Newsletter 22/04/03 + Ruck Defence extract with Glenn Bayliss


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Welcome to the Tuesday edition of the RLCM Newsletter.

This issue features a coaching RLCM Extract from RLCM Book 20

- Ruck Defence with Glenn Bayliss - ARL Level 3 Coach.

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* TODAYS CONTENTS 22/04/03

* RLCM COMMENT - Having lazy markers will cause problems
By Gary Roberts

* RLCM - COACHING EXTRACT - Ruck Defence with Glenn Bayliss -
ARL Level 3 Coach

* RLCM - POSITIONS VACANT - 22/04/03
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RLCM COMMENT - Having lazy markers will cause problems
By Gary Roberts


Marker defence

Having lazy markers will eventually cause problems somewhere in a
game.

All players should have the skills that are required to be marker and
understand what their role involves. An intense effort should be
expected from any player once they position themselves as a first or
second marker it does not matter if it is in the 1st minute or the
80th minute.

It makes no difference whether it is two backs, two forwards or a
back and a forward as markers. They must work as a team to assist the
other ruck defence players. These two players have a role in the big
picture where ever the PTB is.

They are important and vital to the team's defensive pattern.

A smart dummy half is normally aware that backs can have a deficiency
in marking and many of their dummy half scoots begin once players
foreign to playing this position are markers.

If a dummy half does a successful scoot from between his 30m - 50m
mid field it can cause the 'roll on effect' and have the opposition
consistently retreating.

Being lazy and thinking the markers job is over once the ball has
cleared the ruck in not the answer, all markers need to play with
intensity for the entire 80 minutes.

The Cronulla v Newcastle game saw the Cronulla markers not be
effective for several plays around the 60 to 70 minute mark, which
was all that was needed by Newcastle to put the game to bed.

The Broncos v Roosters game showed the damage Craig Wing can cause in
attack if markers are not effective and give him the chance to run
from dummy half and in marker defence Craig Fitzgibbon was tireless.

The talk about the Roosters defence has been paramount by the media
since late last year, so all aspiring coaches should study the video
and note the attitude and the influence the Roosters markers have
with the Roosters defence system.

The markers are a key to the Roosters defence pattern it is not the 3
or 4 players in tackles anymore, which due to a referee's crackdown
on the 3rd player in, has been hard to implement this year. The
Roosters defence begins with the markers and whoever is there they,
continue the intensity for the 80 minutes, they do not get lazy. It
is more effective when Adrian Morley is on the field.

Some Broncos players who were most likely fatigued in the Roosters
game played token roles when it was their turn to participate at
marker defence.

The Brisbane side played a style of football that would have made the
Roosters happy. Their majority of plays was one pass and a run back
into the their ruck area, most teams know it is hard to get through
there, obviously there was a reason and a method for this style, but
on the night it played into the Roosters hands.

The flair, Broncos coach Bennett is looking for is starting to be
costly, as has been reported here previously, the flair is causing
errors and turnovers in their own half. Broncos errors in the
opposition red zone is not of a great concern to Bennett, he expects
his players to have a go down that end, but the errors at the other
end of the park should be of a concern to him.

Opposition teams that have confidence in their defence will kick on
early tackles, just to have the ball down the Broncos end and create
pressure waiting to get the ball back from a Broncos error. Or if the
error doesn't come, most teams can now restrict the Broncos to kick
from within their own 40m.

Roosters 27 defeated Broncos 20

____________________________________________

* EXTRACT FROM RLCM BOOK 20 -

Order RLCM eBook 20 today
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Ruck Defence With Glenn Bayliss - QRL Southern Division, ARL Level 3
Coach

Written by Robert Rachow

A common saying with Rugby League coaches is that
the ruck is the centre of the universe. So what better
area to start with when teaching children the defensive
systems of the game?

Later on in their careers, players will realise that each
play-the-ball is a mini-battle of its own. It is imperative
therefore, that from an early age they learn the basic
components of marker defence and defending the
black hole at the back of the ruck.

RUCK DEFENCE BASICS

When attacking runners receive the ball, it is vital for
one of the markers to chase and for the inside defenders
to move up quickly. This serves a number of purposes:

So that the four ruck defenders (first marker,
second marker and defenders either side of the
ruck) can come together and effectively fold out
to form a straight line laterally.

To push the attacker away from the gap behind
the ruck and into the teams most effective
tacklers, usually second-rowers.

To make the attacker run on a slight angle, thereby
increasing the target area for tacklers and limiting
the number of metres gained by the opposition.

To discourage the inside pass and limit the number
of options available for the attacker.

Choosing which marker should chase and which
marker should hold has been a matter of contention
for quite some time.

However of late, the trend has
been for the first marker to chase and the second to
hold. This serves three purposes. Firstly, the front
marker is closest to the offence and, although slightly
impeded by the ball player, should have greater range
of vision than the back marker and be able to pre-empt
what is going to happen more accurately.

Secondly it safeguards against dummy-half runners
more effectively, because by holding, the second
marker has optimum time to adjust to scoots or inside
plays. Thirdly, it benefits communication by allowing
the back marker to direct the front marker and provide
encouragement. If it were the other way around it
would not be so effective, as the back marker would
be out of the front markers vision while chasing.

Another important facet of defence around the ruck
comes when the attacking team has the option of a
spacious blindside close to the tryline. In an instant
where there are two defenders matching up on the
blindside and eight on the open, the dummy-half may
choose to run to the blind and effectively form a third
man, creating an overlap.

This is a particularly dangerous scenario, as it would be much easier
to
defend nine on eight, rather than three on two. In such
a situation strong consideration should be given to
placing a third defender on the blind, and although
this does present a double-overlap on the open (if the
dummy runs), players should have enough time to
adjust........................diagrams and more


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Book - 20
Issue Contents

* Coach Talk Tony Smith - Huddersfield Giants Head Coach
* Self Assessment With John Dixon - Brisbane Broncos Development
* Ruck Defence With Glenn Bayliss - QRL Southern Division
* Benefits of Kick Play By Kurt Wrigley - Sharks Development
* Increasing Training Intensity in Country Rugby League Players By
Tim Gabbett -
* Rugby League's Marathon Men By Rudi Meir - Senior Lecturer in Human
Movements SCU
* Diet & Supplement: What is Factual, What is Fiction? By Doug King
RCpN, Dip Ng, L3 NZRL Trainer,
* Off-Season Checks By Doug King RCpN, Dip Ng, L3 NZRL Trainer, SMNZ
Sports Medic
* Whats In Your Sports Drink (Part 2) Enduro Sports
* SKILLS / DRILLS / GAMES Training skills and drills


RLCM 20 eBook will be delivered to your computer today
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* RLCM - NEWS UPDATE 22/04/03

Click http://www.rlcm.com.au/dailynews.htm for the latest News



NRL Club News from SMH


PARRAMATTA

Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald says there is no more room
under the club's salary cap to bolster depth after skipper Nathan
Cayless (broken arm) was ruled out for two months yesterday. "Not
unless they're willing to play for nothing," he said.

BRISBANE

There were hopes that Queensland second-rower Carl Webb would be back
on Friday night against Parramatta but he is still having trouble
with his hamstring.

BULLDOGS

Judiciary commissioner Jim Hall's early morning deliberations will
have important implications for the Dogs. Skipper Steve Price and
fullback Luke Patten were each reported for high tackles in Saturday
night's loss to St George Illawarra.

CANBERRA

Prop Luke Davico will have to pass a fitness test on his injured
groin to play against the Bulldogs on Saturday night, while centre
James Evans (broken leg) is in line to make his first appearance of
the year in premier league.

CRONULLA

Winger Matthew Reick is pushing for a recall to first grade - he
scored four tries in premier league against Newcastle on Sunday.

MANLY

Hooker Chad Randall (bleeding eye) will be immobilised for a week.
Prop Nathan Long (dislocated shoulder) and second-rower Solomon
Haumono (hamstring) will be back for Sunday's game against South
Sydney.

MELBOURNE

Centre Junior Langi (shoulder) and halfback Andrew McFadden (groin)
are available for selection tonight ahead of Saturday's Dairy Farmers
Stadium encounter with North Queensland.

NEWCASTLE

Knights prop Josh Perry (elbow) is in doubt for Saturday night's home
game against Wests Tigers.

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Hooker Leigh McWilliams wasn't crying foul after yesterday's 30-24
loss to the Warriors. McWilliams was ruled to have knocked on in the
final two minutes when he was just three metres from the tryline -
replays indicated the ball was illegally stripped. "You can't argue
about it. It's happened, it's over," McWilliams said.

PENRITH

The Panthers have been spared the early morning flight back from
Auckland after the Ericsson Stadium clash with the Warriors - players
have booked an afternoon flight.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

Dragons lock Shaun Timmins is set to be selected for Friday's game
against the Roosters despite suffering a cork and hamstring injury on
Saturday night. Centre Matt Cooper was yesterday cleared of serious
injury after he was accidentally kneed in the back against the
Bulldogs.

SOUTH SYDNEY

Queensland flyer Chris Walker (arm injury) is expected to be included
tonight when Souths coach Paul Langmack names his side to play Manly
at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Player agent Wayne Beavis says there is no risk Roosters captain Brad
Fittler will be playing for the club again next year - but no
announcement is imminent.

WARRIORS

After throwing the pass of the season the previous Sunday against
Brisbane, Warriors centre Sione Faumuina yesterday found himself
omitted from the side to play North Queensland.

WESTS TIGERS

Fullback Joel Caine went into Saturday night's game against
Parramatta needing one goal for 250 points in Wests Tigers colours.
He missed all three shots. "Some days are diamonds, some days are
stones," said coach Tim Sheens. "He's just had one of those nights
I'm sure he'd rather forget."

SMH


_________________________________________


Never say die as players rewrite the final chapter


By Roy Masters: National Rugby League games are beginning to resemble
mystery novels - you've got to wait until the final chapter to
discover who committed the murder. And all but one of the weekend
matches was decided in the final minutes.

Parramatta's 28-8 victory over Wests Tigers was the only game in
which the outcome wasn't in the balance until the death.

In the previous round, there were only two blow-outs - the Roosters'
humiliation of the Cowboys and Manly's defeat of St George Illawarra.

Still, there was enough drama around both games to fill a whodunnit.

NRL Stats reports that 25 of the 42 matches (60 per cent) played this
year have ended with a victory margin of 12 points or less and were
won and lost with two minutes remaining. The same figure from last
year was 52 per cent.

When dinosaurs walked the rugby league field, the rule was you
couldn't get beaten if the opposition had to score more than a point
a minute. That has now changed to 12 points in two minutes.

In other words, if the score was 20-10 and there were nine minutes
left, you could already taste the first dressing room tinnie.

Now, with a set of six tackles lasting 60 seconds, if a team has
possession with two minutes left, it can score 12 points by
converting a try and then scoring another in the set that follows the
kick off.

In other words, with 90 seconds left, a team with a 12-point lead can
find itself headed for extra time.

Read more SMH


_________________________________________


Bradford without Fielden for Cardiff final


By Dave Hadfield: Bradford have given up any hopes that Stuart
Fielden could be fit for Saturday's Challenge Cup final against Leeds
in Cardiff.

The Great Britain prop has been diagnosed with torn knee ligaments
after being carried off in the victory over Hull on Good Friday and
could be out for over four months. "It's not a crushing blow, but it
is a blow, because he's a world-class player," the Bulls' coach,
Brian Noble, said.

To make matters worse, Fielden's likely replacement, Richard Moore,
could be suspended for the final after an incident in which his knee
appeared to strike Hull's Chris Chester.

Leeds are in a happier situation, with their hooker Matt Diskin
likely to be fit despite being going off with a knee injury at
Castleford last week.

Widnes will be without their Welsh international prop David Mills for
tonight's game at Wakefield. He has broken his thumb and Paul Alcock,
from the Under-21 side, is in line for his first-team debut.

Independent


_________________________________________


Castleford 29 defeated Huddersfield 16

GIANTS IMPROVE BUT LOSE
By Ian Laybourn: Huddersfield coach Tony Smith rallied to the defence
of his side after watching their best-ever Super League run come to
an end.

Castleford dominated the final quarter of Monday's match at the
McAlpine Stadium to claim a 29-16 win and halt the Giants' three-
match winning sequence.

"I thought we improved on our performance from Friday night," said
Smith, who was unhappy with his side's display in their 21-20 win at
Halifax. "That's how it works sometimes, you can improve and lose.

"We had plenty of chances, particularly in the first half, and we
should have taken more of them. Castleford took theirs and, to their
credit, they scrambled really hard.

"They looked to have fresher legs at the end, maybe the extra day
helped. I thought the better team won but it could easily have turned
the other way."

Tigers coach Graham Steadman was delighted with the way his injury-
hit side bounced back from their agonising 15-14 defeat by leaders
Leeds last Thursday.

They trailed 16-14 early in the second half but finished the stronger
side to secure the points and lift themselves back into the top six.

"To bounce back in the manner we did was very pleasing," he said. "It
was edge-of-the-seat football but we did well to grind out a win.

"Fifty per cent of our squad are busted but the young guys did a
tremendous job. Wayne Godwin turned the game in our favour with his
incisive breaks around the ruck."

Sporting Life


_________________________________________


Hull 46 defeated Halifax 18

McRAE HAILS PATCHED-UP HULL
Hull director of rugby Shaun McRae praised his injury-hit side for
bouncing back in style against Halifax after their defeat at Bradford
on Friday.

The Airlie Birds overcame Super League's bottom side 46-18 at the
Kingston Communications Stadium with former winger Gareth Raynor
returning on loan from Leicester Tigers to grab two tries.

McRae said: "It was important we bounced back after the Bradford
defeat and I felt that under the circumstances we showed a lot of
character.

"We had nine players missing and had to bring in several players who
had either not played Super League before or had only had limited
game time this season but I felt we knitted together well.

"It was potentially a difficult game for us but we laid the platform
in the first half and then finished in style."

McRae also thanked Leicester for releasing Raynor for the match
adding: "He did really well but I have to thank Leicester boss Dean
Richards for releasing him for this game.

"It made such a difference to us because it allowed me to switch
several players around to give the side more balance."

Sporting Life

_________________________________________



UK National League Results - Monday

EASTER MONDAY AFTERNOON RESULTS

Hull 46 Halifax 18

Dewsbury Rams 26 Featherstone Rovers 20
Rochdale Hornets 29 Hull KR 18
Salford City Reds 54 Batley Bulldogs 12
Chorley Lynx 18 Hunslet Hawks 24
Gateshead Thunder 22 Barrow Raiders 30
Keighley Cougars 68 London Skolars 6
Sheffield Eagles 30 York City Knights 24
Workington Town 8 Swinton Lions 4

FT: Gateshead Thunder 22 Barrow Border Raiders 30
Two converted tries in the opening five minutes of the second half
enabled Barrow to edge a tight game 30-22 after the two teams had
been locked at half-time.

FT: Workington Town 8 Swinton Lions 4
Workington Town turned in a committed performance to register their
first win in National League Two with a narrow 8-4 success over
Swinton Lions.

FT: Sheffield Eagles 30 York City Knights 24
Sheffield Eagles edged out York City Knights with a second-half try-
burst to keep their 100 per cent record in National League Division
Two with a 30-24 win.

FT: Keighley Cougars 68 London Skolars 6
Keighley Cougars skipper James Rushforth scored four superb tries in
a 68-6 demolition of London Skolars.

FT: Chorley Lynx 18 Hunslet Hawks 24
Chorley Lynx slipped to their third defeat in eight days as they
crashed to a 24-18 reverse against Hunslet Hawks.

FT: Dewsbury Rams 26 Featherstone Rovers 20
Dewsbury earned their first win of the National League One season
with a thrilling 26-20 victory over Featherstone at Rams Stadium.

FT: Salford Reds 54 Batley Bulldogs 12
Chris Charles piled up 26 points as Salford turned in a sizzling show
to demolish Batley 54-12 at The Willows.

FT: Rochdale Hornets 29 Hull Kingston Rovers 18
Rochdale skipper Paul Smith led by example and scored two tries to
maintain his side's winning record with a 29-18 victory over Hull KR.

FT: Hull FC 46 Halifax 18
Leicester Tigers winger Gareth Raynor made an emotional return to
rugby league to help his injury-stricken former club Hull to a 46-18
victory over Halifax.

Ananova

_________________________________________



MISFIRING JETS TAKE THE POINTS AT BROOKVALE.


The Sydney Airport Jets claimed their first win of the Premier League
season in defeating Manly-Warringah 30-16, in the match played at
Brookvale Oval on Easter Sunday.

This might not have been the prettiest of wins, but the final score
probably understates the extent to which Newtown dominated the game.

Newtown led 12-4 at the break, after the Sea Eagles had opened the
scoring with a soft try in the sixth minute. Taffy Nicolas and Alf
Duncan scored the Jets first half tries, in a session where the
Sydney Airport Jets had failed to capitalise on several other scoring
opportunities.

The Jets parcelled up the match in the third quarter of the game,
with centre Luke Hession scoring his try on the end of terrific
leadup work across the backline, and through further well-engineered
tries to Duncan and Nicolas.

Leading by 28-4 with seventeen minutes remaining, the Jets appeared
to bundy off, allowing Manly to narrow the margin to 28-16 with eight
minutes to play. No doubt at this point many Newtown fans had
unpleasant flashbacks to the infamous Manly match at Henson Park last
year. A late penalty goal to Troy Barnes saw the Jets home by 30-16.

The Sydney Airport Jets forwards laid the groundwork for this
victory, with quality performances from Bill Najarrin, Zoran
Ilijoski, Tabua Cakacaka, Troy Barnes, Lee Trasler and Aaron Trinder.
Chris Williams tormented the Sea Eagles defences with his dashes from
dummy half.

Alf Duncan maintained his terrific form in 2003, bringing his try
scoring tally to five in two rounds. Shaun Laurie, Taffy Nicolas and
Nathan Marles also impressed. While no one would deny there were many
rough edges and areas for improvement in this performance, it was
still very gratifying to claim this away win.

The Jim Beam Cup match set down against The Entrance on Saturday was
postponed to a date to be announced, due to the waterlogged state of
Henson Park.

The Sydney Airport Jets travel to the south western and north western
extremities of the metropolitan area for their away games this week.
In the Premier League, Newtown plays Western Suburbs at Campbelltown
Stadium on Sunday, April 27, with the kick off timed for 2.30 pm.

In the Jim Beam Cup, Newtown meets Windsor at the Windsor Sports
Complex on Saturday, April 26, with this match due to start at 7.00
pm.

_________________________________________



REPLAY OPTION FOR CHALLENGE CUP FINAL

A replay will be held to decide the outcome of the Powergen Challenge
Cup final if Saturday's match between Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls
at the Millennium Stadium is drawn.

Leeds went through to the final after playing extra time in their
semi-final against St Helens, but if the scores are level after 80
minutes this weekend, the teams will meet again on Saturday May 31,
at a venue to be announced.

There have been just three replays since the inaugural final in 1897.
Elland Road in Leeds was the venue for the last replay between Hull
and Widnes in 1982.

Sporting Life

_________________________________________



Nathan Cayless out for up to two months

Parramatta captain Nathan Cayless could miss up to eight weeks of the
National Rugby League season after suffering a broken arm at the
weekend.

Cayless suffered the injury in the Eels' 28-8 win over Wests at
Telstra Stadium on Saturday night, but it wasn't diagnosed until late
Suny after the NZ Test prop underwent x-rays.

The arm has been put in plaster and Cayless could be out for up to
two months.

The 25-year-old was at his inspirational best against the Tigers,
making 19 tackles and 12 hit-ups as the Eels registered their third
win of the season.

Sportswatch

_________________________________________



Carl Webb cancels comeback

Queensland State of Origin forward Carl Webb's immediate playing
future is uncertain after another abandoned comeback attempt for the
player-drained Brisbane Broncos.

Webb -- who scored one of Origin's great solo tries during the 2001
series -- has been unable to overcome a hamstring problem which
frustrated him for much of last season.

With experienced props Petero Civoniceva and Andrew Gee still serving
suspensions and forwards Brad Meyers (hip) and Corey Parker (hip)
carrying injuries from the 27-20 loss to the Roosters, Webb was
hoping to be the lead the charge for the Broncos when they take on
Parramatta this weekend.

But following further consultations with the club's medical staff,
his return has again been canned and he'll now undergo further tests
to determine why his recovery has been so slow.

"We (medical staff) had another look at it today and I'm still
sceptical," said Webb, who immediately scrapped plans to train with
the side after getting his latest medical update.

"I was going to run with the boys this afternoon, but I'm still
feeling the hamstring."

Webb said he had been booked in for a test on his leg to see if there
were any specific problems hampering his recovery or contributing to
the on-going injury.

"We have to wait till the muscle is fully repaired and strong but the
test will tell us if there is any imbalance in the strength ratio
between my quad muscle and my hamstring.

"If my hamstring is a little weaker than my quad, that could be the
problem."

Webb will back off heavy training but did not rule out another
attempt at playing before having the test.

Parker and Meyers were receiving treatment for their injuries but
both were confident of backing up against the Eels who finally found
some form at the weekend with a much-needed win over the West Tigers.

Brisbane meanwhile will have an anxious 24 hour wait to see if any
action is taken against halfback Shaun Berrigan who was reported for
lashing out with his boot against Brad Fitter on Friday night.

The Easter long weekend means NRL Commissioner Jim Hall will not look
at the game videos until Tuesday.

Fittler was initially furious at Berrigan's tactic, tossing the ball
at him and remonstrating with him after scoring his try.

But after watching the incident a few times on the Aussie Stadium big
screen the Roosters captain had no problems with Berrigan's rush of
blood.

Scott Prince, who made his first appearance off the bench against the
Roosters after returning from his second broken leg in as many
seasons, will come straight into the side if Berrigan is suspended.

Sportswatch

_________________________________________



Stuart lauds Luke Phillips courage

Coach Ricky Stuart has lauded Luke Phillips for his courage and
honesty after the Sydney Roosters' grand final hero announced his
shock retirement from rugby league.

Phillips, who has been sidelined since last year's grand final with a
shoulder injury, fronted his teammates at Roosters training and told
them he had played his last game in the NRL.

The entire squad gave Phillips a spontaneous round of applause before
the 27-year-old said his goodbyes.

Phillips conceded he was fighting a losing battle in his bid to
return from a serious shoulder injury, which he courageously carried
into last year's grand final.

"I think it's the best time now," Phillips said.

"I said to the boys after the bad injury I have got, I'm still a long
way off playing.

"I would rather be honest to them and the club and tell them the
motivation is not there for the long haul back.

"I'd rather leave on a good note than come back through reserve grade
in six months time and not be playing well.

"The motivation is not there."

Phillips' decision was made easier by the form of Anthony
Minichiello, who has made the No.1 jersey his own since taking over
for the injured incumbent in the pre-season.

"It's a tough decision to make," Stuart said.

"He showed a lot of courage last year in playing with the injury he
had...and he's had such success.

"For him to play a game with the injury he had was courageous.

"It's a great way for him to finish his career."

Phillips, one of the few players in the NRL who can say he made his
first grade debut at the WACA against the Western Reds, underwent a
six hour operation in the pre-season.

SMH


_________________________________________


Warriors happy with two points

The New Zealand Warriors were happy to come away with two points
after an ugly and controversial National Rugby League win over the
North Queensland Cowboys.

The Warriors led 30-12 with 11 minutes remaining in the match at
Ericsson Stadium, but were made to endure an anxious ending as the
Cowboys scored two late tries.

The home side held on for a 30-24 victory, but the Cowboys could
consider themselves unlucky not to have sent the game into extra
time, with coach Graham Murray ruing two decisions which went against
his side.

Murray believed Warriors halfback Stacey Jones failed to get over the
line when he scored a try in the 49th minute.

"In my opinion, obviously after a replay was shown, it looked like it
was no try," Murray said of the Jones try.

He was also upset with referee Matt Cecchin's decision to rule Ty
Williams had the lost the ball metres short of the home side's line
in the dying minutes when video replays clearly showed the ball had
been stripped and the Cowboys should have been awarded a penalty.

"I thought there was enough hands in there to indicate a strip,"
Murray said.

"He (Cecchin) thinks he got it right, I think he got it wrong."

The Cowboys started the match ideally, with Matt Sing scoring in the
19th minute to silence a crowd of almost 20,000.

But the Warriors led 16-12 at half-time and looked headed for an easy
win when they added tries through Stacey Jones, Henry Fa'afili and PJ
Marsh inside the opening 20 minutes of the second half.

Jones' try was the most controversial, with Cecchin awarding the four-
pointer without referring it to video referee Eddie Ward.

Fa'afili then scored from a Marsh kick before Marsh himself took
advantage of a Meli break to cross near the posts.

But the Cowboys worked their way back into the game.

Hooker Leigh McWilliams got reward for a fine performance when he
burrowed over, before centre Josh Hannay scored a runaway try.

Hannay's fourth goal from four attempts made it a six-point ball game
with more than enough time left to make the home fans nervous.

SMH

_________________________________________



NOBLE PREDICTS CLASSIC

David Allen: Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble admits that Saturday's
Powergen Challenge Cup Final with Leeds Rhinos has all the
ingredients for a classic.

The Bulls warmed up for the Cardiff encounter with a 48-24 win over
Hull on Good Friday, and they are now undefeated since the opening
day of the Tetley's Rugby Super League season two months ago.

Leeds, meanwhile, have not lost a competitive game in 2003 and sit
two points clear of the Bulls at the head of the Super League table.

"Leeds are a great team," said Noble. They are on top of the comp,
have desire, team spirit and some physicality about their team; all
those great ingredients that make for a good Final.

"I think we go in as slight underdogs. It's one v two in the
competition and it's going to be a tough, tough game."

Super League

____________________________________________

Mortimer to meet with Dogs


Bulldogs chief executive Steve Mortimer says he has a couple of
strategies in mind to help the National Rugby League club keep all
its off-contract stars - including halfback Brent Sherwin.

Sherwin is one of six big names coming off contract at the Bulldogs
at the end of the season - along with Willie Talau, Nigel Vagana,
Luke Patten, Johnathan Thurston and Travis Norton - and was unhappy
with the club's initial offer.

But on Saturday night he said he thought the parties could come to an
agreement and Mortimer will continue working towards that this week.

"I'll be talking to all the (off-contract) players," Mortimer said on
Sunday.

"There's a couple of strategies I have in mind. I had a personal talk
with Brent on Thursday, just one on one.

"It was very, very fruitful."

Sherwin did his cause plenty of favours in the second half at Telstra
Stadium despite missing the last 15 minutes with corks to both legs.

In his absence, the 'Dogs lacked direction, losing 24-14 to an
inspired St George Illawarra.

"You have to try and not think about that but it is hard," Sherwin
admitted.

"We have to come together as a team and get over this and I have to
get over it too. Hopefully they come to me quickly so I can
concentrate on my footy.

"Nine years I have been here. They want me. They just have to come to
an agreement and I am sure it's in the line. I'll wait and see.

"It would be very hard. I don't want to leave."

Bulldogs second rower Willie Mason, who accepted less money last year
to stay at the club, conceded the salary cap was biting but said he
believed most of the players would stay.

"We have all been through it before," Mason said.

"There will be some hard choices. They'll show a bit of loyalty
hopefully. But the salary cap is squeezing so bad.

SMH


____________________________________________

Preview Brisbane Second Division Rugby League fixtures on 26 April

After the break in fixtures for the Easter weekend, there are some
key fixtures scheduled for next Saturday, 26 April.

This is the final week in the first round of fixtures in Open 1
grade. Eastern Suburbs and Dayboro cannot be knocked out the Ted
Beaumont Trophy, but both will be keen to keep up their current good
form. Easts play Aspley at Langlands Park at 3.00 PM, while Dayboro
play Brothers Juniors at Dayboro at 4.00 PM. Rochedale play St
Brendans in a virtual replay of last years Southside 2 grand final at
Underwood Park at 3.00 PM.

In Northside 2, Normanby-UQ plays Brighton at University of Qld at
3.00 PM. Both teams are currently in second place, on 8 points one
point behind competition leaders Pine Rivers, who play Brook Sharks
at Mitchelton at 2.30 PM.

Sunnybank, co-leaders in Southside 2, play Capalaba Rhinos at Woff
Street at 3.00 PM. Wynnum Juniors, who are level with Sunnybank, play
Redlands at Pinklands at 3.00 PM.

In Northside 3, competition leaders Burpengary take on Deception Bay
at Maine Terrace at 3.00 PM.

The leaders in Southside 3, Slacks Creek, play Wynnum Juniors at
Usher Park at 3.00 PM. Mt Gravatt and Souths are level in second
place. Mt Gravatt play Logan City Juniors at Wecker Road at 3.00 PM,
while Souths play Sunnybank at Davies Park at 1.30 PM.

In Southside 4, competition leaders Norths Stradbroke Island play
second placed Browns Plains at Dunwich at 3.00 PM.

Norths Juniors, who are on top in the Albert Bishop Shield, play
equal second place Valleys Juniors at Emerson Park at 4.00 PM. Logan
Brothers, who are in equal second place with Valleys, play Brighton
at Jim Lawrie Park, Brighton, at 3.00 PM.

In the Arthur Sparks Shield, the competition leaders, Springwood,
play Valleys Juniors at Emerson Park at 2.30 PM. Equal second placed
Sunnybank play Centenary at Woff Street at 1.30 PM, while Albany
Creek, who are level with Sunnybank, take on Logan Brothers at Civic
Park at 3.00 PM.


____________________________________________


Warriors 30 defeated Cowboys 24

Click here for the details and statistics from the NRL.

THE New Zealand Warriors have survived a late charge from North
Queensland to retain a share of second spot on the National Rugby
League ladder with a 30-24 win at Ericsson Stadium today.

The Warriors scored six tries, but poor kicking from PJ Marsh meant
the Cowboys were within touching distance late in the game.

And they gave the Warriors a real fright, scoring tries through Josh
Hannay and Leigh McWilliams in the last ten minutes to close within a
converted try.

The victory means the Warriors are on ten points with last year's
grand final opponent the Sydney Roosters, two points behind league
leader Canberra.

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 30 (M Tony F Meli C Toopi S Jones H Fa'afili PJ
Marsh tries PJ Marsh 3 goals) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 24 (M Sing 2 L
McWilliams J Hannay tries J Hannay 4 goals) at Ericsson Stadium. Ref:
M Cecchin. Crowd: Approx. 20,000


____________________________________________


Newcastle 32 defeated Cronulla 24

Cronulla remains winless after six rounds of the National Rugby
League, but coach Chris Anderson and captain Brett Kimmorley believe
the club has turned the corner.

The Sharks were beaten 32-24 by Newcastle at Toyota Park, but there
was a lot to like about their performance.

They led 24-22 with 11 minutes remaining, Kimmorley was back to his
best and the forward pack at least matched the Knights.

But then the coolest head in the game - Newcastle captain Andrew
Johns - prevailed, orchestrating the Knights in the final 10 minutes
as they remained in a share of third place behind Canberra and the
Sydney Roosters.

"We found a bit of club spirit today," Kimmorley said.

"I think we turned the corner for the club...and I think the future
is looking good for us.

"We were disappointed with how we went in the last five weeks so it
was probably about the 17 blokes who were there today showing faith
in themselves.

"I can handle getting beat because we had a go."

Anderson conceded the Sharks needed to start winning - and quickly.

Read more NRL

____________________________________________


Manly 20 defeated Storm 14

Manly coach Peter Sharp was chomping on an apple to "settle down my
ulcer" after his side's 20-14 victory over Melbourne in the National
Rugby League clash at Brookvale Oval.

A relieved Sharp finished his fruit before facing the media following
a tense win which was only secured through a Scott Donald try four
minutes before the final whistle.

"I must admit it wasn't too pretty," Sharp said of the six-point
victory which kept the Sea Eagles in the top eight.

"It was a tough game of footy but it was ugly as far as the offence
went. But we got the two points, which is important for us in our
progress and we're very thankful for that."

The match was scrappy at times and most of the six tries came from
mistakes by the opposition.

Sharp went into the game unsure how his troops, in particular
barnstorming winger John Hopoate, would back up from their stirring
victory over St George Illawarra last week.

The picture was bleak when he noticed Hopoate asleep under a blanket
20 minutes before his side's warm-up.

"I said to the young blokes - because he helped them last week
enormously - `it's payback time this week and you've got to help
Hoppa get through the game' and as it turns out he went great again,"
Sharp said.

Donald can also be happy with his efforts - getting Manly on the
board through a 17th minute try from a Chad Randall cut-out pass
after the home side trailed 8-0 after 11 minutes.

Tries to centre Billy Slater and Fijian winger Semi Tadulala gave the
Storm an ideal start before they "turned the tap off a little bit",
according to coach Craig Bellamy.

It was 8-8 at halftime and the Storm forwards came out firing in the
second half, creating the momentum which helped fullback Robbie Ross
score a 48th minute try before Manly again equalised, this time
through fullback Brendon Reeves.

Read more NRL


____________________________________________

Blasts from the past

By Phil Gould: The scenes were graphic. It shocked us all. Real-life
drama and emotion being played out before our eyes on the sideline at
WIN Stadium last Sunday afternoon.

The coach of the Dragons was laying down the law to three of his
players at a crucial stage of the game.

Suddenly push, poke, SLAP!

Slap? Yep, he slaps his team's best player right across the face.

Was it motivation? Was it frustration? Or was he simply saying: "Hey
you, pay attention when I'm talking to you!"

Dragons coach Nathan Brown was the one who delivered the slap and
even he doesn't really know why he did it - so we part-time
psychologists are having ourselves on if we think we know the reason.

The one thing we can all agree on is that it should not have happened.

Trent Barrett, the player on the receiving end, was filthy.
Physically there was no pain. But it was demeaning, and quite rightly
he said as much to the coach after the game.

Brown admitted his wrongdoing and apologised. There is nothing he can
do to take it back. It happened and he will be hoping he and his
captain can put it behind them and get on with life. That may not be
so easy but they are both quality blokes and time is on their side.

It does show, however, just how coaching in the NRL can really put
you under the hammer.

Read more Sun-Herald

____________________________________________


UK National League Results

York 12 Gateshead 29
Gateshead Thunder produced a shock 29-12 victory over York City
Knights to get their Division Two campaign off to a brilliant start.


Hunslet 12 Keighley 20
Keighley held off a second-half fightback from Hunslet to clinch a 20-
12 opening day victory.

Batley 28 Dewsbury 10
Batley got the better of derby rivals Dewsbury as an entertaining
Division One clash ended in a 28-10 victory for the hosts.

Featherstone 44 Doncaster 18
Featherstone made a flying start to their National League One
campaign with a 44-18 victory over Doncaster.


Hull KR 17 Leigh 28
Leigh survived a battling effort from Hull Kingston Rovers to record
a deserved 28-17 victory.

Ananova


____________________________________________

Huddersfield 21 defeated Halifax 20

Halifax coach Tony Anderson complained to referee Steve Ganson about
Huddersfield players hitting his own men in sensitive places after
watching the Giants snatch a last gasp 21-20 Tetley's Super League
win at The Shay.

Sporting Life

____________________________________________


Bradford 48 defeated Hull 24

By Ian Laybourn: Challenge Cup finalists Bradford will head for
Cardiff in confident mood after confirming second place in the
Tetley's Super League but an eighth successive win came at a cost.

The Bulls received a major injury scare just eight days before their
Millennium Stadium showdown with table-toppers Leeds when Great
Britain prop Stuart Fielden hobbled off midway through the first half.

The 23-year-old Fielden, the key man in the awesome Bulls pack, went
down after an accidental collision with Hull skipper Jason Smith
after 21 minutes.

Although the stretcher was summoned, Fielden was able to get to his
feet but he needed help to get down the tunnel and never re-appeared.

Bradford, whose pack was already depleted by the absence of Jamie
Peacock, Joe Vagana and Daniel Gartner, also had Fielden's
replacement Richard Moore placed on report for allegedly using his
knees on Hull loose forward Chris Chester.

If the League rule Moore has a case to answer, he will face a
disciplinary hearing just three days before next Saturday's cup final.

At least Bradford maintained their winning run and gained a timely
confidence boost, although it took them an hour to grind down a
battling Hull side who had their fair share of injuries.

Read more Sporting Life


____________________________________________

Parramatta 28 defeated Tigers 8

Parramatta has notched a pressure-relieving victory with a 28-8
triumph over Wests Tigers in the second match of the NRL's double-
header at Telstra Stadium.

The Eels won only their fifth match from their past 20, with former
Newcastle utility John Morris a stand-out and fullback Brett Hodgson,
who missed the 30-man NSW Origin squad, grabbing a personal haul of
12 points.

Parramatta has now leap-frogged South Sydney down near the bottom of
the table following the Rabbitohs' 16-14 loss to Penrith tonight.

Tigers fullback Joel Caine could not crack the 250-goal milestone for
the joint venture club despite the 24-year-old having three attempts,
with two of them fairly simple.

Referee Steve Clark placed Tigers second-rower Mark O'Neill on report
for a high shot on Parramatta halfback Paul Green two minutes before
fulltime.

Wests led 4-0 after 13 minutes when Darren Senter burrowed over from
dummy half, before the Eels hit back through tries to Alex Chan,
first grade debutant Chris Armit and Lee Hopkins.

Parramatta went to the sheds leading 16-4 after scoring tries in the
final three minutes of the first half and extended the gap to 22-4 in
the 51st minute when winger Pat Richards set up NSW centre Jamie
Lyon.

Tigers centre Daniel Fitzhenry reduced the deficit to 22-8 just three
minutes later following his try from a well-weighted Ben Galea
grubber.

Hodgson added a 61st penalty for a 24-8 scoreline and the Eels were
home when the evasive fullback scored a brilliant individual try 11
minutes before fulltime.

Saturday night's victory will give them a heavy dose of confidence
leading into the ANZAC Day clash with Brisbane at Parramatta Stadium.

NRL


____________________________________________

Penrith 16 defeated Souths 14

Part-time factory worker Trent Waterhouse made the most of his first
grade starting debut by crashing over for the winning try in the
Penrith Panthers' 16-14 National Rugby League victory over South
Sydney.

Waterhouse only got a starting nod after fellow prop Joel Clinton was
dropped for disciplinary reasons mid-week but didn't look back,
capping off a solid game to hand Penrith its second win of the season
with a try just seven minutes from fulltime.

They say rugby league is a funny game but South Sydney fans weren't
laughing after Penrith trailed throughout most of the match, only to
deny the Rabbitohs their first back to back wins since last July with
the late Waterhouse four pointer.

The Penrith win marked the first time a team had emerged from an NRL
bye and come away with a victory.

That wasn't much consolation for Souths which came into the game
still buzzing from ending an 11-match losing streak last weekend.

Souths have now only won four of their last 21 home games at Aussie
Stadium while Penrith has won four of its five away clashes.

Souths led 10-6 at halftime but Penrith backrower Tony Puletua locked
up the scores in the 58th minute, a deserved reward for the Kiwi
international after his powerhouse run several plays earlier ended
just one metre from the line.

But the smile on Panthers coach John Lang's face was quickly wiped
off when Preston Campbell missed the relatively simple conversion.

Read more NRL

____________________________________________


Dragons 24 defeated Bulldogs 14

It's been the week from hell for St George Illawarra NRL coach Nathan
Brown - and it ended with another slap across the face.

Only this time it was captain Trent Barrett planting it on his coach,
and it was in celebration.

The Dragons, whipping boys for most of the week, dished out their own
plate of redemption on the Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium, beating the
National Rugby League favourites 24-14 in a performance full of guts
and commitment.

Brown, who was in the news for most of the week after slapping
Barrett across the face during last Sunday's loss to Manly, described
it as a "huge turnaround".

Barrett, who scored a try after the siren to seal the victory,
celebrated by giving his coach three taps across the face as the
Dragons put on the type of performance their fans have been craving
all season.

"Trent slapped me in the face three times when he came in the shed,"
Brown said.

"It was a huge turnaround. It's got nothing to do with me. It's the
17 players.

"It was just great. Trent off his own bat on Tuesday sat all the guys
down. He said 'I'm over it now, let's have a good year in footy'.

The effort and the guts was great.

Nathan Brown
"I knew he was over it but you don't know if the team is over it
until they get on the field."

Brown revealed the players made a pact before the game to make up for
last weekend's embarrassing outing at WIN Stadium, a performance
which had the club under fire from all quarters.

Read more NRL

____________________________________________


Daniel Anderson's talks with nrl.com

Daniel Anderson's talks with nrl.com about the changing nature of the
game in New Zealand

A lot has been said about the new 'young' coaches and their effect on
the Telstra Premiership. How have you found the challenge and do you
think coaching has been taken to a new level?

Daniel: I dont know what level it was at before because I am only new
to the game. I just know that Ive got another couple of staff members
in the last 12 months and I am still working the same hours, so I
guess if youve got enough time on your hands you do things you
wouldnt have done before.

I'm not sure about the younger coaches tag either. I was lucky enough
to get an opportunity and you just do what you do. Everyone's got
their own personality and their own style.

You've recently been appointed as New Zealand's Test coach, a massive
achievement and honour not shared by another Australian. What are the
biggest challenges and how crucial will it be that the Kiwi's accept
you as one of their own?

Daniel: The biggest challenge is to definitely win games and win Test
matches - especially against Australia. Its usually a long time
between drinks with winning Test matches against Australia.

I guess the other biggest goal and challenge is to be accepted. Rugby
League, like anything, is incredibly fickle and if you breed an
attitude amongst the team you coach and achieve success, then you're
accepted most times. It is all about how you play the game - and of
course winning is important.

Last year was a big year for the Warriors - they qualified for their
first grand final, won their first final series match, claimed their
first minor premiership and even produced the Dally M 'Coach of the
Year'. What can we expect from 2003?

Daniel: Hopefully that and one step more. That is obviously the
primary goal of the Warriors. Provided that injuries dont affect us
too much and that we can continue to challenge and compete in any
game we play, we will meet most expectations.

Read more NRL


____________________________________________

Manly feud flares again

Property sale and dog tale fan the flames as Manly feud flares again

In their first season back in business, the Sea Eagles are at war
with themselves as a bitter dispute escalates, writes Roy Masters.

A lost dog and acrimony over the sale of Manly's football club
premises are the bizarre backdrop to an already bitter division
between the incumbent administration led by chairman Paul Vautin and
supporters of club legend Bob Fulton.

With legal letters exchanged between the Sea Eagles and Fulton's
business partner, Phil Franks, over the sale of Manly's Brookvale
premises, the northside club has become an entity only slightly less
stable than nitroglycerine.

Chief executive Ian Thomson confirmed the Sea Eagles had "sold off
the farm", receiving $2.5million from sponsor Delmege for the two-
hectare football club property - a sale independent of Manly's
licensed club - but insisted it was a good deal. He rejected claims
by Franks that Manly breached an agreement not to sell.

Franks, a developer and former first-grade player, claims he gave an
undertaking to withdraw a caveat on the Brookvale property on the
condition it not be sold, only to see it transferred to sponsor Max
Delmege the following day.

Fulton, Manly's greatest player and dual premiership coach, is a
minor partner with Franks in a prestigious seaside development, but
has fallen out with Vautin over remarks the former second-rower made
about the football talents of Fulton's son, Scott.

Read more SMH

____________________________________________


Broncos will only ask off-contract stars once

By Steve Mascord: Brisbane are likely to adopt a tough stance in
contract negotiations over coming weeks, and it seems possible a host
of their stars will be on the open market after the June 30 anti-
tampering deadline.

Up to 17 Broncos - including representative players Shaun Berrigan,
Ben Ikin, Brad Meyers and Dane Carlaw - are on deals that expire this
year.

"I told them I didn't want to get into any Dutch auction," said
Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen. "When I talk to them, I'll tell
them what we can afford under the cap and what we rate them at, and
that's about it.

"There's no need for them to go away and come back, go away and come
back - we"ll give them a number and that's it. If they can't accept
that then they'll have to move on.

"You don't have to be Einstein to know we got fined last year and if
we sign everyone for the same amount, we'll be in trouble again. So
there's a fair bit of work to do to keep them on board."

Read more SMH


____________________________________________

Salary cap starts to bite for Dogs

By Steve Mascord: Steve Price was entitled to believe that 2003 would
be an easier year than 2002 to captain the Bulldogs.

The salary cap controversy of last year made Price a de facto
spokesman for a club in crisis and for weeks his face and voice were
everywhere. Somehow, the Belmore club managed to hold on to its squad
and Price could have expected an easier ride, with the focus on the
field rather than in the boardroom.

But the news that talks between the club and halfback Brent Sherwin
have broken down indicate otherwise. The way the Dogs have structured
payments this year means they face an almost impossible task holding
on to everyone for 2004.

And it's a drama that will play itself out in public while the
Bulldogs attempt to win the premiership this year. The saga has the
potential to derail their season almost before it begins.

"I hope it's not [a distraction] but it's a tough situation
for 'Turvey' [chief executive Steve Mortimer] and the guys," Price
said ahead of Saturday's clash with St George Illawarra.

"Making the semi-finals depends on a lot of things and ... oh, it's a
tough situation."

One agent said this week that the Dogs "effectively have $2.9million
to spend" on players next year and will have to "lose two or three
name players" to get under the salary cap.

Price said: "As captain, as a teammate, I don't want to lose one of
them.

"But the thing you've got to understand - in their situation - is
that you can't ask them to stay for nothing, either.

Read more SMH

____________________________________________


UK National League results

Whitehaven 22 Salford City Reds 22
National League One favourites Salford were given an early fright as
they came from behind to snatch a 22-22 draw in their opening game at
Whitehaven.

Swinton Lions 31 Chorley Lynx 12
Swinton Lions got their new season off to the perfect start with a 31-
12 victory over Chorley Lynx.


Barrow Border Raiders 32 Workington Town 16
Barrow produced an excellent second-half performance to claim a
deserved 32-16 victory over Cumbrian rivals Workington.


London Skolars 2 Sheffield Eagles 52
London Skolars' debut in the National League turned into a horror
show as the Sheffield Eagles ran in nine tries during an emphatic 52-
2 victory.

Ananova

____________________________________________


Wigan Warriors 24 defeated St Helens 22

Patched-up Wigan pulled off a stunning 24-22 victory to St Helens to
a fourth successive defeat - their worst run for nine years.

The youthful Warriors shrugged off the absence of nine regulars to
produce a famous win that will live long in the memory of the 15,607
JJB Stadium crowd.

There were magnificent displays from Danny Sculthorpe and Danny
Tickle, while Wigan were also indebted to international trio Adrian
Lam, Terry Newton and Brian Carney.

St Helens set off in confident mood and when Sean Long and Paul
Sculthorpe worked the ball out from a scrum, Darren Albert easily
rounded novice winger Jon Whittle for the game's first try.

The inexperience of Whittle, recalled from sister rugby union club
Orrell, was again highlighted just before half-time when he made an
awful mess of Sculthorpe's high kick which allowed Albert to score
his second try.

Read more Ananova


____________________________________________

Widnes Vikings 32 defeated London Broncos 20

Widnes Vikings picked up their second successive win with three tries
in the last six minutes to send London tumbling to their first away
defeat of the Super League season in a thrilling game at the Halton
Stadium.

Widnes took an early lead with a Julian O'Neill penalty before Tony
Martin's break set up the position for Dennis Moran to send the
supporting Steve Hall for the Broncos' first try.

Martin missed the conversion and O'Neill had Widnes on level terms
with his second penalty.

The Vikings looked to have taken control with two slick converted
tries that opened up a 16-4 lead after 26 minutes.

Read more Sporting Life

____________________________________________

Warrington 35 defeated Wakefield 20

Warrington recorded their first home Tetley's Super League victory of
the season with a hard-earned success over the Wakefield at
Wildespool.

The Wolves, defeated in their previous two home league games by Leeds
and Hull, broke their duck after surviving a second-half revival by
the visitors.

Warrington were in total control as they led 22-6 early in the second
half, but two tries in seven minutes from Michael Korkidas and Adrian
Vowles and an Ian Knott conversion reduced the deficit to just six
points.

But the Wolves steadied the ship and finished with a 13-point scoring
burst in the final 11 minutes to seal victory.

Read more Sporting Life

____________________________________________

Dragons skipper is now slap happy

By JAMES HOOPER: ST GEORGE Illawarra captain Trent Barrett called an
emergency meeting earlier this week to ensure the Nathan Brown slap
affair was forgotten before the Dragons meet the Bulldogs.

Barrett summoned his teammates to clear the air after internal
murmurs about the sideline incident threatened to create a divide in
the club.

The move laid to rest one of the most remarkable sagas in the NRL in
recent seasons and St George Illawarra will now head into today's
match focused on the Bulldogs.

"I spoke to the boys on Monday and then off his own bat Trent decided
to speak to the boys on Tuesday," Brown revealed.

"I wasn't even there, but apparently he just grabbed the guys and
said what's happened, has happened and the important thing is that we
move on.

"He told them we have to all stick together and try to make it a good
year."

Brown has endured a tough initiation to the world of top grade
coaching.

His team has not performed to expectation and the the pressure is
mounting after the opening five rounds.

The weight of expectation eventually bubbled over against Manly last
weekend when Brown was involved in a sideline blow-up with players
Barrett, Lance Thompson and Brett Firman at WIN Stadium.

"I would have liked to have started better and won a couple more
games but it ain't supposed to be easy," Brown said.

"That's first grade coaching, there's going to be tough times, I got
mine straight at the start of the year but I'll push through.

Read more Daily Telegraph

____________________________________________

Roosters 27 defeated Broncos 20

Brad Fittler took advantage of a poor second half from Brisbane to
lead the Sydney Roosters to a 27-20 win over the Broncos in their
National Rugby League game at Aussie Stadium.

The Broncos led 20-18 at halftime, but failed to hold onto the ball
in the second half and the ruthless Roosters capitalised, scoring the
only try.

It was a second stanza which contrasted starkly with the opening 40
minutes, which featured a series of poor handling mistakes and
stunning tries as rain lashed the stadium.

The second half was an arm wrestle and there's few sides that get
into the trenches with the Roosters and come out on top.

Fittler scored a try in the first half and added the decisive match-
winner in the fifth minute of the second half after the Broncos had
made a hash of their first two sets after halftime.

He ran onto a short ball from Brett Finch, beat the tackle of Shaun
Berrigan and carried Darren Lockyer over to score and give his side a
22-20 lead, Craig Fitzgibbon converting to make the advantage four
points.

Fitzgibbon added a penalty goal in the 56th minute to make the lead
26-20 before Finch sealed the result with two minutes remaining,
kicking a field goal.

The Broncos took a two point lead into halftime after the Roosters
had set the scene for an exhilarating opening half with a try after
only 45 seconds.

Read more NRL
____________________________________________

Leeds 15 defeated Castleford 14

By Ian Laybourn: Tetley's Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos will head
for Cardiff next week with their 100% record intact after finishing
strongly to pip a brave Castleford side in a thriller at the Jungle.

A 78th-minute drop goal from half-back Andrew Dunemann settled a
pulsating derby, although Tigers captain Danny Orr had a chance to
win it for the home side in injury time when he was wide with a
touchline penalty.

Although the Powergen Challenge Cup finalists scored three tries to
one, they were in serious danger of losing their proud record after
being outplayed in the first half.

Captain Kevin Sinfield, whose precise goalkicking proved invaluable
in last Saturday's epic cup semi-final win over St Helens, had an off
day, missing with three of his four place kicks - and it almost cost
his side the chance to make it 10 wins out of 10.

Read more Sporting Life


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

RUGBY LEAGUE HISTORY
http://www.rl1908.com/





Finding a HomeFor many Australian players during the 20th century,
playing in the north of England saw the strands of national, local
and self-identity become inextricably interwoven - they made it their
home.

Many settled in the towns that had welcomed and made them a focus for
civic pride. Those who chose to stay slipped easily into the culture
of the north of England. Albert Rosenfeld settled in Huddersfield
until he died in 1970, working for most of his life as a dustman.
Arthur Clues too stayed on in Leeds and Brian Bevan has a statue
erected to his memory in Warrington.

No published biography of an Australian player who spent time with a
British club is without comment about those who watched them play.
Ken Thornett, who played for Leeds in the early 1960s, encouraged
fellow players to get out and meet them. Even players who, like Brett
Kenny, had little liking for the British way of life, praised the
British supporters. Rex Mossop's comments about Leigh in the 1950s
are also representative of the view of the players of the 1980s: "I
loved these loyal supporters, the way they'd cheer and sing at
matches and shout you a pint in their cosy, friendly pubs. They made
you feel part of a community."

A similar observation was made in 1990 by Australian journalist
Adrian MacGregor: To east coast Australians, Yorkshire and Lancashire
towns are more relevant to their education than the Tower of London.
England and Australia have cricket in common but nobody pretends that
singular game, by its very nature, possesses the camaraderie of rugby
league. It may sound naive to refer to an international brotherhood
of rugby league, yet hundreds of Australians have come to England to
play, many to stay. I found that, in the North, to be Australian was
to be welcomed, to be an Australian on the rugby league trail ensured
a hospitality bred of an intangible bond.

Although the wheels of commercialism and the lure of hard cash
transported Australian players to Britain, it was the culture of the
game which made them feel part of a community.

Rugby league, forged in opposition to the social exclusiveness of
rugby union and bolstered by its own self-image as "the working man's
game", embodies some of these common elements of British and
Australian working-class culture.

It was this that enabled British rugby league to welcome Australian
players and, in doing so, to act as a bridge linking the sun-kissed
beach of Bondi with the dark satanic mills of
Batley .............................To read more of Australians
playing in the UK click below.
http://www.rl1908.com/rugby-league/Aussies.htm


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.

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* LEAGUE COACH DISCUSSION eGROUP

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

The Tuesday question to the League Coach eGroup




Posted by Kevin O'Brien

If you have read my other posts you will know I have not played RL,
but have been coaching for 4 years.

I have a talented group of lads and basically they are left to make
their own choices when on the field except from a basic plan of 3
drives, then to hands and kick or hands again for every set of 6.

This has worked fine, but this season has been mixed and am feel I am
not able to help the lads get better i.e implementing attacking
plays, game plans and defensive patterns.

How could I build some training sessions to drill any specific things
(because of my lack of playing the game).

This isn't helped with former pro players standing on the touchline
watching their kids play for our team.

Any help again would be appreciated.

Kevin

Answers 1

Use the DigiLeague (http://www.digisport.com.au) program or the
league drills and skills from Tacklesports
(http://www.tacklesport.com) to develop skills and drills and
Training sessions. Then use your imagination to come up with some
incorporating of the game plans etc.

This will enable unique game moves that are not carbon copy from
manuals
that other coaches etc. may have so are easily counteracted.

Doug King

Answer 2

Ask yourself how many swimming coaches won a swim meet, then relook
at yourself, if you see the ability with in yourself then you will
recognize
the ability within your players.

Coach the choice, they chose but get them to
do it your way.

Believe in your self and get the players to believe in you.

If you have a problem with a particular skill ask your coaching
director or approach one of the talented parents

Gary Duffy




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

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"Give your players the edge - The Coaches Edge - Specially designed
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____________________________________________

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