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Welcome to the Monday Newsletter edition of the RLCM News.

This issue features a coaching RLCM Extract from the recently 
released Book 29 'Good Decision Making is Critical' with
Rod Patison

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======================================================================

TODAYS CONTENTS 
31/03/03

*  RLCM - COACHING EXTRACT - 'Good Decision Making is Critical' with
Rod Patison

*  RLCM - COMMENT - Do you trust your defence?  The Broncos trust   
theirs by Gary Roberts
     
*  RLCM - POSITIONS VACANT 
http://www.rlcm.com.au/vacancies.shtml

*  RLCM - NEWS UPDATE - 31/03/03           
http://www.rlcm.com.au/dailynews.htm 
          
*  RLCM - RLCM BOOK 29 Latest Edition published February 2003 
http://www.rlcm.com.au/editions.htm 
    
*  RLCM - FREE SAMPLE RLCM DRILL eBOOK WITH ACROBAT READER DOWNLOAD  
http://rlcm.com.au/download.htm 

*  RLCM - ORDER YOU RLCM DRILLS BOOKS 1 and 2 TODAY FOR 2003
http://www.rlcm.com.au/handbooks.htm 
  
*  RLCM - LEAGUE COACH DISCUSSION eGROUP - Click here for coaching 
information and discussion. 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leaguecoach 
     
*  RLCM - START UP PACK SPECIAL OFFER ELECTRONIC SIX COPIES ONLY 
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*  RLCM - COACHING QUOTE - RLCM BOOK 

*  RLCM - CLICK http://www.rlcm.com.au/order.htm TO BE AN ANNUAL    
SUBSCRIBER. Receive 8 RLCM Coaching Books in 2003 at discounted 
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* RLCM -  COACHTALK BOOKS 1 [Hard Copy] or COACHTALK 2 [eBook only] 
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Click for - 'DEVELOPING DECISION MAKERS' eBooks Part 1 and 2 
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=========================================================

RLCM COMMENT
http://www.rlcm.com.au/weeklynews.shtml

Do you trust your defence?  - The Broncos trust theirs

By Gary Roberts
 
If the pundits say the game in 2003 has become defence orientated, 
has the master coach Wayne Bennett already gone another step in the 
evolution of the game in 2003 where his team is prepared to defend 
when needed, but also give the opposition some Broncos -Shock and 
Awe- treatment by spreading the ball and attacking from their own end.

Figures from the Broncos v Cronulla do not stack up to a normal 
statistical flow of how and when points are accumulated during the 80 
minutes of a rugby league game. The notes below are only for the 
first half as the game as it was well and truly over by the 6th play 
of the 2nd half when the Broncos led 30-nil.

In the first half at ANZ the Broncos did not have good field position 
they had the ball for 25 sets and of these sets, 13 of the 25 [13/25] 
began in their area between their try-line to their 20m.

In completing 12 of these 13 sets from their own half they did not 
reach the 50m mark to gain ultimate pressure from their kick. 

Only 9 of the 25 [9/25] Broncos plays finished in the Sharks half.

The Broncos only began 6 [6/25] sets from within the Sharks half.

Cronulla on the other hand the ball for 22 sets and 16 [16/22] of 
these  plays finished in the Broncos half, 11 [11/22] sets started 
in the Broncos half. 

This was good play by the Sharks, although stereotyped play, it did 
give them 6 plays out of 8 [6/8] at the Broncos line between plays 32 
to 39.

The Cronulla strategy is similar to the style some teams are 
playing in 2003 and with figures like the above, a team should 
normally scorepoints. 

But the score at halftime was 

Sharks ZERO - Broncos 18

Points that showed out were: 

* Broncos defending in the opposition's half attempted to contain the 
attackers to a 5m gain. 

* Whilst in their own half they are prepared to give the opposition 
10m.  

* They made the attackers come to them in their own half.  

* They did not change the shape of their line in their own half.  

* There was no speed off it in their own half.  

* They will not move out or off of line in their own half.
  
* They made the attacker do the thinking for them in their own half.

In the above brief notes is the answer that the game may be changing 
again and some statistics can lie.

But two thing that did come of the game:

* The Broncos trust their Defence

* Show the Broncos some space anywhere on the field and Lockyer, 
Carroll, Tate, Kelly or Berrigan from the middle will accommodate the 
opposition and have a crack at it.
 
Fulltime Broncos 30 defeated Sharks 4 
 
Click below for RLCM 2002 archive http://www.rlcm.com.au/carrara.htm

Join the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leaguecoach

======================================================================

EXTRACT FROM RLCM BOOK 29 

Good Decision Making is Critical to a Players Success 
With Rod Patison, written By Gary Roberts

Order an RLCM eBook today 
http://www.rlcm.com.au/editions.htm 
and you will be reading it today

RLCM spoke recently to Rod Patison about one of the major skills in 
the game, Decision Making.

NRL and SL teams have champion players who make correct decisions on 
the run, at top speed, under pressure, under fatigue. But how do 
schoolboy coaches introduce this important skill to young players.

Rod Patison explains how Palm Beach Currumbin SHS [PBC] 
produces decision makers that keeps his school at the top
level of 
the Australian schoolboy rugby league competition.

The school has produced 13 Australian Schoolboys Representatives, 30 
Queensland Schoolboys representatives and at present has ex-students 
contracted with 10 of the 15 NRL clubs.


Q. What are your thoughts on decision making in
Rugby League?

The ability to make effective decisions is the bridge
between an athlete and a footballer. Good decisions
give power to skill, athleticism, combinations and
teams. 

They give the best players, the edge, on and
off the ball in both attack and defence. Rugby League
is continuous decision making; what line will I run?,
where will I support?, how will I defend? It is a team
game we decisions as well as I decisions are to be
made, no decision will hold up under pressure unless
it is automatic.

So, if a coach wishes an impact on the type and quality
of decisions being made by his team the training must
reflect the particular challenges of the game. Specific
decision-making drills and adapted games will assist
the coach in developing players who can read and
execute successful options consistently.

 From a players perspective, great athleticism or silken
skills are not enough. Being a good decision maker is
essential to become a top-line player. It is that critical!

Q. You were quoted as saying my coaching is
directed to helping players become better decision
makers. Why the focus?

I believe in coaching options and developing players
who can read the game in attack and defence, before
and during every effort, decisions are made, that is
where I want to be involved.

Players love the contest, they do not wish to be robots.
They want to operate the game. I have no wish to
steal that. It is empowered players that will bust
defences and breakdown attack.

My belief is in coaching options and developing
players who can read the game in attack and defence.
Give the players responsibility, insist on a player and
coach evaluation of the what, where and why and
pretty soon we will playing more football with more
coaching going on.

Success at the contest motivates players, so give them
contests and empower them with better options..........more

Book 29 - Now available  
http://www.rlcm.com.au/editions.htm 

Issue Contents 

* Coach Talk - Decision Making with Rod Patison 
* Does a team develop a 'team instinct' or 'a 'team discipline'?  
* Decision Making Skills Can Be Learned  Written by Gary Roberts 
* Let's Talk Tackling  with John Dixon 
* Preparing The Junior Player on Match Day  John Dixon - 
* Hey Coach! Did You Keep a Diary  Written by Gary Roberts 
* The Triangle  Daniel Anderson - Warriors Head Coach 
* The Psychology of Winning Written by Wayne Goldsmith 
* David Waite Leads the Charge Written by Ryan Ellem 
* Strength Training for Football 
* Skill Assessments for Young Players 
* League Coach Forum -  
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leaguecoach 

* Injuries to the Abdomen, what can happen beneath - Doug King 
* Cramps and Stitch Australian Institute of Sport 
* Supplements in Sport - why are they so tempting? AIS Off-Load 
* Drills - Penrith Panthers RLFC 

http://www.rlcm.com.au/editions.htm RLCM 29 eBook will be delivered 
to your computer today 
AUS$22.00, GBP8.00 [approx], NZ$25.00 [approx]

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mail RLCM and your information will be added daily.

Click http://www.rlcm.com.au/vacancies.shtml to read the 
advertisements and how to send your FREE advertisement for players 
and coaches. 

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A new web site that has been designed to facilitate the passing on of 
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Medics by the use of online resources is now available. 

==============================================================

RLCM - NEWS UPDATE 
31/03/03 - 
Click http://www.rlcm.com.au/dailynews.htm 
for the latest News

Brisbane Second Division Rugby League Wrap-up 

Eastern Suburbs retained their lead in the Open 1 grade with a 28-22 
win over St Brendans. Banyo and Dayboro share second spot after Banyo 
beat Aspley 32-10 and Dayboro beat Rochedale 31-20. In the other 
match Souths Logan continued their good recent form with a 44-16 win 
over Brothers Juniors.

Pine Rivers had the bye in Northside 2, but this was sufficient to 
give them the competition lead on six points. Brighton, Arana Hills, 
Fortitude Valley Juniors, Ferny Grove, Normanby-UQ and Brisbane 
Natives all share second place on four points.

In Southside 2, Wynnum Manly Juniors lead the competition, on six 
points, after a 16-14 win over Waterford. Carina is in second place, 
on five points, after defeating St Josephs 30-12. Sunnybank, Bulimba 
Valleys and St Brendans share third place on four points. 

Burpengary and Holy Spirit share the Northside 3 lead on six points, 
after Burpengary beat Mitchelton 44-8 and Holy Spirit beat Dayboro 34-
12. Deception Bay Bombers and Mitchelton share third place on four 
points. 

Slacks Creek and Beenleigh Juniors have continued their good form in 
Southside 3 to lead the competition on six points. Slacks Creek 
defeated Sunnybank 26-16 while Beenleigh Juniors beat Wynnum Manly 
Juniors 30-8. Mt Gravatt, Beenleigh Brothers and Southern Suburbs 
share third spot on four points.

Two undefeated teams, Norths Stradbroke Island and Logan Brothers, 
share the Southside 4 lead, on six points. Waterford, Browns Plains 
and Yeronga share equal third spot in this grade on four points.

In the Albert Bishop Shield, Norths Juniors and Logan Brothers are 
still undefeated after four matches. Norths Juniors beat Pine Rivers 
40-8 and Logan Brothers beat Rochedale 22-12. Fortitude Valley 
Juniors, Rochedale and Capalaba share third place on six points. 

In the Arthur Sparks Shield, Sunnybank beat Logan Brothers 30-6 and 
Springwood beat Wynnum Manly Juniors 26-20 to remain undefeated after 
three weeks on six points. Wynnum Manly Juniors and Albany Creek now 
share third place on four points.

As Lombardi would say and Bennett knows, winning is a habit 

By Phil Gould: Football at the very top level is all about attitude.

The leading NFL coach of the 1950s and 1960s, Vince Lombardi, once 
said there is something in all good men that yearns for the challenge 
of head-to-head combat.

He went on to say competitive games draw the most competitive men. 
Little did he know when he provided those words of wisdom that he 
would be talking about an Australian rugby league team called the 
Brisbane Broncos, who would dominate our code of football for more 
than a decade from the 1990s.

In their first two games of the season the Broncos were less than 
impressive against the Panthers and the Rabbits, teams that certainly 
don't enter into anyone's final eight calculations, yet both took the 
Broncos to the wire.

Yesterday, back at home at ANZ Stadium and in front of their adoring 
fans, they were challenged by a Sharks team that doesn't mind talking 
about its title aspirations. The Broncos lifted accordingly.

There is something about this club that has remained the same over 
the years. I can never remember a game when they didn't put in, when 
they didn't play for the full 80 minutes, or when at some stage of 
the contest they didn't look like the winners.

 From the opening whistle yesterday Brisbane accepted the challenge, 
and the criticisms that they lacked hunger, and blew Cronulla off the 
park.

It would be simple to say the Broncos were too big, too strong and 
too fast. That would not be giving enough credit to the execution of 
a plan set down by their coach, Wayne Bennett, and the resolve of 
their players in following its course.

Read more SMH 

==================================================================

Daniel Anderson has concerns of PTB technique 

Warriors coach Daniel Anderson expressed some concerns about a rising 
sloppiness in the play-the-ball area as teams adjust to the new era 
of aggressive up-and-in defence. 

"They've gone back to planting the ball and rolling it and not 
putting their foot on it and all sorts of stuff," he said. 

"There's not many penalties for holding down but I think everyone is 
trying to play the ball so fast that techniques are just sloppy. And 
if there's a 50-50 call when a bloke loses it in the ruck, it nearly 
always goes against the defensive team." 

Foxsports 

==================================================================

Premiers face salary struggle 

By Stuart Honeysett

THE Sydney Roosters could struggle to retain their premiership-
winning team beyond this season, chief executive Bernie Gurr admitted 
yesterday.

Speaking after the Roosters' loss to Penrith, Gurr said the club 
already was holding talks with several players off contract this year 
but might not be able to squeeze them all in under the $3.25million 
salary cap. 

The club has held informal talks with the NRL over the notional value 
of captain Brad Fittler's next contract. Gurr did not want to expand 
on the issue but said it was one of the avenues the club was 
exploring to keep their first-grade squad intact. 

"We've got Brad (Fittler), Adrian Morley, Jason Cayless, Todd Byrne 
and Craig Fitzgibbon coming off contract, so we're just trying to 
work out a way that we can potentially do it," Gurr said. 

"There's (a fear) certainly that we won't be able to keep all of 
them. We had the same problem last year but it's nothing new to us 
and we're not crying about it." 

He also said the club had not made a move on extending coach Ricky 
Stuart's contract past this season but both parties were extremely 
happy and he was confident the club would retain his services. 

Foxsports 

==================================================================

HENSON PARK SHOOT-OUT RATED AS A BLOCKBUSTER. 


The "Three Way Shoot-Out" triangular Rugby League tournament, staged 
at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon, has been hailed as a successful 
concept by all three participating 1908 Foundation Clubs.

All three team coaches - Col Murphy (Sydney Airport Jets), Garry 
Larson (North Sydney) and Danny Loftus (South Sydney) - said the 
innovative tournament provided an ideal testing ground prior to the 
commencement of the Premier League competition rounds.

The Sydney Airport Jets defeated the Bears 26-4 in the opening match, 
then went down 22-12 to Souths in a real "blood and thunder" 
encounter. In the final match, the Rabbitohs were somewhat lucky to 
edge out Norths 10-4. 

Newtown coach Col Murphy said he was pleased with his squad's recent 
form, with the opening competition match against Cronulla less than 
two weeks away. Rugby League trivia buffs take note: Murphy played 
First Grade in the 1980's with all three of the participating clubs 
in the tournament.

Darrell Trindall, Nathan Marles, Luke Hession, Wissam El Masri and 
Alfie Duncan were the best of the Sydney Airport Jets backs, with Lee 
Trasler, Aaron Trinder, Zoran Ilijoski and Chris Williams the pick of 
the forwards.

Despite a disjointed pre-season program, the Sydney Airport Jets Jim 
Beam Cup team turned in a highly creditable performance in their 
opening competition match, eventually going down to the Penrith-St. 
Marys Cougars 34-24 on Saturday. Newtown coach Daryl Neville has had 
limited opportunities to prepare his squad, which is still basically 
in the formative stage. He was upbeat about his team's showing, 
knowing how much they can improve in the next few rounds. Veteran 
half-back Trevor Schodel, back in Newtown's colours again, steered 
his young team mates around the paddock very effectively.

The Sydney Airport Jets Jim Beam Cup team plays Ryde-Eastwood this 
coming Saturday (April 5) at Leichhardt Oval, kicking off at 3 pm. 
The Premier League competition rounds commence with a home fixture 
against Cronulla at Henson Park on April 12 (kick off time 3 pm).

Keep up with all latest Sydney Airport Jets news by calling the club 
information line on 1300 36 36 90, or by checking the Newtown RLFC 
website on Newtown Jets 

==================================================================

Verbal blast inspires Panthers 


Barry Dick: FOR 11 weeks the other NRL clubs had been asking "How can 
we beat the Roosters?" They should have asked Joel Clinton. 

The 21-year-old Penrith prop surprised his teammates and shocked his 
coach John Lang when he let fly with a rousing halftime speech before 
the Panthers came from behind to beat the NRL premiers 23-22 at 
Aussie Stadium yesterday. 

"It's only my 22nd first-grade game today and I have never yelled out 
at the boys or had a go at them," Clinton said. "I just thought today 
was the day. It was totally out of character. Everyone was shocked. 

"I knew we could beat them today. I wanted to pump all the boys up. I 
wanted them to feel it emotionally." 

The Panthers' win ended the Roosters' winning streak of 11 matches, 
stretching back to last August, and left coach Ricky Stuart less than 
happy with his charges. 

"It was a very poor display of football," Stuart said. "We had 
players that weren't prepared to work for the full duration. 

"They were waiting for the guy beside them to make the effort."

Read more Courier Mail 

==================================================================

Bradford 26 defeated Widnes 18 


Bradford Bulls boss Brian Noble handed out a warning to their title 
rivals after their third win in four matches this season, 26-18 at 
Widnes.

Noble said: There's still some improvement in us and we will get 
better.

``We had to be mentally tough to beat Widnes because nobody is going 
to come here and insult the Vikings this season.

``Widnes kicked astutely in the first half and we gave a couple of 
silly penalties away but I was never worried.''

Widnes boss Neil Kelly said: ``I was very proud with the way we 
played and it was a better performance than in our cup defeat by 
Bradford a fortnight ago.

``We've paid a price for making errors but I'm pleased with the way 
we are going and I'm disappointed for the players because we have 
little to show for their effort.''

Kelly admitted goal-kicking was the difference and said: ``Our lack 
of a recognised kicker did cost us a little bit.''

Sporting Life 

==================================================================

Hull 27 Warrington 14 


Hull coach Shaun McRae praised centre Toa Kohe-Love after his 
performance in the 27-14 victory over Warrington Wolves at 
Wilderspool.

Kohe-Love scored one try and created another for winger Colin Best to 
help Hull to their third Super League victory of the season.

McRae said: "Toa is playing exceptionally well at the moment. His 
work-rate has increased in recent weeks and the try he created was 
classic centre play.

"It's never easy playing against your former club but Toa just went 
out to do his job, and he did it very well.

"Every year I've been coming to Wilderspool, it's a really tough 
place to get a result, and I thought it was as physical a game as 
I've seen this season. It was a war of attrition in many respects.

"I was particularly happy in our second-half performance. Our 
discipline was much improved, our defence improved and our options 
with the ball were good."

Sporting Life 

==================================================================

St Helens humbled by Huddersfield 


Huddersfield produced the shock of the season by beating reigning 
Super League champions St Helens 36-22.

It looked ominous for the Giants when the Saints took a first-minute 
lead as slick passing ended in Darren Albert blasting through for a 
try and Sean Long added the goal.

It was a blow but the Giants hit back and centre Ben Cooper was sent 
over for a try by Brandon Costin.

The Giants matched the champions and their reward for a sustained 
onslaught was a try by Anthony Colella.

They increased their lead when Paul March snapped up a towering ball 
and raced over.

Costin added the goal and the Giants increased their lead when March 
touched down once more and Costin was again on target with the kick.

There was a setback for the Giants when Long escaped in midfield and 
set up a pass for Darren Britt.

As the Saints came more into the game, John Stankevich beat two 
defenders for a try to which Long added the goal.

The Saints pressed hard but it was the Giants who scored next with 
winger Hefin O'Hare putting Julian Bailey over.

Long grabbed a try and Tim Jonkers added the goal to put the Saints 
within reach of the Giants.

But the home team made the game safe when O'Hare went over for a try 
to which Costin added the goal, and in the dying stages Costin 
himself broke through for a try and an easy goal.

Ananova 

==================================================================

TETLEY SUPER LEAGUE VIII 
Posted Sunday, March 30, 2003 by rlcm57

ROUND 4 RESULTS

Castleford Tigers 14 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 20
Halifax 14 Leeds Rhinos 20
Huddersfield Giants 36 St.Helens 22
Warrington Wolves 14 Hull 27
Widnes Vikings 18 Bradford Bulls 26
Wigan Warriors 30 London Broncos 34

ROUND 4 TABLES

1...LEEDS RHINOS - 8 (+50)
2...ST.HELENS - 6 (+70)
3...HULL - 6 (+41)
4...BRADFORD BULLS - 6 (+36)
5...WARRINGTON WOLVES - 4 (+10)
6...WIGAN WARRIORS - 4 (+3)
7...LONDON BRONCOS - 4 (-15)
8...CASTLEFORD TIGERS - 4 (-29)
9...WAKEFIELD WILDCATS - 2 (-25)
10..HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS - 2 (-25)
11..HALIFAX - 2 (-52)
12..WIDNES VIKINGS - 0 (-66)


==================================================================
Broncos 30 defeated Cronulla 4 


Brisbane has answered its critics after two squeaky wins by thumping 
Cronulla 30-4 in their NRL clash at ANZ Stadium.

The Broncos, who led 18-0 at halftime, had the Sharks skinned after 
just eight minutes of the second half when converted tries to Test 
fullback Darren Lockyer and new halfback Shaun Berrigan blew the lead 
out to 30-0.

Cronulla took 63 minutes to break Brisbane's water-tight defence with 
a solo try to back-rower Paul Gallen who crashed through Brisbane 
small men Stu Kelly and reserve Brett Seymour out wide, using his 
long reach to get the ball over the try line.

"Our last 20 minutes was very ordinary and that will bring us back to 
earth," said Lockyer.

"There's still a lot more improvement yet."

The Sharks missed two golden scoring opportunities early, both set up 
by former Test halfback Brett Kimmorley who was Cronulla's busiest 
and best player.

The first came when the game was only two minutes old when Kimmorley 
angled a kick into the left-hand corner but winger Matthew Rieck 
couldn't control the ball despite getting a good grab on it.

Kimmorley was in the thick of the attack again four minutes later 
with a brilliant cut out pass to unmarked winger Nick Youngquest but 
the youngster dropped the ball cold with a clear run the try line.

As they can, the Broncos turned up the heat laying on two tries in 
four minutes to race to a 12-0 lead after just 13 minutes.

Centre Tony Carroll, playing his 100th game for the club, scored wide 
out in the 11th minute, a beneficiary of a super pass from forward 
Brad Meyer who cleverly off-loaded with two Sharks players hanging 
off him.

The Sharks hadn't had time to re-group before Brisbane's new halfback 
Shaun Berrigan scored an "Alfie" Langer-style try, grubbering in 
behind the advancing Cronulla defence and then beating David Peachey 
to the ball in the left-hand corner.

Broncos winger Michael DeVere slotted both conversions from near the 
sidelines.

DeVere booted an easy penalty soon after and the score went to 18-0 
after Test centre Brent Tate scored following a 60 metre run by 
Carroll which resulted in Sharks winger Matthew Rieck being binned 
for a professional foul.

SMH 

==================================================================


Penrith 23 defeated Rooster 22 


Penrith upsets Roosters in NRL

Rhys Wesser scored an eye-catching hat-trick but it was a Craig Gower 
field goal which proved the difference as Penrith upset the Sydney 
Roosters with a 23-22 win in their National Rugby League game at 
Aussie Stadium.

Wesser was simply brilliant for the Panthers, also producing a strong 
game in defence to twice mow down Roosters winger Ryan Cross when he 
looked certain to score.

The Roosters, who led 10-4 at halftime, still had a chance to win the 
match with three minutes remaining, but Craig Fitzgibbon's shot at a 
penalty goal sailed wide.

Sydney looked headed for an easy win when Craig Wing scored six 
minutes into the second half, but Penrith centre Paul Whatuira 
inspired a Penrith comeback after barging his way over in the 53rd 
minute.

Wesser scored twice in a seven minute period - adding to his first 
half try - to make the score 22-16 with only 15 minutes remaining.

Gower made the difference seven points in the 69th minute when he 
kicked a field goal, but Fittler ensured a grandstand finish when he 
scored in the 70th minute to narrow the gap to a point.

With five minutes remaining the Roosters were given a penalty inside 
the Penrith quarter and Fitzgibbon had the chance to be a hero, but 
his kick drifted inches wide of the post and the Panthers held on.

Roosters centre Shannon Hegarty suffered rib and shoulder injuries in 
the first half, while Penrith forward Ben Roarty went on report for a 
high tackle on Justin Hodges in the 75th minute.

SMH 


==================================================================

MARCH PLEDGES WILDCATS' FUTURE 
Posted Saturday, March 29, 2003 by rlcm57

David Allen: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have handed hooker David 
March a new, three-year contract which will keep him at Belle Vue 
until the end of 2005.

The 23-year-old would have been out of contract at the end of the 
season, but has been rewarded for his early season form with a new 
deal.

March, who returned to action for the Wildcats at Castleford on 
Saturday evening, following his absence from their defeat to Wigan 
with a virus, was quick to pledge his future to the club.

"I am really happy to have my future secured with the Wildcats," said 
March. "I am in my seventh year with the club and this has been the 
best year yet.

"I am loving the training and working with Shane McNally and Adrian 
Vowles. The team have really bonded and we are all looking forward to 
the coming games in Super League."

The Wildcats have already secured the long-term future of England A 
star Gareth Ellis, and chief executive Diane Rogerson said that the 
future of the club is in good hands.

Read more Super League 

==================================================================

Silvertails come out to add some class to the game 


Former Fibro Roy Masters remembers when dinner was mashed potato and 
kiwifruit was a mystery. 

There's an upside to being hated, and Manly know it. Twenty-five 
years after the eruption of the Fibro versus Silvertail rivalry, a 
group of Manly businesspeople is getting even.

Proudly call themselves "Silvertails", the group has scheduled a 
debate to celebrate a period of history when the Sea Eagles were the 
most loathed team in the league.

The Silvertails, who have rented a box at Brookvale Oval and sold 
corporate memberships to this exclusive club, recognise the 
commercial value of being hated.

Roger Amos, a Sydney accountant and convenor of the Silvertails, has 
followed Manly since the late '60s and believes the Sea Eagles' 
financial future lies in going unashamedly upmarket.

"When people started calling Manly silvertails in the late '70s, 
there were plenty of people in the upper socio-economic bracket on 
the northern beaches who thought it was fashionable to follow rugby 
league," he said.

Read more SMH 

==================================================================

Results of matches played at Henson Park Saturday 



NSWRL 2003 Jim Beam Cup Competition Round One

Penrith-St. Marys Cougars 34:
6 tries, 5 goals
defeated
Newtown 24:
Fana Lole 2, Chris McBride, Mika Tautolo, Trevor Schodel tries;
Rick Lyons 2 goals. 

NSWRL Premier League Trials
1908 Foundation Clubs Three Way Shoot-Out

Newtown 26: Alf Duncan 3, Darrell Trindall, Chris Williams tries; Alf 
Duncan 3 goals
defeated
North Sydney 4: Simon Crotty try.

South Sydney 22: Andrew Hinson, Fui Fui Moi Moi. Daniel Ninness, 
Brett Sheehan tries; Rob Downton 3 goals
defeated
Newtown 12: Hany Elawadly, Shaun Lawrie tries; Alf Duncan 2 goals.

South Sydney 10: Michael Berne, Russell Richardson tries; Rob Downton 
goal
defeated 
North Sydney 4: Steve Matthews try.

==================================================================

Peachy has Lockyer in his sights 
Posted Saturday, March 29, 2003 by rlcm57

Cronulla fullback David Peachey wants Darren Lockyer's Australian 
Test jersey. 

He gets the chance to show selectors he's in the same class as the 
Brisbane fullback at ANZ Stadium where the Sharks take on the Broncos 
in Sunday's National Rugby League encounter.

"I think he's in Joey Johns' class. He's a class above everyone else 
and it's always good to play the number one fullback," Peachey said 
of Lockyer today.

"He's got something I want, which is the green and gold (jersey), so 
it's always a good match-up, especially at the start of the season 
when the selectors are looking for form for the NSW side, and the 
Queensland side for Lockie."

The key match-up was looking doubtful during the week when Lockyer, 
who's been in superb touch over the opening two rounds of the 
competition, was restricted at training with a knee injury.

But he's been cleared to play along with teammates Tonie Carroll 
(concussion) and Brent Tate (hip).

The Sharks haven't won at ANZ Stadium since 1999 but they are itching 
to make amends for their capitulation to Melbourne Storm in round one 
when they blew a 22-0 lead to eventually lose 36-32.

Read more Sportswatch 

==================================================================

What's all the fuss says referees boss 


By Greg Prichard: NRL referees boss Robert Finch says he can't 
believe the fuss about Bill Harrigan's handling of the controversial 
Parramatta-Newcastle game.

But he will still be getting a phone call from Newcastle coach 
Michael Hagan, concerned by what he regards as an inconsistency in 
refereeing interpretations contributing to the Knights being hammered 
early on.

Harrigan awarded the first seven penalties of the game to Parramatta, 
the team on which he used the sin-bin no fewer than four times the 
previous time he handled a Knights-Eels game, in July last year.

After the game on Friday, which the Eels won 30-12 at Parramatta 
Stadium, Hagan told reporters he was confused by the refereeing. The 
Knights felt they were harshly treated around the ruck area.

The picture didn't look any clearer to Hagan yesterday, when he 
said: "I think, if you look at what happened in last night's game, 
I'm entitled to be concerned.

"There was confusion in the interpretations for the players, the 
supporters and me.

Read more Sun Herald 

==================================================================

Warriors 20 defeated Manly 16 


THE Warriors' bitterness over a landslide penalty count against them 
was offset by the sweetness of a late, match-winning try in their NRL 
win over Manly at Brookvale Oval tonight.

Warriors captain Monty Betham and experienced halfback Stacey Jones 
fought a losing battle against referee Steve Lyons over the 
interpretation of the rugby league laws throughout the match.

But the visiting team had the final say in the outcome, securing the 
points with a try to Clinton Toopi three minutes from fulltime.

Betham later admitted that he was having troubles with Lyons.

"I was just trying to work out the interpretations," Betham said.

"It's the way it goes."

Warriors coach Daniel Anderson also struggled with Lyons' decisions.

Asked why his team struggled for territory, he replied: "A 13-5 
penalty count."

"It's just consistency I want. I don't begrudge Steve Lyons for 
giving penalties as long as he is consistent."

On the other hand, Sea Eagles coach Peter Sharp described Lyons' 
referee performance as part of the game.

"That's footy," he said.

The close result against last year's grand finalists gave Manly fans 
plenty to look forward to for next Sunday's match against the West 
Tigers at Brookvale Oval.

"We'll be bigger and better next week," Sharp said.

"It's another step in the re-birth of this football club."

Read more Foxsports 

==================================================================

Bulldogs 38 defeated Wests Tigers 6 


By Brad Walter: At the beginning of this season, the Bulldogs players 
set themselves three goals - last night they achieved two of them.

The third will have to wait until grand final night on October 5.

But after a slow start to the 2002 campaign, the premiership 
favourites made a timely return to the form that had them winning 17 
consecutive games last year before their expulsion from the finals 
because of salary cap breaches.

"We've got a goal that if we get on top we'd go on with and finish 
sides off because last year we let a few teams back in [to games]," 
explained Bulldogs five-eighth Braith Anasta. 

"And we also made a goal that if we lost to make sure we win the next 
week. We achieved both of those goals tonight."

Read more Sun Herald 

QUEENSLAND CUP RESULTS OF SATURDAYS GAMES 
Posted Saturday, March 29, 2003 by rlcm57

Round 3 - 
North Qld 21 defeated Easts 14
Toowoomba 78 d. Wests 20

==================================================================

BRISBANE SECOND DIVISION RUGBY LEAGUE RESULTS 
Posted Saturday, March 29, 2003 by rlcm57

Open 1 Souths Logan 44 beat Brothers Juniors 16. Dayboro 31 beat 
Rochedale 20. Eastern Suburbs 28 beat St Brendans 22. Banyo 32 beat 
Aspley 10.

Northside 2 Brisbane Natives 30 beat Fortitude Valley Juniors 26. 
Arana Hills 27 beat Brighton 20. Ferny Grove 20 beat Samford 0. 
Normanby-UQ 24 beat Brook Sharks 22. Pine Rivers bye.

Southside 2 St Brendans 26 beat Capalaba Rhinos 14. Wynnum Manly 
Juniors 16 beat Waterford 14. Carina 30 beat St Josephs 12. Sunnybank 
52 beat Redlands 16. Bulimba Valleys bye.

Northside 3 Burpengary 44 beat Mitchelton 8. Holy Spirit 34 beat 
Dayboro 12. Deception Bay Bombers 50 beat Bracken Ridge 22. Normanby 
bye.

Southside 3 Beenleigh Brothers 42 beat Logan City Juniors 16. 
Southern Suburbs 34 beat Logan Brothers 14. Beenleigh Juniors 30 beat 
Wynnum Manly Juniors 8. Mt Gravatt 62 beat Inala Bears 10. Slacks 
Creek 26 beat Sunnybank 16.

Southside 4 Yeronga 26 beat Edens Landing 16. Logan Brothers 26 beat 
Browns Plains 10. Waterford 36 beat Mustangs 16. North Stradbroke 
Island 42 beat Capalaba 12. Southern Cross bye.

Albert Bishop Shield Brighton 22 beat Carina 4. Fortitude Valley 
Juniors 26 beat Redlands 22. Arana Hills 66 beat St Brendans 0. 
Norths Juniors 40 beat Pine Rivers 8. Logan Brothers 22 beat 
Rochedale 12. Capalaba bye.

Arthur Sparks Shield Fortitude Valley Juniors 44 beat Centenary 14. 
Springwood 26 beat Wynnum Manly Juniors 20. Albany Creek 19 beat 
Stafford 18. Sunnybank 30 beat Logan Brothers 6.

==================================================================


Canberra 18 defeated Dragons 14 


Raiders right as rain and in lead
By Steve Mascord: Battered Canberra captain Simon Woolford couldn't 
train last week and probably won't this week either - but according 
to St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown he should a NSW State of 
Origin pick.

A 57th-minute try from the 27-year-old hooker last night helped 
propel the Raiders to their first hat-trick of victories in three 
years when they outmuscled the Dragons - and survived a fierce 
electrical storm - 18-14 at Canberra Stadium.

Woolford, who kicked ahead and regathered in the lead-up to the dummy-
half touchdown that put Canberra eight points up, watched his 
teammates train last week while he battled to overcome a back problem.

This week, he has a pectoral muscle tear to contend with, but his 
performance yesterday left former hooking rival Brown describing him 
as the equal of any rake in the world.

"I think Simon Woolford's the unluckiest hooker going around," Brown 
said. "Obviously, [Kangaroo cap] Danny Buderus is a good player but I 
think Simon Woolford's as good. If 'Bedsy' wasn't about, then Simon 
Woolford ... if I was running the show, I'd be giving him a rap. We 
went to sleep once or twice and he got us."

Read more SMH 

==================================================================

London 34 defeated Wigan 30 

London had to wait 23 years for a first win at Wigan but Friday's 34-
30 success at the JJB Stadium came as no surprise to happy coach Tony 
Rea.

Broncos centre Tony Martin contributed 14 points with five goals and 
a try after Wigan had made a whirlwind start, racing into a 16-0 lead.

Rea said: "It was something that was on our minds before the game but 
I sort of knew that we would do it tonight.

"Even when Wigan were in front early on we were playing alright. Jim 
Dymock was outstanding and he provided a great example of controlled 
leadership.

"Wigan are probably the biggest name in rugby league to Londoners and 
I think they will be very proud of us and this result will certainly 
help with our support.

"We did some really good stuff but we still have things to work on."

Wigan coach Stuart Raper said: "To be 16-0 up and then go in at half-
time losing 18-16 was a bit of a shock.

Read more Sporting Life 
==================================================================

Leeds 20 defeated Halifax 14 

By Andy Hampson: Leeds coach Daryl Powell was relieved to leave The 
Shay with two points on Friday after watching his side edge a dour 
struggle with Halifax.

The result took the Rhinos to the top of the Tetley's Super League 
but the Headingley side were forced to grind out their 20-14 victory.

Tries from Chris Feather, Barrie McDermott and Chev Walker ultimately 
proved decisive but a Stuart Donlan effort had given Fax genuine hope 
of a first win over Leeds for three years.

Powell, whose side still hold a 100% record this season, said: "It's 
a great start for us in terms of points on the board but we are not 
playing as well as we can with the ball.

"Defensively we worked very hard for each other and got the result. 
It was a great defensive effort.

"We created some clear-cut opportunities and didn't take them and 
that was crucial.

"We really should have scored them. We have got to be more clinical 
but I can't fault the players' effort."

Fax held their own as they reached the interval trailing just 8-6 but 
the sin-binning of the otherwise impressive full-back Lee Finnerty 
opened the door for Leeds after the break.

McDermott immediately capitalised to cross and Walker settled the 
match before a late rally yielded a try for Dane Dorahy.

Read more Sporting Life 
==================================================================

Storm make Hill top priority 

By KARL De KROO: Melbourne Storm have opened preliminary contract 
discussions with Australian Test lock Scott Hill, but have no 
intention of pressuring their star pivot into an early decision.

Hill has previously stated his wish to explore his options beyond the 
June 30 anti-tampering deadline, when players are legally permitted 
to negotiate with rival clubs.

There were indications last week that a few Sydney-based outfits 
might have attempted to jump the gun, but Storm executive director 
John Ribot is not about to start leaping at shadows.

"It is no secret that Scotty Hill is incredibly important to us," 
Ribot said last night.

"If there was any chance we could lock him in before June 30, we 
would certainly jump at it, but there is no pressure. 

"We have had some preliminary meetings with Scott's management team 
and they have been very positive, so we are quite comfortable with 
the situation.

"For the moment we would rather concentrate on the footy."

Hill missed last weekend's game against the Panthers with a shoulder 
problem, but is expected to play next week against the Knights in 
Newcastle.

Hill will turn 26 in May and is approaching the peak of his powers. 
The next contract he signs is likely to be a long-term one and most 
NRL club's are sure to express an interest in the NSW State of Origin 
and Australian Test representative if he puts himself on the open 
market.

Read more Daily Telegraph 
==================================================================
York sign Scottish duo 

York City Knights have signed Scotland scrum-half Scott Rhodes and 
prop Andy Burland.

Rhodes, 23, who has played for Leeds and Sheffield Eagles, has signed 
a one-year contract.

Burland, 25, has joined them on a month's loan from Doncaster.

The Knights have parted company with former Hull stand-off Scott 
Yeaman, who asked to be released because of work commitments.

Ananova 
==================================================================

Parramatta 30 defeated Newcastle 12 

Knights 'confused' by referee 

Referee Bill Harrigan found himself at the centre of another 
controversy in a Parramatta-Newcastle game tonight -only this time it 
was Knights left shaking their heads.

The Eels broke their NRL duck with a win over Newcastle at Parramatta 
Stadium - a win which marked Brian Smith's 100th in charge of 
Parramatta and helped captain Nathan Cayless celebrate his 25th 
birthday in style.

But the victory was almost lost in another refereeing controversy, 
just over eight months after Harrigan left his mark at 
EnergyAustralia Stadium in a match between the two sides which led to 
him being rested for a week.

On that occasion Harrigan sin-binned three Parramatta players - 
tonight the game's No.1 whistleblower caned the Knights in the 
opening 20 minutes.

The penalty count after 22 minutes was 7-0 to Parramatta and they put 
the possession to good use, taking an early 12-0 lead.

Read more Foxsports 
==================================================================

Speed Demons 

Peter Badel: Speed. Its a rare commodity with which league folk have 
held a curious fixation for decades. 

Mention the name Lee Oudenryn and the mind flashes back to June 19, 
1992, when the unheralded Eels flanker got his 11 
seconds of fame by beating Martin Offiah in an ad-hoc sprint race 
staged before a British tour game at Parramatta Stadium. 

We still watch the half-time schoolboy sprint relays during the 
finals series and is there a better sight than a long-range pursuit 
when someone grabs an intercept? 

Such was our insatiable need for speed in the 1970s, try-scoring 
machine Ken Irvine, who ran sub-10 second times over 100 yards (91.4 
metres), raced a horse over that 
distance . . . and won! 

It begs the question who is the quickest player in the NRL today? The 
almost universal opinion points to Souths flanker Joven Clarke, a 
former schoolboy track star whose personal best time of 10.80s for 
the 100m won him silver at the 2000 Pacific Games. 

But dont shut the gates. Sprinting times obtained by Big League 
reveal a number of flyers to rival Clarke, with various NRL 
conditioning and sprint coaches saying the likes of Rhys Wesser 
(Penrith), Chris Walker (Souths), Phil Graham (Canberra), Timana Tahu 
(Newcastle), Scott Donald (Manly), Luke Burt (Parramatta) plus 
Roosters duo Ryan Cross and Anthony Minichiello possess the natural, 
physical and technical ability to make a successful transition to 
athletics. 

Read more Big League 
==================================================================

Langmack gets Souths NRL job 

South Sydney has taken a giant step towards regaining the stability 
it craves with the appointment of coach Paul Langmack for the next 
three National Rugby League seasons.

Chief executive David Tapp revealed the club's desire to repair the 
damage of a fractured pre-season - combined with Langmack's 
impressive performance since taking over from Craig Coleman - was 
behind the board's decision on Thursday night to appoint the interim 
coach on a permanent basis.

Langmack joins the growing list of young coaches to take over NRL 
clubs, following in the footsteps of premiership-winning mentors 
Ricky Stuart and Michael Hagan.

The former Canterbury, Wests and Easts back rower was a boyhood South 
Sydney fan and said his first mission was to instil a winning culture 
at the club.

"We're not here to be part of the NRL, we're here to win," Langmack 
said.

"I have been fortunate to be part of a great winning culture at 
Canterbury and have played in premierships and that's what it's all 
about.

"It doesn't happen overnight. Winning is the only way to do that. In 
the end it's what happens out on the field.

"By the end of three years success is demanded. The players realise 
that. They're training harder, there's less shortcuts.

"I'm not cracking the whip, the players are. The players want it. 
Hopefully they're not just happy to be part of the NRL, they want to 
be successful in it."

Read more SMH 

=====================================================================

Wakefield rugby union fear for their future as Bulls drops takeover 
plans 

National League One rugby union club Wakefield face an uncertain 
future following the decision by Bradford Bulls to drop their 
takeover plans.

The Bulls have been closely involved with Wakefield for the last two 
seasons with a view to absorbing their first XV into their 
organisation at a revamped Odsal Stadium.

But news of a dramatic about-turn stunned the College Grove outfit.

"It came as a shock when we were informed that the Bulls had decided 
not to proceed with the acquisition," said secretary Roger Parkinson.

"It had been dragging on for a long time so maybe the writing was on 
the wall and we couldn't see it. It's a fait accompli.

"We have a limited amount of time but we will have to look at viable 
alternatives if someone can come up with one."

Wakefield, who had planned to continue to play their lower-grade 
teams at College Grove, have been struggling financially and saw the 
move to Bradford as a way of preserving the club's National League 
One status.

"We had a members meeting two or three weeks ago at which we 
explained the reasons for going with Bradford Bulls," said Parkinson.

"At that time there were no other alternatives open to us with the 
lack of crowd support and financial support form investors.

"At least it protected the first XV and on paper protected the 
Wakefield name, even though they were playing 15 minutes away from 
the ground."

Ananova 

==================================================================

Souths sign Langmack for three years 

SOUTH Sydney has confirmed Paul Langmack as its new head coach for 
the next three National Rugby League seasons. 

Langmack, who has been working in an interim capacity since Craig 
Coleman was sacked last month, has led the club to two credible 
performances in the premiership.

That was enough to convince the Rabbitohs board that he deserved the 
post on a full-time basis.

The club had originally said it would wait until after its April 13 
annual general meeting before making a final decision.

"Paul has shown during his short time in charge that he has the 
qualities to become an excellent coach in the NRL," chief executive 
David Tapp said today.

"He plans meticulously, has the respect of all the players and is 
willing to do the hard work to make Souths a highly competitive unit.

"The effort he has put into turning the club around during the past 
three weeks is remarkable and the players have responded to him in a 
way that can't be ignored.

"I firmly believe that Paul can assist the Club in becoming a genuine 
force in the Telstra Premiership in future years, that's why we have 
given him a deal that runs until the end of 2005."

Langmack played 315 games with Canterbury, Wests and Easts and went 
on the 1986 Kangaroo tour.

He was Souths assistant coach before taking over when Coleman was 
sacked following some dismal trial form.

"I'm extremely honoured to be given the chance to coach the South 
Sydney Rabbitohs, the club with the greatest tradition in rugby 
league," Langmack said.

"I've waited a while to get this opportunity, and I believe I have a 
lot to offer the club.

"Being confirmed as head coach is a great feeling, but we must 
concentrate on beating the North Queensland Cowboys on Monday night 
and get our first two competition points of the season.

"Close results against the Bulldogs and Broncos mean nothing, winning 
is what counts in the long run."

Foxsports 

==================================================================

Bajouri out for Souths 

Winger Ahmad Bajouri has been ruled out of the South Sydney side for 
Monday night's National Rugby League game against North Queensland at 
Aussie Stadium.

Coach Paul Langmack has brought flyer Joven Clarke into the starting 
side from a six-man interchange bench.

Clarke is widely regarded as the quickest player in the NRL and will 
give the Rabbitohs' attack another dimension against the Cowboys.

SMH 

==================================================================

El Masri leads the way in the Xbox Charity Challenge

Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri leads the charge in the Xbox Charity 
Challengeand is on track to kick $12,000 for his favourite charity if 
he can maintain his current point-scoring form.

Hazem heads to Campbelltown tomorrow night needing just one goal to 
move the Xbox Charity Challenge to $1,000 in just three rounds.

The Challenge sees Xbox donate $100 for every goal kicked by the 
player who finishes the 2003 Telstra Premiership as the leading point 
scorer. The money will be donated to the charity or junior team of 
that players choice.

El Masri, who wore a green boot in the opening round of the season to 
signify his intention of taking out the Xbox Challenge, was the 2002 
leading point scorer and holds the early lead this year with 26 
points (2 tries, 9 goals) ahead of the Raiders Clinton Schifcofske on 
25 points (2 tries, 8 goals). 

El Masri landed 103 goals last season which would have given him more 
than $10,000 to donate to a charity of his choice and he says he 
already has a junior league club and charities in mind should he take 
out the honours this season.

NRL 

Click http://www.rlcm.com.au/dailynews.htm to read more Rugby League 
News 

====================================================================

RUGBY LEAGUE HISTORY  


 From the 'Rugby League News ", June 2,1953 by Frank Burge 
(the article was originally published in the 'Sporting Globe'). 

http://www.rl1908.com/

It makes me laugh when I hear old internationals holding forth on the 
faults of the modern player. To listen in to them you would think 
they were flawless in their day. 

I suppose players like Clive Churchill, Keith Holman, Brian Davies 
and Duncan Hall would be the best Australian league players today and 
don't let anyone tell you they can't play as well as the old-timers. 

There may have been an odd case of an oldtime player being better 
than them, but any time you wanted to choose an all-time champion 
team they could be given a game without proving flops. 

No team ever played with 13 out-and-out champions in the one 
combination, even though they may now think they were. A classic 
example was given to me recently by a player of very ordinary skill 
whom I coached for a Sydney club not so very many years ago. 

We were watching a first grade game when this fellow commented, "Gee, 
they've slipped in the past few years haven't they, Frank?" He could 
not make it out when I just looked at him and laughed. This chap was 
by no means a star, but as he grew older his idea of his deeds 
increased proportionately. Some of the first-graders in my day 
wouldn't get a game in the thirds today when clubs have ever so many 
more players to choose from and big money has also made the 
competition keener. 

Teams nowadays train more for speed and the old idea of starting to 
get into shape with long 20-mile walks soon after Christmas and then 
doing lots of road work up until the start of the season has died 
out. Still, they mostly keep going at a good speed for the full 80 
minutes nowadays, and the fellow who is at all out of condition is 
conspicuous. Of course, you always have the no-hoper who won't look 
after himself, but he has a short life in football just as he did 
when I was playing.

I do think the outlook on the game has changed and players do not 
worry so much about missing a tackle or having a batsman's score run 
up against them. Players such as old Chris McKivat would have roasted 
the ears off us had we been beaten by 10 points or so and there would 
have been a heresy hunt to find the non-tacklers in the side. Now a 
team like South Sydney can be nearly 20 points in front as they were 
a fortnight ago and still get licked by 16 points. 

This is a sure indication to me that the old art of closing up the 
game is forgotten. It is the easiest thing in the world to do and no 
team 20 points in front has any justification for getting beaten. I 
do also think modern players are pampered too much and club officials 
boom players too quickly for anyone's benefit.

As soon as a kid shows promise they bellow to have him in the 
Australian team and at times quite a lot of notice is taken of the 
noise they make. Thus good players are rushed ahead too quickly and 
too much is expected from them, with disastrous results when they 
find the job too big.

I think the mechanised age has some effect on our football and could 
be the reason why it is not quite so hard as it was. Years ago most 
work was manual as far as footballers go, and when you work hard you 
eat hard, and accordingly have the basis on which to train hard. 

One point on which the oldtimers cannot argue is that rugby league 
today has the greatest bunch of goal-kickers the code has known. With 
frequent penalties being given, goal-kickers are worth their weight 
in gold and even a bad team can win a competition if they have a good 
kicker. Players such as Noel Pidding, Joe Jorgenson, Bernie Purcell, 
Ron Willey, George Bain, Gordon Clifford, Darcy Russell, Ron Rowles, 
Bruce Smith, Ron Taylor and others all are reliable kickers who have 
starred in recent years and they collectively are far ahead of the 
kickers we had around years ago. 

In assessing them I am not forgetting the rule which enables them to 
kick from 10 yards nearer the goal-line than was the case years ago. 
Nor am I forgetting the wonderful kicking of men like Dally Messenger 
and Dave Brown, but I am talking of these players as a bunch.

I think Tests are just as tough as they ever were. It is like a war 
when Australia plays England in either football or cricket, and 
probably always will be. So don't let them tell you the only good 
rugby league players were those who passed out of the game before you 
were born.

There is never any way of gauging athletes of different eras except 
by comparison, and in making these comparisons you always have to 
remember that when you are young you always are more impressionable 
than when you get older and can exercise more judgement. Wait for 10 
years and try to tell the boy of today that Churchill, Holman, Davies 
or Hall were not greater than the men then in action and see what the 
answer is.



Click http://www.rl1908.com/ to read more Rugby League History

=====================================================================

"Give your players the edge - The Coaches Edge - Specially designed 
to give coaches like you the very latest information on all round 
sporting performance."

Click http://www.coachesedge.com.au/for more information. 

===================================================================

*  RLCM - RLCM 2002 PHOTOGRAPHY 
http://www.coachesedge.com.au/

===================================================================
*  LEAGUE COACH DISCUSSION eGROUP 

Click below for Rugby League coaching information and discussion with 
the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leaguecoach eGroup. 

I am thinking about putting together a mental toughness training 
system for coaches to use. I have already authored the written 
psychology resource that is used on the Rugby League Coach Education 
Programme in Britain. 

However, I am aware that for most coaches the application of mental 
toughness training is still an area they struggle with. I am 
intending to develop a programme that is Relevant, Easy to apply, 
Appropriate and Leads to improvements in performance and/or enjoyment 
during games and training. A R.E.A.L. programme. 

I would like to hear from any coaches who have any experience of 
trying to apply a systematic programme of mental toughness training. 
What specifically did you do? Did you do it yourself or bring in an 
outside 'expert'? What aspects of mental toughness were you trying to 
address? Did you succeed? What were the reasons for your success or 
failure? What would you do differently next time? 

I would also like to hear from anyone, player or coach, who has 
aspects of mental toughness they want to address but doesn't know 
how. This would give me some idea of what your priorities are. 

Note: by mental toughness I am referring to the ability to stay in 
Control, Committed, Confident and Challenged whatever the situation. 

 From Anne Thompson
mailto:ThompsonA@...


Or add your answer to the RLCM Message Board
http://www.rlcm.com.au/bbs/index.sht

=====================================================================

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* Forward to other players & coaches 

Your eBook Start Up pack includes six eBooks...

The Essential Coaching Pack

6 Rugby League Specific Coaching Books

Order your copies Today!

Rugby League Coaching Manual - Book 28 
Rugby League Coaching Manual - Book 27 
Rugby League Coaching Manual - Book 26 
Drills (64 Training Drills)  - Book 2 
Junior Coaching              - Book 1 
Coach Talk                   - Book 1 

ELECTRONIC COPY - only UK£25, US$40.00, AUS$70.00, NZ$80.00 
HARD COPY - Postage added

RECEIVE ALL THIS!! - The RLCM Essential Coaching Pack

RLCM BOOK 28 

* Coach Talk - Ricky Stuart 
* Absorbing Pressure - how to coach it! 
* Strength, Training and Diet 
* The Halfback - getting the right player in the right position 
* Why does the Hunter Region produce so many halfbacks? 
* Developing a Coaching Philosophy-where should our focus be? 
* ARL Foundation Update 
* A simple game being enveloped by science and technology 
* Drinking on the Job - You Legend! 
* Comparisons in Rugby League between Australia and the UK 
* Eating Before Exercise 
* Carbohydrate Loading 
* The Stretching Debate 
* Exercising or Not When You Are Sick 
* League Coach Forum 

RLCM - BOOK 27

* Coach Talk - Peter Sharp 
* Club Continuity 
* Attitude Needed in the Ruck 
* Developing for the Future 
* Train Harder or Train Smarter 
* Various Defensive Formations 
* Women In Rugby League - some medical considerations 
* Energy For Stop and Go Sports 
* League Coach Forum 

RLCM - BOOK 26

* Coach Talk - Chris Anderson 
* Time Management 
* The Role of Assistant Coach 
* Defence - Glenn Bayliss 
* Career Coach: Poisoned Challis or Dream Job? 
* Today's Referee - Peter Louis and Brian Grant 
* 101 Coaching Tips - AIS 
* Qualities Required by the Junior Player 
* It's Not Just an 80 Minute Game 
* Applying Empowerment in Coaching some considerations 
* League Coach Forum 

RLCM DRILLS (Book 2)

* Touch/Tag Games for Rugby League Training Sessions (12 Games) 
* Play The Ball Drills (10 Drills) 
* Tackling Drills (16 Drills) 
* Unopposed Passing Drills (14 Drills) 
* Opposed Passing Drills (14 Drills) 

RLCM - JUNIOR COACHING

* One Coaches Philosophy - Nigel Goodings 
* Personal Principals 
* Coaching Principals 
* Knowing your principals and strengths 
* Honesty 
* Create a plan 
* Dummy Runners 
* Teaching the Junior Player 
* Coaching the Mini Mod Team 
* Videotaping Junior Games 
* Recruitment 
* Nutritional Considerations of the Young Player 
* Modified Footy Training Sessions 

RLCM - COACH TALK Book 1

* Wayne Bennett 
* Chris Anderson 
* John Lang 
* Wayne Pearce 
* Phil Gould 
* Brian Smith 
* Royce Simmons 
* David White 
* Craig Coleman 
* Mark Graham 
* Peter Louis 
* Phil Economidis 

Order Your e-Books Today and be reading them today

Total price for the Start Up Pack is only £25, US$40.00, AUS70.00, 
NZ$80.00. 

ORDER http://www.rlcm.com.au/package.htm TODAY and RECEIVE THEM TODAY 
BY E-MAIL 

**RLCM Books are available online and Acrobat Reader is needed to 
receive, open and read the RLCM eBooks. Acrobat is a 
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from Adobe: 

DOWN LOAD ACROBAT READER AND RECEIVE A FREE SAMPLE DRILLS eBOOK TO 
TEST YOUR SOFTWARE.

** ORDER A http://www.rlcm.com.au/editions.htmTODAY AND YOU WILL BE 
READING IT TODAY **

All RLCM Coaching Books back copies are available in eBook PDF or 
Hard Copy format. 

Click http://www.rlcm.com.au/order.htm if you wish to become an 
Annual RLCM Subscriber and receive 8 RLCM Coaching Books in 2003 at 
discounted rates. 

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"Give your players the edge - The Coaches Edge - Specially designed 
to give coaches like you the very latest information on all round 
sporting performance."

Click http://www.coachesedge.com.au/ for more information 

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There is also good Rugby League coaching information and 
discussion with the League Coach eGroup 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leaguecoach, ask any questions that 
you may have, they are only to willing to help, or you can join in on 
the discussions, it may be helpful.

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RUGBY LEAGUE COACHING MANUALS
since 1993

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31/03/03