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____________________________________________

TODAYS NEWS UPDATE 24/04/03
Click below for the latest news
http://www.rlcm.com.au/dailynews.htm

NRL Club News from SMH


Brad Walter reports Around The Clubs


BULLDOGS

Bulldogs skipper Steve Price has succeeded in having his careless
high tackle charge reduced to a grade two, but he will still miss
Saturday night's match in Canberra after being suspended for one
week. Had the original grade three charge been upheld, Price would
have been suspended for two games. Test forward Willie Mason is
expected to be recalled to the front row in Price's place after
initially being dropped to the interchange bench. Braith Anasta,
named at lock, passed a fitness test yesterday on his fractured
sternum and will make his comeback in Canberra.

BRISBANE

Halfback Shaun Berrigan has pleaded guilty to a contrary conduct
charge but is free to play in Friday night's match against Parramatta
after being granted a dispensation for his previously clean playing
record. Berrigan, who otherwise would have been suspended for one
match over his attempt to kick the ball out of Brad Fittler's hands
over the tryline last Friday night, successfully argued that the
mandatory discount for seven years without suspension should also
include three seasons he played in the Gold Coast Group 18
competition before joining Brisbane in 1999.

CANBERRA

Prop Luke Davico is expected to recover from a groin injury in time
for Saturday night's match against the Bulldogs, meaning that
Queanbeyan junior Ben Cross will drop back to premier league. Since
being the only local player to turn up at the Raiders' open trials in
the off-season, Cross has impressed coach Matt Elliott so much that
yesterday he was put on a fulltime contract.

CRONULLA

Sharks coach Chris Anderson admits that having the bye twice in the
opening seven rounds is disruptive to the club's attempts to gain any
early-season momentum. "We train hard during the week and then have
the weekend off. Mentally, it can be hard to get back up again after
that," Anderson said.

MANLY

Halfback Jason Ferris (broken finger), hooker Chad Randall (eye),
prop Nathan Long (shoulder) and forward Solomon Haumono (hamstring)
remain in doubt for Sunday's match against South Sydney. Randall was
hospitalised earlier this week after suffering bleeding behind the
eye in Sunday's win over Melbourne.

MELBOURNE

Off-season recruit Andrew McFadden has again been forced to delay his
debut for the Storm after suffering a setback in his recovery from
osteitis pubis.

NEWCASTLE

Rookie back-rower Todd Bates has been sent back to premier league on
Saturday to get some match fitness after spending the past two games
on the Knights interchange bench without getting a run against either
the Bulldogs or Cronulla.

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Injured Queensland Origin prop John Buttigieg is expected to be
sidelined for a further three weeks after suffering nerve damage when
he dislocated his shoulder in the round-four loss to Brisbane.

PARRAMATTA

Friday night's match against Brisbane will be the Eels' 200th at
Parramatta Stadium since it was constructed after fans burnt down
Cumberland Oval's grandstand in celebration of the club's first
premiership win, in 1981.

PENRITH

Centre Shane Elford is close to returning after 10 months on the
sideline with a torn patella tendon. Elford, whose recovery stalled
when the knee injury flared again during the off-season, may make his
comeback on Saturday week against Manly at Penrith Stadium.

SOUTH SYDNEY

New recruit Wise Kativerata will make his debut for Souths in premier
league on Sunday after gaining a release from St George Illawarra.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

Former Kiwi international Henry Perenara is likely to gain a recall
to first grade in Friday's match against the Sydney Roosters, with
lock Shaun Timmins in extreme doubt due to a hamstring problem.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Roosters coach Ricky Stuart rates Great Britain forward Adrian Morley
little chance of recovering from a back injury in time for tomorrow's
clash with St George Illawarra at Aussie Stadium. "At training this
morning he could only do laps of the oval and seemed to be in a bit
of bother - unless there is some sort of miraculous recovery it
doesn't look good," Stuart said.

WARRIORS

Former All Blacks halfback Mark Robinson indicated that he is ready
for a Warriors call-up after scoring four tries on debut during the
curtain-raiser to last Monday's match against North Queensland.

WESTS TIGERS

Tigers coach Tim Sheens will delay until tomorrow a decision on John
Skandalis's replacement for Saturday's trip to Newcastle after the in-
form prop yesterday accepted a one-match ban for a careless high
tackle. Either Chris Patterson or Anthony Laffranchi is likely to be
promoted from the interchange bench, while Steve Trindall may return
from the premier league.

SMH

____________________________________________



Stricken Storm looking at Russell Richardson


By Brad Walter and Roy Masters: Melbourne may approach out-of-favour
South Sydney international Russell Richardson after Storm centre
Aaron Moule confirmed his retirement yesterday, compounding the
club's injury crisis.

Coincidentally, after a career plagued by three shoulder
reconstructions, a knee reconstruction and a long battle with the
chronic groin complaint osteitis pubis, Moule is bowing out at one of
the few times in the past five years that he has been fully fit.

But the 25-year-old Queens-lander said his continual battle with
injuries had eroded his desire to play and he now wanted to
concentrate on business interests, leaving the Storm struggling to
field a NRL-strength side following the unavailability of up to 12 of
the club's top 25 players through injury.

"It's been a bit of a challenge for the club over the last few
months, we're right down to the bare bones," Storm chief executive
John Ribot said.

"This year is the worst I have ever experienced without a doubt. I
really feel for [coach] Craig Bellamy because they're just dropping
like flies, and even what happened today was hard to swallow because
poor old Aaron has been going through hard times."

Aside from Moule, back-rower Willie Leyshon has also retired this
season due to knee problems, although he has since signed with
Parramatta and Ribot said the club was considering legal action.

In addition, Michael Russo, Fifita Maola, Robert Tanielu and Jake
Webster are out for the season, while former Test prop Rodney Howe
isn't due back from knee surgery for another three months.

Asked about the possibility of recruiting some reinforcements, Ribot
said it was "bloody hard" to find a player of Moule's quality at this
stage of the season but admitted that Richardson might be an option
after the former Test centre was given permission to negotiate with
other clubs.

"I've spoken to Craig [Bellamy] about it and we'll have a look
around," Ribot said. "He [Richardson] may be someone that comes onto
the screen but he's obviously got commitments there and a contract,
so I don't know whether he would be available. We'll just see what
options there are."

SMH

____________________________________________



Price out for one week


BULLDOGS skipper Steve Price will miss one week after successfully
downgrading a careless high tackle charge at the National Rugby
League judiciary.

Price was initially charged with a grade three careless high tackle
which carried a two match ban if found guilty.

But Price had it downgraded to a grade two using video evidence to
prove the tackle did not deserve to be listed as a grade three.

He will miss this weekend's clash against the Raiders in Canberra.

Foxsports

____________________________________________



Top Origin sales on Internet


Steve Ricketts: The internet was the preferred avenue of purchase for
rugby league fans as State of Origin tickets for matches one and
three at the new Suncorp Stadium sold like hot cakes yesterday.

Fans queued at Ticketek outlets before opening time but those who
accessed the web snapped up most of the 31,684 tickets sold to the
general public by 4pm.

More than 24,000 of those tickets were for the first Origin match on
June 11 and the rest for Origin III on July 16. Only three corporate
boxes of 172 remain for Origin I.

"We're very comfortable with the way things went," Queensland Rugby
League managing director Ross Livermore said last night.

"On the first day of ticket sales for the last Origin match at
Suncorp (on May 6, 2001), only 5500 tickets were sold.

"But that is an unfair comparison because obviously people want to
enjoy the atmosphere of the new facility.

"The Net was the number one seller of tickets, the box office number
two, outlets third and the telephone last.

"But you wouldn't believe it. Some people who got tickets complained
because they weren't on the halfway line.

"One bloke a New South Welshman complained because he was eight rows
back from the sideline and he wanted to be closer."

Courier Mail

____________________________________________



Ref boss hits out at game officials


Steve Ricketts and Peter Frilingos: NRL referees boss Robert Finch
has read the riot act to match officials and sacked video referee
Chris Ward after a weekend of contentious decisions in several
matches.

Ward paid the price for his effort in the Sydney Roosters' 27-20 win
over the Broncos last Friday in which the Roosters fell foul of one,
possibly two, of his decisions.

In particular, Finch was critical of Ward for awarding a try to
Brisbane forward Dane Carlaw when it was apparent Carlaw was offside.
That try gave Brisbane a 20-12 lead.

There also was doubt over whether Brisbane centre Michael De Vere
correctly grounded the ball for a try in the 17th minute which made
the score 12-12.

This week Finch has spoken twice to referees, touch judges and video
referees on the need to brush up on their teamwork.

"I think they got the message," he said yesterday.

The Carlaw incident headed the list of contentious decisions with
incidents at Brookvale Oval and Ericsson Stadium in Auckland also
coming under the microscope.

At Brookvale, there was a suspicion of offside play and a knock-on by
Manly skipper Steve Menzies before a crucial try by winger Scott
Donald in the 20-14 win over Melbourne.

Tony Archer awarded the try without reference to video referee Steve
Clark.

In Auckland, where New Zealand Warriors hung on for a 30-24 win over
North Queensland, the Warriors should have been penalised in the
closing stages for stripping the ball but a scrum was packed with
referee Matt Cecchin and his touch judges failing to see Warriors
back Brent Webb knock the ball from Leigh McWilliams' grasp as he was
held by another player.

Courier Mail

____________________________________________



Calderwood's eye for tries gives Leeds cutting edge


By Dave Hadfield: Rhinos winger has the speed, sidestep and savvy to
bamboozle local rivals Bradford in Challenge Cup final on Saturday

For a late developer in the game of rugby league, Mark Calderwood has
moved rapidly to make up for lost time.

The Leeds winger, who plays in the Powergen Challenge Cup final
against Bradford at Cardiff on Saturday is the leading try-scorer in
the country, with 12 so far this season, and yet he had no interest
in the sport until he was into his teens and even then struggled to
make an impact.

Calderwood was born in London, but his family moved to Leeds when he
was a three-year-old. "I wasn't really interested in rugby until I
was about 13. I was more of a football supporter, following Newcastle
for some reason.

"I don't even think Leeds particularly wanted to sign me for their
Academy. Then they were going to sack me, but I scored a couple of
tries in a match and they kept me on."

Calderwood was still trying to make his way in the Academy side when
he went to Murrayfield with the first team in 2000 the last time
Leeds were in the Cup final. It was the experience that awakened his
ambition.

Read more The Independent

____________________________________________



Noble waits on injuries to three players


By Dave Hadfield: The Bradford coach, Brian Noble, has three
remaining injury doubts to resolve before naming his Challenge Cup
final team tomorrow.

The second rower Daniel Gartner is recovering from a calf injury, the
full-back Michael Withers is struggling with a stomach strain, while
Scott Naylor is trying to overcome a sore hamstring to stake a claim
in the centres.

"I'm hopeful that two of them will be ready and Joe Vagana should be
fit as well," said Noble, who will tell the players his team tonight,
after they travel down to Cardiff.

He has dismissed suspicions in the Leeds camp that the Great Britain
prop, Stuart Fielden, could yet make a miraculous recovery from knee
ligament damage. Just to make doubly sure, Fielden has been suspended
for two matches for a ungentlemanly conduct after raising his knees
in the tackle in the game against Hull on Good Friday in which he
suffered his injury.

Noble is also reluctant to accept Leeds' contention that they are the
underdogs at the Millennium Stadium.

"They are unbeaten this season so I think they deserve to be
favourites," he said. "Matt Diskin looks like playing, although I
don't think Matt Adamson will. It will be a big risk if he does."

The Independent


____________________________________________


HULL SIGN CROOKS JUNIOR


Prop forward Stuart Crooks has followed in the footsteps of his
father Lee, the former Great Britain front rower, by signing for Hull.

Crooks, 18, is one of 13 players from Hull's Under-18 team to be
handed professional contracts.

The list includes 16-year-old forwards Matty Ellis, Rob Blakebrough
and Joe McLocklan, who have all played for England at Under-16 level.

Sporting Life


____________________________________________


Fielden banned for illegal tackle


Bradford prop Stuart Fielden has been banned for two matches
for "ungentlemanly conduct" for lifting his knees in the tackle
against Hull on Good Friday.

The suspension would have ruled him out of Saturday's Powergen
Challenge Cup final against Leeds, but he was injured in the incident
and misses the game.

Fielden was cited following a 20th-minute clash with Hull skipper
Jason Smith, who dislocated his shoulder in the incident while
Fielden tore a cruciate ligament that will keep him out for four
months.

Fielden was ordered to appear before the RFL's disciplinary panel
after having received three warning letters in the past about his
running style.

He was found by the panel to have acted outside the "true spirit of
the game".

Ironically, Fielden's likely replacement in Cardiff - Richard Moore -
has been cleared to play in the final despite being placed on report
for allegedly lifting his knees in a tackle.

The League's executive decided not to refer Moore but instead to
issue a warning letter.

Ananova

____________________________________________



Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe invited to become members of St Albans


World famous film stars Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe have been
invited to become the inaugural Life Members of the St Albans
Centurions Rugby League Football Club. The Woollams-based club, who
make their debut in the new National League Three on May 3 at home to
Teesside Steelers, have asked the Holywood giants to be figureheads
for their new venture because of their links with St Albans, Rugby
League and Roman Centurions.

I have been in touch with Russell Crowes agent here in Sydney and
also with Tom Cruise in New Zealand,said Centurions Press Officer
Gavin Willacy, currently holidaying in Australia. We are just waiting
to hear word back. Tom is currently filming The Last Samurai in
Taranaki. He spent a lot of time in St Albans a couple of years ago
while filming Eyes Wide Shut with Nicole Kidman and was a regular
visitor to the house of the director, the late Stanley Kubrick, right
across the road from our ground on Harpenden Road.

Russell is a massive League fan ­ he took Tom to see his beloved
South Sydney play a couple of years ago ­ and just happens to be the
worlds most famous Roman soldier: its a perfect match for the Centurions!

Crowe, who is currently honeymooning in Queensland, and Kidman both
received the Centenary Medal in Australia this week as a tribute to
their work in Australias cause. Crowe was born in New Zealand but is
now based in Sydney. Cruise is living in Taranaki with his young
family. Coincidentally, the first ever USA rugby league team actually
played in Taranaki when on tour in 1953.


____________________________________________


Widnes 26 defeated Wakefield 6


Widnes completed a Super League and Challenge Cup double over
Wakefield with a determined if not spectacular display on Tuesday.

Stand-off Julian O'Neill starred with a try and four goals but it was
Wakefield's sloppy defending and silly errors that stood out most
from a poor game at Belle Vue.

Wildcats finally came to life after Marvin Golden had put Widnes 12-4
up with a try in the 45th minute.

Read more Spporting Life

____________________________________________



Simms predicts bright future


Neil Barker: SALFORD Reds' future is brighter than ever, says
football director Steve Simms.

Top-class junior talent is in plentiful supply, and Simms predicts
exciting things lie ahead.

Simms believes the Reds are following Wigan Warriors lead in
recruiting wisely and nurturing outstanding young home-grown talent.

He said: "It is the best way for a club to guarantee long-term
success. It has worked for Wigan in the past, and it's a road we are
fully committed to going down.

"Our own youngsters are up there with the best in the country. The
club's future is in safe hands when you see what is coming through.

Read more Manchester Online


____________________________________________


Sharks face $10,000 fine


There's no rest in sight for embattled Cronulla despite having a
National Rugby League bye this weekend.

Sharks general manager Steve Rogers said the club would provide the
NRL with submissions in the next five working days to explain "an
administrative oversight" which could cost the cellar dwellers a
$10,000 fine.

The winless Sharks' ordinary season continued when they were issued
with a breach notice for using an unregistered player, Laloa Milford,
during last Sunday's clash with Newcastle.

The NRL claimed Milford had received a clearance to play from his
previous club but had not been registered with the Sharks.

Rogers said he hoped some good news would finally come the Sharks'
way.

"I'm certainly hoping it will be viewed favourably. I think a $10,000
fine for an administrative oversight, my first impression of that is
it's a little severe," he said.

"It was just a breakdown in communication."

It is the last thing the Sharks need after being relegated to the
bottom of the NRL ladder as the only team not to have won a game
after six rounds.

SMH

____________________________________________

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