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Scuba Diving on the Gold Coast Reef
Good morning from Queensland's Gold Coast - Monday 11th
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Hull KR 24 defeated St Helens 22 - St Helens coach Daniel Anderson criticised the officials' handling of the controversial final moments in Saints' 24-22 defeat by Hull KR.
Matt Gidley crossed the line after the final hooter, but the try was ruled out for a Lee Gilmour pass after the tackle had been completed.
Anderson called it a "relatively weak" decision and claimed the touch judge who made the call should have come on to the field earlier.
He said: "They are all wired up and he could have told the ref earlier and stopped the whole rigmarole."
Saints trailed 16-6 at half-time and Anderson, who described the Craven Park encounter as a "great advertisement for the game in February", was encouraged by their response.
"Rovers were awesome in the first period," he said. "I don't think they made an error, they had plenty of possession and they punished us. I thought we fought back well.
"In the second half we knew we had to stop them scoring. But we had a horrible start, gave a penalty away and they scored and we had to fight back from 16 points down.
"But I was really happy with the way we played in the second half."
Jake Webster's late penalty won the game for Rovers after Saints fought back to square the match, but head coach Justin Morgan refused to get too excited about the shock win.
"I thought the first half we were very good but after the break we were a bit scratchy and made back-to-back errors," he said.
"Last year at this stage we beat Leeds then went fourth bottom and finished 11th. Let's not get too carried away.
"It's a nice scalp to get and I said before the competition started I wanted some points out of the first two weeks and we have done that."
Asked about the conclusion to the match, he said: "I thought the guy was penalised for passing off the floor.
"I was following the play but people near me said the touch judge held his ground and tried to indicate to the referee there was a penalty." Read more Sporting Life
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Wakefield 24 defeated Bradford 22 - Danny Brough masterminded a stunning victory on his debut as Wakefield edged past Bradford 24-22 in an enthralling clash at Belle Vue.
The scrum-half joined the Wildcats on a three-year contract after helping Castleford back into Super League with a virtuoso performance in last season's National One grand final demolition of Widnes.
He quickly proved his top-flight pedigree with a commanding display that saw him create tries either side of half-time for Tony Martin and Luke George.
Crucially, Brough also landed four goals to secure the points, but this was a richly-deserved team effort that echoed the Wildcats' blistering start to last season.
Bradford deserve credit too and debutant Paul Sykes' late converted try brought them to within two points of their opponents but John Kear's remodelled side held on for a deserved success.
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Leeds 30 defeated Huddersfield 10 - Young winger Ryan Hall justified his surprise selection with two long-range tries as champions Leeds destroyed Huddersfield in front of their record Super League crowd of 15,629.
The 20-year-old, given the nod by Rhinos coach Brian McClennan ahead of last week's two-try hero Lee Smith, responded with a spectacular double either side of half-time on only his 10th appearance for the club.
Full-back Brent Webb also scored two tries as Leeds displayed further evidence of their determination to hang on to their title, while providing Huddersfield with an indication of the size of the task ahead of them if they are once more reach the play-offs.
Other UK Results - Northern Rail National League Cup
Batley (6) 19 Dewsbury (4) 18
Tries: Maloney, Maun, A Lindsay Langley, Powell, Field, Buchanan
Goals: Maloney 3 Finn
Drop Goals: Maloney
Attend: 1,169
Barrow (10) 28 Blackpool (12) 20
Tries: Nicholls 2, Ostler, Ashe, Kaighan Graham, Marsh, Gambles
Goals: Beach 2, Ashe 2 Marsh 4
Attend: 825
Featherstone (22) 40 York (6) 12
Tries: Kirk, Hesketh, Pryce, Saxton 2, Cawghray, I Tonks Mapals, Applegarth
Goals: Dickens 6 Ratcliffe 2
Attend: 1,332
Gateshead (24) 58 Hunslet (6) 6
Tries: Thorman, Sanderson 3, Peers 2, McPhail, Kain 2, Jamieson, Nash Morton
Goals: Russell 5, Watton 2 Briggs
Attend: 388
Keighley (12) 40 Halifax (40) 64
Tries: Presley 3, Gardner, Rayner, Shickell, J Feather Holroyd, Haley, P Smith, Gibson, A Smith, Govin, Penkywicz 3, Billings, Varkulis
Goals: Knight 6 Holroyd 10
Attend: 1,340
London Skolars (4) 10 Celtic Crusaders (16) 26
Tries: Nowland, Coleman Hannay 2, Quinn, James, Dyer
Goals: Thorman Quinn, Van Dijk 2
Attend: 375
Widnes (2) 8 Leigh (2) 15
Tries: Grady Wainwright, McConnell
Goals: Hartley 2 Watson 3
Drop Goals: Watson
Attend: 4,032
Workington (2) 18 Whitehaven (10) 26
Tries: Routledge, Keavney Fletcher, Sice, Calvert 2, Eilbeck
Goals: Forber 5 Rudd 3
Attend: 1,276
Swinton (24) 34 Rochdale (10) 36
Tries: McGovern, Billy 2, Hulse, Banford, Hull Brocklehurst, Spurr 2, Butterworth, Ainscough 2, A Marsh
Goals: Hawkyard 5 Svabic 3, Hough
Attend: 625 Read more Sporting Life
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup to be held in Australia will be the biggest Rugby League event in the 100 year history of the game. The Rugby League Experience is providing a range of packages for local, interstate and international visitors. To be kept up to date with all the latest tournament and tour information you can register your interest here.
Bulldogs discord a deterrent to targets By Glenn Jackson - They may have $1 million in the bank to raid some of the biggest names in the NRL, but there are fears the Bulldogs may not get the best players money can buy. With infighting over control of the club turning bitter before Sunday's board election and uncertainty over the future of coach Steve Folkes, leading player managers have admitted their star clients may avoid the Bulldogs this year.
"It will need to settle down pretty quickly after the election," said Steve Gillis, who manages players such as Brett Finch and John Sutton, both up for grabs this year.
"Players will be watching. They will be taking note of how things unfold. Clubs will shop from about round eight to 10, so they'll need to get their house in order pretty quick, or you will find some players say, 'There's a bit of trouble there. What's going on? I don't know who's coaching them'."
The coaching uncertainty, with Folkes under pressure to keep his job even before Wayne Bennett's decision to quit Brisbane at the end of 2008, "will be a factor in attracting players", Gillis said.
"Players ask two questions: how much money, and who's going to coach?"
Sunday's election, meanwhile, has created significant schisms at the club. And even after the dust settles from the power struggle, there are still fears the disunity will resume. Chairman George Peponis suggested in Saturday's Herald he would resign should Graeme Hughes be elected to the board.
Peponis also revealed he was trying to headhunt the most in-demand player on the market this season, Melbourne's Israel Folau. While Folau is expected to command an asking price of about $350,000 a year, the Bulldogs are one of a few clubs able to afford him.
After the club lost Willie Mason and Brent Sherwin late last year, about $700,000 was freed up under the salary cap. Given the Bulldogs will inevitably shed some players from their current roster, there is no reason why the club would not have $1m to spend. But at least one player manager, who asked not to be named, admitted a client had knocked back the club due to the instability.
"The club's engulfed in agendas and personalities and issues ." the manager said. "It used to be, 'How good's this, I'm going to the Bulldogs'. It's certainly not good at all [now]."
Meanwhile, Ruben Wiki has announced he'll quit the Warriors at the end of the season, and is likely to finish his career in the UK.
Two Chooks in a scuffle - Roosters have launched an investigation into an ugly altercation involving two of their young players.
Luke's no dummy, not by half - This is not one of those normal South Sydney stories. This one's about red and green cordial. Read more League HQ
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Another blow to City v Country fixture By Dean Ritchie - The NRL last night denied robbing this year's City-Country match of its lustre by scheduling a club match on the same night. City-Country will be played on May 2 in Wollongong - the same night as a round-eight club match.
Country officials had desperately hoped their match would be stand-alone - giving the annual game more spotlight.
But Channel 9 - aware City-Country, featuring only NSW players, rates poorly in Queensland - want another match on the same evening featuring a Queensland side.
Wests Tigers play Brisbane that round, Souths tackle North Queensland while the Gold Coast play Newcastle.
It would seem the Souths-Cowboys match would be favourite, given Tim Sheens coaches City and Wests Tigers and Newcastle could have several players in City-Country.
The Rabbitohs may, however, protest at being the only NRL club to lose their representative players for that round.
The Daily Telegraph understands the second match was a "trade-off" with Nine given City-Country was shifted to the favourable Friday night slot this year after being played on a Thursday evening last season.
"The game didn't always rate that well in Queensland given it was completely NSW content," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said last night.
"The idea is to play another game on the same night with Queensland content and televise it live into Queensland.
"We don't want to disadvantage any side that would be without City-Country players that night because the other players will return to their clubs for the remaining matches over that weekend.
"City-Country would still be live throughout NSW with the second match to be replayed that night."
Manly, Bulldogs, Dragons, Roosters, Storm and Cronulla have round-eight byes. Read more Daily Telegraph
HALIFAX NATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE - FEATHERSTONE LIONS 6 ELLAND 10 - Elland scrum half Luke Read's goal kicking was the difference between the sides in a hard fought encounter at the Mill Pond.
His early penalty and conversion to loose forward Joseph Beverley's 13th minute try gave the visitors an eight point lead. Read's second successful penalty four minutes after the break extended the lead but Lions winger Jay Storey went over, with Richard Frankland converting to set up a tense finish.
WIBSEY JUNIORS 28 GATESHEAD THUNDER 6 - A fine second half showing, after the sides had been level at the break, gave Wibsey the spoils.
Second rower Mark Kendall's unconverted try for the hosts was cancelled out by two Danny O'Reagan penalties. Prop Stuart Metcalfe edged Juniors back in front just after half time, O'Reagan's third successful kick keeping Thunder in touch.
Daniel Buckley's try in the corner proved to be the game breaker and with Wibsey on top, they posted three further touchdowns from Mark Kendall, man of match Dominic Kershaw and Metcalfe with two conversions from Jamie Karnasauskas.
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RUSSIAN RUGBY LEAGUE INVITATION - Officials of the Russian Rugby League have sent out an invitation to women's sides in Britain and France to take part in the Moscow Region Cup. The tournament will take place between the 16th and 27th July and will feature the top two Russian women's teams.
The event will be based around a superb sports complex in Khimki near Moscow and the cost of accommodation and food for a squad of twenty is £35 (about 50EUR) per person, per day.
All internal transport and two trips per team to the centre of Moscow will be covered by hosts.
Any club that is interested should contact, RLEF Regional Coordinator Julia Bennison at julia.bennison@...
GERMAN RUGBY LEAGUE SEEKS KIT BOOST - Officials of the German Rugby League are planning to send a player in a van over to England in early March in the hope that when he returns it will be laden with equipment.
With the sport taking off in Heidelberg, Karlsruhe and Frankfurt and significant junior interest in Pforzheim; new teams are desperate to get their hands on tackle bags, jerseys, DVD's and balls, which clubs in England may no longer have a use for.
The Germans are looking to significantly build their reservoir of players in time for this summer's European Shield clashes with the Czech Republic and Italy.
Rugby League Deutschland Vize Präsident, Uwe Jansen commented, "At the moment we have so much interest here from the boys to play league, we really need all the equipment we can get to make proper practice".
Any club that may be able to help is asked to contact Hemel Stags' German International Danny Stocks on 07791 539036 or dannystocks@...
A German Exiles side is again planning to play in the Midlands Merit League during the summer of 2008.
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup to be held in Australia will be the biggest Rugby League event in the 100 year history of the game. The Rugby League Experience is providing a range of packages for local, interstate and international visitors. To be kept up to date with all the latest tournament and tour information you can register your interest here.
He's a father figure who makes men out of boys Phil Gould - Wayne Bennett's decision to leave the Broncos after 21 seasons naturally creates a lot of comment, not to mention the obvious praise he deserves for an outstanding tenure as the only coach the Brisbane club has ever known.
It also raises a lot of questions. Twenty-one consecutive years in the same job is a good dig in any profession. To survive 21 years as a first-grade coach is outstanding. But to survive it as a first-grade coach at the one club is mind-boggling.
One can only stand and applaud. It's an unbelievable performance and despite all the great players who have graced the field in Broncos colours, there's no getting past the fact Bennett has been the face and strength of this very successful club.
He has built the organisation from the ground up. The way they have recruited, trained, thought and played for the past two decades is a direct extension of the personality and character of Bennett.
Is he a great football coach?
I will say this much - his teams are always hard to beat. They are always ready to play and they always compete for every minute of the game - win, lose or draw. I've never seen a Broncos team give up. They are professional, disciplined, committed. While they play hard and never give an inch, they play fair - nothing illegal, foul or cheap.
I see these as great qualities and there's no doubt Bennett deserves the credit for this competitive and winning culture.
From the outside looking in (and as I've never been coached by this man), he strikes me as more of a mentor coach than someone who would burn the midnight oil studying game plans and opposition line-ups looking for an edge.
He develops relationships with players and builds their confidence and self-belief. He seems to be able to identify their strengths and help them to build a career. He can identify weaknesses in players and help them improve - another sure-fire method of building a trusting relationship with his soldiers.
I've never really seen Bennett as a great tactician. His teams pretty much play the same way most of the time. It's basic, but effective.
If you manage to beat him one way, you can bet your life you won't beat his team the same way twice.
He never comes after you with elaborate game plans. He comes after you with steely resolve, effort and motivation. He relies on simple systems and the talent of his players.
There's no denying he's had a lot of great players at his disposal. At many times during his tenure, his club sides have resembled Origin teams. He has had a tremendous advantage over all other teams in this country simply because of the location, resources, facilities, drawing power and financial strength of his one-team, one-city club in league-mad Queensland.
In the early years, it was the catalyst for great jealousy from the Sydney-choked traditional clubs, who started to turn on each other in an effort to become as financially strong as Brisbane. In a way, this was a good thing for the game because the power and advantages enjoyed by the Broncos actually raised the standards and professionalism of the Sydney clubs as they fought to compete.
For so long, other clubs have marvelled at the elasticity of the Broncos' salary cap. The monopoly they enjoyed in South East Queensland gave them great political power and voice and Bennett has never been backward in using this to his advantage.
He has always enjoyed great power with the media and is never afraid to use it when the time is right. You might not like it, but it's been a great asset to his club.
I don't know Bennett. I doubt we've exchanged two dozen words in the past 21 years.
"Well done", "congratulations", "thanks" - that's about as much as we've ever said.
While there's no denying Bennett's record as Broncos coach has been good, I guess it begs the question, could other coaches have done as well, if not better, if they had been given the same opportunity at such a powerful club with so many obvious advantages?
Could other coaches, who never got their careers off the ground at poorer clubs with much inferior talent pools, have made a similar fist of it coaching the A-list rosters enjoyed by Bennett at the Broncos?
That's an argument for the bar room boys. Maybe some coaches could've done as well. I doubt anyone could have done better.
What I do know, though, is that whatever you think of Bennett as a coach, I doubt the players who have played under him over the years would be the men they are today if they hadn't been coached by him.
He has always protected his players and supported them publicly. He never blames them for a loss, often preferring to absorb the pressure himself or deflect blame or attention away from the loss with one of his famous post-match press conference stunts. He always stands back and credits his players when they win. In doing so, he epitomises the father figure - the teacher, the mentor, the protector.
To me, this has been Bennett's great contribution. He has guided boys to men, footballers to citizens.
He has given them the discipline, attitude and responsibility that will serve them well in their lives long after their football days. It's his knowledge of the game and his approach that gives every kid he coaches a chance of realising his dreams and enjoying a successful career as a professional sportsman.
These are undoubtedly his greatest strengths. It was these important qualities that had me recommend him above all others to the Roosters a couple of years ago, when they were looking for a new coach. At that time, he was just what they needed.
As for the Broncos? Well, they can get a new coach, but they won't be able to replace Bennett.
They won't find anyone who has his temperament, his aura, his sarcastic wit or his stinging tongue. They won't find another coach who wields as much power, is as well connected, or has as much influence over the game and the rules.
I see big changes for the Broncos and some tough times ahead. If the rumours are true, a few people connected with the club have been waiting for the day Bennett resigns. It could prove a case of be careful what you wish for - sometimes you get it. Read more League HQ
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Harlequins 28-47 Wigan - Wigan came from 12 points down in the second half to get their Super League campaign off to a winning start.
Quins led 28-16 after 52 minutes following two tries from Matt Gafa, and one each from Mark McLinden, Scott Hill and Henry Paul.
But Wigan sprung into life with scores from Harrison Hansen, Darrell Goulding, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Michael McIlorum and a debut try from Richard Mathers.
Pat Richards kicked impeccably with nine goals from nine attempts.
The margin of result was somewhat flattering for the Warriors, who were inconsistent at times.
Gafa had given Harlequins an early lead after two minutes only for Darrell Goulding to respond for Wigan and the resulting conversion and two penalties from Richards extended their advantage.
McLinden's try and the extras from Paul levelled the game before Michael McIlorum restored Wigan's lead, forcing his way through the Quins defence.
But Quins had the final say of the half, drawing level after Gafa's grubber kick was pounced on by Hill.
Encouraged by their late first-half score, Quins began the second half strongly with both Paul and Gafa going over and Paul adding the extras for both.
However, Wigan turned the game on its head with three tries in the space of 10 minutes to put them well in control and the shell-shocked Quins could do nothing to stem the tide.
Harlequins coach Brian McDermott said, "I thought we played some inventive stuff that we didn't last year and defended heroically at times.
"We didn't run out of juice - there was some areas of the game though we didn't handle well. There were a couple of momentum changes in the game - errors from us that maybe cost us.
"The transition from defence to offensive wasn't good enough in the second half - I don't think it was either an energy or fitness thing."
Wigan coach Brian Noble said, "The last three years I've never had an easy game here. They've got some good players in their squad and are a handful.
"It was going that way and it wasn't until halfway through the second half that we improved. We kept our determination and kept things simple and I think they ran out of petrol.
"They're tough to beat here - you look at their record and you know you've got to come here and keep things in order."
Harlequins RL: McLinden, Wells, Howell, Gafa, Sheriffe, Orr, Hill, Temata, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Purdham, Grayshon, Paul.
Replacements: Rinaldi, Ward, Haggerty, Mbu.
Wigan: Mathers, Colbon, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Coley, Higham, Paleaaesina, Bailey, Hansen, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: McIlorum, Prescott, J. Tomkins, O'Carroll.
Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven)
Harrison Hansen's try started Wigan's second-half fightback
Harlequins: (16) 28
Tries: Gafa 2, McLinden, Hill, Paul
Goals: Paul 4
Wigan: (16) 47
Tries: Goulding 2, McIlorum 2, Hansen, Paleaaesina, Mathers
Goals: Richards 9
Drop: Barrett Read more BBC Online
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Anderson keen for Broncos job By David Riccio - Daniel Anderson has confirmed his desire to take over the Broncos, sinking claims that he only wants to coach a Sydney-based NRL club.
The former Dally M coach of the year was unabashed in revealing his ambition to replace Wayne Bennett in 2009, telling The Sunday Telegraph that the post would be an honour and a privilege.
Anderson, the St Helens coach, heads a list of candidates that includes Bennett's assistant Ivan Henjak, former Penrith and Cronulla coach John Lang and former Brisbane halves pairings Kevin Walters and Allan Langer.
Brisbane foundation player Terry Matterson has also declared his interest, describing it as "one of the best jobs in the world''.
About to start his third season as head coach of Castleford Tigers in the English Super League, Matterson said he had an out clause in his contract if offered an NRL position.
Anderson's name has been the centre of speculation in the knowledge that he promised his wife and four children that he would return to Australia at the end of this year.
"If they (Broncos) see me as someone who's suitable for the role then obviously something may happen,'' he said. "I'm coming home and I'd love to be involved in the NRL.
"Any rugby league club is very much sought after. They're very much privileged positions.
"Brisbane and Wigan are the two most notable clubs in the world.''
Asked if he'd already made contact with the Broncos or any other NRL club, Anderson said: "I haven't been doing anything other than focusing on this week's game.
"I've got (manager) Jim Banaghan who acts on behalf of me, so I'm sure that's part of his role.''
The 2002 coach of the year wasn't underestimating the task ahead for whoever replaced Bennett.
"He's obviously a fantastic coach and his legacy is going to be unmatched. But, in the end, any person who has a passion for the game as I do sees these positions as very privileged and very honoured.''
Meanwhile, North Queensland chairman Laurence Lancini insists Graham Murray has no reason to be concerned about his future at the Cowboys, despite a betting plunge on Bennett to replace him.
Despite guiding the Cowboys to the 2005 grand final and the top four last season, Murray remains without a contract for 2009.
Lancini said the Cowboys had no plans to chase Bennett nor axe the former NSW Origin coach.
He said if Murray wanted a new deal, he only had to approach the board. Read more Daily Telegraph
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Catalans 21 defeated Castleford 14 By Ian Laybourn - Catalans Dragons coach Mick Potter was delighted with his side's successful start to Super League XIII after they came from 12-2 down to beat promoted Castleford 21-14 at the Jungle.
Although they reached the Challenge Cup final, the French club won just twice on their travels in Super League in 2007, with their last away win coming at Hull KR 10 months ago.
"It was good to come across the Channel and get a win first up," said Potter. "We knew it was going to be tough so I'm just happy to get the two points.
"We had a lot of over-plays in the first half and needed to change the way we played a little bit which we did."
Although the Dragons, starting life after the departed Stacey Jones, dominated the opening half, they lacked the composure to turn their pressure into points and conceded tries to Michael Shenton and Stuart Donlan.
They demonstrated more clinical finishing after the break, however, and went in front thanks to two tries in nine minutes from Gregory Mounis and Jason Croker before stand-off Thomas Bosc clinched the victory with a 70th-minute try.
Potter was delighted with his new half-back pairing of Bosc and Casey McGuire and he also paid tribute to rugby union convert Jean-Phillipe Baile, who came in for his debut after experienced centre Adam Mogg pulled a hamstring in training 24 hours before the match.
"He's only 20 and has played about 10 games in the French league," he said. "For his first hit-out in Super League, he did a real good job.
"We're still working out what his best position will be but he didn't look too much out of place."
Castleford, who have the smallest squad in Super League, went into the match with just 20 fit players and look to have lost winger Donlan for a month with a knee injury sustained in the last tackle of the match.
The Tigers were on the wrong end of a 17-9 penalty count but coach Terry Matterson refused to make excuses for his side's disappointing result.
"I've got to look at where we went wrong," he said. "We had enough opportunities to win the game.
"I'm proud of the effort of the guys but we shouldn't have to work that hard. We need to be a bit smarter. We played dumb with the football.
"It was a massive step up and we competed but we want to do more than that. We need to regroup and build on the good things we did."
Read more Sporting Life
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Warrington 32 defeated Hull 20 - Warrington coach Paul Cullen refused to get carried away by his side's winning start to the new Super League season.
The Wolves ran in six tries to three to beat injury-hit Hull 32-20 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with new signings Matt King and Chris Hicks getting on the scoreboard with superbly-taken touchdowns.
But Cullen highlighted the stop-start nature of the match, with no fewer than 28 penalties awarded by referee Ashley Klein.
"A win's a win but I'm a bit disappointed that the opening game was littered with so many penalties," he said.
"When we injected some speed and some fluency in our game, we looked dangerous and the guys are reasonably pleased with what they have delivered but we certainly won't be getting carried away."
Full-back Chris Bridge scored a try in each half but the abiding memory of the 11,000 crowd was a length-of-the field effort from King, who scored straight from a re-start following clever play from man of the match Michael Monaghan and winger Kevin Penny.
"It was a set-piece play off the training ground," said Cullen. "It was a great read from Monaghan, a great catch by Penny and great execution by King."
Hull went into the match without seven first-choice players and their injury crisis deepened with the loss of Great Britain prop Garreth Carvell with a knee injury.
"It doesn't look good," said coach Peter Sharp. "It looks reasonably serious. We suspect some sort of ligament damage."
Hull shrugged off their injury woes to make a game of it, with teenage centre Craig Hall scoring two first-half tries and substitute Graeme Horne providing the final score of the match, but Sharp was not impressed by the overall display.
"There was some very courageous play but also some very dumb play," he said. "There were some alright performances.
"You can't invite them into your backyard or they will pinch your toys. They're a very good attacking side." Read more Sporting Life
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Northern Rail National League Cup
Salford (18) 40 Oldham (12) 12
Tries: White, Turner, Littler 3, Jiminez, Gardner Littler, Nanyn
Goals: Ballard 6 Nanyn 2
Attend: 3,576
Doncaster (0) 6 Sheffield (16) 16
Tries: Gale Woodcock, Lindsay, Mills
Goals: Crook Woodcock 2
Attend: 1,010 Read more Sporting Life
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Greats can coax club out of doghouse, says Mortimer - Adrian Proszenko - Bulldogs great Steve Mortimer has broken his silence on the political infighting at Belmore to endorse Andrew Farrar and Paul Dunn as the men to lead the club out of crisis.
Next Sunday looms as one of the most important days in Bulldogs history, with about 600 football club members to decide whether to reappoint the present board.
Dunn, Farrar, Barry Ward and Graeme Hughes - all former players involved in the club's glory days in the 1980s - head a rival ticket determined to oust chief executive Malcolm Noad.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun-Herald, Mortimer nominated Farrar and Dunn as the men to return the Bulldogs to their glory days.
"Andrew Farrar and Paul Dunn have been very successful businessmen and I know they have a good heart for the club," Mortimer said.
"I admire Farrar and Dunn for putting their hands up. They are two blokes I played with. I don't know Barry Ward that well, but I know him to be a good bloke.
"I hope they can sort it out for the betterment of the football club.
"The success of the club starts at the top. The Bulldogs need to have a good look at themselves, at management."
Mortimer's endorsement is a timely boost for the rival ticket, which has highlighted the board's inability to keep six international and Origin players since winning the 2004 premiership.
Their bid has been rocked by revelations Gary McIntyre - the man at the centre of the Bulldogs' salary-cap scandal - is involved in the attempted coup. In a veiled swipe at Hughes, Mortimer said Dunn and Farrar must be the men to lead.
"It's great to see [Dunn and Farrar] involved, but the only thing I worry about is if they become a minority [voice] in what they want to achieve for the Bulldogs," he said.
"There are certainly agendas with certain people wanting to get on the board. I don't know if that's in the interests of the club."
Mortimer would not be drawn on his preferred coach for 2008 as speculation mounts that Wayne Bennett is being considered a possible replacement for Steve Folkes.
However, the former Test halfback was critical of club chairman George Peponis for publicly putting an eight-week time frame on Folkes's future.
"I don't know why there's a need to do that, a coach doesn't share his documents before he goes into battle in a match," Mortimer said.
"If that's how our chairman thinks, it's better he keeps it to himself.
"Steve Folkes, who I played with for many years, is a hard and fair man.
"Certainly it's been acknowledged the Bulldogs can't rely on the aggressive way they've played, we also need a little bit of attacking prowess.
"I'm sure Steve Folkes is aware of that and is addressing that ..."
Read more League HQ
Click RLCM Bookshop buy a RLCM eBook and it will be in your PC today.Kent Ravens begin new era - Wednesday evening saw the Kent Ravens begin their training for the new season. This was not only the first training session of the year but it also heralded the start of an exciting new era at Kent Ravens Rugby League Club.
This new era involves a new coaching structure that has been put in place at the club. Wednesday evening was the first time that the new coaching team had taken a session and seen all the players in action.
The new coaching team consists of Ben Bell as head coach, Scott Collier as assistant coach and Dave Rundle as strength and conditioning coach.
The new coaching team were suitably impressed by what they saw at training, as head coach, Bell goes on to explain, "Training on Wednesday was very encouraging, and we had quite a few new players attend.
Everyone put in a great effort for the entire session, and we will definitely be fit by the start of a very successful season. With a lot of youth in the team, as well as some strong senior players, we hope to win a lot of games this year and give the fans their moneys worth"
Also at this first training session with the Ravens was an undercover reporter, Ian Ramsdale, from BBC radio London Sport. Ian Ramsdale hosts a Rugby League show for BBC London Sport which starts at 8.40pm on Thursdays.
Ian not only interviewed Ben Bell and the Ravens chairman, Alan Bacon but he also got involved in the training session! The interviews with Ben and Alan will be aired on Thursday 14th February at 8.40pm on BBC London 94.9FM.
For more information regarding the Kent Ravens, or if you wish to join the Ravens please contact the club on: Club Tel: 07707 852 952 Club Email: alan@... or visit our website at www.kentravens.co.uk
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP TRAVEL UPDATE-UK PACKAGES ON SALE NOW
Official Travel Packages are On Sale Now for UK Supporters
MATCH TICKETS
All of our tour packages provide Category 1 Reserved Seating offering great views of the ground.
FIVE ORGANISED TOURS AVAILABLE - ON SALE NOW - BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
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The 2008 Rugby League World Cup to be held in Australia will be the biggest Rugby League event in the 100 year history of the game.
The Rugby League Experience is providing a range of packages for local, interstate and international visitors.
To be kept up to date with all the latest tournament and tour information you can register your interest here.
TIGERS ON THE PROWL
Castleford coach Terry Matterson is confident of making a winning return to Super League.
KING OFF TO A FLYING START
A review of the weekend's action in Super League XIII so far.
CULLEN COOL DESPITE WIN
Post-match reaction to Warrington's 32-20 victory over Hull.
Life after Bennett -AS the league world reels from the shock exit of Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, we compile the best news and comment, and ask: where to now?
Bennett has much to lose -SO the rumour mill suggests Wayne Bennett is considering a move south to Sydney. I'm not convinced it will happen, Warren Ryan writes.
Broncos Top 10 contenders -WE examine the field of contenders for Brisbane Broncos coach after Wayne Bennett's shock exit - their strengths and stumbling blocks.
Murray unfazed by Bennett bets -THE Cowboys have denied coach Graham Murray is a dead man walking despite an amazing betting plunge on Wayne Bennett to take over in Townsville. Read more Courier Mail
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Saint Benny - Roy Masters explains why Wayne Bennett is the perfect fit for the Dragons.
Cleary re-signs to coach Warriors - The Warriors have acted to ward off any moves from rivals by re-signing coach Ivan Cleary.
NRL stars bowled over by cricketers - Inside many a pro footballer is a kid who once dreamed of wearing the baggy green.
Souths commit to Homebush - South Sydney sign new agreement to make ANZ Stadium the club's home ground for the next 10 years. Read more League HQ
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Create your own Animated Drills for Rugby League with Rugby Pro 2006 from TruStorm Software. Rugby Pro is an easy to use coaching tool to design rugby league drills and plays, click here to read more.
Domestic World Cup Travel
The Rugby League Experience is providing a range of packages for local, interstate and visitors.
To be kept up to date with all the latest tour information you can register your interest here.
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RLCM Coaching Extract
Coachtalk with Craig Culnane, Parramatta Eels 2007
An extract from the soon to be released 2008 RLCM Coaching Yearbook and CD-ROM - distributed to RLCM Paid Subscribers
.....so what gives a club their advantage?
One theory is advanced skill. Whether considering support play, tackle selection, marker defence or passing, every skill a player possesses can be continually improved upon.
Heavy emphasis is being placed on skill from an early age. From younger representative sides to Under 14s sides, players are being taught how to grip the ball correctly.
They're being taught how to pass on either side of the body. These basic skills are being practiced beyond belief to lift a player's game.
Obviously, skill is not the only thing that can make a professional player, but it can be the deciding factor that can break him.
The higher a player hopes to achieve, the harder it is to get to the top. Yet if they don't have the foundation skills, it can make things a lot more difficult.
"As well as improving nutrition and analysis and all of those sorts of things you've got to continue to give your players advanced skills."
Culnane says, "When we look at advanced skills the more basic they can be, the more effective they will be for the players."
This all starts with ball skills. Receiving and controlling the ball, vision, passing and offloads are advanced skills that coaches are impressing upon players.
Receiving and controlling the ball can happen in a variety of ways. Whether the ball comes to you via a pass, a kick down the field or a loose ball along the ground there is always a multitude of things you can do with it.
Better yet, these things can be practised in training. Simulated drills and games present similar situations to those that may appear within a match. Inevitably, mistakes can be eradicated with persistence.
The same can be said for passing. For example, the 6 o' clock pass. Presenting an easy catch for the person who's catching it, the 6 o' clock pass is a short pass travelling no more than three or four metres in the air.
If the pass is thrown long, it will begin to wobble and won't reach the intended target with definite precision..... Click RLCM Bookshop buy a RLCM eBook and it will be in your PC today. Or do you have a Drills Book? Click RLCM Drills on CD-ROM to order. Compiled from RLCM Drills Books 1, 2 & 3 and offering 233 Training Drills a neccessity for coaches at all levels of the game.
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RLCM will reproduce some of the discussions which feature on the LeagueCoach website. Feel free to use the forum link to barter thoughts on coaching and training drills and philosophies. Thanks to all those who contributed during the month.
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