RUGBY LEAGUE COACHING MANUALS
Est.1993
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Welcome to the Monday edition of the RLCM Newsletter.
This issue features a coaching EXTRACT FROM RLCM BOOK 9
- Wayne Pearce
This RLCM News is 100% free, however we need your help to spread the
word.
Please feel free to pass this on to your fellow coaches, trainers and
players.
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* RLCM - 'EVERY DAY' COACHING QUOTE -
"Excusing a loss by complaining about outside factors once the event
is over doesn't change the result" - Rod Macqueen from his Book ' One
Step Ahead'
____________________________________________
* TODAYS CONTENTS 26/05/03
RLCM COMMENT - By Gary Roberts
Hey Coach, do you have a coaching philosphy?
RLCM - COACHING EXTRACT FROM RLCM BOOK 9 - Wayne Pearce
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Issue Contents
* Coach Talk - Chris Anderson - Written by Terry Prindable
* 'Get Out' Sets - With Glenn Bayliss and Rick Stone
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* An Approach to Short Term Coaching Written by Ray Unsworth -
Director of Coach Education, RFL
* Making the Transition - With Rick Stone - Burleigh Bears Head
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* Andrew Johns' Mental Skills Checklist
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* What Type of Person Makes a Good Coach
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* Coach Talk - Rod Patison
* A Question; 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 - Written by Gary Roberts
* Preparing The Junior Player on Match Day - John Dixon - Brisbane
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* 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
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* Skill Assessments for Young Players
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* Injuries to the Abdomen, what can happen beneath - Doug King RCpN
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* Cramps and Stitch - Australian Institute of Sport, Department of
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* Supplements in Sport - why are they so tempting? AIS , Department
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* Off-Load Drills - Penrith Panthers RLFC
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
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* League Coach Forum
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RLCM COMMENT - Hey Coach! Do you have a coaching philosophy?
Written by Gary Roberts
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word philosophy
as: Seeking after wisdom or knowledge, esp. that which
deals with ultimate reality or with the most general
causes and principles of things and ideas and human
perception and knowledge of them.
Rogets Thesaurus says of philosophy:
Knowledge, laws, thought, wisdom, learning, theory,
principles, metaphysics, science, ideology, ism,
doctrine, system, lifestyles, values and tenets.
Coaches are often asked to explain their coaching
philosophy.
Some go to great lengths and give an articulate answer.
Others work their way through the question and
stumble along looking for an answer.
The question is complex and many different answers
are received and taking into account the various
definitions, it is easy to understand why.
Maybe a simpler question would be, Why do you
want to be a coach? or What do you hope to achieve
with your coaching?
If you are going to be a coach and it does not matter at
what level you are coaching, whether it is mini-mod,
junior level, senior team, representative or the elite
teams, you need a framework and parameters or a
coaching philosophy to work to. This philosophy will
make you challenge yourself and will set you apart
from other coaches.
Before we go much further, jot down some issues,
guidelines or key thoughts that you work to as a coach.
If you are a junior coach, it might be, How important
is winning? or Equalising the opportunity to play.
Think about it and do write something down.
Be aware that this is not your philosophy, as that will
take time to develop. You have written some topics
that are your key thoughts and they give you some
tools to work with. The thinking coach can now begin
to implement procedures that require outcomes.
A philosophy will help you grow in the game and
watch the players that have come in contact with you
develop because you have a philosophy of how you
want them to develop.
Greg Pierce, assistant coach at Cronulla Sharks with
Chris Anderson, gave coaches an interesting insight
into his philosophies in a talk at the recent 2003 High
Performance Camp at Narrabeen.
He began with the statement,We all have a
philosophy on coaching. You may not think it but we
all have thoughts on how the game should be played.
Pierce is correct in his assumption that we have
thoughts on the way the game is played but these are
not to be confused with the styles of play that a
particular team uses.
Wayne Bennett, Broncos coach, has a simple plan of
the way he wants his teams to play. In 2003 he wants
more running and passing to come back into the
Broncos game - a trait that made them successful in
the mid 90s.
Chris Anderson, Cronulla coach, has a style of play,
developed while he was coaching at Halifax, that
involves a flat attack. He has won premierships at
Canterbury and Melbourne with game plans derived
from this attacking system.
The Sydney Roosters play it completely differently
from Brisbane and Cronulla. Coach Stuarts game
plan in 2002 was based on effective defence in the
oppositions half.
Daniel Andersons NZ Warriors mode of play includes
creating offloads from his big forwards - again
different from the other coaches.
All the above are STYLES of play and are not to be
confused with a coachs philosophy of the game.
Once a coaching philosophy on the game is developed,
a thinking coach is born.
Along the way, a coach will have doubts and doubters
will question him about his philosophy. Remember
the fans wanted Wayne Bennetts head early in his
career at the Broncos but he stuck with his principles.
Bennett acknowledges he has made adjustments to
the way the Broncos play in attack and defence and
has had to make hard decisions about playing
personnel. It could be argued that those decisions are
a part of Bennetts coaching philosophy of the game.
One of Bennetts major philosophies of coaching is
to having players performing the fundamental skills
correctly and to improve these skills in his players. It
involves drills and small-sided games - a coaching
philosophy since his days as a rookie coach. The drills
and training games may have changed and his
emphasis on skill development has evolved in different
ways. However, his coaching philosophy of
constantly improving the fundamentals has remained
the same throughout his coaching career.
He said, The things that havent changed over the
years are my values and philosophies in the way I
believe football should be played.
Greg Pierce says, Everyones philosophies will be
different but no one persons philosophies are going
to be wrong. Your thoughts may be the total opposite
of another coach but that does not mean that you are
wrong or they are right.
He concludes, That is why rugby league is a great
game. It can be played in so many different ways.
Hopefully, you have written down some thoughts that
may start you on the way to developing your own coaching philosophy.
You are now a thinking coach with a philosophy on
the game of rugby league.
Work within its boundaries. Maybe move sideways
occasionally but dont move too far away from the
things that you hold true YOUR COACHING
PHILOSOPHY.
____________________________________________
* AN EXTRACT FROM THE WAYNE PEARCE INTERVIEW
FROM RLCM BOOK 9
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and you will be reading it today.
Q. Could you give me an opinion on what I call
'impulse' play, that is players reacting on the spot
to situations in play.
That is what football is all about, it's about
reacting to the situation. It is not like a 100 metre race
where you only have to react to the starting gun and
then basically go until the finish line. Rugby League
is all about reactions and reacting to what you see.
From that point of view we certainly do a lot of training
in terms of skill games, modified games that are a major
component of the game. Unless a player can react to a
situation he will never succeed as a quality player at
the top level and so my point of view is that this is
what Rugby League is all about.
It is about reacting
to what you see and every situation in the game is
different and never ever do you see two games that are
identical in terms of the way that they flow and events
unfold. Better quality players can make decisions under
pressure, they can also make decisions quickly and
more often the right ones. Anyone can make a decision
quickly but it is a different matter as to whether it is
the right decision in the right situation.
For example - off loading. Some players will engage
in a tackle and offload in a most ridiculous situation
and the ball will go to ground, off-loading to a player
who is in a worse situation than they are. They have
reacted to a situation but have reacted in the wrong
manner and if you work on that particular skill under
pressure at training and over a period of time they can
adapt and make the right decisions.
It is totally related to skill work and it doesn't just
happen on the field unless you put players in that
practice pressure situations at training.
Q. How important is the mental aspects of
players to achieve performance?
I think this aspect is a real priority, and yet it
is an area that is still largely unchartered as far as
preparation is concerned. We have a sports
psychologist that we use extensively at Balmain.
I got
him involved during my first year with the club and
has been with us right through working in a range of
areas from building players self esteem to helping
players perfect self hypnosis and visualisation.
I think
in the past there has been this perception that the head
coach is automatically a sports psychologist as well.
I had three years involved with Psychology at
University yet I still think it is worthwhile getting a
specialist in that area to work with the players.
Sometimes the players are prepared to reveal some of
their problems with an entrusted sports psychologist
in preference to speaking to me or other members of
the staff. There are a whole range of reasons why I
think it is better to have somebody independent of the
coach who can work exclusively in that area.
Q. Players are expected to perform at their
peak each week, how do you ensure this
performance?
First and foremost I try to prepare them as
best I can in regards to varying their programme, to
monitoring their energy and fatigue levels.
We have
charts for players when they come to training, which
have on them a smiley face, a pretty bland face or a
sad face. Players tick one of these as to how they are
feeling and that gives us an idea of how the players are
feeling. If players are constantly feeling flat and if
you have a lot of players like that then maybe the work
load is too heavy, so it enable's us to chart that a little
bit better.
Variety is very important in terms of keeping
players mentally stimulated and it is about providing
challenges and setting goals with the players
individually and collectively each week.
The challenge
is really what drives the players on, if somebody has
achieved everything it is understandable that it would
be on their mind they have achieved everything and
there is nothing left to achieve .
That is when players
are likely to lose any real incentive or motivation, but
everyone can be given a new challenge. That is one of
the arts of coaching, presenting players with new
challenges.......................more
Book 9 - Now available @ AUS$22.00
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Book 9 Contents
* Penetrating The Defensive Line
* Coaching The Mini Mod Team
* Defensive Systems "Slide" versus "Up and In"
* Coach Talk
* Easy To Train Strength Exercises
* A Psychologists View
* Skill Scene
* Eating for Peak Performance
Or buy the RLCM CD-ROM today containing 34 Books and read everything
have published to March 2003.
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____________________________________________
* RUGBY LEAGUE POSITIONS VACANT
THIS IS A FREE RLCM SERVICE FOR ALL RUGBY LEAGUE
CLUBS.
http://www.rlcm.com.au/vacancies.shtml
Send information whether your club is looking for players, coaches,
managers, trainers, administrators any where in the world.
Coaches & coaching Director For 2004 season
Posted Sunday, May 25, 2003 by rlcm57
We are a high quality junior club on the south side of Brisbane.
We are in a good position to field many good teams for the 2004
season & would like to hear from any intreasted persons of suitable
qualifactions to contact me reguarding the 2004 season.
In addition if you are looking for a club with a good family base to
bring your players please contact me Gary Duffy in the first instance
via email at
gduff86@...
________________________________________
Stuart Savage seeks position within Rugby League
I am currently studying for a BA Hon's Degree in Sports Studies at
Manchester University and due to graduate in July.
Working as a part-time Rehabilitation Coach with brain injured
clients. Aiming to progress in youth development, sports coaching and
strength and fitness conditioning.
Key Strengths
* Excellent communication skills
* Ability to build rapport with different people
* Ability to work as part of a team or as an individual
* Able to prioritise using organisational skills and techniques
* Flexible and adaptable to changing environments
Education:
September 2000-July 2003: University of Manchester BA (Hons) Degree
Sports Studies
February 1998-August 1999: Wigan College.
Sport and Recreation Management NVQ 2&3.
September 1996-July 1997: Wigan College.
International Masters Diploma in Sports Therapy.
September 1994-July 1996: Wigan College.
Btec National Diploma in Sports Science.
September 1989- June 1994: Haydock High School Eight G.C.S.Es.
Employment History:
July 2001- Present: Transitional Rehabilitation Unit (TRU), Haydock.
Rehabilitation Coach for clients that have suffered a brain injury
via trauma or degenerative disease. This includes organisational,
behavioural and emotional support in a holistic environment and
community setting.
October 1999-July 2001: Haydock Thistle Leisure Spa, Haydock.
Sports Injury Therapist. Self-employed Sports Therapist involves the
diagnosis of injuries and treatment rehabilitation. Recording
business accounts and promotion.
February 1998- August 1999: Haydock Thistle Leisure Spa, Haydock.
Health & Fitness Consultant. Involves one to one programmes for
members, group classes, fitness testing, handling cash, and pool
supervision and general cleanliness.
May 1997- February 1998: Millennium Health and Fitness, Haydock.
Gym instructor. This involved the designing of personal programmes
for gym members, group classes and general cleanliness.
Additional Qualifications
* Senior Coach Award (Coaching Education Programme), Salford City
* Club Coach Award (Coaching Education Programme), Warrington Wolves.
* First Aid in the Workplace.
* Gym Instructor Level One.
* Gym Instructor Level Two.
* Fitness Conditioning in Rugby League, Wigan Warriors.
* Full Clean Driving License.
Hobbies and Interests
I currently play Rugby League for Warrington Collegiate Institute in
the National Student League. Previously coached Rugby League for the
Warrington Wolves via their Primary Link scheme in the borough (8-16
yrs) and also assist with the University.
In addition to this I Strength and Fitness Conditioned Salford City
Reds Senior Academy.
I am always looking to improve myself in a coaching/teaching aspect
and have recently finished my work placement in coaching and
conditioning with the Penrith Panthers, Sydney City Roosters both NRL
(National Australian Rugby League) teams and Queensland State of
Origin Representative team. I have also visited the AIS (Australian
Institute of Sport) and Ajax Amsterdam FC for educational purposes
viewing elite athletes and coaches. Other interests include jogging,
weight training, reading, studying, computers, travelling and
socialising.
References
Available upon request.
Stuart Savage
369 West End Road, Haydock,
St Helens,
Merseyside,
United Kingdom, WA11 OAX
Tel: (01744) 752212/ 0794 724 8766
Email:
stusavage@...
___________________________________________
R.L. COACH LOOKING FOR COACHING POSITION QLD 2003 SEASON
I am 38yo, looking for a Senior Coaching position in the Southern
Queensland area.
My qualifications include:
Level III ARL High Performance Coach,
Level II Sports Trainer (Sports Medicine Aust),
B.A. Degree Sports Science,
Senior First Aid,
NSWRL-CRL-NRL Experience as a player/ Coach &
SportsTrainer /Conditioner with great success.
New to Southern QLD area.
Also have experience in Junior Development & Scouting new talent at
NRL level.
Willing to travel for right position.
For all interested inquiries,
thunder2@...
Phone: (07)5528-2879.
Mail: P.O.Box 638, Labrador 4215 Queensland. Australia
Phone/Fax International: 61-7-5528-2879 (QLD)
Phone/Fax Local: 07)5528-2879
___________________________________________
Assistant Sports Player Manager
Axis Player Management Group
Full time package - $40,000 (including Superannuation) + Incentives
Information
The Role - contacting and actively recruiting elite athletes,
liaising with professional sports people, producing player reports
and innovative sports research and sourcing and effectively managing
sponsorship arrangements.
The Requirements - presently employed in a professional sports
organisation or with a player contact network, outgoing personality
and the ability to be persuasive.
The Position - part time or fulltime.
Apply to
Please Email resume and covering to
keith@...
or call Belinda on (02) 9232 3666
___________________________________________
Senior UK coach seeks club
I am a 31 year old Senior coach based in England and have set myself
a long term goal of Coaching a Professional squad full time in the
next five years.
To assist in this I would like to learn and work with any
professional coaches within Super League or the National League.
I am currently a Head Coach for a Service area Squad, Head Coach for
a SRL Squad and Conditioner for an Amateur Squad.
I have a Degree in Sport & Exercise Science (Biomechanics, Nutrition,
Physiology, Psychology) Therefore have a broad knowledge of factors
that influence elite performance.
I currently work as a Community Development Worker (F/T), and a Rugby
League developement worker (P/T) and would love to work full time in a
rugby related position.
If anyone has any information or guidance please contact me on:
richard@...
____________________________________________
* RLCM - NEWS UPDATE
Click
http://www.rlcm.com.au/dailynews.htm for the latest News
Cashed up with no one to buy
By Peter Frilingos: Tim Sheens is about to know what it's like having
fistfuls of cash and nobody to spend it on.
After watching his side get their bums smacked yet again yesterday,
this time by the born-again Panthers, the Wests Tigers coach revealed
his struggling club would have up to three-quarters of its
$3.25million salary cap available to lavish on new talent next year.
On the face of it that's heartening news for Tigers fans, but before
the renaissance can get under way the club has to overcome formidable
hurdles.
The first one is premiership credibility and the second is finding or
manufacturing talent worthy of outlaying big bucks on after
convincing players to join a club that appears to be going nowhere.
Sheens did not come to the club as a messiah and at no stage promised
to transform the league's perennial losers into a premiership force
overnight.
Read more Daily Telegraph
________________________________________
Joey, Gus have feud for thought
There was a further twist to the Gould - Johns saga yesterday when
Johns' manager John Fordham contacted The Footy Show and read out a
statement from his client after Gould had his say.
"We (Gould and I) may have differing opinions on certain football
matters which is part and parcel of a relationship between a player
and a coach, a team and a coach and a captain and a coach," Johns
said.
"Whatever people want to draw from our conversation at an Origin
squad gathering last week ignores the fact that Gus and I have
passionate views on many aspects of the game, but they are always in
the best interests of the team.
"The unfortunate aspect of what happened last week is there were some
matters aired publicly and in a team situation that on reflection
should have been addressed on a personal level. This factor and this
factor alone has led to this weekend's media hysteria."
The issue was not confined to the two main players, with almost
everybody weighing in yesterday. Queensland coach Wayne Bennett wrote
in his weekend column that he thought Gould would soon send out an
SOS to Roosters captain Brad Fittler, who retired from rep football
at the end of 2001.
Gould's drawn-out selection process of naming a 30-man squad (which
ended up being 33) and trimming it to 24 (which ended up being 25)
has been criticised on several fronts, the latest being NSW selector
Bob Fulton in his capacity as a 2GB commentator yesterday.
"It would be my personal choice just to pick a squad of 17 at the
appropriate time which is 11-12 days before the State of Origin
match," Fulton said.
Read more The Australian
________________________________________
Knights will come to party
Steve Ricketts: Newcastle coach Michael Hagan says his team will play
its part in ensuring Sunday's historic Suncorp Stadium match against
competition leader Brisbane is a memorable occasion.
Hagan said yesterday the Knights were in good shape despite their
shock 30-24 home loss to the Sharks on Saturday night and head
injuries to key forwards Sean Rudder and Steve Simpson.
Rudder and Simpson are expected to play and Test wingers Timana Tahu
and Adam MacDougall could return from injury against a Brisbane side
that set a benchmark in defence in Friday night's 24-0 win over the
Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium.
Brisbane skipper Gorden Tallis said the Broncos had come up
against "the best of the best" in the Bulldogs when it came to
kicking games and the Bulldogs still could not score a try.
Tallis, who is nursing a badly corked thigh from the match, said he
did not think Brisbane were brilliant in attack but the defence was
exceptional.
"It's the first time I've played where we have kept a team of that
quality scoreless," he said.
Read more Courier Mail
________________________________________
'Intimidating' Johns blamed for Blues rift
Paul Kent: Andrew Johns's dominating personality is at the centre of
his fallout with NSW State of Origin coach Phil Gould.
The pair are in dispute after a series of incidents in the past week,
led by Gould calling on Johns to curb his on-field behaviour for fear
it would intimidate his Blues teammates.
Gould's statement, as well as his criticism of Johns in front of NSW
teammates, has angered the NSW captain.
Gould apparently believes the side-effect of Johns's on-field
behaviour, which includes berating teammates he does not believe are
contributing enough, could be to derail the Blues Origin campaign if
not managed.
Read more Courier Mail
________________________________________
Michael Meigan stars in big win to NQ Young Guns
By ADAM GARDINI: Two tries to young five-eighth Michael Meigan
assisted the North Queensland Young Guns to a comfortable 48-22
Queensland Cup victory over Souths Logan at Davies Park on Saturday.
Meigan, who was recruited to the club after captaining the Bulldogs
Jersey Flegg team, turned in a much improved performance after some
patchy form over the first nine rounds of the Queensland Cup.
Young Guns coach Adrian Thomson explained the 21-year-old was still
getting used to life away from Sydney and was finding it hard to
settle in.
However, after having some time to adjust, Meigan looks to have
shaken off the effects of any home sickness and is now ready to show
his true colours.
"It has been a challenge for him," Thomson said.
Read more Townsville Bulletin
________________________________________
Cowboys take a shine to Sydney
By ADAM GARDINI: The ability to win away from home will prove an
important factor for the Cowboys over the next month with three games
in Sydney against the Dragons, Roosters and Eels.
Cowboys coach Graham Murray agreed on the significance of his side
being able perform away from home throughout the season.
"They are all important (games)," Murray said.
"We know there are winnable games out there and it's a tough
competition and you've just got to be on your job every week and I
think we were on the job tonight."
With the Cowboys now sharing seventh spot on the National Rugby
League ladder alongside heavyweights the Bulldogs, Newcastle and the
Dragons, Murray said Saturday night's victory was significant.
"I did say to the players in a meeting that if we did win (against
Manly), I couldn't promise them, but we would be very close to the
eight which means a lot to us," he said.
"We've always said to ourselves the realistic part would be just
about (in the) top eight.
"Now if that means we are in the top eight or just about to get into
the top eight it means we are winning more than we are losing and I
reckon that's just about our standard. Having said that if we keep on
winning we are just going to keep climbing the ladder -- it's as
simple as that.
"We are playing a decent standard of football in attack and I think
our defence is very good.
"I don't think there has been a game this year that we haven't
defended pretty well and tonight we defended great."
Read more Townsville Bulletin
________________________________________
National League Review
Rochdale claimed top spot in National League One as Leigh suffered
their first defeat of the season on Sunday.
Despite a second-half fightback, the Centurions were edged out 12-10
at Oldham allowing Rochdale to take over at the summit on points
difference courtesy of a resounding 60-6 win at Dewsbury.
To congest matters at the top, pre-season title favourites Salford
staged a late rally to close the gap in third place on the back of a
34-24 win at Doncaster.
Leigh surprisingly came unstuck at Oldham as the Roughyeds recovered
from the shock of conceding 50 points at Doncaster last week.
Four goals from former Centurion Simon Svabic and a well-worked try
by Gavin Dodd gave Oldham a 12-0 lead before Leigh began their
response. Leroy Rivett and Dale Cardoza went over but Pat Weisner
crucially missed a conversion which would have tied the scores.
Rochdale enjoyed a far more comfortable afternoon as eight second-
half tries put paid to the Rams.
Former Rams players Damian Ball and Richard Pachniuk scored two tries
each with other touchdowns coming from Radney Bowker, Paul Owen, Matt
Leigh, Jon Roper, Ian Watson and David Larder.
Salford left it late as they ran in three tries in the final 10
minutes to rob Doncaster of a deserved victory.
The Dragons had their noses in front for most of the game with six
goals goals and a try from Johnny Woodcock as well as further scores
from Paul Mansson and Pete Edwards.
The City Reds stayed in contention through Andy Kirk and Simon
Baldwin before Gavin Clinch and Andy Coley snatched the points late
on.
Elsewhere Steve Dooler raced in from 50 metres in the last minute as
Featherstone came from behind to beat Hull KR 14-12. Stuart Dickens
landed the decisive conversion as time ran out.
In the other National League One match, Whitehaven scored five tries
as they overcame Batley 31-12 at the Recreation Ground.
In National League Two, Keighley Cougars roared on at the top of the
table with a 44-8 thrashing of Workington at Derwent Park.
York chalked up their first win of the season with a 20-27 success at
Barrow, Chorley overcame Gateshead 33-18 and Hunslet left it late to
edge out Sheffield 27-26.
Sporting Life
________________________________________
London Broncos 36 defeated Wakefield 12
London Broncos responded in fine style to their thrashing by St
Helens with a comfortable 36-12 victory over Wakefield at Belle Vue.
Broncos coach Tony Rea axed three players and made seven positional
changes after their 62-16 defeat by Saints a week ago and it paid
dividends.
Chris Thorman got the ball rolling after just six minutes when he
crossed for a try before adding the extras himself.
Ian Knott responded though for Wakefield with a try after bursting
through some desperate London defence and Jamie Rooney's conversion
levelled the scores.
But Broncos were the more lively and hard working side and it was no
surprise when they regained the lead in the 18th minute with Dennis
Moran's first try of the season, goaled by Thorman.
Sporting Life
________________________________________
Widnes Vikings 42 defeated Huddersfield Giants 30
Widnes staged a late rally to get back to winning ways and leave
Tetley's Super League newcomers Huddersfield struggling near the foot
of the table after a 42-30 win.
The Giants looked on course for victory as they headed into the final
10 minutes with a 30-24 lead, but the Vikings roared back with 18
unanswered points in a frantic finish at Halton Stadium.
Deon Bird rounded off the comeback by completing a hat-trick of tries
with the Vikings' final touchdown. Team-mate Adam Hughes also weighed
in with two tries.
Huddersfield had made a dream start with Julian Bailey collecting
Steve McNamara's kick to go over. McNamara landed the conversion and
a penalty as the Giants opened up an 8-0 lead.
But Widnes were back level at 18-18 at the break thanks to tries from
Bird, Hughes and Daniel Frame. Huddersfield's other tries before the
interval came from Marcus St Hilaire and Paul Reilly.
The visitors got their noses back in front when Brandon Costin
crossed either side of another Bird effort to open up a 30-24 lead.
But Ryan Sheridan went over to level again before Hughes and Bird
touched down in the last five minutes.
Stand-off Julian O'Neill had a fine match for Widnes, kicking seven
goals from seven attempts as Huddersfield slid to their fifth defeat
on the trot.
Ananova
________________________________________
QUEENSLAND CUP RESULTS
Burleigh 26 defeated Easts 16
North Qld 48 defeated Souths - Logan 22
Central 28 defeated Wests 25
Wynnum 44 deafeated Ipswich 18
Redcliffe 38 defeated Norths 10
Tweed Heads 28 deafeated Toowoomba 26
________________________________________
Alberts Gets Comets Home
Written by Brett Harkin
Queensland under 19s centre Ashley Alberts led the Rockhampton
Leagues Club Central Queensland Comets to a 28-25 victory with an 80-
metre try in the dying moments of his sides round 10 Queensland Cup
clash against the Wests Panthers at Browne Park on Saturday, May 24.
Off a kick return Comets full-back Gavin Duffy linked up with Alberts
whom run 80 metres to the try line beating three defenders off and
crashing over out wide to snatch the victory for his side after only
minutes before being concussed while making a great tackle to trap
the Panthers in their own in-goal area.
The Panthers got off to a great start after receiving a penalty with
five-eighth Tim Gee going in after three minutes and then centre
Ricky Talbot went over after ten for the Panthers to lead 10-nil.
The Comets then pegged one back with Heath Egglestone darting from
dummy half and going over in the corner. Half Craig Kimmorley missed
the conversion and the Panthers led 10-4 after 15 minutes had gone on
the clock.
The game then went back and forth for the next ten-fifteen minutes
with some great defence from both sides however both the Panthers and
Comets lost players to the sin bin through professional fouls with
Andrew Johnstone going for the Panthers in the 24th minute while the
Comets lost Stu Cheffirs in the 27th minute.
Tim Gee took a penalty conversion from close range which seemingly
missed however was awarded by the referee. The Panthers then led 12-4
with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half.
Three minutes later the Panthers went further a head when Gee chipped
over the top, re-gathered and went over under the posts. Gee
converted his try and his side were up 18-4 with less then ten
minutes to go until the half time break.
The injection of Ipswich product Lewis Williams paid off straight
away when he scored a thirty metre try wide on the left side.
Kimmorley yet again was unable to convert and the Comets trailed 18-8
at the break with a lot to do in the second half.
Williams started the second half like he ended the first with a try
in the 43rd minute for the Comets after taking a ball kicked straight
at him and running 40 metres to cross the line. Kimmorley converted
and the Comets were back to 18-14 down with just over 35 minutes to
go in the second half.
Four minutes later the hard working Jade Wogand took full advantage
of his move to hooker crashing over out wide to bring the sides level
at 18-all.
Moments later the Comets were on the attack again and Wogand went
over once again to take his side to a 22-18 lead. Kimmorley put over
the conversion and the Comets led 24-18 with 25 minutes left on the
clock.
The game then begun to swing back and forth once again with both
sides having opportunities to cross the line with some great charges
from Darren Fritz and Peter Penaia for the Comets. A penalty goal
from the Panthers seen the Comets lead reduced to four with twenty
minutes to go.
The Panthers then took the momentum with a try to winger Joel Dobbie
which was not converted and scores were level 24-all with 15 minutes
remaining on the clock.
After being held out for a few sets in a row the Panthers half-back
Gavin Bunney slotted a field goal and his side looked like getting
out of jail taking the lead 25-24 with five minutes to go on the
clock.
Despite being down on the scoreboard the Comets didn't throw the
towel in and when fullback Gavin Duffy sent centre Ashley Alberts on
his way to the line the crowd erupted. Alberts sprinted 80 metres to
the line beating three-four Panthers defenders off to score and win
the match for the Comets. Kimmorley failed to convert however the
Central Queensland Comets run out 28-25 winners.
The match was probably written off as a poor bottom of the table
clash however it had all the spark and excitement of a top of the
table match to the delight of a huge crowd at Browne Park.
Best for the Rockhampton Leagues Club Central Comets were hooker/five-
eighth Jade Wogand, props Peter Penaia and Darren Fritz as well as
interchange back Lewis Williams in his debut for the Comets. For the
Wests Panthers their best performer was five-eighth Tim Gee.
The Comets must build on this victory and take confidence into their
round 11 clash against the North Queensland Young Guns to be played
at Darryl Bourke Oval, Moranbah on Saturday, May 31 with kick off at
7-30 pm. It will be an excellent opportunity for players such as
Dallas Williams, Rory Bromley, Rex Gamble, Peter Penaia and David
Faiumu to press their claims for promotion to the Cowboys side.
While the match truly turned out to be a great battle the standard of
refereeing was extremely poor with the fans left scratching their
heads on many occasions with poor decisions going both ways.
Don't forget the new Comets Fan Mail feature where you can send fan
mail to the Comets player or staff member of your choice by simply e
mailing
cqcomets@... with the player or staff members name in
the subject line.
CENTRAL COMETS 28
Tries: Lewis Williams (34th, 43rd), Jade Wogand (47th, 51st), Heath
Egglestone (13th), Ashley Alberts (77th)
Goals: Craig Kimmorley 2
Team: Gavin Duffy, Rory Bromley, Heath Egglestone, Ashley Alberts,
Dallas Williams, Jade Wogand, Craig Kimmorley, Rex Gamble, Terry
Benson (c), Peter Penaia, Wade Bidgood, Willie Scanlon, David Faiumu.
Int: Stu Cheffirs, Lewis Williams, Wayne Phillis, Darren Fritz
defeated WESTS PANTHERS 25
Tries: Tim Gee (3rd, 30th), Ricky Talbot (9th), Joel Dobbie (63rd)
Goals: Tim Gee 4
F/Goals: Gavin Bunney (73rd)
Team: Mark McMannus, Chad Leech, Paul Mitchell, Ricky Talbot, Joel
Dobbey, Tim Gee, Gavin Bunney, Leroy Day, Cheyne Motu, Isaak Ah Mau,
Mark Eacott (c), Dave Warry, Ben Willis. Int: Greg Weller, Cameron
McKenzie, Clayton Hearn, Andrew Johnstone
Venue: Browne Park Date: Sat May 24 7:30pm
Referee: Michael Smith
Half time: Wests 18-8
First Try: Tim Gee (Wests)
Man of the Match: Jade Wogand (Comets)
________________________________________
Fremantle Roosters Continue Rockingham's Misery.
The Fremantle Roosters rugby league club has extended Rockingham's
losing streak to four matches by winning its round four Swan Brewery
Cup game at Ken Allen Field on Saturday.
In warm conditions Fremantle secured its second win of the season by
outclassing a lacklustre Raiders outfit 44 -14.
The Roosters win came on the back of some exceptional defensive work
and five first half tries that saw them lead 22 - 10 at half time.
Roosters halves combination Waikari and Campbell were at their
attacking best continually threatening the Raiders defence.
Fremantle were also pleased with the form of former NRL player Tim
Horan who came off the bench in his first game back and played
solidly.
The Roosters superior field position and possession rate were
rewarded with a comfortable ten try's to three victory that could
have seen the score being much worse but for some wayward Roosters
conversions.
The Raiders coaching staff will no doubt be wondering why their side
was so flat in the opening stanza of the game that promised so much.
Nevertheless Fremantle went on to inflict the Raiders fourth loss in
a row and assured itself a place in the WARLs top four. Best for the
Roosters was Edmunds, Rogers, Campbell, Baker and Waikari.
It was a different tale in the reserves as the newly merged Coastal
Cowboys/Raiders side ran the Roosters ragged to lose 42 - 2. The
Junior Roosters U/18's continued their good form to beat Rockingham
38 - 28.
Fremantle RL
___________________________________________
A miserable crowd of 4,125
Tigers ready for NRL talent hunt. It was the good, the bad and the
ugly at Campbelltown Sports Stadium as Penrith posted a club-record
sixth straight win to move into the National Rugby League top four.
A good Panthers side thrashed the increasingly bad Wests Tigers 26-4
in ugly conditions to join reigning premiers Sydney Roosters in equal-
third behind co-leaders Brisbane and Canberra.
Throw in a miserable crowd of 4,125 and there wasn't much to write
home about.
John Lang's Panthers are the premiership's biggest improvers this
season and, even below their best, had too much firepower for an
inept Tigers outfit offering the worst attack in the league.
Penrith hardly needed to get out of second gear to sew up the match,
leading 20-4 at halftime through tries to hooker Luke Priddis, winger
Brett Howland, halfback Craig Gower and fullback Rhys Wesser.
Read more SMH
________________________________________
Penrith 26 defeated Tigers 4
Panthers feel the joy of six. Penrith coasted to a club-record sixth
straight win to move into the National Rugby League top four.
The Panthers downed the hapless Wests Tigers 26-4 in a low-quality
affair at Campbelltown Sports Stadium to join reigning premiers the
Sydney Roosters in equal third behind co-leaders Brisbane and
Canberra.
John Lang's men are the premiership's biggest improvers this season
and despite not being at their best, had too much firepower for a
Tigers outfit offering the worst attack in the competition.
Penrith hardly got out of second gear but had the match sewn up
leading 20-4 at halftime through tries to hooker Luke Priddis, winger
Brett Howland, halfback Craig Gower and fullback Rhys Wesser.
The only points after the break came from Howland's second try at the
death and Preston Campbell's conversion as a pathetic crowd of 4,125
fans suffered through 40 minutes of dropped balls, bad passes and
fundamental errors.
Read more SMH
________________________________________
Dragons 18 defeated Souths 16
Fletcher blames Harrigan for loss. Frustrated South Sydney captain
Bryan Fletcher laid the blame squarely at the feet of leading referee
Bill Harrigan after his side crashed to its 10th loss in 11 National
Rugby League games.
The Rabbitohs were beaten 18-16 by St George Illawarra before more
than 11,000 hardy fans, who braved atrocious conditions to watch the
traditional enemies return to the SCG.
But the Dragons' win only came after a contentious call by Harrigan
with seven minutes remaining, which left Fletcher fuming and Souths
coach Paul Langmack questioning when his side would enjoy a change of
luck.
Fletcher, who scored a try in the 35th minute to give the Rabbitohs a
16-12 halftime lead, appeared to crash over from dummy half in the
73rd minute with the Dragons holding onto a slender two point lead.
But Harrigan, who was obscured by the post, sent the decision to
video referee Eddie Ward who ruled "ref's call" and sent it back to
the game's No.1 whistleblower.
Read more SMH
________________________________________
Football Expo
RLCM are Exhibitors at the Telstra Football Expo
http://www.footballexpo.com.au
Stand 1200
Call in and see the affordable Video Analysis System.
Sydney - June 12 - 15
________________________________________
Oldham St Annes 15 defeated West Hull 14 -GMB Union National Cup
A drop goal five minutes from the end by man of the match Danny
Tyrell sealed a shock 15-14 victory for Oldham St Annes against red-
hot favourites and holders West Hull in the GMB Union National Cup
final at Blackpool on Saturday.
The Oldham side went in front with a Tyrell penalty after three
minutes but West Hull replied with tries from Loz Wildbore and Terry
Lynn while a Dave Roe penalty increased their lead to 10-2 just after
half-time.
Saints began their revival when Richard Badby went in by the posts
and Tyrell added the conversion and, although West Hull added a third
try on 55 minutes through Stuart Leake, the Oldham side finished on
top.
Graham Sykes went in at the corner on the hour and a late penalty
from Tyrell levelled the scores before he landed the all-important
one pointer.
Sporting Life
________________________________________
Castleford 32 defeated Warrington 16
Golden oldie Dean Sampson marked his sensational Super League
comeback with a crucial try as Castleford boosted their play-off
hopes with an impressive 32-16 win over top-six rivals Warrington.
The former Great Britain prop forward, brought out of retirement a
month before his 36th birthday in response to a front-row crisis, was
only on the field for 20 minutes but it was long enough to claim an
all-important touchdown.
Sampson, appropriately wearing the number 36 jersey rather than his
old number 10, crossed the Warrington line on 29 minutes, just after
entering the action as a substitute.
He found himself in the right position at the right time to touch the
ball down after Ryan Hudson's kick on the last tackle rebounded
fortuitously off a Warrington defender.
That try gave the Tigers a six-point lead they never looked like
relinquishing with Hudson sealing the two points with his second try
five minutes from time.
Sporting Life
________________________________________
Johns struck down by the football blues
By Danny Weidler: NSW skipper Andrew Johns is suffering from
the "football blues" and has stunned teammates by telling them he
wants out of State of Origin football.
Speculation is also mounting that Brad Fittler will figure in Origin
at some stage this year.
Johns is certain to play in the series this year but it is believed
he has had enough of Origin and is struggling for motivation to play.
Johns is very settled in his home life with a new girlfriend,
Cathrine Mahoney, by his side and his level of interest is said to be
on the wane.
Teammates remarked on his attitude and expressed disappointment that
their captain left early from a NSW Origin team lunch.
Sources at the Knights say he is suffering from the same kind
of "football blues" that led to Fittler wanting to quit the game a
couple of seasons back.
Now Fittler's name is starting to circulate as a potential Origin
starter.
Read more SMH
________________________________________
Referees boss on the attack
By Greg Prichard: The National Rugby League says it is not in the
midst of a crisis with match officials, despite another controversy
erupting over a video refereeing decision in the Bulldogs-Brisbane
game on Friday night.
Referees boss Robert Finch said yesterday he accepted the decision by
video referee Phil Cooley not to award a penalty try to Broncos
centre Michael De Vere in the 35th minute.
Video replays show a chase for a ball in the Bulldogs' in-goal and
Bulldogs replacement Johnathan Thurston slightly behind and to the
right of De Vere and coming in contact with him.
De Vere appears hampered and after the ball bounces over the dead-
ball line referee Sean Hampstead sends it to Cooley for a decision.
Cooley judged against a penalty try and did not award a penalty
either.
Read more SMH
________________________________________
Bronco pack proves a point
GARRY LEGG: Brisbane's forwards united for a massive defensive effort
against the Bulldogs on Friday night to send a message to rival NRL
packs don't mess with us.
The 24-0 shut-out of the Bulldogs was a watermark for Brisbane only
the sixth time it has held a team scoreless for 80 minutes in the
club's 350 premiership games.
Significantly, it was also the first shut-out of a premiership
heavyweight and the first time the Broncos have prevented a team
scoring away from Brisbane.
Amazingly, the Brisbane performance was fuelled by a feeling among
the forwards they were not rated as a unit by opposition packs.
Despite dripping with Test and State of Origin talent, Broncos prime
mover Shane Webcke said the Broncos scrum took on the Dogs to prove
they could hold their own against any NRL pack.
Read more Sunday Mail
________________________________________
QLD Origin 'old boys' do it again
MICHAEL WESTLAKE: THE Queensland blueprint for State of Origin
success in the 1980s is being reconstructed for a new decade of
domination.
While a host of Maroons rookies are bidding for Origin selection this
season, Queensland's campaign will be based on "foundation" players
Gorden Tallis, Darren Lockyer and Shane Webcke.
Phil Gould has been talking up the importance of the Blues selectors
showing loyalty, while the Maroons are slowly rebuilding the formula
that made Queensland unstoppable in the late 1980s.
After losing the 1985 and 1986 series, and then the first game of
1987, Queensland started an unbelievable winning run of eight
matches, ending with the first game of the 1990 series.
The core of the Maroons team was almost unchanged through four
series.
Out of the 12 matches played from 1987 to 1990, not counting the
experimental match in California, seven Maroons were selected 10
times or more.
Fullback Gary Belcher was the mainstay, playing all 12 games, with
Allan Langer, Trevor Gillmeister and Martin Bella only missing one
game each.
Were it not for injuries and retirements from representative
football, the number would have been even higher, with Dale Shearer,
Tony Currie, Alan McIndoe (all with nine games), Gene Miles and Peter
Jackson (both with eight) also big contributors.
In 2003, Tallis, Lockyer and Webcke are providing the same
stabilising effect for the current crop of Maroons.
Miles, now the Queensland chairman of selectors, says having a group
of "automatic selections" in the team every year is the secret recipe
to Origin success and explains why the Blues' tendency to chop and
change has cost them dearly.
"When we sit down to pick the team, we pencil in the No. 1, No. 8 and
No. 11 straight away," Miles said.
"I am pleased we are able to do it with three or four of them. I
would hate to be going into a selection meeting saying that every
position is up for grabs.
"You would know you were in big trouble then, because you are
virtually starting from scratch.
"If you can go in there with maybe half a dozen blokes who are
certainties, it is a huge advantage.
"Basically, that is why we were so successful over that 1980s period.
"From my first year in 1982, the core of that side stayed together
until I played my last game in 1989.
"Those seven guys that played the majority of games between 1987 and
1990 were in the same position that Gordie, Lockie and Webbie are in
now they were just pencilled straight in. That was done on
performance alone, and knowing exactly what you would get from each
of those guys."
Read more Sunday Mail
________________________________________
Johns - Gould row turns NSW into "laughing stock"
A MERE 17 days from State of Origin I, the preparation of the NSW
Blues appears to be skidding seriously off track.
This week's luncheon for the revised 25-man NSW squad backfired badly
when captain Andrew Johns and coach Phil Gould had a heated exchange
on the streets of Coogee, as The Sunday Telegraph's exclusive
pictures show.
While Johns did not want to comment yesterday, his frustration was
obvious during the week when he said: "If they don't pick me, then
they don't pick me."
Others have attacked NSW's decision to name two squads before the
series starts on June 11 and to pull players away from clubs mid-week
for a pep-talk.
Queensland have called this week's NSW get-together a "wank".
Former captain Benny Elias, whose NSW teams in the early-1990s were
among the most successful, said pre-Origin squads and camps are
overkill.
"Why are we changing a good formula?" he asked. "Are we showing we
are under pressure? If 'Gus' (Gould) was coaching the Roosters or any
other side in the comp this year, trust me, there would be no way in
the world he'd do this.
"I know some players who have not been picked in this squad, who have
been dejected weeks away from selection that's wrong. There's nothing
good about it and I know a lot of other old Origin blokes feel the
same. Queensland are sitting back laughing at us."
Read more Sunday Telegraph
________________________________________
I've got no problem with Joey: Gould
NSW Blues coach Phil Gould today said Andrew Johns would captain the
team in game one of the State of Origin series, and that there were
no problems between the pair.
On Wednesday Johns virtually dared NSW selectors not to pick him for
the opening game against Queensland.
Gould had earlier said he was concerned at the lack of form of his
NSW hopefuls and publicly criticised Johns' football in the early
part of the season.
But today Gould said he was surprised about the speculation of
problems between them.
"No, (no problems) not from my side anyway, and I don't think from
Joey's side either," Gould told 2SM's Saturday Sport Network.
"I'm a little surprised about all this actually."
Gould said Johns's reaction after the meeting of the 25-man squad in
Sydney meant nothing.
"Joey's reaction didn't mean anything to me at all ... I've known
Joey for a fair while, I know what he's like and I wouldn't have
expected anything different.
"I'm not fazed by it one little bit."
Gould said Johns would captain the team in game one.
Read more Foxsports
________________________________________
Allan McMahon passes away
Allan McMahon, 48, had a heart attack yesterday and Tigers chief
executive Steve Noyce today said the news had come as a major shock
to the club.
McMahon was nominated for the Wests Tigers team of the century and
attended the gala dinner for its announcement at Sydney's Star City
casino on May 1.
"It's dreadful news," Noyce said.
"At the dinner he was catching up and reminiscing with others from
the team and seemed to be in fine spirits.
"To get the news is tragic.
"Obviously with the joint venture club some of the guys aren't as
familiar with club history, but they have all been talking about him
since they found out. It's surprising.
"Needless to say the players will lift for the match tomorrow."
McMahon, a robust utility back, also played for Newtown and Canberra,
but spent his best years at Balmain.
He played 108 games for the Tigers between 1975-81, during which time
he represented NSW in six matches.
His career highlights, though, came in 1978 when he was selected for
the Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.
He never played a Test, but made World Series appearances in
1975, '77 and '78.
He moved on to Newtown in 1982 and overcame serious thigh and
shoulder injuries to finish his career at Canberra, where he
captained the Raiders in 1983.
McMahon was Newcastle's foundation coach in 1988 and also took charge
of Illawarra for a brief period in 1996 following his three seasons
at the Knights.
Foxsports
________________________________________
Cronulla 30 defeated Newcastle Knights 24
BRETT KIMMORLEY stole Andrew Johns' thunder with three crucial
intercepts as 12-man Cronulla - revved up by the first send-off of
the NRL season defeated Newcastle in tonight's rollercoaster match at
EnergyAustralia Stadium.
With the Sharks trailing 24-20 after 65 minutes, seemingly dead and
buried, Kimmorley rallied his troops with an impassioned speech under
the posts after second-rower Paul Gallen was ordered from the field
for a high tackle that concussed Knights five-eighth Sean Rudder.
The Sharks' skipper promptly scored twice to get his side home.
Asked about his post-Gallen speech, Kimmorley said: "It was just a
matter of us not getting down in the dumps.
"The best part was that we all fired up after it. It was just a
matter of digging deep and showing how much courage we had.
"We've spoken about club spirit a lot this year and we dug in really
deep today.
"When he got sent off, it probably helped us, rather than him getting
put on report.
"It made us work harder and probably lifted us more than a normal
penalty would have."
Read more Foxsports
________________________________________
Melbourne Storm 12 defeated Parramatta Eels 10
PARRAMATTA forward Lee Hopkins was in tears after conceding the match-
winning penalty to Melbourne in the dying seconds of last nights NRL
clash at Parramatta Stadium.
Referee Steve Clark penalised Hopkins for holding down Storm fullback
Billy Slater five metres from Parramatta's line with just 58 seconds
left on the clock.
Hopkins was inconsolable in the dressing room after the match, played
in pelting rain in front of 8,133 people.
"I'm very disappointed" was his only comment, issued through a club
spokesman.
Eels coach Brian Smith said of the penalty: "It may have been
(justified) but it was a twin brother to about 20 others.
"I would have liked to have seen...the referee show the same
willingness to give a penalty at the other end of the field."
Orford believed the penalty was warranted, saying there were periods
in the game when he thought the Eels were holding down the tackled
player for too long.
"That's the way footy goes. They were on the wrong end of the stick
at the wrong time," said the halfback, who has battled a knee injury
this week to take the field.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy felt sorry for Parramatta but Orford
showed little mercy towards the Eels, who have lost their past three
matches by two points, including a devastating loss to Manly under
the NRL's golden point rule last week.
"Every team has their rough trots," said Orford.
"We're having a rough time at the moment with injuries but we find a
way to back up each week.
"Those guys are playing some good footy in patches and I'm sure
they'll get out of the hole they're in and finish the year off
confidently.
"I'm sure they'll be in the top eight."
With 13 games left and two byes up their sleeve, Smith conceded it
would be a tough challenge for the Eels make the finals.
"At the moment we just want one (win)," he said.
"We'd just settle for one really good decision in the last five
minutes of the game at the moment."
Read more Foxsports
________________________________________
NQ Cowboys 31 defeated Manly 20
NORTH QUEENSLAND coach Graham Murray refused to apologise for his
underrated team's climb up the NRL ladder after the Cowboys cast
aside erratic Manly at Brookvale Oval tonight.
North Queensland scored five tries to three to continue its push for
an historic finals appearance.
The Cowboys have yet to reach the playoffs despite eight years of
trying since joining the premiership in 1995, but their vital win
over the Eagles bolted Murray's men to the fringe of the finals zone.
It was a doubly important two competition points for the Cowboys,
with the 10th-placed Eagles shaping as one of their rivals for a
position in the bottom half of the eight.
"If we keep winning, we can't keep apologising for climbing up the
ladder," Murray said after North Queensland's fifth success from 10
outings this season.
Manly coach Peter Sharp could barely contain his disgust after the
Eagles squandered another opportunity to join the eight.
He said it would be "rubbish" to blame the defeat on the extra energy
his players expended in last Sunday's dramatic golden point triumph
over Parramatta.
"Every time we get a chance to do something in the competition we
seem to make a mess of it and we certainly did that tonight," Sharp
moaned.
"I'd like to congratulate the Cowboys. They were more disciplined
than us and they certainly defended better than us.
"Our performance was poor, very poor. It was a four-point game for
us.
"We've got the bye next week and we're at home (tonight). It was sub-
standard, that's all I've got to say on the whole subject."
Read more Foxsports
________________________________________
QUEENSLAND CUP RESULTS OF SATURDAYS GAMES
Burleigh 26 defeated Easts 16
North Qld 48 defeated Souths - Logan 22
Central 28 d. Wests 25
________________________________________
Brisbane Second Division Rugby League Wrap-up
Easts had another close match to retain their undefeated lead in the
Open 1 grade, beating Banyo 22-20 to move to 20 points. Dayboro are
in second place, on 16, after winning 28-18 against Souths Logan.
In the other matches, St Brendans beat Brothers Juniors 44-16 and
Rochedale beat Aspley 52-12. St Brendans, Rochedale and Souths Logan
now share third place on 10 points.
Pine Rivers and Ferny Grove ensured their places in the Northside 2
Ted Beaumont Trophy after Pine Rivers beat Brighton 40-18 and Ferny
Grove beat Brisbane Natives 34-8. Pine Rivers lead the competition on
17 points, Ferny Grove are on 16, with Normanby-UQ on 12. Brighton
and Brisbane Natives share fourth place on 10 points.
In Southside 2, Wynnum Juniors had a close 20-18 win over St Josephs
and Carina beat St Brendans 20-16. Sunnybank play Bulimba Valleys at
Davies Park next Saturday in the Ted Beaumont Trophy at 3.00 PM.
Burpengary remain undefeated in Northside 3, beating second-placed
Mitchelton 40-12. Holy Spirit stay in third place after defeating
Dayboro 36-0, while Deception Bay Bombers beat Bracken Ridge 52-14 to
remain in fourth place.
In Southside 3, Slacks Creek are undefeated on 19 points with a 20-10
win over Souths. Mt Gravatt beat Logan Brothers 38-16 to remain in
second place on 17. Slacks Creek play Mt Gravatt next Saturday at
Davies Park at 1.15 PM for the Ted Beaumont Trophy.
North Stradbroke Island had a 62-6 win to remain undefeated in
Southside 4. Browns Plains stay in second place after beating
Capalaba 38-8. North Stradbroke will play Browns Plains in the Ted
Beaumont Trophy next Saturday at Davies Park at 11.30 AM.
The Ted Beaumont Trophy finalists in the Albert Bishop Shield will
not be determined until after next weekends fixtures which complete
the first round in this grade. Logan Brothers stay in second place
after their 50-6 win over Carina and Valleys Juniors moved in to
fourth place after they beat Arana Hills 48-4.
In the Arthur Sparks Shield Sunnybank remain on top of the ladder
after beating Albany Creek 36-26. Springwood remains in second place
after they beat Centenary on a forfeit. Valleys Juniors moved into
third place after beating Stafford 56-14, while Logan Brothers beat
Wynnum Juniors 32-18 to move into fourth place.
________________________________________
BRISBANE SECOND DIVISION RUGBY LEAGUE RESULTS
Open 1 Rochedale 52 beat Aspley 12. Dayboro 28 beat Souths Logan 18.
St Brendans 44 beat Brothers Juniors 16. Eastern Suburbs 22 beat
Banyo 20.
Northside 2 Ferny Grove 34 beat Brisbane Natives 8. Brook Sharks 40
beat Arana Hills 30. Pine Rivers 40 beat Brighton 18. Samford 20 beat
Fortitude Valley Juniors 18. Normanby-UQ bye.
Southside 2 Wynnum Manly Juniors 20 beat St Josephs 18. Redlands 14
beat Capalaba Rhinos 10. Carina 20 beat St Brendans 16. Waterford
bye.
Northside 3 Deception Bay Bombers 52 beat Bracken Ridge 14. Holy
Spirit 36 beat Dayboro 0. Burpengary 40 beat Mitchelton 12. Normanby
bye.
Southside 3 Mt Gravatt 38 beat Logan Brothers 16. Sunnybank 28 beat
Logan City Juniors 6. Inala Bears 38 beat Wynnum Manly Juniors 36.
Beenleigh Juniors 26 beat Beenleigh Brothers 16. Slacks Creek 20 beat
Southern Suburbs 10.
Southside 4 Logan Brothers 34 beat Southern Cross 18. Browns Plains
38 beat Capalaba 8. North Stradbroke Island 62 beat Edens Landing 6.
Waterford 22 beat Yeronga 20. Mustangs bye.
Albert Bishop Shield Redlands 50 beat Brighton 0. Capalaba 50 beat St
Brendans 0. Rochedale 20 beat Norths Juniors 16. Logan Brothers 50
beat Carina 6. Fortitude Valley Juniors 48 beat Arana Hills 4. Pine
Rivers bye.
Arthur Sparks Shield Sunnybank 36 beat Albany Creek 26. Fortitude
Valley Juniors 56 beat Stafford 14. Springwood 47 beat Centenary 0
(Forfeit). Logan Brothers 32 beat Wynnum Manly Juniors 18.
________________________________________
Bradford 48 defeated Leeds 12
Leeds coach Daryl Powell insists his side will learn the lessons of
their comprehensive 48-22 Tetley's Super League defeat by Challenge
Cup conquerors Bradford.
The Rhinos lost both their unbeaten League record and top spot in the
table after conceding eight tries to their arch rivals in front of a
bumper Odsal crowd of 21,784, the second highest in the eight years
of Super League.
"Obviously Bradford were pretty dominant," said Powell. "We will take
away a few lessons and come back stronger.
"Mentally we didn't get up for the game. We expected it to happen
like it has for the last few weeks but we've got to be better than
that.
"Only one or two of our players could hold their hands up and say
they were at the top of their game and we need everybody to be on top
of their game when we play teams like Bradford. They were dominant in
just about every position."
Bradford, aiming to become the first team to complete a Challenge Cup
and Grand Final double, are top of the table on points difference
with a game in hand but coach Brian Noble is not getting carried away
with the success.
"There is a long way to go and Leeds will bounce back," he
said. "What pleases me is that we have been improving since the first
game of the season when we got our backsides kicked by a similar
score.
"We are taking steps in the right direction. We need to be playing
like this at the end of the season."
Bradford skipper Robbie Paul became the second player to register a
century of Super League tries, but the major honours went to wingers
Tevita Vaikona and Lesley Vainikolo, who caused havoc with their
power and strength and each touched down twice.
"Lesley is a bit of a handful at the moment," added Noble. "In the
first half him and Shontayne Hape combined really well. They are
starting to form quite a partnership."
Sporting Life
________________________________________
Wigan 58 defeated Halifax 12
Halifax crashed to their 10th consecutive defeat, beaten 58-12 at
Wigan, and coach Tony Anderson admitted the time is right to bring in
new players.
He said: "We were never going to win the game - we weren't up to it
and Wigan were a different class.
"It's getting to the point where I have got to bring players in. We
are making the same mistakes over and over again no matter how many
times you show players their mistakes on the video.
"Maybe it's time to bring in a bit of experience to try and dig us
out of the hole we are in.
"We need players all over the park - that's obvious. I can't bring in
internationals but there may be young players at other clubs looking
for a chance."
Anderson criticised the double sin-binning of forward Paul Davidson.
He went to the cooler in the first half for dissent and then made the
same trip after the break when he traded punches with Terry Newton
who was also sin-binned.
"It's hard enough to play Wigan with 13 men and we played most of the
game with only 12," said Anderson.
"To me we had a player sin-binned for getting punched in the head six
times. His reputation definitely goes before him and Paul himself is
getting cheesed off."
Wigan coach Stuart Raper had a special word for hat-trick hero Kevin
Brown who scored his first tries in Super League.
"It was a good type of game to put Kevin in and he showed what a
classy player he is.
"But to isolate one individual for praise would be unfair to the
rest. I thought everybody showed some great touches."
Sporting Life
________________________________________
Anderson - happy with motivation, effort and enthusiasm
..........Warriors captain Monty Betham said his side had no problem
playing their games at Wellington.
"We'll play anywhere in New Zealand at any stage rather than travel
across the Tasman," he said.
"It feels like home, we get great support everywhere across New
Zealand. We played well but we just didn't execute to get that
elusive win here."
Warriors coach Daniel Anderson paid tribute to the Raiders' defence,
believing his team had played well enough, without finishing off
their opportunities.
"If we continue with that motivation, effort and enthusiasm, we're
going to win games," Anderson said.
"We put them under the blowtorch for a fair while and they hung in
there, they probably wouldn't have done that last year."
Raiders coach Matthew Elliot said the result was a testimony to the
revitalised character in his team this year.
"It wasn't pretty to watch and the execution of a lot of our play
wasn't exactly how we would have liked to see it," he said.
"But the character showed, particularly as we've had our confidence
dented in the last couple of weeks."
Read more NZ Herald
________________________________________
"There's only one Alfie" - Bennett
Steve Ricketts: Tomorrow week Brisbane hosts the Newcastle Knights in
the first match at the redeveloped Suncorp Stadium and going on last
night's display the 53,000 capacity will be tested to the limit
especially as Brisbane will go into the match as competition leader.
The Queensland team will be chosen the next day and Shaun Berrigan
will be halfback. The Broncos number seven was in great touch last
night outplaying his opposite Brent Sherwin. Next week Berrigan faces
Andrew Johns, the NSW halfback and there is no way he will be
overawed.
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett said Berrigan would never be an Allan
Langer "there's only one Alfie" but Berrigan had proved he was an
allround halfback by scoring and creating tries as well as tackling
like a forward.
Brisbane skipper Gorden Tallis said he was not getting carried away
with last night's effort but like everyone else he marvelled at the
defence.
"I think the Bulldogs will be pinching themselves they didn't score,"
Tallis said.
"They're a quality football team, but to give our boys a wrap, it
(the defence) was unbelievable.
"Matt Utai (Bulldogs winger) carried three blokes over the line two
weeks ago to score and he was on song tonight but we kept throwing
him back.
"I think we've been building to a performance like this and the
media's been saying we haven't beaten anyone yet. Tonight we beat a
gun side."
Tallis had an ominous warning for NSW fans looking towards the Origin
series.
"People think this is a Queensland team but it's not," he
said. "There's seven or other eight really good players to come in
yet.
"Maybe we have similar colours and we live in the same state but
we're not the Queensland team."
Tallis said the forwards had got together a month ago and vowed to
work better as a unit.
Read more Courier Mail
________________________________________
Kangaroo Tour News
Australian Rugby League officials expect to know by tomorrow night if
the Kangaroos will play in France on this year's tour.
The executive committee of the French federation meets in Narbonne on
Sunday morning, with chairman Jean-Paul Ferre fighting to stop the
game going ahead because of his concerns of an embarrassing scoreline.
The other alternatives for the Australians are a game in Russia on
October 26 or one in the US.
SMH
________________________________________
NRL partnership unlikely to vote on abolishment of NRL board
National Rugby League partnership committee was unlikely to vote on
the abolishment of the NRL board when it met next Thursday, chief
executive David Gallop said.
The 15 NRL clubs voted to recommend that the NRL board - which
handles the day-to-day running of the competition - be disbanded.
The issue was discussed by the board on Thursday.
"All the issues raised by the chief executives at their conference
will be passed on to the partnership," Gallop said.
Asked if he expected a vote on the issue, Gallop replied: "No.
Streamlining the competition has been discussed for some time now but
the premiership is going well right now and there is no sense of
great urgency."
SMH
________________________________________
Clubs say Gould is cramping their style
By Steve Mascord: Bulldogs chief executive Steve Mortimer has joined
Newcastle officials in criticising NSW's preparations for the opening
State of Origin game against Queensland on June 11.
After Sunday's loss to the Sydney Roosters, Knights coach Michael
Hagan said the repeated team gatherings of Phil Gould's Blues were
unnecessary and affected the players' concentration on club duties.
Knights chairman Michael Hill said yesterday that the heavy
commitments - which included the gathering of a 25-man squad on
Wednesday - had caused "angst" in Newcastle.
And Mortimer commented: "Maybe I'm from the old school - but surely
the selectors have a pretty good idea who is going to be in the squad.
"Sure, pick 17 or 19, but I suppose I echo Michael Hagan's thoughts
on bringing the side together so often."
The final Blues squad will be selected on June 2, and Mortimer
said: "That gives them a pretty good preparation time, doesn't it?
"I think in my day, we got picked on a Sunday night and then played
on the Wednesday."
Gould has defended the gatherings by saying Queensland had an
advantage in that most of their players came from one club, and
therefore had some edge when it came to unity.
The media attention afforded the team meetings also helped promote
the series.
But NSW and Newcastle captain Andrew Johns told reporters last
Saturday: "We don't need pep talks . . . these are the best players
in the world."
Gould, though, said there were "a couple" of spots open in his
starting team for Origin I at Suncorp Stadium.
"The bench is the first thing I pick," he said.
His advice for Origin aspirants was "play for 80 minutes and stay
injury free" during the next few rounds.
SMH
________________________________________
It's time to argue the toss about this golden-point rule
By Roy Masters: Rugby league players are fast learners, despite the
leather-patch mob's characterisation of them as boneheaded oafs, an
image that may now require some revision following Matt Dunning's
field-goal gaffe and punch-up.
They will have taken one look at the Manly-Parramatta golden point
and already decided their strategy for the next occasion a game goes
to extra time. Win the toss, run with the wind, use five tackles and
kick, get the ball back in the opposition half and position yourself
for a field goal.
Lose the toss, force an error and work for the one-pointer.
Either way, the game is all over within three sets of tackles.
Read more SMH
________________________________________
Broncos 24 defeated Bulldogs 0
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett said last night that Broncos halfback
Shaun Berrigan would never replace Allan Langer. But after his
performance against the Bulldogs, he doesn't have to.
The man with arguably the biggest boots to fill in rugby league set
up his side's first two tries and scored their third as the Broncos
shut out the Dogs 24-0 before 25,673 fans at Telstra Stadium last
night.
Taking the quality of the opposition into account, it was one of the
most impressive performances by a team this year - and there can be
no doubt Berrigan has now made the Broncos' No.7 jersey his own.
His next challenge will be doing the same with Langer's Maroon State
of Origin shirt.
"In terms of good players, he'll never be Allan Langer - there'll
only be one Allan Langer - but he's scoring tries, creating
opportunities and, defensively, he's very, very good," Bennett said
after the four-tries-to-nil win.
It was the first time in two years - and 48 games - that the Bulldogs
had been held scoreless. Canberra were the last team to achieve the
feat, on June 2, 2001, at the Sydney Showground.
"Players like Alfie only come along every 100 years," said Berrigan,
who partnered Langer in the halves at the Broncos last year.
"Wayne has never put pressure on me to be another Allan Langer - I'm
a completely different player. I played five-eighth last year but the
more I play halfback, the more I enjoy it."
Playing to keep their share of the competition lead with the Raiders,
Bennett's men waited for errors from the Bulldogs and then punished
the Belmore side ruthlessly with tries to five-eighth Ben Ikin,
fullback Darren Lockyer, Berrigan and centre Brent Tate.
Thrilling conquerors of the Roosters two weeks ago at Homebush Bay,
the Bulldogs were never really given a sniff by the Broncos, who
repeatedly repelled the desperate blue-and-whites in the second half
with some of the best defence seen this year.
Read more SMH
________________________________________
Canberra 18 defeated NZ Warriors 10
By Brad Walter: Canberra fullback Clinton Schifcofske got out of his
sickbed last night to inspire the Raiders to a gritty win over the
Warriors in the cold and wet of Wellington's WestpacTrust Stadium.
Just hours before kick-off, Schifcofske was lying in his hotel bed
with an intravenous drip connected to his arm and given little chance
of playing by Canberra officials.
All through the previous night he'd been vomiting and was heavily
dehydrated after coming down with a virus.
But after taking enough sleeping pills to enable him to rest until
match eve, the Queensland Origin hopeful declared himself fit to play
in a desperate bid to ensure the Green Machine retained their place
at the top of the premiership ladder.
"I was crook, I couldn't keep any fluids down," Schifcofske said. "My
wife's had it too and last night after we got here I just started
feeling sick. I vomited all night and couldn't sleep. But everyone
was on the money for this game and I wanted to be a part of it and
help out."
Raiders coach Matthew Elliott paid tribute to Schifcofske's effort
after watching his side overcome a dominant first-half performance by
the Warriors to end a two-game losing streak.
"We had to come through some adversity," Elliott said. "I can tell
you that at 2am last night I was in Clinton Schifcofske's room - he'd
been ill since about 6pm - and I just thought that there was no way
he would be playing today.
"He got out of bed at about 2.30pm after being on heavy medication -
sleeping tablets - all night and said, 'I'm right to play'. He didn't
look right to play - he looked like death warmed up - so I'm really,
really, really proud of him."
The match was also former Test back-rower Jason Croker's 244th game
for Canberra - equalling Laurie Daley's record.
Read more SMH
________________________________________
Canberra 18 defeated NZ Warriors 10
By Brad Walter: Canberra fullback Clinton Schifcofske got out of his
sickbed last night to inspire the Raiders to a gritty win over the
Warriors in the cold and wet of Wellington's WestpacTrust Stadium.
Just hours before kick-off, Schifcofske was lying in his hotel bed
with an intravenous drip connected to his arm and given little chance
of playing by Canberra officials.
All through the previous night he'd been vomiting and was heavily
dehydrated after coming down with a virus.
But after taking enough sleeping pills to enable him to rest until
match eve, the Queensland Origin hopeful declared himself fit to play
in a desperate bid to ensure the Green Machine retained their place
at the top of the premiership ladder.
"I was crook, I couldn't keep any fluids down," Schifcofske said. "My
wife's had it too and last night after we got here I just started
feeling sick. I vomited all night and couldn't sleep. But everyone
was on the money for this game and I wanted to be a part of it and
help out."
Raiders coach Matthew Elliott paid tribute to Schifcofske's effort
after watching his side overcome a dominant first-half performance by
the Warriors to end a two-game losing streak.
"We had to come through some adversity," Elliott said. "I can tell
you that at 2am last night I was in Clinton Schifcofske's room - he'd
been ill since about 6pm - and I just thought that there was no way
he would be playing today.
"He got out of bed at about 2.30pm after being on heavy medication -
sleeping tablets - all night and said, 'I'm right to play'. He didn't
look right to play - he looked like death warmed up - so I'm really,
really, really proud of him."
The match was also former Test back-rower Jason Croker's 244th game
for Canberra - equalling Laurie Daley's record.
____________________________________________
QRL Southern Division open Gold Coast office
With the sustained growth of the game in the Gold Coast region in
recent times the QRL Southern Division has now established a second
Division Office at Gold Coast Stadium Cararra.
The Division will will continue to maintain an office at Bendigo Bank
Ipswich also.
The ARL Foundation (Gavin Judd) will be located at these premises and
the Gold Coast Junior and Senior leagues will be utilsing the office
space also in the near future.
Division Executive Officer Troy Morton will be on the Gold Coast on
Thursday's and also on either Wednesday or Friday's each week.
Access to the facility is via the Baskettball Stadium Turnstiles at
all times.
Address:
Gold Coast Stadium
Nerang Broadbeach Road Cararra.
Division
Phone: 55941255
Fax: 55941250
ARL Foundation
Phone: 55941138
Fax: 55941183
Gold Coast
Phone: 55941205
Fax: 55941250
H. Troy Morton
Executive Officer
Queensland Rugby Football League Ltd
Southern Division
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 310
Ipswich 4305
troym@...
Ipswich Ph: (07)38123314
Ipswich Fax: (07) 38121209
Gold Coast Ph: (07) 55941255
Gold Coast Fax: (07) 55941250
Mob: 0412008669
Click
http://www.rlcm.com.au/dailynews.htm for the latest News
____________________________________________
Masters Rugby League
The game for Rugby League lovers and retired players over 35 years of
age with modified rules to protect old and tired bones.
Masters Rugby League has been played in New Zealand for the past 10
years and has been very successful in holding monthly and annual
tournaments, 3 of which have been held in Australia.
Two Queensland clubs (Runaway Bay and Redcliffe Old Boys) have
participated in tournaments in both countries.
The concept of the game is to put the emphasis on participation and
enjoyment of playing Rugby League.
To eliminate the urge to relive OLD GLORIES, there are no scores kept
or trophies to win. All games are strictly refereed by experienced
men and players wear coloured shorts to designate their age.
The New Zealand Masters have approximately 35 teams playing and are
looking for more Aussie Teams to participate.
To promote this great game, the Runaway Bay Rugby League Old Boys
Association are holding a Tournament in late September/early October
on the Gold Coast with New Zealand teams participating.
A great week of Rugby League, Golf, Fishing and Fellowship is
guaranteed.
For more information and copy of the rules please contact:
Wayne Overton
P.O. Box 6
Chirn Park
Queensland 4215
Phone: (07) 55 323 294
Mobile: 0418 713 956
Fax: (07) 55 323 298
wayneoverton@...
____________________________________________
* RLCM CD-ROM! The Ultimate coaching resource.
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Schools, Junior Clubs and coaches now are using the RLCM CD-ROM
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Has your club thought of the advantages to your coaches.
ALL BACK RLCM COPIES, EVERYTHING EVER PUBLISHED BY RLCM IS NOW ON ONE
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at all levels to have quick, hands on coaching material compiled by
ARL accredited coaches and league experts.
As with the ultimate aim of the CD-ROM, RLCM's objective for 10 years
has been to provide up to date coaching information and techniques
for coaches and players to assist with the development, knowledge and
education of all associated with the game.
Through the CD-ROM we have created the most comprehensive manual to
assist coaches with the growth and development of the team's skill
base while enhancing the individuals mental, physical and
coordination progress throughout their formative years to senior
level.
The CD-ROM will ensure this valuable coaching information is kept as
a resource for future years within a club, school or organisation at
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____________________________________________
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to give coaches like you the very latest information on all round
sporting performance."
Click
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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 Monday question is from Gary Duffy.
Hi there,
Is there anyone who can provide me with some beginner and
intermediate passing and tackling drills?!
Answer: What age grade are you coaching??
Your best resource will be coaches in your club or even other clubs.
Your national body should also have available skills manuals - your
club secretary should be able to find this out for you.
Keep in mind that if your coaching kids there a number of
physiological limitations to what kids of various ages can do.
For example kids do not fully develop their peripheral vision until
about 14. Co-ordination, cognative (mental) abilities etc vary from
age group to age group and just as importantly within the same age
group.
Growth spurts hamper younger players ability (up to late teens in
some cases)to successfully acquire skill.
These things need to be considered when selecting and designing
particular skills.
Cheers
Click below and join the Rugby League coaching information and
discussion eGroup
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Or add a Question to the RLCM Message Board
http://www.rlcm.com.au/bbs/index.sht
____________________________________________
"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
____________________________________________
FEEDBACK
Your comments and questions are very welcome, send them to:
mailto:
feedback@...
____________________________________________
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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