Jumping out of the gates well the Chooks got the ideal start in which they scored 18 points in the opening 12 minutes to run out six tries to two winners and put a major dent in the Sea Eagles’ minor premiership bid. In comparison, the Sea Eagles looked a little down on energy even before a ball was kicked at the SFS today.

The Roosters’ win went some way to making up for consecutive hidings at the hands of Manly, the Sea Eagles having run up 98 unanswered points over their last two clashes.

Despite the loss Manly remain on top of the ladder courtesy of premier Melbourne’s shock loss to the New Zealand Warriors, but they will be desperately hoping some of their injured brigade are back on deck for Friday night’s home game against resurgent Penrith.

The Roosters moved up to third spot.

The victory was all but sewn up in the opening 40 minutes as the home side took a 24-6 lead to the sheds.

Any chance of a Manly comeback was doused after the break, not by the torrential downpour which sent much of the 22,681 fans scurrying, but by Amos Roberts’ stunning second try of the afternoon.

Having pushed off opposite number Brett Stewart in the first half to en route to a 40 metre run to the line after a Steve Menzies fumble, Roberts again showed too much speed and strength for the NSW custodian as he raced 85 metres to make it 28-6 eight minutes after the halftime break.

It was vintage Amos Roberts; sniffing around the ball for any half chances and turning on the afterburners when needed. Such was the quality, Roberts had it over his opposite Brett Stewart in every department.

More positives came for the Roosters in the way their forwards bounced back today; rolling over the ad line as the game wore on and pushing the passes at the right time.

It was a case of anything you can do I can do better as Stewart ran 99 metres after scooping up a Braith Anasta grubber on his own line to score under the posts, but it was all to no avail as a Willie Mason bust from inside his own half led to a Sam Perrett four-pointer in the shadows of fulltime.

The win positions the Roosters nicely for their finals assault, the confidence injection they needed and coach Brad Fittler will be happy with the way some of the tries were scored. Several of the tries were a result of second phase play and went through the hands rather than coming from kicks as has been the case with the Roosters during this NRL season.

Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles

The Grand Final rematch. Forget what they are saying publicly, Manly would most certainly want to avenge their 2007 loss and more importantly get an early psychological advantage over the Storm for this season. While the Manly men will be fired up, their form is only slowly improving and against only average competition in recent weeks – they are sure to be tested by the solid Storm. Olympic Park is the biggest factor in this match-up, the Storm at home on a Friday night are always tough and if Manly couldn’t get them in Sydney at Homebush in the Grand Final – this is going to be mission impossible. Melbourne by 8+

Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans

The Eels coming off some very patchy form are somehow favourites with only the home ground and a missing Luke Bailey on their side. The Titans while playing some top quality footy have a horrible away from home statistic and it seems no one in the world wants to back them in this one. The Grubber doesn’t agree. On current form, the Titans should win this game. The Eels were pushed all the way by the Knights and the Titans should give them an even harder test. With 4 former Eels in the Titans lineup, Brett Delaney, Aaron Cannings, Luke O’Dwyer and Matt Petersen this means even more motivation and comfort for the traveling Titans – the Gold Coast to win in a close one.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys

Its always hard to work out how the Dragons will come out of the blocks, let alone how they will finish a match. In this match at WIN Stadium it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys continue after their first win last week. With the Cowboys gaining much needed confidence, their experienced side should be able to click into gear and start to travel successfully. Things still aren’t rosey at the Dragons and things have a long way to go before improving. Still hard to pick, but lean towards the Cowboys in this one.

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters

An interesting clash here, the Panthers stringing two wins together and looking a different side to a month ago. The Sydney Roosters have been the form side in 2008 and if they weren’t hampered by injury and discipline problems in this clash you would put your house on them to win. In saying that even though the game is at CUA, the Panthers too have injury problems and might find it tough. However, the Sydney Roosters look to have the consistency and should hurt the Panthers when they commit their weekly errors and give away their regulation penalties. Roosters to win.

NZ Warriors vs Bulldogs

If they can win this game, the Warriors could get the launch pad they need to get their 2008 campaign well underway. A big road trip for the Bulldogs and their loss to the Roosters last week will have probably taken some petrol from the tank. Expect to see some big collisions, but put your cash on the Warriors here. While their win against the Knights was helped by big possession and poor referee calls, the confidence should be back with the Warriors in this one.

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers

Gee it’s hard tipping these days. Another tough one, the Tigers coming off a bad loss and looking listless in attack have the tough ask of taking on Canberra in the chilly ACT. While Canberra have had their own form problems, their injury and suspension list keeps growing making their task harder. In saying this, the Raiders should be too much of a handful at home. Expect a grinding game here and Canberra’s style should stifle any attempt by the Tigers to play an expansive game.

Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos

The Knights fans should turn out in force for this game, their side turning over a new leaf in 2008 and looking much more competitive. Unlucky last week, the Knights will put up a big fight in this one and it will be interesting to see how the Broncos rebound from a tough loss to the Storm last week. You’d have to go with the Broncos in this one judging by their early season form, however the Knights will put up a big fight. The Newcastle wingers Cooper Vuna and Keith Lulia are poised to become the biggest strike weapons in the league, they simply need an ounce more belief and a few passes to stick and they will be big weapons. I am surprised Adam McDougall was recalled by Brian Smith after the form of the incumbent wingers. Still, Broncos should be too tough in this game.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks

It’s a shame this game is at ANZ Stadium, as it would have been ideally placed at Shark Park or a similar suburban venue. The Rabbitohs are facing a critical clash even though it’s only Round 5. Winless, the Bunnies face the in-form Sharks who have ground out some wins even without some major stars. Looking at the situation the Bunnies find themselves in, I feel they will come out and play this like a grand final. The Sharks have won without looking great, but they may struggle with the big rolling Bunnies forwards. Go the upset here, Souths to get a win.

They have been a notably quiet NRL club during the 2007/2008 Rugby League off-season. A proud club that has misfired poorly in recent years, will the centenary of Rugby League be their season to go all the way in NRL 2008?

The man at the helm of the St George Illawarra Dragons, Nathan Brown seems so have certainly copped his share of criticism – however the former Dragons hooker has done well to hang in there, at a time when coaches are hung out to dry so quickly.

The burning question for every NRL fan has been why have the Dragons continued to fail with virtually an Australian Rugby League Representative Team at their disposal? The likes of Trent Barrett, Matt Head, Brett Firman all now lost to the once unstoppable club. Looking further back, even the likes of Paul McGregor, Rod Wishart and Brad McKay had the talent but never got the goodies come end of season NRL.

Is it the pressure of being one of the most heavily followed NRL clubs? Even before the Saints merged with the Steelers, the Dragons boasted the biggest club memberships and a huge following amongst NRL faithful. Their merchandise out sold everyone else, ever since they won 11 premierships straight in the good old days they have had an army of fans and that has continued the thrive. Does this huge following create more expectation? Coupled with the fact that the Red Vee hasn’t won the major prize in over 25 years?

Personally, I think the creativity and player talent at the Dragons disposal has been the root of the problem over the past 15 years. Having so many talented players might be thought the only ingredient to win at the highest level of NRL, however the old saying “Too many cooks, spoil the broth” rings true.

Just like NSW Origin problems in previous years, having so many talented players running their own plays, going solo and most of the time not following coaches instructions can wreak havoc on the best of sides.

Too many times the Dragons get into top gear during an NRL game, then sign off and start coasting. Other times they simply turn up and some of the players tend to rely on the superstars to get them home. A big no-no.

And more recently, injury has been a disaster for this Rugby League club. Possibly the best player in the world on his day, Mark Gasnier unfortunately seems to get injured when he trips over a blade of grass and former Australian forward Jason Ryles gets injured and rarely plays to his ability that can be oh so damaging when he puts his mind to it.

Certainly its time the Dragons deserved some luck with injury and they will be hard to stop in NRL 2008 featuring the likes of: Dean Young, Matt Cooper, Ben Creagh, Jason Ryles and of course Gaz – however another of the old sayings keeps ringing in my ears and that is “Give me enthusiasm over talent anyday of the week” and maybe that is the key to the Dragons taking the title in NRL 2008.

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Round 2, March 21-24
Roosters v Broncos, Sydney Football Stadium, Fri 7.30pm
Rabbitohs v Bulldogs, Telstra Stadium, Fri 7.30pm
Panthers v Raiders, CUA Stadium, Sat 5.30pm
Knights v Sea Eagles, Energy Australia Stadium, Sat 7.30pm
Cowboys v Wests Tigers, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Sat 8.30pm
Warriors v Eels, Mt Smart Stadium, Sun 4.00pm
Storm v Sharks, Olympic Park, Sun 3.00pm
Dragons v Titans, WIN Stadium, Mon 7.00pm

Round 3, March 28-31
Broncos v Cowboys, Suncorp Stadium, Fri 7.30pm
Eels v Knights, Parramatta Stadium, Fri 7.30pm
Roosters v Storm, Sydney Football Stadium, Sat 5.30pm
Raiders v Dragons, Canberra Stadium, Sat 7.30pm
Titans v Sharks Skilled Park, Sat 8.30pm
Panthers v Rabbitohs, CUA Stadium, Sun 2.00pm
Bulldogs v Wests Tigers, Telstra Stadium, Sun 3.00pm
Sea Eagles v Warriors, Brookvale Oval, Mon 7.00pm

Round 4, April 4-7 (Aust and NZ Daylight Savings ends at 2am Sun 6th)
Storm v Broncos, Olympic Park, Fri 7.30pm
Bulldogs v Roosters, Telstra Stadium, Fri 7.30pm
Dragons v Sharks, Telstra Stadium, Sat 5.30pm
Titans v Raiders, Skilled Park, Sat 6.30pm
Cowboys v Eels, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Sat 8.30pm
Warriors V Knights, Mt Smart Stadium, Sun 4.00pm
Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs, Brookvale Oval, Sun 3.00pm
Wests Tigers v Panthers, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Mon 7.00pm

Round 5, April 11-14
Storm v Sea Eagles, Olympic Park, Fri 7.30pm
Eels v Titans, Parramatta Stadium, Fri 7.30pm
Dragons v Cowboys, WIN Stadium, Sat 5.30pm
Panthers v Roosters CUA Stadium, Sat 7.30pm
Warriors v Bulldogs, Mt Smart Stadium, Sun 2.00pm
Raiders v Wests Tigers, Canberra Stadium, Sun 2.00pm
Knights v Broncos, Energy Australia Stadium, Sun 3.00pm
Rabbitohs v Sharks Telstra Stadium, Mon 7.00pm.

As the majority of NRL teams move their pre-season Rugby League training into full swing; the South Sydney Rabbitohs have had to be in top gear earlier than most.

After achieving success in 2007 on the back of their first NRL finals berth in nearly 15 years, the Bunnies plan for 2008 starts with a mission to Florida, USA on January 26th where they will take on the Leeds Rhinos in a Rugby League exhibition match.

The journey to the United States shows how advanced the South Sydney team have become in their back office and marketing mindset; a result of astute management from the likes of Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe.

Coach Jason Taylor has also worked hard in the off-season reviewing hours of NRL footage with his assistants; focusing not only on Souths’ success and failures of the year – but totally reviewing the seasons of NRL front runners Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles to see exactly how those teams achieved what they did in 2007 NRL.

Taylor and the rest of the Rugby League world know that the Bunnies only needed to score more tries in 2007. Similar to Cronulla, the South Sydney outfit boasted rock solid defence but regularly struggled to put on regular points in attack.

The acquisition of Craig Wing who joins South Sydney from the Roosters was based squarely around Wing’s attacking ability. And coach Jason Taylor has made no secret of the fact he wants Wing to play at halfback, a position that Wing made his own later in the year for the Sydney Roosters.

2008 promises so much yet again for the South Sydney. With leading administrators, coaching staff and player roster – Souths continue to be injected with new talent through their North Sydney feeder club. The Bears only narrowly losing the Premier League Grand Final in 2007, but producing a bundle of talent that the Bunnies can tap into at any stage.

Their depth was a revelation in 2007, digging up the likes of Issac Luke who I believe is a future rep player and throwing someone like Fetuli Talanoa into the fray in their late season charge and seeing impressive results.

Our prediction for 2008? Their impressive buildup and strategic methodolgy will most certainly see South Sydney join the NRL Top 8 finalists again in the centenary year of Rugby League.

It was revealed today that former Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels flyer Timana Tahu harbored plans to become an All Black with his transition to the Rugby Union game this year.

The classy outside back revealed on New Zealand TV tonight that he personally approached former Kiwi Rugby Union man, and now Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and discussed a possible move to Super 14 team the Canterbury Crusaders with a view to moving into the famous All Black Rugby Union side.

Such is the lure of the All Black side that several Rugby League stars have become virtual traitors and have crossed country borders to play in the world renowned NZ rep side. The last in recent times was Brisbane Broncos and Australian Rep Brad Thorn who left Rugby League for Union and donned the All Black strip for several matches.

While Timana Tahu eventually signed with the NSW Warratahs, he has hinted that after his professional Rugby Union days are finished he is keen to represent the NZ Maori team; a fitting role for Tahu, himself a son of Maori father and a Aboriginal mother.

As Rugby League diehards ponder a lost star to Rugby Union, the concern shouldn’t last long. Each time an NRL or League star has crossed code borders a new, improved and younger version appears. As Tahu leaves the Eels, the talented junior pool at Parramatta consisting of Kris Inu, Jarryd Hayne and Taulima Tautai are quickly ready to take up the slack. The Eels also bolstered by the 2007 off-season signing of Joe Galuvao who joins Parramatta for the 2008 NRL campaign.

* The Parramatta Eels have also followed in the footsteps of South Sydney for 2008; launching their own ‘ParraTV’ service. Launched at www.ParraTV.com.au this is a service available to subscribers only – where they can watch behind the scenes TV footage of the Parramatta Eels team; footage shot by Eels insiders during the 2008 season. At smart move by the Eels, who obviously saw potential revenue streams from the program developed by Russell Crowe at South Sydney.

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