Stuart to quit NRL’s Sharks at end of season, RGL

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SYDNEY (AP) Former Australia coach Rick Stuart has announced he will quit the Cronulla Sharks at the end of the National Rugby League season. Stuart said Monday he has asked for a release from the final year of his coaching contract, which was set to end in 2011.

The club said he will be replaced by his current assistant, Shane Flanagan. The Sharks have won just eight of their past 34 matches over two seasons.

This year, they are in 15th place of 16 teams with a record of three wins and seven losses. Stuart played for the Canberra Raiders and the Bulldogs from 1988 to 2000 and appeared in nine test matches for Australia.

The former Sydney Roosters coach led Australia from 2006-2008, winning 10 of 11 matches.

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Raiders beat 1st-place Dragons in Australia’s NRL, RGL

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SYDNEY (AP) Canberra scored three tries in six minutes as the Raiders beat first-place St. George Illawarra 22-14 in Australia’s National Rugby League.

Leading 8-6 just after halftime, the Dragons had tries from Joel Thompson (51st minute), Jarrod Croker (55th) and Josh Dugan (57th) to put the home side ahead. The loss to the 11th-place Raiders left the Dragons in first place with 16 points, level with the Gold Coast, which had a weekend bye.

Fullback Lance Hohaia celebrated his 150th appearance with the New Zealand Warriors, scoring a try in his team’s 26-24 win over South Sydney at Auckland. The Wests Tigers beat Newcastle 23-6 in torrential rain at Newcastle.

Benji Marshall kicked a field goal in the 70th minute and crossed for a try four minutes later to clinch the win for the Tigers. The Cronulla Sharks extended a seven-year winning streak at Parramatta Stadium, beating the Eels 22-18.

The Sharks, who have not lost in Parramatta since 2003, ended the Eels’ four-game winning streak. Parramatta came close to scoring on at least three occasions in the last 10 minutes, but the bounce of the ball which favored the Eels in the first half turned against them in the closing minutes.

“You do need the football gods to look down on you at times,” Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart said. Penrith played the Bulldogs on Monday in a shortened round due to the first State of Origin match Wednesday between Queensland and New South Wales at Sydney.

Queensland is seeking its fifth straight win in the best-of-three series, an annual rugby league highlight in Australia.

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Dragons regroup to collar Dogs

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

St George Illawarra has bounced back from its upset loss to Manly last round by dispatching the Bulldogs 19-6 at Sydney’s Olympic stadium.

The Dragons were made to look second rate early as the Bulldogs burst out of the gate, but the visitors were just warming to the task as they ran in three unanswered tries before a Jamie Soward field goal sealed the result with 11 minutes on the clock.

Before a crowd of 37,773 – the biggest for an NRL match in Sydney this season – the Bulldogs showed there would be no rustiness from the bye as Josh Morris whizzed over in just the fourth minute for a 6-0 lead.

The Bulldogs were up for it in both attack and defence with two Jamal Idris bell ringers on Ben Creagh giving NSW selectors the proof that the Canterbury youngster was more than ready for an Origin call-up.

The Dragons were out on their feet before a crucial ruck penalty changed the momentum of not only the match, but possibly the Bulldogs’ season, with the blue and whites now with just three wins from the opening ten rounds and facing plenty of work to do to secure a finals berth.

From the penalty Creagh got some revenge on Idris when he outleapt his taller opponent and juggled the ball to level the scores, before Dene Halatau’s spilled ball with his first touch in five weeks presented the Dragons with another invitation.

Ben Hornby accepted it with open arms as he dummied his way through the defensive line, the ball eventually finding Jason Nightingale out wide, Soward’s sideline conversion completing an epic reversal of fortunes.

Soward told Grandstand that the Dragons were eager to atone for last weekend’s loss at Brookvale.

“No one wants to lose two in a row, and it’s too hard to lose two in a row and keep momentum in this comp,” he said.

“So blokes stood up tonight, our bench was outstanding and everyone chipped in. We scrambled well.”

He said the Bulldogs had plenty of fight in them after having the chance to rest their legs last round.

“They’re coming off a bye and it’s something we saw with Manly last week, they came out and they were ready for us,” he said.

“Everyone’s got a bit of a point to prove against us, so for us it was important to get into that grind and we did that.”

There was more to come after the break, even after rookie Trent Merrin dropped the ball two metres out from a wide open line, but the red and white faithful did not have to wait long to start singing when a Brett Kimmorley clearing kick went horribly wrong.

Picking up the ball on his own 10 metre line, Brett Morris – who in a rare instance was kept tryless for the game – popped a risky ball to Nightingale who fed Darius Boyd, the likely Queensland Origin winger swinging round to find Hornby who in turn set up Matt Cooper on a run down the touchline.

Cooper, who needed a big game to get himself into NSW reckoning, beat Idris and Luke Patten as he tiptoed the sideline before touching down with a kiss of the jersey.

Dragons: 19 (B Creagh, J Nightingale, M Cooper tries; J Soward 3 conversions, field goal)

Bulldogs: 6 (J Morris try; B Goodwin conversion)

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Coast unfazed by Hunt’s late arrival

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karmichael Hunt has become a surprise rugby union hit at the wrong end of the European season for the fledgling Gold Coast AFL club.

Hunt’s strong display at five-eighth for Biarritz in their European Cup semi-final win at the weekend means the former NRL star will stay in France for a further three weeks.

He will not arrive on the Coast until the end of the month, when he will be thrown straight into action for the AFL expansion club to begin adapting to his third professional football code.

But coach Guy McKenna should not worry about Hunt being burnt out by excessive rugby games – he will not have to play again until the May 22 European Cup final against French rivals Toulouse at Stade de France in Paris.

Biarritz missed France’s Top 14 six-team play-off series, finishing seventh despite Hunt scoring a try in their final-round 27-22 loss to Racing Metro, which grabbed the last finals spot.

After playing in the centres for the bulk of an injury-affected season, the ex-Brisbane Broncos full-back was a shock choice at five-eighth against Munster in the 18-7 Cup semi-final upset but acquitted himself well, especially in defence and with his kicking.

Happy to see their big-name recruit drop-punting the rugby ball accurately, Gold Coast officials deny they are concerned about Hunt’s delayed return and pleased to see he continued to adapt quickly to different roles.

Asked whether they had crossed their fingers Biarritz would lose to Munster, Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said: “Yes and no.”

“As a rugby union player he’s developed quickly,” he said.

“You would want him to get back here as quick as he can but for his sake it’s good for him to play a final and experience that so we have no issue with that.

“Whether he gets back two weeks earlier or two weeks later it really doesn’t affect what we’ve got for him.”

The earliest Hunt, set for just a two-game VFL debut stint, could play for Gold Coast in the VFL would be June 5 against the Northern Bullants at Princes Park.

“He’s going to get back here around the end of May,” Ashcroft said. “He’ll be with us and training straight away and we will play him after that.”

The last Australian to win a European Cup was Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom, who starred for Irish club Leinster last year before returning to Australia.

Hunt’s fellow NRL recruit Sonny Bill Williams is also enjoying success in France, impressing at inside centre for Toulon between Jonny Wilkinson and Tana Umaga.

Toulon finished second in the Top 14 and only need win their May 14 semi-final to make the May 29 final.

Big-spending Toulon, who only narrowly avoided relegation last year, have also qualified for the Challenge Cup final against Cardiff on May 23 in Marseille.

Williams’ improvement has been a major factor in Toulon’s rise and New Zealand Rugby Union is very keen to lure him back home to press for a spot with the All Blacks in the 2011 World Cup.

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Keep traditional numbers, says Kenny

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Parramatta legend Brett Kenny says it would be disrespectful to change the jersey numbering system for players in the NRL.

A meeting of club chief executives yesterday suggested the league adopt individual numbering rather than positional.

But Kenny says players have always aspired to wear numbers one to 13 in the code, as it traditionally signifies first grade.

“I can understand they’re probably looking at a merchandising idea, but I really think it should be left to the traditional way of numbers,” he said.

“I think it shows a little bit of a lack of respect, to have a situation where a player runs out in number 55.

“The way the game has been over the years, that’s a lack of respect.”

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Potter to quit St Helens for NRL return

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Australian coach Mick Potter will leave Super League club St Helens at the end of the season.

Potter, who succeeded compatriot Daniel Anderson two years ago, is out of contract in October and wants to return to the NRL.

“It’s always been my intention to one day coach in the NRL and it’s something I truly believe I am ready for,” Potter said.

Potter was an assistant at St George Illawarra when he was chosen to take over from Englishman Steve Deakin just after the start of Catalans Dragons’ inaugural season in Super League in 2006.

The 46-year-old took the Perpignan club to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley in 2007 and was named Super League coach of the year in 2008 before taking over at St Helens.

Saints chairman Eamon McManus said the club would begin a search for Potter’s successor in the coming weeks.

“Mick has explained to us he has ambitions of possibly securing a place in the NRL and we wish him well in his endeavours,” McManus said.

“He has been a great asset to our organisation and he will be successful wherever he goes.”

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NRL clubs to look at salary cap changes

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

NRL chief executive David Gallop has urged Johnathan Thurston and Israel Folau to not turn their backs on rugby league, but insists the sport cannot be held to ransom by big-name players.

Gallop met with club bosses from every team apart from Melbourne, whose representatives did not attend the discussions in Sydney on Tuesday, with a review of the salary cap top of the agenda.

In addition to rubber stamping the appointments of Newcastle and Canberra chiefs Steve Burraston and Don Furner to an expanded Collective Bargaining Agreement committee, the clubs also gave their backing for the need for a salary cap.

The committee, which also includes Sydney Roosters boss Steve Noyce, Brisbane’s Bruno Cullen and South Sydney’s Shane Richardson, will be looking at ways the cap can be reviewed after submissions from clubs are received by May 21.

Gallop acknowledged that the cap needed to be looked at but urged clubs to explore the option of third party payments from non-club sponsors to keep their star players in the game.

“There is a misconception in the game that third party agreements are not allowed,” Gallop said.

“There is a limit on third party agreements with clubs and club sponsors, but beyond that it is pretty much unlimited, there is millions of dollars being paid to players outside the cap.”

However, Gallop said the current format cannot be changed until the new television deal comes up for renewal in 2012 and urged players such as Thurston and Folau to stay in the game.

“We’d like them to stay in rugby league, but we can’t throw cash at them outside of the salary cap rules, we haven’t done it in the past and we can’t make exceptions for them,” he said.

“There is a big opportunity for the game and a big new injection of funds, hopefully we don’t lose players to rival codes.

“But it is really important that we continue to operate … so there can’t be exception to the rules.”

Richardson said he hoped the review will lead to a more flexible system.

“We want the salary cap to be more workable and not just about (salary cap auditor) Ian Schubert and David Gallop,” Richardson said.

“It is important that out of these talks and the submissions that come in from different people, including sponsors and members, to nut out the best way forward.

“One of the great things about rugby league is that over the years we have been flexible to change the game and this is an opportunity now.”

Cullen said the Broncos have managed to attract a large number of interested parties who want to become involved with the club.

“My board last week sat down to meet about the Melbourne issue and where we were with everything and when we put on the table the number of third parties involved they were quite shocked,” he said.

“There is probably $3 million or $4 million over and above the cap … and we worked out we could get much more out of that and we are just one of 16 clubs.”

However, Cullen remained hopeful, rather than confident, it would be enough to keep Folau at the club.

“There is a flicker of hope yet but I am not too sure what Israel wants to do,” he said.

“He is obviously seriously considering leaving, but until he does we will get down on our knees and pray.”

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Stunned Jennings winging it for City

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Stunned Penrith star Michael Jennings is still trying to work out how he went from a favourite to replace Israel Folau as Test centre to City Origin winger.

The attacking genius has fallen behind Manly’s Jamie Lyon, who was named in the Kangaroos side for Friday’s Test against New Zealand, as well as the Wests Tigers’ Chris Lawrence and South Sydney’s Beau Champion in being named out of position for City.

The 22-year-old had been touted, with Lyon and North Queensland’s Willie Tonga, as a likely replacement for Folau, who was overlooked after failing to commit to the NRL from 2011.

Jennings, who played one Test for Australia on last year’s Four Nations tour, looked genuinely at a loss about the selection on Monday.

“I was shocked,” he told reporters.

“I haven’t played on the wing since I was 19.

“It’s something different, it’s not the preferred position but I’m just grateful to get the opportunity to play for City.”

Jennings has been carrying a knee injury and delayed surgery in the hope of making the Test side.

“I was disappointed but I wasn’t thinking too much ahead of myself,” he said.

“I didn’t think I would get the call-up so I wasn’t too fussed but I’ve just got to work harder and hopefully I can get an opportunity later on.”

He said he was yet to be told how he had slipped so far down the pecking order of centres, but had not thought about how it would affect his NSW chances after playing two State of Origin games last year.

“I guess I haven’t been doing my job in playing in the centres,” he said.

“Chrissy Lawrence and Beau Champion are playing really good so they get that opportunity and I’ve got to do my job this weekend and I’m not really worried about Origin at the moment.

“My form’s not at the best I would want it to be, it’s been up and down, but I have to step it up a bit.”

Jennings is now likely to miss the Panthers’ next two matches, against Cronulla and Canterbury, to undergo a minor procedure to repair the torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, but he was adamant the injury had not affected his form.

“It doesn’t really faze me, I just go into each week the same as usual as I do without the knee injury so it’s not affecting it at all,” he said.

City coach John Cartwright said the side had been picked on form.

“Lawrence and Beau Champion have been in great form for their club sides, Michael’s too good not to be in the side,” Cartwright said.

“He’s an outside back, he can play on the wing so we’re fortunate to have the three of them on the field.”

One man glad Jennings will not be his opposite number in Port Macquarie on Friday is Country centre Timana Tahu.

“For the Country team it’s a good thing that he’s on the wing because he’s not going to be as dangerous as what he would be if he was in the centres,” Tahu said.

Meanwhile, City captain Robbie Farah was playing down his second match-up in three weeks against fellow Origin hopeful Michael Ennis.

“I’ll just prepare like I have been,” Farah said.

“I’m not really too concerned about who I’m up against.”

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Henjak excited about Gillett’s progress

April 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Rookie bolter Matt Gillett has taken just a handful of matches to show why Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak had no hesitation tossing him into the NRL deep end last month.

Earmarked by former Queensland and Australian half-back Mark Murray as a future representative player before his NRL debut against the Cowboys in round one, Gillett’s versatility has proven a real bonus for the injury-hit Broncos.

After debuting in the back row and finding himself on the wing at times, Gillett will saddle up in the centres against a desperate Cronulla at Lang Park on Sunday where he will be able to put his footwork and ball skills to even great use.

“He’s a future representative player. I think over the next two seasons he’ll become the best back rower the club has,” Murray said.

“I don’t want to put too many wraps on the kid before he gets in there, but he’s a naturally gifted player that has skills that you can’t coach, instinctive skills.”

Henjak was quick to notice Gillett was a player with something special to offer after inviting the Bribie Island junior to preseason training.

The 21 year-old has made the transformation from the Queensland Cup to the NRL, easily justifying Henjak’s gamble and backing up Murray’s prediction of better things to come.

“I’m really excited about what he’s going to be like in a few years time,” said Henjak, confident Gillett will handle his latest move into the centres with Israel Folau.

“I’ve been really pleased with his progress.

“To be honest, he’s probably exceeded my expectations.

“He’s never had a real preseason before but he’s handled everything we’ve asked very well.”

Team-mate Josh Hoffman is hoping to again cash in on Gillett’s off-loading talents in his first match starting at full-back.

Hoffman, who has finally won the battle for the number one jumper from teenager Corey Norman, scored a try against St George Illawarra last Friday off a nice pass from a wide-running Gillett.

“Matt has got good vision and he set me up for a try against the Dragons last weekend, so I’ll be looking for his offloads,” Hoffman said.

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Raiders relaxed about Carney reunion

April 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Raiders say they have no plans to target former star half-back Todd Carney when they travel to Sydney to take on the Roosters on Saturday night.

Carney was sacked by Canberra in 2008 after a string of off-field incidents.

Raiders forward Trevor Thurling says he is pleased to see Carney back in the NRL.

“Toddy’s moved on. He’s moved on with his life and he’s playing some excellent footy up there,” he said.

“We look forward to playing him. He’s a dangerous player.

“Hopefully we can do the best we can on him to keep him quiet.”

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Troops on way back for Broncos

April 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Brisbane could rush back as many as five players, including strike weapon Israel Folau, for Sunday’s clash with fellow NRL desperates Cronulla.

They will also be boosted by the return of popular skills coach Allan “Alfie” Langer, whose suspension was lifted after he was fined and disqualified from driving on Monday for drink driving.

“It’ll be good to have him (Langer) back. There’ll be a smile on their (the players’) faces when they see him and I’m sure he’ll be ready for their wise cracks,” Henjak said.

A bold punter backed the last-placed Broncos – who have won just one of their first five games – to win $264,000 in a single bet at $67 with Sportingbet Australia only hours before Henjak signalled the return of a number of top line players led by Folau.

He could be joined by exciting young winger Jharal Yow Yeh, suspended duo Ben Te’o and Antonio Winterstein and senior prop Nick Kenny, a late scratching from last week’s loss to the Dragons.

The injection of Folau and Yow Yeh will give the back line strike-power and take some heat off Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace.

Brisbane took on St George Illawarra with the youngest and most inexperienced side in the club’s history outside of Origin dates.

They were gutsy in the first half and had a real dig despite some tough penalty decisions at crucial stages.

“The two suspended players will be back and Izzy (Folau) and Jharal could be back as well,” Henjak said.

“Nick Kenny is another possibility, so there’s a few troops there.”

Yow Yeh has not played this season after hurting his knee in the All Stars game in February.

“Jharal finished last year really well and he was good in the All Stars game and we were looking forward to him playing after a really good preseason,” he said.

“I’ll check them all in the morning (Tuesday) and see what the latest medical update on them is first.”

Brisbane’s biggest danger after tough games against big packs is looking at struggling Cronullag and thinking the task will be a lot easier at Lang Park on Sunday.

“I think we’re pretty desperate, I hope they’re not thinking like that,” Henjak said.

“We’ll be reminding them of the standard we need.

“We took some steps last week and we don’t want to go backwards, we want to keep improving.”

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Rebels targeting Gasnier, not Folau

April 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Melbourne Rebels insist they are only chasing one player with ties to rugby league and that is Mark Gasnier.

The new Super 15 rugby franchise has been linked with Brisbane Broncos star Israel Folau.

The 20-year-old, who joined the Broncos in 2009 after two successful years with the Melbourne Storm where he broke try-scoring records, has reportedly been given a deadline of the end of April to re-commit to his NRL club.

Brisbane signed the Test flyer on a four-year deal that has a two-year option in the player’s favour and want Folau to pledge his loyalty.

Although he moved back to Brisbane to be closer to his tight-knit family, it is believed he misses Melbourne.

While the Storm NRL club, already under serious salary cap pressure, could not afford him, the new Super side, who will join the expanded competition next year, could.

However coach Rod Macqueen said the only league player, former or otherwise the Rebels were pursuing, was former Test representative Gasnier, who is currently playing rugby in France.

“We haven’t had any discussions with Israel Folau,” Macqueen said.

“At the moment we’re concentrating on Gasnier so from our point of view, if we can get him we’ll be very happy.

Macqueen said the Rebels had not discounted recruiting league players who were interested in a code switch, but were not actively pursuing any current NRL players.

The World Cup-winning coach said the Rebels were not expecting a decision from Gasnier until he had finished his negotiations with the Australian Rugby Union, who he would also sign with.

It is believed the ARU has offered the former Dragons captain a largely incentive-based contract, which will mean a big pay-day if he makes the Wallabies squad for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.

Gasnier has spoken of his desire to play in the tournament and prove himself on the international stage, as he did in rugby league.

However his cashed-up French club Stade Francais is reportedly making it difficult for him to leave, where the centre is settled with his French wife, Claudine, who he married last month, by offering a massive deal.

The ARU has not set any deadlines for Gasnier to declare where his future lies.

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Prince cleared of cap breach

April 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

An NRL investigation has found there is no evidence to suggest Gold Coast Titans captain Scott Prince was to have a house built for free, in breach of salary cap rules.

Salary cap auditors interviewed Gold Coast builder Alex Simpson, who claimed he had been asked to build the house for the Titans half-back.

The auditors say they could not find any binding agreement between Prince and Mr Simpson’s company Simcorp, nor was there any commencement of construction work.

“Despite the conviction with which the salary cap allegations have been made, there appears to be no binding agreement between Scott Prince and Simcorp to construct a house,” NRL chief executive David Gallop said in a statement.

“There appears to be no first-hand evidence from anyone other than Mr Simpson to suggest that Scott Prince expected a house to be constructed free of charge.

“There has furthermore been no commencement of any construction work.

“In contrast to Mr Simpson’s claims, there is also evidence that the Princes sold a Townsville property to fund any future construction costs they may incur should they undertake work on their Gold Coast home.

“There is also evidence that they had consulted other builders in relation to the project and obtained quotes from those builders.”

Prince said: “I was always confident that there was no case to answer – the NRL findings prove that.

“I am now left counting the cost of what this has done to the club’s and my good reputation.”

Simcorp is involved in a legal dispute with the Titans over a separate development.

The NRL says it will continue to monitor the Prince issue.

“The NRL will investigate any salary cap issues that are brought to its attention and our salary cap team has examined the matters raised by Mr Simpson in considerable detail,” Gallop said.

“We are always open to receiving any new information on this or any other matter, but clubs are also entitled to expect that they will be judged on evidence rather than accusations.”

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O’Donnell facing three-week ban

April 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

North Queensland lock Luke O’Donnell’s minute of madness in the Cowboys’ 23-16 loss to the Wests Tigers looks to have cost him at least three weeks on the sidelines.

O’Donnell has been charged by the NRL match review committee with a grade two dangerous contact offence after an ugly tackle on Tigers full-back Beau Ryan, which saw his neck twisted.

The tackle prompted a minor melee and the New South Wales State of Origin representative was sin-binned just before half-time.

O’Donnell will be out for three weeks if he enters an early guilty plea but risks fours weeks if he decides to challenge it at the judiciary.

It was a fiery night for the 29-year-old, who was penalised four times during the match in Townsville on Saturday night, including one incident in which he launched a spray at referee Gavin Badger.

Two charges have come out of South Sydney’s 28-10 win over Newcastle in Gosford earlier on Saturday night with Rabbitohs utility Ben Lowe looking at a one-match ban for a grade two careless high tackle.

Knights centre Junior Sau faces the same length of time for a grade one dangerous contact to knee or legs.

Dragons prop Michael Weyman also risks a one-match suspension for a grade one striking charge during his side’s 34-16 win over Brisbane in Wollongong on Friday night.

Manly’s Test front rower Brent Kite will be able to play in next Monday night’s match against Melbourne if he enters an early guilty plea for a grade one careless high tackle on Cronulla winger Blake Ferguson.

The incident occurred during the Sea Eagles’ 40-12 triumph at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.

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Stuart accuses Sharks of giving in

April 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart accused some of his players of “throwing the towel in” as Manly ran away with a comprehensive 40-12 NRL win at Brookvale Oval.

Although the Sharks have won just one match from their past 15 starts, Stuart has always previously praised his team for their work ethic and commitment.

Cronulla held the upper hand for the first quarter of the match before crumbling to concede five first half tries – much to Stuart’s disappointment – as the Sea Eagles cruised to an easy win.

Stuart was keen to stress that Manly’s individual class was what won out in the end but he also criticised the attitude of some players when the going got tough.

“We had inexperience, Manly at Manly is very, very tough and we spoke about that,” Stuart said.

“The only negative for my side is that… I think some parts of our playing team threw the white towel in at the 20-minute mark and that’s the main disappointing part for me as a coach.

“There were parts of the game where we threw the towel in, and it got too hard for us… it’s uncharacteristic for this team.

“[We were] outclassed, outplayed. I haven’t got much more of an excuse than that. [Manly] showed some brilliant pieces of footy.”

Foran in Test frame

Sea Eagles five-eighth Kieran Foran put his hand up for selection for New Zealand against Australia next month with a masterful display, while centre Jamie Lyon further enhanced his New South Wales Origin prospects with two tries in a personal 20-point haul.

Winger Michael Robertson also nabbed a double for Manly, which has stabilised its season nicely after losing its opening two matches.

Foran and half-back Trent Hodkinson have adjusted well to the playmaking duties left vacant by departed skipper Matt Orford, and the Auckland-born emerging star appears certain to partner Benji Marshall in the halves for the Kiwis after getting a taste of international football in last year’s Four Nations series.

“I was pretty happy with my performance today, I’m more confident each week as a ball player and leading this team out,” Foran said.

“Nothing explains pulling on that black and white jersey in front of your family and for your country, but to be honest I haven’t really thought too much about it, I’ve just been trying to get things right here week to week.”

With the game evenly poised at 12-6 to Manly with seven minutes to go in the first half, Foran took control setting up two of the Sea Eagles’ three quick-fire tries before the break.

Opposite number Trent Barrett was more willing to predict Foran’s future as a Test footballer.

“He’s a good player, a good ball runner and a strong kid. He’ll be an international for the New Zealand side I think for a long time, very soon,” Barrett said.

A satisfied Manly coach Des Hasler also heaped praise on his leading man.

“He was taken away on the tour last year just to experience it… so you’d think he’d certainly come under Test selection,” Hasler said.

Manly has one worry ahead of next week’s big clash against Melbourne, with Brent Kite put on report for a high tackle on Blake Ferguson in the second half.

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Langer’s court date brought forward

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Suspended Brisbane Broncos assistant coach Allan Langer will appear in the Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on Monday on a drink-driving charge.

The NRL club stood down its former champion half-back late last month after he returned a blood alcohol reading allegedly three times the legal limit, several hours after the Broncos’ heavy loss to the Warriors.

Langer’s legal representatives succeeded in having his hearing brought forward from April 19 to settle the matter.

The Broncos suspended Langer the day he was breath-tested and officials said they would review his appointment once he had appeared in court.

Chief executive Bruno Cullen was unaware of the change in court dates for Langer.

Brisbane has lost to the Roosters and St George Illawarra since Langer was stood down for what the club described as “unacceptable” actions.

At the time, Cullen refused to be drawn on Langer’s future but made it clear he did not want the former great to be “punished more severely than any other normal citizen would be”.

“Whatever happens it won’t be a [ban] for life thing,” Cullen said.

“Alf’s a wonderful icon of our code and of our club and of the sport.

“We’d certainly look forward to him being around some time in the future anyway.”

Langer is hoping to be back at Lang Park next Sunday.

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Coote powers Panthers to easy win

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

All eyes may have been on the other number one, but Panthers full-back Lachlan Coote stole the show as Penrith surged to a 28-6 NRL win over the Sydney Roosters at Penrith Stadium.

Coote scored one try and set up another in spectacular fashion just before half-time when he reeled in a Luke Walsh bomb and flicked out a miraculous pass in one movement for Adrian Purtell to make it 16-0 at the break.

Walsh’s boot contributed to three of the five tries the Panthers scored, with Roosters full-back Todd Carney and his wing partners given a thorough test under the high ball.

It was Carney’s least influential performance since his off-season move to the club, but he was not on his own as the Roosters slumped to their second loss of the season.

Panthers coach Matt Elliott labelled Coote a “freak”.

“I’ve been telling everyone who wants to listen he’s a freak – you just saw some of the stuff that he can do,” Elliott said of his young charge,” he said.

“Unfortunately you guys don’t see him at training when we play skills games – some of the stuff he does there is just ridiculous. That was part of the ridiculous repertoire that you saw just before half-time.

“I’m not sure how you compete for a ball with it is going over your head in the same direction and leap over people.

“He’s got more to offer than you’ve seen … his full game’s not quite there but we’re pretty content with what he’s doing at the moment.”

Just as they did in their round three encounter against the Canterbury, the Roosters looked off the pace and it was almost a surprise when Mitchell Aubusson found a way through a Panthers defence that looked like it was still enjoying the mandatory drinks break just after the hour-mark.

That left the Roosters trailing 22-6, but they soon returned to their clueless and error-riddled ways as Luke Lewis put the result beyond doubt when he popped a ball for Michael Gordon to score seven minutes from full-time.

A Walsh high ball brought about the opening try with Sam Perrett fumbling the ball into the hands of Joseph Paulo, who could not believe his luck as he fell over to make it 4-0 after eight minutes.

Michael Jennings did it all on is own to push the lead out to 10 before Coote’s piece of brilliance put the home side well on top.

Walsh again turned provider after the break when he grubbered for Coote to pounce, the Panthers custodian beating Mitchell Pearce to the rolling ball to make it 22-0.

Coote, who missed large portions of the past two seasons with serious knee and shoulder injuries, said he was gaining in the confidence brought about by an injury-free run and an extra nine-and-a-half kilos on his small frame.

“I’m feeling really good, I’ve put on a little bit of weight and I’m not getting rag-dolled as I did last year,” the full-back said.

“It was probably the most satisfying (performance) so far – obviously I haven’t played much football the last couple of years.”

Question marks continue to surround the Roosters following their round three capitulation at the hands of the Bulldogs, with a win over the cellar-dwelling Broncos their only joy since.

Penrith in contrast has enjoyed three classy victories with two narrow away defeats coming in Townsville and Melbourne.

Its next task is a tough Sunday visit to Auckland, while the Roosters host Canberra on Saturday evening.

Panthers: 28 (L Coote, M Gordon, M Jennings, J Paulo, A Purtell tries; M Gordon 4 goals)

Roosters: 6 (M Aubusson try; T Carney goal)

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Titans shock Storm without Prince

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Gold Coast has defied its reputation as a one-man band with a shock 20-16 upset of NRL premier Melbourne at Robina’s Skilled Stadium.

The Titans, without injured skipper and go-to man Scott Prince, rallied back from 16-4 down to consign the Storm to their first loss of 2010.

A first-half hat-trick from Anthony Quinn and two goals from the boot of Cam Smith put Melbourne ahead by 12 points at the break.

But Gold Coast rallied in the second stanza, with Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird getting over for tries and Mat Rogers hitting two late penalty goals.

Harrison’s try was the perfect gift in his 200th NRL appearance, while former Storm winger Joseph Tomane had earlier scored in the first half for the Titans.

A rare time-wasting penalty helped the Titans stage their bizarre comeback.

Titans five-eighth Bird smashed his way over from the penalty for his first try for the club to lock the game up at 16-16 in the 65th minute before Rogers potted a penalty goal in front of the posts in the 72nd minute to snatch an unlikely victory.

Smith was left stunned when his team was penalised for time-wasting while taking a 64th-minute line drop-out.

Rogers landed another penalty goal after the siren to complete the upset.

It was the second time in two years the Titans have upset Melbourne without Prince, who sat among the 20,083 crowd that were kept on the edge of their seats during the tense final minutes.

Things seemed to be going as planned for the visitors when Quinn crossed for tries in the 14th, 23rd and 30th minutes as both he and Greg Inglis worked over the Titans right-side defence.

Quinn could have had four tries in the opening 40 minutes had video referee Steve Clark not ruled against him in the eighth minute.

Melbourne’s opening try came after Titans half-back Preston Campbell spilled the ball deep in Melbourne’s half only, to see the Storm counter-attack through Cooper Cronk before Quinn crossed for his first.

Tomane put the Titans on the scoreboard with a powerhouse try running through his former Storm team-mate Billy Slater to make it 6-4 soon after.

Quinn was then given the benefit of the doubt by Clark, who took about 10 looks at the replay of a ‘raffle’ involving several players scrambling for a bomb.

There was no doubt about Quinn’s third try down the short side in the 30th minute that gave Melbourne a 16-4 half-time lead, but those were the visitors’ final points.

With more possession in the second half the Titans were able to turn pressure into points as Harrison steamed onto a pass close to the line to cut the lead to 16-10.

Bird was heavily involved, fielding Campbell’s bomb on the last tackle before squeezing a pass to the ever-alert Nathan Friend who found Harrison at full pace.

Gold Coast: 20 (G Bird, A Harrison, J Tomane tries; M Rogers 2/3 conversions, 2 penalties)

Melbourne: 16 (A Quinn 3 tries; C Smith 2/3 conversions)

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Dragons torment baby Broncos

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Wayne Bennett condemned former club Brisbane to its fourth consecutive loss as the Dragons recovered from round four’s stumble in Melbourne with a 34-16 victory at Wollongong.

Last week’s 17-4 loss to the Storm is the only blot on St George Illawarra’s copybook for 2010, with now four wins from the opening five rounds galvanising its early premiership claims.

An entirely different predicament though surrounds the Broncos, who remain bottom of the league with a 1-4 record and a long list of absentees that makes life extremely difficult for Ivan Henjak.

The Brisbane coach learned the ropes from Bennett, and the current Dragons mentor showed off his mastery at WIN Stadium as a tremendously disciplined outfit towelled up the visitors.

Clinical rugby league has become the hallmark of Bennett’s regime at St George Illawarra, having guided the club to a minor premiership in his first year and on the early evidence another could be in the offing.

The Dragons’ mobile yet physical forward pack laid the platform for Ben Hornby, Jamie Soward and Darius Boyd – the revelation of 2010 – to link up with livewire winger Brett Morris.

The Kangaroos flyer laid on two tries to take his season tally to seven with Hornby, Beau Scott, Jason Nightingale and Dean Young all grabbing four-pointers.

Few recognisable faces lined up for the severely under-strength Broncos with Darren Lockyer, Peter Wallace and Sam Thaiday leading a desperately inexperienced side.

Injury has robbed Henjak of so many options; marquee centres Justin Hodges and Israel Folau are both unavailable, as are Corey Parker, Nick Kenny, Jahral Yow Yeh, Alex Glenn and Steve Michaels.

Ben Teo and Antonio Winterstein were dropped for disciplinary reasons.

Despite the gulf in class, Thaiday spoke of the positives to be taken out of the contest.

“A lot of young boys really put in,” he told Grandstand.

“It’s been hard, we’ve worked hard at training. It seems we always get an injury out of every game.

“It’s something we have to deal with and I’d rather have that happen now than later in the season.”

Much was made during the week of the decision made by Lockyer, 33, to prolong his representative career while the Broncos are faring so poorly in the NRL.

But the Queensland and Australia skipper stood up in a losing performance and gave a glimmer of hope to the club’s suffering fans ahead of next week’s home match against Cronulla.

Michael Weyman paid credit to the character of the young Broncos, acknowledging the fight they put up against one of the competition heavyweights.

“They really put their hand up and had dig,” he said.

“It was one of those games we had to grind out.

“It was a pretty hard game tonight but a win’s a win.”

St George Illawarra: 34 (B Morris 2, B Hornby, J Nightingale, B Scott, D Young tries; J Soward 5/6 conversions)

Brisbane: 16 (D Copley, J Hoffman, A McCullough tries; P Wallace 2 goals)

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Stewart to stand trial in September

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

NRL star Brett Stewart will face trial in September over claims he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl after his club’s 2009 season launch.

The 25-year-old Manly fullback was last month committed to stand trial over the alleged assault.

Today, Stewart appeared on crutches in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court when his matter was briefly mentioned.

Justice Peter Berman set a trial date of September 13.

Stewart has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual intercourse without consent and assault with an act of indecency.

The alleged incident happened in March last year outside the teenager’s North Manly apartment complex.

Stewart did not say anything in court today and declined to speak to reporters outside.

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