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RLCM 'Everyday' Coaching Quote for Wednesday

"Every team should have three or four kick off sets to cover coming
out of their own end. These vary according to where the ball lands
and the situation of the game." - Rick Stone, Burleigh Bears Head
Coach from the article 'Get Out Sets' from RLCM Book 30

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KANGAROO TOUR 2003 and NRL FINAL SERIES 2003 TOUR for the UK fans

For Aussie fans, the Official Big League "Artie's Army" has four
Kangaroo Tours to choose from. [see below]

Read more Experience Sport
http://www.experiencesport.com.au/

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RLCM - NEWS UPDATE WEDNESDAY

RLCM News is continually being updated over the period of the day.

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


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NRL Club News with the SMH - Wednesday


By Steve Mascord and Brad Walter

CRONULLA: Skipper Brett Kimmorley wasn't named last night to make his
return from a broken jaw against the Warriors on Saturday night. But
he told AAP: "It's pretty much up to me and how much risk I want to
take. We're going to training tomorrow so I'll have a meeting with
the boss tomorrow and see what we're going to do." Surprisingly, NSW
star Phil Bailey wasn't named either.

BRISBANE: Utility Casey McGuire yesterday pleaded guilty to a grade
two careless high tackle charge but escaped suspension. Coach Wayne
Bennett has named a seven-man bench for Sunday's game against
Melbourne.

BULLDOGS: Back-rower Steve Reardon has accepted a one-match
suspension after pleading guilty to a grade one careless high tackle
charge which means he will miss the round 20 clash with North
Queensland on Sunday week. The Bulldogs have the bye this weekend.

CANBERRA: Simon Woolford and Jamaal Lolesi are back from injury for
Saturday night's clash with Wests Tigers, with Brad Drew and Ian
Hindmarsh named on a six-man bench. Prop Ben Cross will miss the NSW
Residents clash with Queensland tonight at Suncorp Stadium after
pleading guilty to a grade one striking charge.

MANLY: Centre Ben MacDougall is considering offers to play in England
next season after contract negotiations stalled. MacDougall, who has
a British passport, was thought to have re-signed for three years but
his manager Peter Lord said there is now confusion over the length
and terms of the deal.


MELBOURNE: Forward Glen Turner escaped suspension yesterday on a
grade two careless high tackle charge after entering an early guilty
plea. Second-rower Peter Robinson (ankle) wasn't named last night for
Sunday's game against Brisbane but winger Dustin Cooper and prop Kirk
Reynoldson (both concussion) were.

NEWCASTLE: Prop Matt Parsons is back in first grade for Friday
night's EnergyAustralia Stadium encounter with Penrith.

NORTH QUEENSLAND: Apart from reinstating Origin stars Matt Bowen,
Josh Hannay and Matt Sing, Cowboys coach Graham Murray has made no
changes for Saturday night's home game against St George Illawarra.
Paul Bowman resumes the captaincy.

PARRAMATTA: James Webster was named at hooker last night when Eels
coach Brian Smith announced his side to take on South Sydney this
Sunday.

PENRITH: The return from a calf injury of interchange forward Trent
Waterhouse is the only change for Friday night's encounter with
Newcastle.

SOUTH SYDNEY: The Rabbitohs yesterday re-signed utility back Brad
Watts.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA: Michael Howell, back from a one-week suspension,
returns to St George Illawarra's starting side in place of John Cross
for Saturday night's game against North Queensland at Dairy Farmers
Stadium. Coach Nathan Brown last night picked a seven-man bench to
cover for the Dragons' Origin stars.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Halfback Brett Finch has overcome a knee injury and
will play against Manly at Brookvale Oval on Sunday. But the absence
of prop Peter Cusack does not mean he'll need knee surgery and his
season is over. He'll attempt to play next weekend despite anterior
cruciate ligament damage.

WARRIORS: The Warriors have exercised their option on the services of
forward Karl Te Mata for next year

WESTS TIGERS: Winger Robbie Beckett is in doubt for Saturday's match
against Canberra after injuring his hip in a training mishap
yesterday.

SMH

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Maroons pray this is not Wayne's farewell


By Roy Masters; Queensland coach Wayne Bennett limped home after
being humiliated in Sydney in Origin II to find his only son, Justin,
standing on the doorstep, wearing a Blues jumper.

Cackling, Justin chanted: "We won. We won." An impishly innocent
intellectually impaired lad, Justin has a full set of NRL jumpers and
invariably wears the colours of the club his father's team plays each
week.

For Origin II, he added insult to ignominy, choosing a jumper
belonging to a Bronco: Michael De Vere's No.4 NSW strip from a past
campaign.

The Maroons' greatest fear is that tonight will be the last time
Justin wears a Blues jumper. Bennett told his Queensland coaching
colleagues last October this would be his last series as an Origin
coach.

Queensland's second greatest fear is a repeat of the third game in
Sydney in 2000 when, NSW having already won the series, the Maroons
were uncommitted and disgraceful. The twin fears should cancel each
other out: if the players want Bennett to stay as coach, they will
surely play passionately.

Bennett has his own fear: that the gap between State of Origin and
club football is closing.

This year's series is effectively 10 Broncos versus the best of the
Knights and Roosters.

Queensland's call to replace referee Bill Harrigan is not exclusively
motivated by his low penalty count and ability to haul defensive
teams back 10 metres, an approach that does not suit the Maroons' big
and ageing pack.

Bennett recognises that a wildcard referee will produce a degree of
difference, just as Barry "Grasshopper" Gomersall did 20 years ago.

Read more SMH

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Bennett wary of ruse


By PAUL KENT: About the time Andrew Johns was telling everybody he
had beaten the flu and was feeling better and was right to play,
Wayne Bennett had his own take on things.

"He wasn't going to play in game one, if you remember, because of a
dispute between him and the coach," said Bennett, the Queensland
coach.

"In game two it was the ankle injury and in game three it's the flu."

Bennett didn't need to roll his eyes. Instead he said: "We expected
him to play. No one took much notice of it at all."

Read more Daily Telegraph


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Warriors, Sharks retain lineups


New Zealand Warriors coach Daniel Anderson gave last weekend's
winning team a vote of confidence by naming them for Saturday's
National Rugby League clash with the Cronulla Sharks in Sydney.

Anderson named the same team that beat Manly 20-12 to try to improve
their placing on the table against the Sharks.

The big question at Cronulla this week has been whether halfback
Brett Kimmorley would make his return against the Warriors after
suffering a broken jaw five weeks ago.

They desperately need their playmaker.

Kimmorley visited the specialist yesterday. The club said little
about the result but released their playing 17 today without his name
in it. Their team is also the same as last week's that lost 44-12 to
Wests Tigers.

The Sharks have a lot of good youngsters but that's what they are
raw.

The Warriors need to win to prove they can perform away from home.

They also need to make a statement on behalf of the Kiwis as Anderson
will name his test team on Sunday night after this NRL round.
Australian and Sharks coach Chris Anderson will also name his team on
Sunday.

The Sharks moved away from Chris Anderson's flat attacking style last
weekend, the coach said he wanted his team to get the ball a bit
wider, with more width on their passes and a bit more depth to their
running.

He has been under increasing pressure because of the bad results that
now have the Sharks second-last, eight points off the top eight.

Read more Stuff

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Belcher out of order re golden point statement


By Stuart Honeysett: The issue of extra time in the third game which
Bennett described as pointless last week also cropped up again after
assistant coach Gary Belcher said both teams might boycott playing
golden point.

"I wouldn't be surprised, to be quite honest, if both teams decided
to walk off if the ref's out there saying: 'Are we going to play
extra time?' " Belcher told Brisbane radio.

However, Bennett was quick to extinguish any talk of a walk-off,
saying the former Queensland fullback had later apologised to him and
that he been out of order for making such a bold statement.

"That didn't come from this coach and while I'm in control of
Queensland and in charge of what they do on and off the field that
will never happen," Bennett said.

"I don't know what the hell Gary may have been thinking about at the
time, so it's just not an issue. It's not something that's even been
talked about."

Bennett added that the rule should be revisited to scrap extra time
in the event of a dead rubber for next season.

Read more The Australian


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Benny defends Ikin's role


Steve Ricketts and Andrew Dawson: QUEENSLAND coach Wayne Bennett
yesterday defended his son-in-law Ben Ikin and the controversial
Suncorp Stadium surface against ongoing criticism from a variety of
quarters.

Bennett reiterated his confidence in the Suncorp Stadium surface
holding up in tonight's third State of Origin match against NSW and
in Ikin doing his job at five-eighth.

NSW's chances of completing a clean sweep soared yesterday afternoon
when skipper and halfback Andrew Johns completed a training run at
Dolphin Oval and declared himself a certain starter.

At the same time the Queenslanders were completing their preparation
at Suncorp Stadium with Bennett again joined by Michael Hagan, the
man tipped to succeed him as coach next year.

Bennett said his future as coach depended largely on how tired he
felt at the end of another season of juggling state and club
commitments with the Broncos.

"How tired I am and where I'm at myself will be the major issue,"
Bennett said.

It is the first season when Queensland and Broncos five-eighth Ikin
has played under Bennett as his son-in-law and criticism of the
stylish pivot has cut deeply.

Asked if Ikin attracted more criticism now because it might be
another way to have a go at him, Bennett replied: "Yeah, I do. Benny
Ikin had the second highest tackle count in game two. He had 32
tackles up when he left the game with 20 minutes to go and I think he
had one missed tackle.

"Ben, like a lot of other players in the game knows he didn't play as
well as he can play, but there are a lot of examples over a period of
time where journalists have had double standards when it comes to me
and I think that's a classic case in point.

"But we have to live with that and we can't change that, and he lives
with it great and we just get on with our lives.

"None of us likes criticism and it does hurt. What you have to do
very quickly is work out what's justified, what's constructive
criticism and what's just somebody lacking knowledge and being a
bagger."

Criticism of the Suncorp Stadium surface was elevated to a new level
this week when NSW coach Phil Gould said the ground was not fit to
host an NRL final and the Broncos should reconsider using it as their
home ground in the meantime.

Gould described the surface as "poor" and said the Broncos had to
make a decision about their players' welfare.

Bennett said Suncorp Stadium was better than a couple of grounds the
Broncos and Queensland had played in the past month.

Read more Courier Mail

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League not just a game for Palm Island


By SHEREE LINEHAM: It might be just a game to some communities but to
Palm Island, rugby league is a representation of what its people can
do, says a Townsville psychologist.

The psychologist, Robert Walkley, was in disbelief this week after
hearing the island faces losing its place in the Townsville and
Districts Rugby League competition.

The Palm Island A grade side was suspended from the TDRL on Monday
after forfeiting another game at the weekend.

The club will know its fate for the rest of the 2003 season after the
board meets next Monday.

TDRL president John Willey has said he felt it would be difficult for
Palm Island to have the suspension lifted this year and even felt it
was hard to see the club being accepted next year.

The under-19 team was forced to withdraw from the TDRL at the
beginning of this month following a series of forfeited matches.

Palm Island Rugby League Club president Algon Walsh said after
speaking with Mr Willey this week, he learned the club copped the
suspension because of a lack of player numbers.

Mr Walsh said the club planned to call a meeting with players at the
end of this week to discuss the future.

Read more Townsville bulletin

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Young Lions go down in tour opener


City United 38 v 11 BARLA Great Britain Young Lions
at Ericsson Stadium, Auckland

The BARLA Great Britain Young Lions went down to an opening tour
defeat against a strong looking City United Representative side.

Despite taking an eight-minute lead through a try by Wath Brow
Hornets winger Craig Calvert, which was converted by West Hulls Loz
Wildbore, the Young Lions were always going to be in for a tough
night.

However, despite being on the end of a heavy penalty count due to
different interpretations of the play the ball rule, they further
increased their lead with a drop goal from Wigan St Patricks Steve
Sutcliffe, before the home side really got into their stride and
powered into an 18-7 half time lead.

The second half started brightly for the Young Lions as winger David
Ashton of Wigan St Patricks crossed the whitewash to put the game
back in the balance at 18-11. However, the sheer physical size and
strength of the hosts proved to be the decisive factor and they
eventually pulled away to secure a 38-11 victory.

Young Lions Assistant Manager Tommy Taylor was pleased with the
sidesefforts and was not surprised at the power and pace of the New
Zealand outfit.

He said, We are really happy with the effort the lads put in. The
City United side were a huge physical outfit and many of them are
expected to play for the Junior Kiwis next year.

He added, We always knew we would be in for a tough test and maybe
now we can take this experience into the remaining games of the tour.

BARLA


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St Helens to play union sevens


ST HELENS will follow the lead of Wigan and Bradford and take part in
the London Pride Middlesex Charity Sevens at Twickenham on Saturday
16 August.

Bradford Bulls accepted an invitation to take part in the event last
season, and they romped to a 42-14 win over Wasps in the Final, 24
hours after being beaten by Saints.

Wigan also won the event in 1996, and reigning Super League champions
Saints are now hoping that they can become the third Rugby League
side to be victorious in the competition.

Saints face Castleford Tigers on the evening before the competition.

"We were delighted to receive the invitation," said Saints chief
executive Sean McGuire.

"It's a great opportunity for the club to project itself on the
national stage and compete against quality opposition from the Rugby
Unions Zurich Premiership teams.

"Although the timing isn't ideal from our perspective, coming as it
does the day after a tough Super League match, we are confident that
the players will relish the challenge and the opportunity to display
their talents at Twickenham."

Total RL

____________________________________________


Raper dismisses quit rumours


Wigan coach Stuart Raper has dismissed mounting speculation over his
future at the JJB Stadium.

Former Wigan and Great Britain captain Ellery Hanley has been tipped
to return to rugby league and is once more being linked with his old
club.

Rumours persist over the future of Raper, despite the fact he has
another year left on his contract and has kept the Warriors in the
title frame despite a horrendous run of injuries this year.

"It seems every second or third week something comes up about my job,
whether we lose or win," he said. "It's nothing new to me.

"We went through this during the Challenge Cup last year and this
year. It is probably just part of being at Wigan.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy here and things are going well.
I've been here for two and a bit years and I think we've shown some
stability."

Ananova

____________________________________________



Lee Briers Breaks Wrist


Wolves Captain Lee Briers has broken his wrist in the game
against London Broncos on Sunday.

A precautionary x-ray has revealed that Lee has a broken scaphoid of
the left wrist and will face at least eight weeks on the sidelines.
Lee played 35 minutes of the second half with the injury scoring his
second try of the game and kicking 3 goals.

Briers has played 15 games and scored 7 tries, 64 goals and 4 drop
goals with a total of 160 points this season so far.

Paul Cullen commented, "Rugby League can be a cruel game where
serious injuries are accepted as a matter of fact, this isn't the
first broken bone that we have had to manage with this year and it
won't be the last.

"For Lee Briers to play 35 minutes at this level with a broken wrist
bears testimony to his character and also indicates how determined he
is to force himself back in to the international selection process.

"He chose to play on in order to allow his forwards to be spelled in
a game that was played in 80 to 90 degrees weather. Questions about
his toughness and leadership have been answered.

"We are greatly disappointed to be losing the services of the most
naturally gifted player in British Super League and we are duty bound
to provide a Top 6 league position for his return."

Back from injury for this week's game against Hull FC are Gary Hulse
(tonsillitis), Mike Wainwright (ankle) and Mark Hilton (groin), Matt
Sturm returns to the U21s from a neck injury and Lee Penny (calf) is
due back for selection against Halifax in two weeks time.

Warrington

____________________________________________



Scotland make it 3 in a row


SCOTLAND Acompleted a trio of international wins with a 42-22
victory over Serbia in Grotska on Sunday night.

Having beaten the Netherlands 22-18 last Wednesday in Sassenheim and
Italy 30-10 in Padova on Friday night, the win over Serbia saw Kevin
Rudds side maintain a 100% record on their arduous European tour, but
they had to come from 16-14 behind at half-time to do it.

Read more Scotland RL

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The Godfather meets The Usual Suspects


By Roy Masters
If footballers turn to movies for inspiration, the NSW and Queensland
State of Origin teams are crossovers of blockbusters.

Phil Gould's Blues? A calculating, ruthless head of an organisation
convinces his team of regulars it has enough motivation to win the
final game of the series.

Think The Godfather meets The Usual Suspects.

Tonight at Suncorp Stadium, Gould will connive and scheme to ensure
his men - most of whom have played in all three games in 2003 - win
the dead rubber against Queensland.

Meanwhile, Queensland's veteran pack will set out to prove they are
still agile enough to execute an intricate match plan with impressive
precision.
____________________________________________


Think Grumpy Old Men meets Mission Impossible.

The Maroons' aged and insulted forwards, including Gorden Tallis and
Shane Webcke, will seek to take the ball precisely on the advantage
line, keeping it alive with deft unloads, providing the momentum and
space for their backs to run angles and decoys.

Tallis says he is aware of southern criticism of his performance the
past two games.

"I don't read the Sydney papers but my mother does," he said darkly.

Origin teams have a tradition of using movies for motivation.

Last year, Queensland coach Wayne Bennett turned to the Oliver Stone
movie, Any Given Sunday, for a passionate speech by American football
coach Tony D'Amato, played by Al Pacino.

Bennett spliced in vision of Queensland players as background to the
speech.

Canberra's Clinton Schifcofske was in Bennett's team at the time and
it inspired the fullback to repeat the tactic in his team's victory
over St George Illawarra on Sunday.

Tonight's match is Pearl Harbour meets Ambush At Tomahawk Gap. The
Blues plan to "ambush an ambush".

NSW expect Queensland to try and shock the Blues at the start, in the
same way underdogs Newcastle stunned highly fancied Parramatta in the
2001 grand final, racing to an insurmountable lead.

Gould has told his team to surprise the Maroons, in the same manner a
fist of security guards hide behind a hedge at a north shore party
and attack the gate crashers.

NSW forward leader, Robbie Kearns, says: "Gus reckons the best thing
to do is ambush an ambush. We know Queensland will come out firing so
the best thing is to get in first."

Read more SMH


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'Get your heads out of the sand,' says Gould


By Steve Mascord and Brad Walter
Stand-in: NSW Origin's Brent Sherwin filling in for ill halfback
Andrew Johns during training at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane last
night. Photo: Steve Holland.


Suncorp Stadium is not fit to host a game in this year's finals
series and Brisbane should reconsider playing there in the meantime,
NSW coach Phil Gould said last night.

"For the welfare of their players, the Broncos have to get their
heads out of the sand, so to speak," Gould said as he walked off the
controversial ground after the Blues' twilight training session.

NSW players and staff last night had their first look at the venue
since June 11, when a knee injury ended the season of Queensland
centre Justin Hodges and sparked a month-long debate over the sandy
surface.

Many Blues, such as flu-ridden captain Andrew Johns, who is now
almost certain to play in Origin III at Suncorp tomorrow night, have
also played club games at the ground. Sydney Roosters second-rower
Craig Fitzgibbon and Broncos five-eighth Brett Seymour have had their
seasons cut short by injuries suffered there.

At a media conference before last night's training run, Gould
declined to join Roosters coach Ricky Stuart in publicly criticising
the surface. But when he walked onto the field, the Blues coach could
be seen picking up clumps of loose turf while members of his staff
walked around checking sandy patches with their boots.


"It's not too flash, is it?" Gould said. "I've said all along I feel
sorry for them. We're just here a year too early, it's as simple as
that.

"You can't get away from the fact. It's not a coincidence. The
surface is poor. But we'll get this game out of the way. Then the
Broncos have got to make a decision about their own players, and
their own players' welfare."

Brisbane have five more club games at the ground and seem certain to
finish the regular season in the top four, meaning a home final on
September 12, 13 or 14. But the Blues boss believes it should be
switched to another venue.

"It will be terrible by then," Gould said. "This won't improve until
it has had an off-season. There's some real bad patches in it at the
moment.

"We don't want to talk about it because we don't want it in the back
of our minds. We know we've got to play here. We can't change it and
we're not complaining about it."

Read more SMH


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Kiwis coaching challenge too good to pass up


By TONY BIRD
James Leuluai, one of New Zealand's finest rugby league test centres,
is relishing his latest challenge in the sport.


Earlier this year, New Zealand Warriors and Kiwis head coach Daniel
Anderson co-opted his Warriors assistant Tony Kemp and Leuluai to
work with him for the home-and-away tests against Australia.

"I'm looking forward to that," Leuluai said when in New Plymouth on
Sunday with his team, the Eastern Tornadoes, for their Bartercard Cup
match against the Taranaki Wildcats.

Leuluai said that working alongside Anderson and Kemp had opened his
eyes, and the experience was beneficial for his own development as a
coach.

"It's really given me a new look at the game."

Leuluai was in charge of the Junior Kiwis last season and has moulded
the Eastern Manukau Tornadoes into one of the consistently strongest
Bartercard Cup sides, as the team showed with its 70-4 demolition of
the Wildcats.

The scorer of 14 tries in 29 tests between 1979 and 1986, Leuluai
predicated a successful test series for the Kiwis against Australia
this month. "Especially with Daniel there. You'd expect that, in the
next two tests, we'll be very competitive," he said. "We've got a
coach there now that has the experience."

New Zealand plays Australia in Sydney on July 25.

Meanwhile, Leuluai was wearing the proud-parent hat on Sunday.

His 18-year-old son Thomas, a specialist stand-off and member of the
Eastern Tornadoes, made his NRL debut for the Warriors in their match
against the Sea Eagles in Auckland the night before.

Leuluai senior was there and admitted it was a proud night for the
Leuluai family.

"I thought he played sound," he said. "He never got the ball in his
hands to do some plays, but I thought his defence was really strong."
Read more Stuff Sport

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Curfew-breaking Warriors fined


SYDNEY: Three New Zealand Warriors who broke a curfew and went out
drinking before their National Rugby League match against the North
Queensland Cowboys a fortnight ago have been fined by the club, chief
executive Mick Watson said today.


Clinton Toopi, Lance Hohaia and Sione Faumuina were fined an
undisclosed amount when they faced a disciplinary hearing before
Watson this week.

The trio were out late drinking and playing pool in Sydney, two days
before the July 5 clash with the Cowboys in Townsville, which the
Warriors lost 10-30.

Despite their indiscretion, Kiwis test centre Toopi and potential new
international Faumuina have both been named in an unchanged Warriors
team to take on Cronulla here at Toyota Park on Saturday night.

Five-eighth Hohaia has dropped from favour after a mid-season slump
and will stay in Auckland.

The three players have also been ordered to do extra community
service work on behalf of the club.

Read more Stuff Sport

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SWAIN TO JOIN HULL NEXT SEASON

Hull have announced the signing of New Zealand Test hooker Richard
Swain.

The 28-year-old Swain, who is currently playing for National Rugby
League leaders Brisbane Broncos, has agreed a two-year contract from
next season.

Hull's director of rugby Shaun McRae said: "Richard is a class player
with a tremendous work-rate and knowledge of the game.

"To acquire such a highly-sought-after athlete in Richard speaks
volumes for the continued philosophy and aspirations at Hull FC."

The high-profile signing casts a doubt over the future of Australian
Dean Treister, who joined Hull in mid-season on a short-term deal
from Cronulla Sharks.

Swain, who was controversially released by Melbourne Storm at the end
of last season, has played 157 first-grade games in the NRL,
including 146 consecutively. He has also played 19 Tests for New
Zealand.

Read more Sky Sports

____________________________________________



HULL AXE SMITH AND CRAVEN

Hull have released former Great Britain scrum-half Tony Smith and
long-serving prop forward Steve Craven, who have both been sidelined
with injury for most of the season.

Smith, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on July 16, is out for
the season with a broken leg while 31-year-old Craven has made only
15 appearances in the last two seasons after a shoulder
reconstruction operation and ankle injuries.

Former Castleford and Wigan player Smith was out of contract at the
end of the season and is now talking to other clubs after agreeing an
immediate release.

"Once I knew I wasn't going to be offered a new deal, it was
pointless me staying," he said. "I have agreed a release and now I
can concentrate on looking for another club and getting fit again.

"Despite the broken leg, I still believe I have another year left in
me and it was my hope to have one more year with Hull.

"They have made a decision and I accept it and I wish Hull every
success in the world."

Director of rugby Shaun McRae said: "Tony is a true professional in
every sense of the word. He has been an invaluable member of the
squad and his experience and knowledge has helped many of the younger
players come through.

"The decision I had to make was whether to offer Tony another year or
not and I chose not to. But I would like to thank him for his effort,
support and entertainment and I am sure rugby league hasn't seen the
last of Tony Smith."

Read more Sky Sports

____________________________________________



WIGAN END GASNIER INTEREST AS ASPINWALL SIGNS

Wigan have ended their attempts to sign Australian Test centre Mark
Gasnier.

But Martin Aspinwall has agreed to stay at the JJB Stadium, signing a
two-year contract.

Wigan are keen to bring in a top-class centre after releasing Jamie
Ainscough earlier this season.

And reports in Australia suggested the Warriors were prepared to pay
around £200,000 a year for Gasnier, who made his Test debut as a
teenager against Papua New Guinea in 2001 and was a non-playing
member of the Ashes tour party that year.

But Wigan, who have agreed a deal for Castleford captain Danny Orr,
say their spending is restricted by the salary cap.

Chairman Maurice Lindsay said: "There have been so many wildly-
exaggerated reports connecting us with Mark Gasnier that we felt it
necessary to publicly announce that, as much as we admire Mark, we
will not be pursuing our interest.

"There have been reports both in this country and Australia
suggesting that we were about to pay a king's ransom when in reality
any interest we have shown has been within salary cap restrictions
and considerably less than the outrageous sums stated by certain
people.

"Perhaps suggesting that Wigan were prepared to pay a high sum helped
to improve negotiations in Australia. We will not be part of that
game. It is not the first time that we have been mentioned in this
way by a particular agent in Australia."

Gasnier, nephew of all-time Australian great Reg Gasnier, is now
expected to re-sign with St George Illawarra.

Meanwhile, Wigan have tied up 21-year-old Aspinwall after the Wigan-
born centre had been linked with a move to Warrington.

Read more Sky Sports

____________________________________________



Golden point stand?


Queensland assistant coach Gary Belcher says the Maroons may walk off
if State of Origin III goes to extra time.

Queensland coach Wayne Bennett is a vocal critic of the golden point
system that has been adopted in both the NRL competition and the
State of Origin series this year, believing it is unnecessary to add
extra time.


And now that New South Wales has already wrapped up the series thanks
to its wins in the first two matches, Belcher told Triple M in
Brisbane that he cant see the point of sudden death at Suncorp
Stadium on Wednesday night.

"The way it is at 2-0 that really doesn't need to happen, does it?"
Belcher said. "What we would be doing is making the players at the
end of the toughest footy in the world play extra time."

"So I wouldn't be surprised, to be quite honest, if both teams just
decided to walk off if the refs out there saying 'are you going to
play extra time?' We could have that situation."

"I know our camp feels that way and from what I've been told (NSW
coach) Phil Gould feels the same way and he might instruct his
players to do the same. So that could be pretty embarrassing for the
game."

Read more Sportal

____________________________________________



Reardon outed


Bulldogs forward Steve Reardon has entered an early guilty plea to
his high-tackle charge and will miss one match.

As the Bulldogs have the bye this weekend, Reardon will be sidelined
for their round 20 clash against North Queensland.

Canberra's Ben Cross will also miss a match, after he entered an
early plea to his striking charge. Cross will miss the NSW Residents
match against Queensland Residents which will be played prior to the
third State of Origin match on Wednesday.

The other two players charged from round 18 - Brisbane's Casey
McGuire and Melbourne's Glen Turner - both also entered early pleas
but won't miss any matches due to their good records.

Read more Optus Sport


____________________________________________


Rabbitohs retain Watts

South Sydney has re-signed fullback Brad Watts for another season.

The club announced his retention on its website, with the 23 year-old
saying he was delighted to remain with the Rabbitohs.

"I'm extremely happy to have re-signed for another season, and hope
to keep performing well,"

Watts credits rookie coach Paul Langmack for his recent blazing form
at the back.

"I've improved a lot under Langers' coaching. I'm very settled at the
club."

"I think Souths are going to be a competitive force in the 2004 NRL
season and I'm pleased that I'm going to be a part of it."

Read more Optus Sport


____________________________________________


Johns to play despite flu


Andrew Johns remains desperate to lead NSW to a 3-0 State of Origin
series whitewash over Queensland Wednesday night despite
being "rocked" by a serious flu bug.

The Blues skipper declared himself a certain Suncorp Stadium starter
but said he may not be able play the whole game.

"I'm resigned to the fact that I probably won't be 100 per cent for
the game but I'll be right to play," he said as the Blues had their
final training session at Redcliffe.

"I haven't had the flu for five or six years and it's really rocked
me.

"But once I get out there on the field and the adrenalin's pumping I
should be fine.

"Another good night's sleep will pick me up a little bit more."

Johns, who was noticeably short of breath as he spoke to the media
before training, admitted he might not be able to go the distance.

He said he had discussed that situation with coach Phil Gould and the
Blues have Craig Wing to come off the bench if Johns needs a breather.

"It depends how the game's going but if I'm short of breath and a
little bit weak then I'm sure Wingy can come on and he plays well at
halfback," Johns said.

Queensland coach Wayne Bennett said his preparations and game plans
had never been built around whether Johns played or not.

"He wasn't going to play in game one because of a dispute with the
coach and in game two it was an ankle injury," said Bennett.

"Game three it's the `flu.

"We always expected him to play and I don't think anyone took too
much notice of it all actually."

The Newcastle star admitted being 2-0 up in the series and illness to
himself, Newcastle teammate Matthew Gidley and lock Luke Ricketson
meant the Blues camp hadn't had its usual intensity.

But they wanted a 3-0 result and avoid the hollow feeling of holding
up the Origin shield after a last match loss.
Read more Optus Sport



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

KANGAROO TOUR 2003 and NRL FINAL SERIES 2003 TOUR for the UK fans

For Aussie fans, the Official Big League "Artie's Army" has four
Kangaroo Tours to choose from. [see below]

For UK fans a tour is being organised encompassing the NRL 2003
Finals Series.

RLCM is assisting 'Experience Sport!', a Sydney based sport travel
company dedicated to the true Rugby League enthusiast. It is
conducting two exciting tours later this year for Aussie and UK
supporters.

Regular tour information will be forwarded through RLCM News Groups.

RLCM will be conducting Rugby League Coaching Forums in the UK
coinciding with the Kangaroo Tour.

The Forums will be held at Bolton - 8th November, Wigan - 12th
November and at Huddersfield - 19th November.

Any coaches who are contemplating experiencing the 2003 Kangaroo Tour
and who would also wish to attend the RLCM UK Forums, should contact
Gary Roberts mailto:tours@...
or
Craig Brown mailto:tours@...

All tours are packed full of unique "league" experiences as well as
other great sporting experiences, sightseeing and social events.

'Experience Sport!' supports Rugby League by offering the best value
travel and unique experiences for supporters, players, teams,schools,
clubs, officials etc.

Examples include travel for the NSWRL Academy (eg.student/rep. teams,
officials), French Rugby League (players to France, students from
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players) and UK clubs.

Some of the tours 'Experience Sport!' has successfully conducted
include the "South's We're Back Tour", the "Kangaroo Tour to
Wellington NZ" and the "World Club Challenge Tour" for the Sydney
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'Experience Sport!' has also arranged many "end of season" trips for
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Click here for Kangaroo Tour 1 -
http://www.experiencesport.com.au/tour_01.htm

Click here for Kangaroo Tour 2
http://www.experiencesport.com.au/tour_02.htm

Click here for Kangaroo Tour 3
http://www.experiencesport.com.au/tour_03.htm

Click here for Kangaroo Tour 4
http://www.experiencesport.com.au/tour_04.htm

Read more Experience Sport
http://www.experiencesport.com.au/

For more information

Craig Brown
Experience Sport! Pty Ltd
Ph: 61 (2) 9264 0266
Fax: 61 (2) 9283 5898

mailto:tours@...

____________________________________________

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http://www.rlcm.com.au/vacancies.shtml

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Order a copy today, then you and your coaches and players will be
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Issue Contents

* Coach Talk - Chris Anderson - Written by Terry Prindable

* Hey Coach! - Do you have a coaching philosophy?

* Get Out' Sets - With Glenn Bayliss and Rick Stone

* Successful Attack - With Grant Bell

* Approach to Short Term Coaching - Ray Unsworth Coach Education, RFL

* Making the Transition - With Rick Stone - Burleigh Bears Head Coach

* Duty of Care, Responsibility and Liability - With Phil Jones

* Andrew Johns' Mental Skills Checklist

* Responsibilities of the Team Manager

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* What Type of Person Makes a Good Coach

* Wigan, Now Develop the Best - Written by Gary Roberts

* Testing... How, Why, Who, Where and When By Wayne Goldsmith

* A Suggested Plan for a Rugby League Environment - By Steve Anderson

* League Coach Forum - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leaguecoach

* Stop those injuries - Doug King RCpN PG Dip SportMed

* Kicking Drills


____________________________________________


BOOK 2.

STRENGTH AND POWER TRAINING WITHOUT WEIGHTS
By Richard Beesley and Tim Rogers

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4.MANUAL RESISTANCE
- Introduction
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- Manual Resistance Exercises

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- Bodyweight Exercises 6.TRUNK EXERCISES
- Introduction
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- Introduction
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- Field Power Exercises

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Click http://www.rlcm.com.au/cdrom.htm to read more and to order

___________________________________________


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since 1993

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