seems to be a long bow to draw; while Stuart may be feeling hard done by - when you think back to the game, it could have been far worse. Despite the Slater error and even the Monaghan penalty try - had Benji Marshall grounded the early grubber and several other opportunities fall their way, the Kiwis could have been even further ahead. While a massive upset in terms of the game, praise should be heaped on the under-dog Kiwi side - a mammoth effort to beat the Kangaroos; who many considered to be one of the best green and gold sides of the modern era.

Kiwis upset Roos to become World Champions

Australia’s best asset for most of the Rugby League World Cup; it was Billy Slater who quickly became the villan as the Storm fullback launched a miracle pass into enemy hands to gift the Kiwis a crucial try as the New Zealanders romped home to a massive upset win tonight.

Throw in a controversial penalty try, and you had a match that was excitement all the way - New Zealand beating the favourites 34-20 in a match many felt was virtually over before it began.

Australia were unbackable favourites before the kick-off, but the pumped up Kiwis pulled off the biggest upset in World Cup history - it was the first lost match since 2006 for the Green and Golds, now losing their title as the best outfit in world Rugby League.

Some simple errors and brain explosions costs the Aussies dearly, and a controversial video referee call by Steve Ganson to award the visitors a penalty try with ten minutes remaining was probably the right call as Lance Hohaia was taken out by a wrong footed Joel Monaghan.

“The game was back was in a bad state this time last year and some tough decisions had to be made,” Stephen Kearney said of his elevation to the coaching position after Gary Kemp’s sacking.

“I’m very pleased for the game back home, it’s something on the back of what the Warriors achieved this year, I think it’s been a real boost for our game.”

Ganson correctl ruled Australian flanker Joel Monaghan interfered with a flying Lance Hohaia as he followed a Benji Marshall kick through, but some believed that there was an element of doubt over the try because Aussie fullback Billy Slater had equal opportunity to get to the ball in a challenge to Hohaia.

But it wasn’t to be the night for mercial Billy Slater, while named player of the Cup, his risky play cost the Aussies big time - Slater about to rounded up into touch, deciding to throw the ball back in field, but it was snapped up by a waiting Kiwi - the New Zealanders cruising in to score untouched.

The blunder allowing a Benji Marshall touchdown and giving the Kiwis a 22-16 lead with less that 20 minutes on the clock.

Kangaroos boss Ricky Stuart refused to be critical of the fullback Slater.

“I love Billy Slater as a bloke and as a footy player and I would never ever be critical of Billy,” Stuart said.

“He’s in the work space at that time and he knows what to do - some of them don’t come off, some of them do.

“We didn’t play our best game, and (there was a chance) that was always going to happen.

“You only have to have one off night and you can be got against the English and New Zealand, they can get you and that was proven tonight.”

The Australians had looked ominous in the preliminary rounds, not dropping a game and cruising to wins of New Zealand and England.

New Zealand were lucky not to be leading by more, an early miss to pivot Marshall off a crafty Nathan Fein grubber presented them with an ideal chance to get an early score.

Lockyer was a standout for the Kangaroos, getting a double and narrowly missing a touchdown of a Cam Smith grubber, in a try that would have helped the Australians in a big way.

New flanker David ‘Wolfman’ Williams looked at home, scoring a run away try to give the home side a 10-0. But soon after, an Australian attempted strip went wrong and the Kiwis pounced - playing the whistle and running in a for a handy try before half time.

Lockyer’s try right on the half time bell was a sublime effort, the Australians pulling out all stops to rally a hot try before the hooter. Moving through several sets of hands, it was halfback Thurston who started the motion, but it was finished nicely by a close range Watmough offload to Lockyer giving the Aussies a 16-12 lead at half-time - ultimately against the run of play, the Aussies were somehow just ahead of the fired up Kiwis.

But under the guidance of the respected Wayne Bennet, the Kiwis flew out of the blocks after the break to become the first side other than Australia to win a World Cup since Great Britain’s win in 1972.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

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