RUGBY LEAGUE COACHING MANUALS
Est.1993

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"The worlds leading Rugby League Coaching Manual"
As stated in Big League - The Official publication of the NRL
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RLCM 'Everyday' Coaching Quote for Thursday

"I think it is an acquired skill, it comes through years of playing.
It comes to those who work very hard on their preparation and it's
developed over years and years of playing the game at a very physical
level." - Steve Anderson from an article on Mental Toughness from
RLCM Book 31

___________________________________________

RLCM - NEWS UPDATE THURSDAY

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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Coaching and Analysing the Game with Computers

SPORTS PERFORMER presentations will be held on Friday morning at
Australian Rugby League Foundation HQ, Phillip St Sydney and Friday
afternoon at St Marys Leagues Club and Western Suburbs Newcastle on
Saturday.

Western Suburbs RLFC Cabramatta are having their systems installed on
Friday.

Register your interest in SPORTS PERFORMER the Affordable Video
Analysis System mailto:analysis@...

Priced at AUS$2500.00 + Tax

Future presentations will be held in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane,
Newcastle, Bolton UK, Wigan UK, Huddersfield UK.
___________________________________________

NRL Club News with the SMH - Thursday

By Brad Walter

SYDNEY ROOSTERS Centre Ryan Cross plans to play out the season with a
broken arm after surviving the 80 minutes last Sunday against Manly
with it heavily strapped.

Cross, who cracked his left forearm three weeks ago, took the field
against the Sea Eagles after painkilling injections and has been
named for Sunday's clash with Penrith.

"I've missed enough football through injury," he told Rugby League
Week. "This season I've played every game and I want to keep that
record intact."

BULLDOGS With the bye last weekend, the Bulldogs sought to have
veteran forward Steve Reardon serve his one-match suspension in
premier league and named him in the team to host North Queensland on
Sunday. But the NRL yesterday ruled that the ban applied only to
first-grade matches, and he will now return next weekend against
South Sydney.

BRISBANE Queensland under-19s fullback Nick Parfitt is expected to
replace Darren Lockyer in Saturday's match against Manly after
filling in for him at training this week. Michael De Vere is another
option.

CANBERRA Prop Ben Cross has been cleared of chicken pox but remains
in doubt for Sunday's clash with Cronulla because of a virus.

The Raiders yesterday began negotiations with NSW Residents'
representative Jason Bulgarelli and goalkicking winger Matt Gaffa,
the leading pointscorer in premier league.

The club also plans to continue discussions with Australian under-21s
rugby union five-eighth Daniel Halangahu and will come to Sydney this
weekend to watch him play for University.

CRONULLA The Sharks are negotiating with utility Michael Sullivan,
who has also attracted interest from Wests Tigers and the Warriors.

MANLY Outgoing coach Peter Sharp has put up his hand for the Wigan
job, made vacant by Stuart Raper's decision to return to Australia at
the end of the season.

"I am terribly interested in the Wigan job," Sharp told the Wigan
Observer. "It is one of the best and most famous clubs in world rugby
league and an attractive proposition."

MELBOURNE Back-rower Glen Turner is believed to be close to re-
signing with Storm, while Kirk Reynoldson has started negotiations to
stay at the club.

NEWCASTLE Adam McDougall has been linked to a re-union with former
Newcastle premiership winning coach Malcolm Reilly at Leeds next
season. South Sydney also remain interested but Wigan have withdrawn
an offer.

NORTH QUEENSLAND Former Queensland Origin hooker John Doyle may
return to the Cowboys next season after recently coming out of
retirement to play in the Queensland Cup.

PARRAMATTA The Eels have been linked to Wests Tigers prop Corey
Pearson, who is yet to receive an offer to re-sign.

PENRITH New recruit Shaun Atta was one several Sydney-based New
Zealand players to take part in an opposed session against the Kiwis
last night.

SOUTH SYDNEY Rookie hooker James Storer has re-signed for next
season.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA Dragons CEO Peter Doust will meet with the
manager of Mark Gasnier and Shaun Timmins tomorrow in a bid to
finalise new deals for the pair.

WESTS TIGERS The Tigers hope to know today whether former Cronulla
lock Nick Graham, playing for Wigan, will join them next season. They
are also seeking a young prop and a centre.

SMH

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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.

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.

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

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Young Shark makes his mark in school of hard knocks

He's landed a spot in first grade, but HSC student Keith Galloway's
feet are planted firmly on the ground, writes Jacquelin Magnay.

There are not too many tougher rites of passage than the HSC for
teenagers. But when the trial exams begin next month Keith Galloway
knows he has faced his most fearsome test and survived.

He can be sure that none of his year 12 peers have taken on the might
of the Warriors pack and matched it with them.

He can also be sure none of them will be juggling the excitement of
playing first-grade rugby league while trying to understand the
complexities of algebra and essay-writing technique at the same time.

But Galloway, just 17, has done all of this.

Last Saturday night Sharks coach Chris Anderson threw Galloway into
the fray of first grade. And Galloway - a hulking 105-kilogram, 196-
centimetre lad - who would otherwise be noticed by his bright carrot-
coloured hair - didn't baulk at the challenge.

Those at the ground were impressed with his high work rate and his
enthusiasm in defence. This was one Marist Brothers Kogarah schoolboy
who wasn't about to be intimidated by his first-grade debut, nor the
quality of his opponents.

Read more SMH

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STRENGTH AND POWER TRAINING WITHOUT WEIGHTS
By Richard Beesley and Tim Rogers
http://www.rlcm.com.au/sptcd.htm
___________________________________________


Talau's new position

By DEAN RITCHIE

CONTROVERSIAL selection Willie Talau was chosen at five-eighth for
New Zealand because he "would hold up his gloves in defence".

But Talau's career statistics show he might in fact be lost playing
five-eighth in tomorrow night's Test match against Australia at
Aussie Stadium.

Talau, who will join English club St Helens next year, has played 101
first-grade matches in the NRL.

But amazingly, not one has been at five-eighth.

The last time Talau played five-eighth was in 1995 for the Junior
Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos when he marked present Broncos
utility Stu Kelly.

"We wanted a bloke who would hold his gloves up in defence," said
Kiwi Test coach Daniel Anderson.

"Willie is also a tough runner, he can break tackles and is motivated
to play.

"We also wanted an experienced team.

"It isn't perfect. The best scenario would be a ball-playing five-
eighth and Lance [Hohaia] would have been the pea.

"But he hasn't been in the best of form lately."

Talau will play tomorrow night and then return to Premier League for
the Bulldogs this weekend.

Asked about his selection, Talau said: "I'll just concentrate on my
strengths and that's running the ball.

"I won't hesitate to pass because we've got plenty of pace out wide
[with Nigel Vagana and Clinton Toopi in the centres].

"It's new for me and I think it's because it's the unexpected.

"When I prepare for a big match I usually play centre and I've played
centre for a long time so it's second nature to me.

"I'm nervous but excited too."

Ironically, Australia will also send out a makeshift five-eighth in
Shaun Timmins.

"I didn't think I'd be playing for Australia this year at five-
eighth," Timmins said last night.

"But it's something I'm really looking forward to.

"I've enjoyed the past six weeks playing five-eighth for NSW. I'm a
bit closer to the action."

Former Australian Test captain Laurie Daley rejected talk Talau might
struggle out of position.

"Talau won't be the weak link," Daley said yesterday.

Daily Telegraph

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Rivals are sharing out the video calls

By PETER JESSUP

There will be one Australian video referee ruling on tomorrow night's
close calls and one from New Zealand - a recipe for a Mexican stand-
off, you might think.

Phil Cooley represents the transtasman cousins and Alan Caddy is our
guy. He's not fazed by the prospect of a difference of opinion.

With five years experience as a premiership touch judge, sometimes
opposite Cooley as they were in the 2000 State of Origin, Caddy is
familiar with the other officials and the procedures.

New Zealand referee and touch judge Arthur Clark will run one line
while Australian Darren Goucher flags the other under Bill Harrigan's
whistling.

Caddy, 50, and Cooley are yet to meet to sort out the procedural
details of their role. "If there's a close one we'll discuss it, work
it out."

They can call on the Foxtel television producer to replay any angle
they want as many times as they want it. The viewers at home and the
crowd watching the big screen see what the video ref asks for.

"We have to go on what we have," Caddy said. "If we disagree ...
well, we haven't decided what's going to happen yet. Maybe he will
have the final say in Sydney and I will have the final say in New
Zealand."

Read more NZ Herald
___________________________________________

Matthew Ridge tips NZ sweep

DUAL Kiwi international Matthew Ridge has taunted the pride of
Australia's rugby codes by describing the Kangaroos as too tired and
the Wallabies as too old.

Ridge is predicting a "blackwash" for New Zealand in Sydney's mega-
weekend of football, which starts tomorrow night with the trans-
Tasman rugby league Test, followed by the Bledisloe Cup rugby on
Saturday night.

The comments by Ridge, who played for Manly and the Warriors,
captained the New Zealand league team and also played for the All
Blacks, has raised the stakes in the Australia v NZ footy war with
our world champions tag in both codes now firmly on the line.

"The Kangaroos look tired - a couple of their guys look weary," Ridge
told The Daily Telegraph from Auckland.

Read More Courier Mail
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* RLCM - START UP PACK - SPECIAL OFFER ELECTRONIC SIX COPIES.
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___________________________________________

Rhinos to sign Adam MacDougall, Wigan look at De Vere

LEEDS winger Francis Cummins has signed a one-year extension, as the
Rhinos prepare to sign Aussie Adam Macdougall.

After securing Cummins for a further season, coach Daryl Powell
revealed he expected to make a new signing within the next 24 hours.

And reports from Sydney suggest Kangaroo winger Adam MacDougall is
the target.

MacDougall's manager George Liolio confirmed Leeds had made an offer
to his player after Wigan withdrew their interest, but also said a
number of Australian clubs, headed by South Sydney, were still in the
hunt.

A move to Leeds would reunite MacDougall with Malcolm Reilly, who
coached Newcastle to a Grand Final win in 1997.

"I suppose with Malcolm Reilly's connection, Adam will be thinking of
it strongly," said Liolio. "There are advantages to the move."

Meanwhile, Wigan are now being linked with a move for Brisbane
Broncos centre Michael De Vere. Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay is
currently in Brisbane ahead of this weekend's International
Federation meeting.

Total RL
___________________________________________

RLCM - ORDER YOUR RLCM DRILLS BOOKS 1 and 2 TODAY
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___________________________________________

BARLA GB Young Lions 36 defeated PIRLA 20

The BARLA Great Britain Young Lions have secured their first win of
their Damart Tour of New Zealand, with a superb win over a Pacific
Island Under 18s representative side.

An extremely determined Young Lions side raced into an early lead
through Wath Brow winger Craig Calvert and despite the hosts coming
back to lead 8-4, further tries to Kevin King (Stanley Rangers),
Anthony Houghton (Wigan St Patricks) and James Taylor (Leigh East),
along with two conversions from West Hulls Loz Wildbore gave the
tourists a 20-14 half time lead.

BARLA dominated the second period and again Calvert was the first to
cross the line for his second try of the game. A penalty from
Wildbore and tries to man of the match Steve Sutcliffe (Wigan St
Patricks) and Kells Scott Lofthouse, added to a final Wildbore
conversion gave the BARLA youngsters a superb 36-20 victory.

BARLA
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Cummins sticks with Leeds

Leeds Rhinos winger Francis Cummins has agreed a one-year extension
to his contract which will keep him at Headingley until the end of
2004.

Cummins, currently in his testimonial season with the club, said: "I
am really pleased to have got my future sorted out and now I can
concentrate on doing my best for Leeds over the next 18 months.

"I never wanted to leave Leeds, the club has been a massive part of
my life, not just my rugby career and I am really excited about the
future here."

The Irish international is second on the club's try scoring chart
this season with 15 tries in 24 appearances and has scored 179 tries
in 320 appearances for the club.

Ananova
___________________________________________

Australian defence impregnable against media onslaught

SYDNEY: Arrive at Sydney's Randwick Army Barracks with flowers or
foodstuffs and it's not a problem - rock up armed with a notepad and
a camera and you might as well be a card-carrying member of al Qaeda.

Australia's war on terror enveloped the Kiwis rugby league team
yesterday with a dozen or so media representatives cut off at the
pass when they tried to access two training sessions.

Trying to convince security you simply wanted to spy on your OWN team
was a fruitless exercise as New Zealand television crews,
photographers and journalists were politely denied entry to the
popular training facility for overseas teams.

The base's civilian security representative offered the succinct
explanation: "Military and media don't mix". Sergeant Stu Laughton,
who runs the barracks' gym, later gently explained there had been "a
few flare ups" in recent months.

The Bali bombings and now escalating tension in the Solomon Islands
have gradually turned defence installations into, well, fortresses on
the Australian mainland.

"With the way things are it's probably not advisable to have cameras
and news crews floating around," Laughton told NZPA.

Camera crews and journalists were able to roam freely last June when
the New Zealand Maori rugby team trained there but times have
undeniably changed.

"Things are slowly tightening up - we didn't even used to have a
(security) box out front," Sgt Laughton said. He suggested the Kiwis
were slightly to blame because they did not mention media might be
interested in watching the team go through their paces ahead of
Friday night's trans-Tasman clash when they booked the training
field.

However, Kiwis media spokesman Gordon Gibbons said management had not
realised anyone other than the team had to be included on their
application.

"We're pretty embarrassed about the whole thing and we were never
told the whole process. There's nothing in here anyway."

Read more Stuff Sport
___________________________________________

Ali to tackle problem

SYDNEY: Ali Lauiti'iti repeated his mantra of having to work on his
technique after a high tackle cost him another Kiwis' cap and an
opportunity to take on Australia in the battle for trans-Tasman rugby
league bragging rights on Friday night.

The New Zealand Warriors second rower will miss the Aussie Stadium
clash here after a National Rugby League (NRL) judicial hearing last
night found him guilty of hitting Cronulla forward Paul Gallen with a
high shot during Saturday's match at Toyota Park.

Lauiti'iti was found guilty after just a nine-minute deliberation by
the four-member panel. He will be available for the Warriors next
match on August 2 against Melbourne and planned to spend the lay-off
wisely.

"I've got a couple of weeks to rectify things and keep working on it
(tackling)," he said.

Lauiti'iti also missed the 2000 Kangaroos test in Sydney following a
similar indiscretion and he sat out the first game of the Kiwis tour
of Great Britain last year after being placed on report in the NRL
grand final and eventually suspended.

"It's disappointing to miss the test but I've got to accept it. I
thought I was all right but I have to accept I'm guilty," he said.

The softly-spoken 23-year-old rejected suggestions the decision could
be interpreted as another example of Kiwi bashing back home.

Lauiti'iti is the latest in a long line of Kiwis players suspended on
the eve of trans-Tasman test matches but he had no complaint.

"It is another Kiwi out but no .... it's just part of the game."

Stephen Kearney, John Lomax, Dean Bell, Jarrod McCracken, and Nathan
Cayless have all been forced to miss matches against the Kangaroos in
recent years.

Gallen went into bat for Lauiti'iti but NRL commissioner Jim Hall
successfully argued his case, claiming Lauiti'iti used his upper arm
with unnecessary force and contact was made with his opponent's head.

Lauiti'iti submitted Gallen had run into the point of his shoulder.

New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) chairman Selwyn Pearson was critical
of the NRL saying its penalties should not apply to test matches.

A disappointed Pearson said Lauiti'iti should have been allowed to
serve his ban in the NRL and claimed the international game needed
its own set of rules.

"He missed out on a test jersey. If that's fair, I believe in Santa
Claus," Pearson said.

"Why is the NRL running the international scene? Why don't we have
our own judiciary? Seriously, if he's naughty in the NRL competition,
why doesn't he play the test match?"

But NRL chief executive David Gallop defended the judicial process.

"There's always potentially going to be suspensions from club
football that are going to have an impact on representative
football," Gallop said.

"Is he suggesting that a player who punches a referee one week in the
NRL and gets a five-year ban should be allowed to play international
football?"

Kiwis coach Daniel Anderson, who had expected Lauiti'iti to walk
free, will name a replacement for the interchange bench today with
Penrith's Joe Galuvao the front runner to win his first Kiwis cap
ahead of Warriors' utility Sione Faumuina.

Read more Stuff Sport

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AUSTRALIAN DUO THROW HATS IN WARRIORS RING

Australians Peter Sharp and Andrew Farrar have expressed their desire
to succeed Stuart Raper as Wigan coach.

The Warriors, looking for a new coach after Raper announced his
intention to return home to Sydney at the end of the season, appear
certain to go for a high-profile appointment and Sharp and Farrar
both fit the bill and are available.

Sharp, who is leaving Manly at the end of the season, told the Wigan
Observer: "I am terribly interested in the Wigan job. It is one of
the best and most famous clubs in world rugby league and an
attractive proposition.

"Now that Stuart's announced he's leaving, I will be throwing my hat
in the ring."

Former St George Illawarra boss Farrar, who played for Wigan in 1993,
is equally keen and plans to make his interest known to chairman
Maurice Lindsay.

"I've not had any contact from Wigan but I would definitely be
interested," he said. "I will be making some contact with Maurice now
that Stuart has decided he's going home.

"I have very fond memories of my time at Wigan. I still keep in touch
with Phil Clarke while Craig Smith is a very good friend of mine."

Cronulla's Australian national coach Chris Anderson, a close friend
of Lindsay, and former Wigan captain Ellery Hanley are other names
being linked with the job.

But, if Wigan buck their recent trend and appoint from within, former
Great Britain loose forward Mike Gregory could become a strong
candidate.

"I want it and I'm ready," said Gregory, who combines his current
duties as Raper's assistant with that of Scotland coach. "I've spoken
to Stu about it and I've told him that I want to take over from him.
I've been coaching for nine years and I've served my apprenticeship."

Lindsay, who has been forced to cancel plans to attend Friday's Trans-
Tasman Test in Sydney and Sunday's International Federation meeting
in Brisbane because of an ear infection, says no appointment is
planned in the immediate future.

"We can knock everyone on the head because we haven't made a decision
and we won't be doing for some time," he said. "We are third in the
League and we won't be distracted over who is going to be here next
year."

Meanwhile, Raper insists that he has not lined up a job back home,
despite being linked with a return to Cronulla, where he was in
charge of the Under-21s before joining Castleford in 1997.

Raper cited family reasons for calling an end to his seven-year stay
in England and believes that coping with the high-pressure role at
Wigan will stand him in good stead in the National Rugby League.

"I can categorically say that I haven't got a job to go to," he told
a news conference at the JJB Stadium. "I'm hopeful of getting one.

"My name has been linked with Cronulla. That's the obvious one. But
I've had no contact with them and Chris Anderson is still contracted
there for another year.

"I will be making contact with a number of clubs back in Australia
and I'm hopeful that maybe something will come up.

"I will back my ability as a coach. I think I have a reasonable
record. But it's all about timing and being in the right place at the
right time.

"I believe I have the capabilities to handle a first-grade job in
Australia. I think I can handle the pressures of any job after
handling this job, with what goes on. There are more dramas and
rumours than at any other club I've ever seen."

Raper, who revealed his decision was made two weeks ago, insists that
he would not be working alongside his successor if he is appointed
before the end of the season.

"As far as I am concerned, I will not be working alongside the new
coach if he comes from outside (the club)," he said. "I've got a job
until October and I'll be doing it."

Read more Sky Sports
___________________________________________

BRONCOS BUCK UP TO BREAK THEIR DUCK

London 32-16 Huddersfield
Tetley's Super League

Broncos finally won their first home game of the season after a
thrilling second-half display gave them victory at Griffin Park.

The Broncos' previous "home" win came against Widnes in Wales - but
they were good value to break their duck on Tuesday evening.

They opened the scoring after just 71 seconds when Chris Thorman and
Rob Purdham combined to send in Dennis Moran. Referee Bob Connolly
failed to send off Giants' second row Iain Morrison for a clear trip
on Moran before his side levelled after 13 minutes.

Brandon Costin then worked the ball over the line in heavy traffic to
touch down for the seventh successive game, before the remainder of
the half frittered out into something of a grim struggle, with both
teams' handling letting them down on vital occasions.

But Thorman added a last-minute penalty after the Giants were
penalised for a high tackle to send his side in at the break with a
slender two-point advantage.

The Broncos further extended their lead five minutes into the second
period when Thorman found Nigel Roy on his inside before Steele
Retchless crashed over from close in.

The Giants hit back almost immediately to reduce the arrears Costin
proving too strong to force himself over the line from Mick Slicker's
pass.

The Broncos however raced away with the game in the final 20 minutes
when they were inspired by Thorman who provided a high hanging bomb
for Andrew King to pluck out of the sky before touching down.

On 74 minutes Thorman then crossed the line himself for a fine solo
effort after being set up by Jim Dymock. Costin then turned villain
for his side when his pass was intercepted close to his own line by
King who was presented with a free run.

The Giants however had the last laugh when winger Hefin O'Hare chased
down Costin's kick down the line to touch down - but it was too
little too late for the side who have shocked so many sides so far
this season.

Sky Sports
___________________________________________

CUNNINGHAM: I WAS UNDER PRESSURE TO BE FIT

Keiron Cunningham unwittingly took a banned substance in a bid to be
fit for last year's one-off Test against Australia, the St Helens
hooker has revealed.

The Wales and Great Britain international also claimed the substance
was administered by a dietician employed by the Rugby Football League.

Cunningham was fined £2,500 and suspended for a year after failing
a
drugs test in June 2002 but the ban was suspended for 12 months due
to what the League called mitigating circumstances.

His sample contained traces of hormone substance HCG which Cunningham
was told purported to be a fat burner to keep his weight down while
he recovered from a broken hand.

"I was under pressure to be fit for the one-off Test against
Australia and was told that the substance was natural and approved,"
he said.

"It transpired that the administering dietician was unqualified and
had been negligent.

"I agree totally with the high burden of responsibility placed on
athletes but had placed my trust in a supposed qualified specialist
and am now paying for the consequences.

"If anything good comes out of this, it's a lesson for all athletes
to make detailed enquiries of all medical staff. I am confident that
rugby will be a better-run game as a result of this.

"I am grateful to the Saints in supporting me during what has been a
traumatic time in my life and am looking forward to regaining my
fitness and re-establishing myself at the top."

The RFL later confirmed that the dietician, Mike Sutherland, had
acted as a consultant member of the Great Britain support staff but
was released from his contract in April 2003 after an investigation
revealed irregularities relating to his qualifications.

In a statement, the League said: "Even before the investigation
concerning Mr Sutherland, the Rugby Football League had introduced a
full reappraisal of their appointment system.

Read more Sky Sports
___________________________________________

Knights' Tahu blow

Newcastle will be without star winger Timana Tahu for up to a month
with a torn thigh muscle.

The New South Wales flyer will be sidelined for a minimum of two
weeks with the injury, which further dents the Knightschances of
beating the Wests Tigers on Sunday at Campbelltown, after they also
lost fullback Robbie ODavis (thumb) for six weeks.

Newcastle could also be without Tahus wing partner Adam MacDougall
(hamstring) and his replacement Craig Hall (biceps), and coach
Michael Hagan has admitted the team desperately needs to start
winning to make the finals.

The 2001 premiers have won just three of their last eight games, with
last Fridays defeat to Penrith dropping them out of the top eight.

Read more Sportal
___________________________________________

Click for - ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.
http://www.rlcm.com.au/order.htm
_________________________________________

Bai: Make me an offer

Melbourne winger Marcus Bai says he will consider leaving if he
doesn't receive an offer from the Storm soon.

The 30-year-old Papua New Guinea international has regained some of
his best form in the past couple of months, but while the Olympic
Park club has worked hard to retain Scott Hill and Robbie Kearns, it
has been in less of a hurry to secure Bai's services.

With that in mind, Bai told the Herald Sun that even though he would
love to finish his career with the Storm, the club's recent
reluctance to negotiate may force his hand.

"I have spoken to a few clubs, but I am hanging out to see what Storm
has to offer," Bai said. "There are a lot of things I need to weigh
up."

"I want to play for the next two years and I want to be happy with
the next contract I sign because it is an important one for me. I
would love to stay in Melbourne, but I have been waiting for four
weeks for something to be put forward and it hasn't happened."

"I have been a bit stressed about it, but I will meet with the club
in the next couple of weeks and hopefully something will happen. I
want to stay, but if another club puts up something better, I will
need to seriously consider it."

Read more Sportal
___________________________________________

Galuvao gets nod

Penrith Panthers second-row forward Joe Galuvao has been called up to
the New Zealand side that takes on Australia on Friday night.

The 25-year-old, a surprise omission from the original squad, has
been called up to replace suspended Warriors forward Ali Lauiti'iti
and will start on the bench.

Galuvao has been a sensation for Penrith this season, forming a
superb partnership with fellow Kiwi Tony Puletua in the second-row.

Fridays game at Aussie Stadium will be Galuvaos Test debut for New
Zealand, although he played for Samoa at the 2000 World Cup.

He has scored seven tries in 18 appearances for the Panthers this
season.

Read more Sportal

___________________________________________

Click for - ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.
http://www.rlcm.com.au/order.htm
_________________________________________

Lockyer out, Hegarty in

An ankle injury has forced Australian fullback Darren Lockyer out of
Friday's Test against New Zealand.

Lockyer hurt the joint during Brisbane's extra time win over
Melbourne at Olympic Park on Sunday, and while he had hoped to be fit
for the Aussie Stadium clash against the Kiwis, an MRI scan has
forced medical staff to rule him out.

Australian selectors had already put Sydney Roosters centre Shannon
Hegarty on standby on Tuesday, so Lockyer's withdrawal means Hegarty
will play on the wing and his Roosters teammate Anthony Minichiello
will switch to the No.1 jersey.

"It's obviously a setback to lose a player as good as Darren,"
Australian coach Chris Anderson told AAP. "We're lucky that Anthony
Minichiello played so well at fullback in Origin and that we had
Shannon on standby."

"This is going to be an incredibly tough game for the Kangaroos and I
hope people realise just how important this match is to everybody
concerned."

"New Zealand are a good side and you'd rather not have anything go
wrong in the lead-up, but I'm still confident about the players we
have to call on."

Read more Optus Sport
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REA - WE GOT WHAT WE DESERVED

Broncos' coach Tony Rea admitted his London side were under no
pressure after their first home victory of the season - 32-16 over
Huddersfield Giants.

Rea said: "There was no hoodoo, it was just a good performance.

"We went out there overly keen in the first half and then battened
down the hatches in the second.

"It was exciting the opportunities that were created, especially in
the first half but it was frustrating again that we couldn't take
them.

"It wasn't a flashy game but you wouldn't expect that from two teams
backing up as they were."

Rea also revealed that star half-back Dennis Moran was likely to miss
Friday's clash with Leeds Rhinos after picking up a thigh injury.

Meanwhile Giants' coach Tony Smith admitted whichever team cut out
their first-half errors were always going to win the game.

Smith explained: "Both teams were shaky in the first half, both
looked tired and worn out - but the Broncos got themselves up and
deserved their victory.

"I think whoever cut out the errors was going to go on and win the
game, which they did.

"I was happy with the way we dug in and if you got points for
commitment and effort we would get them every week."

Sporting Life
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NRL grand final goers pay up

Fans will pay for public transport when they buy tickets to this
year's National Rugby League grand final, regardless of how they get
to the game.

In a move designed to encourage fans to leave their cars at home, a
grand final ticket will integrate gate entry and public transport
fares to and from the match.

It entitles a holder to travel from any station in the greater
metropolitan area, as far as Scone, Richmond and Lithgow.

Grand final tickets go on sale next week and buyers will pay an extra
$2 to $5 for seats.

"The integrated ticket encourages fans to use public transport which
the Sydney Olympics proved was the best way to get to and from
Telstra Stadium," NSW Transport Services Minister Michael Costa said.

"The small increase in the price of the ticket is more than offset by
savings on the cost of travelling to and from the event on public
transport."

Tickets go on sale on Monday for season ticket holders and on
Wednesday for the general public.

There will be an additional allocation of at least 3,000 tickets for
supporters of the participating teams.

This year's grand final is an evening match scheduled for October 5.

SMH
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Raper denies Aussie job rumours

Wigan coach Stuart Raper has denied he has a job lined up with
Cronulla when he returns to Australia later this year.

Raper will leave Wigan at the end of the English rugby league season
in October and has been linked with Cronulla, which is struggling
under national coach Chris Anderson.

But Raper, who coached the Sharks' under-21 side before moving to
England in 1997, said he was returning home for family reasons.

"I can categorically say that I haven't got a job to go to," he told
reporters.

"I'm hopeful of getting one.

"My name has been linked with Cronulla. That's the obvious one. But
I've had no contact with them and Chris Anderson is still contracted
there for another year.

"I will be making contact with a number of clubs back in Australia
and I'm hopeful that maybe something will come up."

Raper said his experiences at Wigan, where he has never been able to
fully dispel rumours linking former Wigan and Great Britain captain
Ellery Hanley with a return to the club, would help him handle
anything the National Rugby League could throw at him.

Raper took the Warriors to the Super League Grand Final in his first
season in 2001, steered them to Challenge Cup final glory at
Murrayfield last year and has kept them in title contention this
season despite a horrific run of injuries.

"I will back my ability as a coach. I think I have a reasonable
record. But it's all about timing and being in the right place at the
right time," he said.

"I believe I have the capabilities to handle a first-grade job in
Australia. I think I can handle the pressures of any job after
handling this job, with what goes on.

"There are more dramas and rumours than at any other club I've ever
seen."

Australians Peter Sharp and Andrew Farrar have already put their
hands up for the job, while Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay denied
that Hanley or Anderson had been lined up.

SMH

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