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Latest News
Guisset signs new Catalans deal - Catalans Dragons prop Jerome Guisset has signed a new two-year deal with the club and will remain in Perpignan until the end of the 2010 campaign. The 29-year-old, who also had spells with Canberra, Warrington and Wigan, joined the Dragons for their first Super League season in 2006. Guisset is the club's first re-signing since the appointment of Kevin Walters as coach for next season. "I am very proud to carry the Catalans shirt for two years more, the club has grown a lot since the beginning of the Super League adventure and we are more and more competitive". Read more BBC Online
Time to crown the Prince - QUEENSLAND State of Origin legend Chris Close called for Scott Prince to be selected for State of Origin II -...
Wallace now hot property - PETER Wallace couldn't get an offer from Penrith last year but the NSW halfback last night had five clubs chasing...
Laffranchi the ultimate pro - BLUES old boy John Cartwright last night claimed Anthony Laffranchi had produced one of the most impressive debuts...
'King' comparisons ludicrous - GREG Bird was lucky to win man of the match honours in State of Origin I; but already the Cockroaches have hailed him as their version of Wally "The King" Lewis.
Blues' hero back on base - "PETER Perfect" touched down on Queensland soil yesterday without a word of an apology for piloting New South Wales to an upset win over his adopted state.
Selectors defiant about Prince - MAROONS selectors yesterday defended their contentious halves pairing by claiming Scott Prince could not have saved Queensland's sinking ship.
Alarm bells sound for Maroons - ALARM bells are ringing for Queensland after NSW's stunning Origin win - but Maroons coach Mal Meninga has loyally backed his beaten troops. Read more Courier Mail
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Unhappy Amos is eyeing England By Luke Turgeon - Forgotten Titan Clint Amos is weighing up whether to stay on the Gold Coast or pack his bags and head to England next season. After being a regular member of the Titans inaugural squad -- which included starting the first eight games in the No.9 jumper -- the off-contract Gold Coast product has virtually vanished from the NRL landscape.
The transformation of first string dummy-half Nathan Friend into a genuine 80-minute player has seen Titans coach John Cartwright opt to carry an extra forward on the bench instead of a second rake. As a result, Amos has been stuck with feeder club Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Queensland Cup.
Amos's manager Chris Orr said the Burleigh Bears junior had not ruled out packing his bags and heading overseas next season if an opportunity arose to cement himself as a starting hooker elsewhere.
"Obviously he is off contract so we are looking around here and overseas," said Orr.
"He is a Gold Coast boy and he would like to stay here. But he is very ambitious and he wants to play at the highest level he can. Ideally he would like to be the first grade hooker for his home town. Second to that he wants to be the first grade hooker at the highest level he can, whether that means here or Super League.
"We have some positive feedback (from English clubs), so we will just wait to see how things pan out."
The Titans want to keep Amos on the books next year. Despite playing just two first grade games this season, Amos has been one of the best performers in the Queensland Cup and earlier this week was rewarded with selection for Country.
Amos, who started his career in the back row before being shifted to hooker during his time at the Cowboys, has been playing lock for the Seagulls.
"He has ambitions to play NRL at the top level so he would rather be doing that," said Orr. "But when it is not falling your way you just have to get on with it. He hasn't dropped his bundle and he hasn't spat the dummy.
"He has just got on with it. I think he is enjoying showcasing his versatility for Carty.
"If he is going to get a bench spot then maybe he (Cartwright) will go with him because he can cover back row and hooker."Read more GC Bulletin
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
Sonny Bill: I'm no hypocrite - FOLLOWING days of silence and severe public backlash, champion forward Sonny Bill Williams has finally spoken out...
South Sydney's survival at risk - EXCLUSIVE: EVERY Souths fan's worst nightmare has been realised, with Rabbitohs boss Peter...
Origin hero Wallace up for grabs - HE was unwanted by wooden spooners Penrith last year. But now, still with 18 months to run on his current contract,...
Quinn now a million-dollar man - HE is the two-try hero who was allowed to walk out on the Newcastle Knights, but now Anthony Quinn will start negotiating a new deal worth up to $1 million.
Bailey becomes an Eagle - THE Manly Sea Eagles have signed young Newcastle Knights five-eighth Chris Bailey for the next three NRL seasons.
Manly are silvertails no longer - NOT so long ago, Manly were the NRL's unrivalled silvertails. Now their tune has changed as a group look to scrape together the cash to save their iconic Oval.
Spring in the step of doomed Brown - FOR someone who has no contract for next year and is on the coaching equivalent of death row, Dragons boss Nathan Brown is remarkably upbeat.Read more Daily Telegraph
Click Matthew Elliott speaking at the ARL High Performance Conference
Owner admits Rabbitohs future in doubt - SOUTH Sydney co-owner Peter Holmes a Court says the club's future in the National Rugby League could be in doubt. "I can't guarantee Souths will survive," Holmes a Court said. NRL boss David Gallop this week predicted Sydney clubs would fall because of a funding crisis in the game. Holmes a Court has become the first club boss to admit his team is vulnerable, just seven years after the Rabbitohs rejoined the NRL.
"Not at all. There are no guarantees. People looking for guarantees need to get behind the club," Holmes a Court said.
Poker machine taxes and smoking bans are crippling rugby league clubs, the newspaper states.
"David Gallop has said nine (Sydney) teams can't survive. I can't guarantee we won't be one of them but we are working hard to make sure we aren't," Holmes a Court said.
Two years after paying $3 million to take ownership of the club, "the fairytale partnership between Holmes a Court and Hollywood actor Russell Crowe is showing signs of strain", the Daily Telegraph reported.
"Adding to the Rabbitohs' financial troubles, Holmes a Court has also confirmed he and Crowe have already begun scaling back their own personal investment in the club," the newspaper said.
"Rumours of a high-powered rift have surfaced as the Rabbitohs languish on the bottom of the table with just one win."
Holmes a Court says the way forward for Souths is to focus on membership as the No.1 goal and sponsorship as the club's No.1 revenue.
"We will record a loss this year," he said.
"I am not going to say how much that is. We are hoping to break even over the next couple of years but to do that we will need another 4000 members." Multi-millionaire businessman Holmes a Court admits he has "frequent disagreements" with Crowe over club issues. Read more Foxsports
Click Kurt Wrigley Coaching Methods - RLCMtv short clip
How Bellamy made numbers add up for Blues - IT WAS 2am yesterday before the NSW team held their own man-of-the-match ceremony at their team hotel following the comprehensive victory over Queensland.
Origin neck injury scare can't keep Lachlan, 8, down - JUST hours after he was taken off ANZ Stadium on a stretcher, eight-year-old Lachlan Dooley was back at school - convinced he was a star. And he may be back on the football field by Sunday.
Wallace reveals worrier within - HE SHOWED a cool, composed hand well beyond his years in helping NSW to victory, but Peter Wallace emerged from the State of Origin haze - and a sleepless night - with a revelation as surprising as his performance itself. He ain't as laid-back as he seems.
Smith's not as crisp - Bellamy's blue-chip plan ruffles hooker - CAM SMITH never had a chance in State of Origin I. NSW coach Craig Bellamy, also Smith's coach at Melbourne, planned far too intricately and effectively against the Queensland hooker and captain for him to have his usual impact on Wednesday night.
Sonny warns NRL to relax rules or lose stars - SONNY BILL WILLIAMS has called for the NRL to relax its rules on players earning money from sponsorship deals and predicted other stars would consider leaving unless something was done.
Wayne's worldly advice stokes Dragons' fire - THE Dragons' return to form appears to have coincided with incoming coach Wayne Bennett phoning a number of players in recent weeks. Sin Bin has been told Bennett not only spoke to the players about his plans for next year but encouraged them to show pride in their performances for the remainder of this season. Among those players understood to have received calls from the premiership's most successful coach are some yet to have played at NRL level, while he has also been involved in negotiations with off-contract St George Illawarra players and ones at other clubs he is interested in recruiting.
Storm plays safe with lock - Melbourne Storm plans to take no chances with Dallas Johnson, with the tough lock likely to be left out of the team that plays South Sydney. Read more League HQ
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Chris Thorman's future is safe - Sharp - Huddersfield Giants head coach Jon Sharp has said full-back Chris Thorman's future at the Super League club is not in doubt. Australian Brett Hodgson, who also plays in the number one jersey, has signed for the Giants for next season. But Sharp told BBC Radio Leeds: "Chris is a super player. Both have flexibility to play full-back and six. I think in this game the more quality you can get on the field the greater chance you have of being successful." Read more BBC Online
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BARRETT STEPS UP - Trent Barrett will shoulder the extra responsibility of captaincy during his final season with Wigan.
DOBSON SET TO FACE HARLEQUINS - Hull KR will hand new signing Michael Dobson a debut against Harlequins this weekend.
McCLENNAN ADMITS TO CUP FOCUS - Leeds coach Brian McClennan is already thinking about the Challenge Cup clash with Wigan.
ROVERS TO BOUNCE BACK - Ian Millward previews this weekend's action in engage Super League
GAFA OUT FOR SEASON - Harlequins' leading try-scorer Matt Gafa has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a pectoral injury.
WARRIORS LAND PHELPS - Canterbury Bulldogs have released centre or winger Cameron Phelps to enable him to join Wigan.
VELLA NETS NEW ROVERS DEAL - Hull KR captain Mick Vella has signed a two-year extension to his contract. Read more Sporting Life
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
Nine joins battle to retain Mark Gasnier - A meeting between Network Nine boss David Gyngell and Mark Gasnier's manager George Mimis, possibly as early as next week, could determine whether the NSW and Australia centre remains in the country or plays out his career in Europe. Gasnier was outstanding in Wednesday night's opening State of Origin game at ANZ Stadium, easily out-pointing Queensland centre Greg Inglis. It was a reminder of what the competition stands to lose if he decides to leave the Dragons and accept an offer from overseas, where French rugby union and Super League club Les Catalans are believed to be interested in his services.
NSW coach Craig Bellamy spoke after the game of the importance of keeping Gasnier, something St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown reiterated yesterday.
"Hopefully for not only the Dragons' case but also rugby league - as we saw last night he's an entertaining player - that can be sorted out so he can stay in the game," Brown said.
"He gave everyone a bit of a thrill last night. He's such a big athletic guy with a great ability to make people outside him look good. That's probably one of his greatest attributes - not only that he's brilliant by himself but he's got the ability to position his winger and that's a bit of a lost art for a lot of centres these days."
Gasnier remains coy on his future, although time is running out to make a switch next season.
The more realistic option appears to be a move at the end of 2009, although that could be contingent on the result of talks between Gyngell and Mimis.
Gyngell is overseas but is due back in the country on Monday, and a Channel Nine source confirmed talks were likely to take place next week.
Gasnier's disenchantment is tied to several third-party deals in his contract which have not crystallised, leaving him possibly $1million out of pocket if he fulfills his five-year commitment.
One of those third-party deals involves Channel Nine. The Australian
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP TRAVEL UPDATE-UK PACKAGES ON SALE NOW
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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.
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Manly poach Newcastle's Chris Bailey - Manly have signed young Newcastle Knights five-eighth Chris Bailey for the next three NRL seasons.
Wallace in hot demand but off market - NSW halfback Peter Wallace is the hottest property not on the open market after his rousing State of Origin debut.
Click Folkes and Ryan
Gasnier too good to let go: Brown - Few people could show up Greg Inglis the way Mark Gasnier did, which is why Dragons' coach Nathan Brown says the NRL can't afford to bid au revoir to him.
Dragons' Brown ready to move on future - St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown says he will actively start seeking a new post for the next NRL season.
Click for Tim Sheens
Origin II not on Steve Price's radar - Queensland veteran Steve Price says he is not even thinking about a possible return for State of Origin II next month.
Barrett's return home nearing reality - Trent Barrett's proposed return to the NRL moved a step closer to being resolved with his English club Wigan securing the services of Cameron Phelps.
Click for Craig Culnane
Manly the benchmark for NRL Dragons - St George Illawarra know a win at 'Fortress Brookvale' on Friday night will prove their battering of the Storm was more than just a false dawn.
Even Wally couldn't have saved Qld: Ikin - Former Queensland State of Origin five-eighth Ben Ikin says the Maroons would not have won the Origin opener even with Wally Lewis in the No.6 jumper.Read more Yahoo Sport
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MILLWARD TO COACH COWBOYS FOR 2008 - North Queensland Toyota Cowboys' assistant coach Ian Millward has been appointed to coach the club for the remainder of the 2008 season.
Cowboys CEO Peter Parr believes that Millward is the ideal man for this key role.
"He has immense coaching experience and played a crucial part in last season's success. We are delighted that Ian has accepted the coaching position for the rest of this season," Parr said today.
"We are only at round 11 so there is plenty of time to regather and put in a strong effort for the business end of the season."
Millward is excited about the opportunity to take up a leadership position with the club.
"I'm looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead," Millward said today. "With the support of everyone involved with the club and the fans, I'm confident that we can have a successful season."
Millward was appointed to the position of assistant coach with the Cowboys in 2007 and played a major role in the team finishing just one game shy of the grand final.
After commencing his coaching career with Illawarra as a coach in the lower grades, Millward's first senior appointment came in 1998 when he took charge of struggling English side Leigh Centurions, taking them to the playoffs.
St Helens enjoyed unprecedented success under Millward, retaining their Super League title in 2000 before winning again in 2002. They won the prestigious Challenge Cup in 2001 and 2004. In 2001 they defeated the Brisbane Broncos to win the World Club Challenge.
NQ Cowboys Online
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QRL Wizard Cup Previews
IPSWICH v NORTHERN PRIDE *Live on ABC TV - Briggs Road, Saturday May 24 - 2pm - Referee: Gavin Morris - IPSWICH officials are expecting a bumper crowd at the Briggs Road Complex for the top of the table clash with the Pride. Following support from the Ipswich City Council, the Jets are offering free entry into the Raceview venue for all fans. The "Ipswich Day" promotion has armed the Jets with another incentive to perform at their best. But the Jets, who are coming off a one point loss to Tweed Heads, will meet an equally desperate Northern Pride team.
The Pride have lost two in a row but their chances of ending the losing streak have been boosted by the inclusion of Cowboys players Jackson Nicolau, Ben Vaeau and Scott Bolton. Former Young Guns centre Jamie Frizzo has been named to make his debut for the Pride at centre.
EASTS v NORTHS - Langlands Park, Saturday May 24 - 3pm - Referee: Michael Wise - EASTS coach Darren Smith is demanding a more consistent performance from his charges in Saturday's clash with bottom-placed Norths. Easts went down 6-4 to Redcliffe in a scrappy performance last weekend. Much to Smith's frustration, the Tigers' shoddy attacking display was in stark contrast to their slick performance in the 40-20 win over Mackay the previous week. Easts slipped out of the top five following last week's loss and could drop to as low as ninth if they fail against Norths.
The young Devils are coming off a heavy 46-8 loss at the hands of the Souths Logan Magpies. But Norths did show plenty of fight and led 4-0 shortly before half-time.
The floodgates well and truly opened after the break and the Devils will be out to restore some pride in the Langlands Park clash.
SOUTHS LOGAN v BURLEIGH - Meakin Park, Saturday May 24, 3pm
Referee: Justin Davis - SOUTHS Logan's 46-8 win over Norths was a record winning margin (surpassing their 32-18 win in 2003) for the Magpies over the Devils in the Queensland Cup. But it remains to be seen whether the in-form Magpies can rattle up a similar scoreline in the round 11 clash with the Burleigh Bears. Burleigh is refreshed after having the bye last weekend.
While the Bears had just two players - Nick Parfitt and Adam Fielder - named in the original XXXX Country team, the Magpies had eight players named in the XXXX City team.
The healthy representation is a huge reward for the Magpies, who are enjoying their best season in many years.
TWEED HEADS v MACKAY - Ned Byrne Field, Saturday May 24, 4.30pm
Referee: Justin Eastwood - HAVING failed to fire at home over the last two weeks, Mackay faces a massive test when it meets Tweed Heads at Cudgen on Saturday. Although both sides are on eight competition points - three adrift of fifth - Tweed is in far superior form to the Cutters. Tweed has won its last three matches, all against premiership contenders. Captain Brad Davis has been a key figure in the Seagulls' revival.
He kicked the winning field goal in last Sunday's 25-24 victory over the Ipswich Jets. Davis was named as the XXXX Country five-eighth for next Saturday's representative clash against City. Former Swifts (Ipswich Rugby League) hooker Luke Srama has been named to make his debut for the Cutters.
CENTRAL v REDCLIFFE - Browne Park, Saturday May 24, 7.30pm
Referee: Robert Gallacher - REDCLIFFE is bracing itself for a fierce contest when it travels to Central Queensland for a tough showdown with the Comets in Rockhampton. The Comets picked up their third win of the season last weekend and are considered by some as a chance of playing finals footy this year. Their prospects of figuring in the September action will receive a massive lift if they can beat Redcliffe at home.
Redcliffe has been boosted by the return of leading halfback Shane Perry. But although the halfway point of the season is nearly here, the Dolphins' campaign has yet to reach any great heights. Redcliffe edged out Easts 6-4 last weekend. The 10 points scored in the match was the lowest in a match since Wynnum Manly beat Easts 8-0 in 1998. QRL Online
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Gidley eyes Origin II return for NSW - Injured NSW utility Kurt Gidley says he is hopeful of being fit for State of Origin II at Suncorp Stadium next month but won't play an NRL game between now and then. Gidley had originally been slated as NSW's starting halfback for Origin I but suffered a fractured cheekbone on the eve of team selection and was ruled out within hours of entering camp.
His position was taken by Brisbane 22-year-old Peter Wallace and the rookie took his opportunity with both hands playing a starring role in NSW's 18-10 win over Queensland at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.
Only injury would force Wallace out of the No.7 jumper for Origin II, meaning Gidley would likely have to slot into the NSW side on the interchange in place of St George Illawarra utility Ben Hornby.
Gidley had metal plates inserted into his cheek last Friday and said he would miss at least three weeks of NRL action.
With the NSW team for Origin II to be announced on June 3 the Newcastle star is unlikely to get any match time unless he rushes back for the home clash with New Zealand Warriors in just nine days.
"My first goal is to be back in the NSW side for State of Origin 2, but whether that can happen or not is dependant on my injury and how quickly my cheekbone heals," Gidley wrote in his online blog.
"I will be out for about three weeks from the plates being inserted, although they will now stay in for the rest of the season.
"It was frustrating (to miss Origin I). I had just played through the pain in Melbourne and was feeling bulletproof.
"I felt like I could have played, but to do so would have been risky and in hindsight the (NSW) doctor was right to rule me out."
Brisbanetimes.com.au
Click Folkes and Ryan Click Cartwright and Prince
Rogers and Marshall set for busy day at Leichhardt - Five-eighths Benji Marshall and Mat Rogers can expect to be heavily targeted in Sunday's National Rugby League encounter between Wests Tigers and Gold Coast at Leichhardt but for different reasons. Tigers coach Tim Sheens publicly criticised Marshall in the wake of his team's 38-26 win over Newcastle last weekend, labelling the New Zealand international a defensive liability.
Rogers is no slouch in defence but he's lacking match fitness due to a four-week suspension for a lifting tackle on Parramatta fullback Luke Burt in round five.
"I haven't played for six weeks with a bye in there," Rogers, 32, said yesterday.
"I'm sure they'll come looking for me but hopefully we can measure up.
"I've got a few big ugly blokes beside me so hopefully they can help me out."
The Titans have already declared they will direct plenty of traffic at Marshall, who's played just three NRL matches this year because of a troublesome knee injury.
"We'd be silly if we didn't and they know that as well," Gold Coast assistant coach Trevor Gillmeister said.
"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work that out, but you just can't target one bloke the whole time.
"If he's sitting on the wing or two-in (in defence), you don't want to be going sideways to get to him but he'll get tested."
Marshall bagged two tries on his return from injury but he made just six tackles and missed four - including two that led to Newcastle tries - in 79 minutes on the field.
Sheens delivered a stinging verbal attack on his players despite the win, claiming former Tigers skipper Scott Prince would tear them apart if they repeated their poor performance in defence at their old stomping ground this weekend.
"Tim Sheens is being the cagey Tim Sheens he always is," Rogers said.
"There's a little bit of method to his madness in publicly criticising his team and expecting them to lift for Sunday's game.
"I've got no doubt they will. They're going home to Leichhardt and they're going to be tough."
Earlier this year Rogers labelled North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston a "speed hump" in defence, claiming he'd come back too early from two shoulder reconstructions.
Perhaps wary of the backlash emanating from those comments, Rogers was more sympathetic towards the plight of Marshall, who's had five shoulder operations at age 23.
"We're not under any illusions that running straight at Benji will help us," Rogers said.
"I ran at him last year and he put his shoulder into my chest and knocked me flat on my back.
"I know he can tackle. It's probably a confidence thing for him.
"Anybody who steps onto the football field has to be ready to play and I've got no doubt he will be.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes. He's a talent so we're going to have to watch him."
Rogers said he was itching to be back playing for the competition leaders.
"It's been a tough five weeks," he remarked.
"Just running around the field yesterday and training at five-eighth was good.
"Obviously I didn't have 100 kilo back-rowers running at me. We'll find out how that feels again on Sunday arvo."
Titans lock Daniel Conn (shoulder) has been ruled out for at least a month, with Queensland Origin's 18th man Ashley Harrison shifting to lock and Rogers to wear the No 6 jersey.
Fullback Preston Campbell will make his comeback from an ankle injury while the Titans will be sweating on NSW Origin debutant Anthony Laffranchi backing up. NZ HeraldRead more NZ Herald
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WA eyes return as Sydney clubs battle A day after NRL chief executive David Gallop warned Sydney clubs were at death's door, Western Australian officials came knocking, presenting a compelling case for re-entry to the competition should the game's parlous financial state claim a scalp.
WA Rugby League general manager Bill Nosworthy has been beavering away in Perth since the demise of the Western Reds in 1997, who lost their place in the premiership as part of the Super League-Australian Rugby League peace deal of 1998.
Nosworthy believes Perth has the financial clout to support an NRL team, a powerful argument given the monetary woes facing clubs in Sydney as a result of the state government's decision to increase the poker machine tax.
Central Coast also remains a viable venue for the NRL, while Adelaide enjoys an undercurrent of support among NRL chief executives.
Given the squeeze in Sydney, and the financial clout enjoyed by interstate clubs, it is becoming increasingly clear the answer lies in relocation or mergers. The alternative is unpalatable: Sydney clubs will keel over and die.
"We're up for the fight," Nosworthy said. "We want to be part of it. We believe people in the west would support it. We believe rugby league would benefit from it."
Rugby league in Western Australia took a significant hit when the Reds were closed down, but corporate support and participation numbers have steadily returned since.
Junior numbers are up 30 per cent while senior participation is up 10 per cent, a direct result of Western Australia fielding a team in the Jim Beam Cup.
The state continues to lead the way among the traditional non-league playing states, including Victoria, which has the benefit of Melbourne Storm to increase the code's profile.
"We're ahead of Victoria with the Melbourne Storm on their doorstep," Nosworthy said.
"We are the leading state by far. For us, it's not being big-headed, but an enormous head start for the rebirth of the game at NRL level.
"We realise 100 per cent and we accept 100 per cent the philosophy of the NRL of not looking in that area for some time. They really needed to repair our game."
The other benefit of adding Perth - and possibly Adelaide - is the potential financial return they would bring. It may not be immediate, but long-term a legitimate national competition would drive television revenue to record levels.
Given the booming economy in Perth, Nosworthy has little doubt Perth could support two AFL teams, a league team and rugby union's Western Force.
"There's a huge amount of corporate support. We realise what happened in 1997 had to happen. We realise that totally. But we also believe now is the time that expansion has to happen."
The Australian
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Young North Coast guns starring in NRL - Success of the North Coast under-18 years representative team in the past three years has seen many players rewarded with National Rugby League contracts. And it's a great pleasure to be able to watch these future stars in the big league as they progress through the Toyota Cup under-20s competition.
Shaun Fenson (Bellingen) and Mick Spence (Coffs Harbour) are captains of the Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos teams respectively, while Joey Latham (Wingham) and Todd Bridge (Taree) are at Wests, Jarrod McCarthy (Port Sharks) is with the Gold Coast Titans and Mal Webster Jnr (Macleay) has scored four tries twice for South Sydney in the SG Ball under-18s competition.
Another former Macleay star Adien Tolman has had a run in the Melbourne Storm's first grade outfit, and Kevin Gordon from Sawtell has been impressive with the Gold Coast Titans.
Unfortunately, former Coffs Harbour Comet Brynjar Raagnasson has been forced to sit out the rest of the season after damaging nerves in his neck. He was about to make his way into the Cronulla Sharks first grade line-up in the front row.
This year's Oxley Pioneers, winners of the recent NSW Country championship, will see at least another nine players progress to the top tier of rugby league in the coming seasons.
Group 2 puzzle - The 2008 Group 2 competition continues to throw up a mixed bag of results.
How long has it been since we've seen Orara Valley, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour and Bellingen in the top four at the same time? And when was the last time the Coffs Harbour Comets beat Macksville in all three grades?
In recent years the southern clubs have dominated, but there seems to be a changing of the guard in 2008.
Bellingen's 62-22 demolition of Macleay Valley last weekend and Dunghutti's surprise 46-32 victory over Port Macquarie shows that there are no easy games this season.
I wonder if some of the off-field dramas at Port Macquarie are affecting the Sharks' on-field performances.
With just two games left in the opening rounds, the second half of the season promises to be a beauty.
Orara Valley returned to its best last week in beating Sawtell 30-12. The Axemen led 30-0 at the break , but to Sawtell's credit it came back to win the second half to take some positive from the loss.
Broncos hit town - Two of the in-form teams of the Group 2 competition - Coffs Harbour and Dunghutti - clash at Advocate Park in the match of the round on Sunday. Both sides have served notice in recent weeks with some outstanding results.
The Comets are in the top five and deserve to be there, while Dunghutti is just one point behind fifth-placed Port Macquarie and victory this weekend could propel it up the ladder.
The Comets are showing flair in attack built around experienced halves Mick Ronan and Geoff Batten and young Jacob Grant coming in off his wing.
Prop Andrew Miller also is in his best form since joining the Comets from Wellington.
Dunghutti captain-coach Paul Davis has turned things around at the Broncos after a slow start and the uncertainty of playing numbers.
Davis will have the luxury of Chris Morcombe available for selection after being cleared to play.
A big bonus for the Broncos is having Davis and big front rowers Lewis Bolt and Justin Kelly interchanging from the bench.
However, Brett Davis won't play until the start of the second round, where the Broncos play five games at home.
Axemen away - Port Macquarie faces a huge hurdle as it attempts to turn things around at home on Sunday.
Orara Valley sits atop the table, while Port Macquarie has slid down the ladder after losses to Woolgoolga and Dunghutti.
Another loss on Sunday could see the Sharks, the pre-season favourites, fall out of the top five, so this game takes on a semi-final scenario for the home team.
Macksville's season also goes on the line against Bellingen after three successive losses.
But Bellingen won't be easy after the Magpies' two great wins in recent weeks and they'll be keen for a third.
With Bert Gray back to his best, Josh White and Brad Hart directing play and captain-coach Troy Robinson back in the fold, the Magpies will be hard to hold out.
Macksville's lack of forwards in 2008 is hurting, with the tireless Troy Grace carrying the bulk of the workload.
However, the Sea Eagles still possess some dangerous backs, including David Pickvance, Duanne Button and captain-coach Nev Donovan, and can never be taken lightly.
Even with home ground advantage, I can't see Macleay Valley repelling an in-form Woolgoolga side.
On Saturday, Nambucca Heads is at home to a desperate Sawtell side keen to get back in the winners' list after back-to-back losses.
Coffs Harbour Independent Online
Click Matthew Elliott speaking at the ARL High Performance Conference
State of Origin posed more questions than it offered answers - The State of Origin posed more questions than it offered answers your intrepid reporter found himself in the Northern Hemisphere this morning, tracking down an Australian themed bar to watch the first State of Origin clash alongside plenty of like-minded folk in their various replica jerseys in varying degrees of disrepair.
But the television coverage just added to my list of questions to digest after the match.
To begin with, why does every player seem to have a sore throat when they introduce themselves and the junior club they played for? Are Soothers suddenly on the banned list?
I think the nod to the junior clubs is a great touch and I can only imagine how great it must be for a kid playing Under 9's for the Dapto Canaries, Toronto Scorpions or Townsville Brothers to hear their club getting a mentioned, even if the voice that says it does sound like it should be asking for a glass of water.
But another festival of rugby league kicked off and they even had a Mortimer singing the national anthem! Keep it in the family I say.
After about ten minutes or so, the TV cameras started to show the various coaches in their sound-proof booths. I say sound-proof with a sense of hope because Craig Bellamy looked to be really getting into the spirit of things by turning the air blue every time we was on camera.
I know from the various announcements that Telstra Stadium has a zero-tolerance policy on swearing so I was concerned that I might see Craig getting bundled out the back door by a few burly stewards.
Strangely, it was even when NSW were scoring. I decided then and there that I never wanted to be at his house if anyone ever forgot to take the rubbish out.
Poor old Mal just looked lost.
Personally, after all their excitement of naming a gun backline with nearly every player out of position, somehow the selectors forgot to pick someone that would get them firing.
Bellamy just had his team better prepared. Their defence was rock solid and their attack looked very smooth, helped of course by an exceptional Peter Wallace.
Queensland needs Scott Prince. After giving him a bum wrap earlier in the week, I'll admit Karmichael Hunt played well with plenty of tough defence, but he simply couldn't get his backline going.
Maybe Hunt is destined to join that group of players that you just couldn't fit into the side. There is no way you could drop Billy Slater.
The defence was pretty strong all round and Channel Nine executives seemed overjoyed to get two genuine cases of concussion which they could slow down and repeat about 1000 times each. I hope Dallas Johnson's Gran wasn't watching.
I must say I thought it was excellent the play continued while Johnson was assisted from the field, it was as though someone had finally listened to the bloke who used to sit near me on the hill and would shout "Get up or get off!" whenever a player had ten bells knocked out of him. Bravo.
The Blues looked pretty comfortable for most of the night, so the pressure is now right on Queensland.
Heading up to Lang Park (you have to call it that during the Origin period) makes it all the better.
Bring on Game Two.
Click STATE of ORIGIN for Tickets, Travel and Accomodation.
Kevin Walters, new Catalans Dragons Head Coach - The club is proud to announce australian Kevin Walters as the new club Head Coach for the next 3 seasons. Kevin Walters appointment comes 4 weeks after Mick Potter's decision to leave the club at the end of the season to join English club St Helens.
Kevin Walters, 40 year old, a former Kangaroo representative (10 caps) will join Catalans Dragons by the end of October for the pre season camp which will start the first week of November.
Kevin Walters has been a very successful players for Brisbane Broncos and Canberra Raiders playing an aggregate of 315 NRL games as well as 22 State of Origin games during the 90's. He won 4 NSWRL premiership titles and 2 NRL titles.
Former club, state of Origin and Australia captain, Kevin has started is coaching carreer in 2001. Highly rated in Australia and very much appreciated by the players, Kevin has then been appointed Brisbane Broncos assistant coach, Queensland State of Origin Assistant coach and Australia trainer.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of coaching the Catalans Dragons for the next 3 seasons; it's such a wonderful opportunity for me and I'm excited to be a part of one of the newest Rugby League clubs in the world.
"After meeting with the club last week I had a great feeling about their passion and vision for the game, which I found very attractive and complimented my views. My family are also very excited to the move to the south of France and become part of the local way of life" Kevin Walters
"I am very happy to welcome Kevin as our 2009 new Head Coach. We have searched for the last four weeks in England and Australia thanks to David Waite, and Kevin appears to be the most suitable candidate to our club.
"He is very motivated and enthusiastic about his new life in south of France . He wants to bring his Australian winning culture to the Catalans Dragons and this is all what we want." Bernard Guasch, Catalans Dragons Chairman.
"We hope Kevin will continue the good job made by Mick Potter during the first 3 seasons. Kevin is a great character and very much appreciated by the players and staff everywhere he has played or coached.
"His fantastic player career gives him instant credit among the football and players squad. Our club is still very young, we still have to work a lot to establish ourselves in the engage Super League and reach our goals: win titles. Kevin personality, coaching abilities and competitive nature will match for sure our club." Christophe Levy, Catalans Dragons General Manager.
Catalan Dragons Online
Click STATE of ORIGIN for Tickets, Travel and Accomodation.
Bellamy gives new boys a gold star Brad Walter - NSW selectors face a dilemma if Kurt Gidley is fit for Origin II after his replacement, Peter Wallace, starred in last night's series-opening win at ANZ Stadium.
But despite their 18-10 defeat, Maroons coach Mal Meninga indicated Scott Prince was unlikely to be recalled and said he was hopeful injured captain Darren Lockyer would be back at five-eighth, possibly with veteran prop Steve Price.
With Wallace rated the Blues' second-choice halfback, at best, coach Craig Bellamy confirmed alterations had to be made to the way the NSW team played last night. But after getting his chance when Gidley suffered a fractured cheekbone on the eve of the team's selection, the Brisbane playmaker turned in a top-shelf performance on debut.
Gidley, who underwent surgery last Friday, is expected to have recovered in time for the next match in Brisbane on June 11, but may have to settle for a bench spot after Bellamy admitted it would be hard to drop any of the players involved in last night's four-tries-to-two win.
"Obviously, these guys earned a lot of ticks tonight," he said. "I was really happy with the way we handled things. We got off to a good start and we kept going from there.
"I thought we defended really well so I couldn't be happier with our performance and I couldn't be prouder of them, either. You never have your plans go 100 per cent right but we were pretty close. I couldn't have asked for more than that. But we'll just see who is fit to play, and we'll obviously pick the team that we think can do the job best for us up at Suncorp."
While the Blues executed Bellamy's game plan to near perfection, the coach had to make significant changes after Gidley was ruled out.
"There were a few things we had to change," he said. "We didn't change it completely but we had to make some subtle changes, I suppose. The longer the week went, the better we got at those changes - and that's a real credit to Danny Buderus and our halves.
"Peter was great, he got off to a really good start. He was strong and he had a really good start in Origin. I think having 'Joey' [Andrew Johns] was important for him. Again, it was just some little things that obviously Joey knows about because of the player he was, but also there was a little bit of Origin experience in there as well. So it wasn't all tactics and technique, there was some mentality in there as well.
"Joey was great for everyone in camp but certainly he was a little bit more focused on Peter, in particular, and imparting that sort of knowledge was great for Peter out there tonight."
While Gidley won't get a club game under his belt before the next NSW side is chosen, the Newcastle utility was a focal point of Bellamy's original plans and is expected to be picked somewhere in the next squad. But Wallace, the ninth Queensland-based player to represent NSW, is almost certain to retain the No.7 jersey.
"I'd never met him before but the thing I liked about him from the start was watching him play. He's quite a cool customer," Bellamy said. "That was one of the considerations in picking him. We had to go with a young halfback, so a guy who doesn't get flustered too easily was always going to be a bonus for us and he was that sort of guy."
In contrast, the Maroons sorely missed the direction of Lockyer and Meninga revealed the Test and Queensland captain was due to start running before the end of next week after undergoing surgery on the back of his kneecap 11 days ago.
He also nominated Price, the Warriors captain, as a possible selection for Origin II if he makes a successful return from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since the opening premiership round.
However, Meninga left little doubt that Prince would again be overlooked. Asked if he expected Prince's name to again feature prominently in debate about the team, Meninga said: "Only if you keep bringing it up."
When it was suggested that Prince would have to figure in discussions among the Maroons selectors, he said: "Why?"
Targeted by Sam Thaiday and Greg Inglis in defence, Wallace was forced to make 29 tackles but it hardly seemed to affect the 22-year-old Penrith product, whose kicking game was so important. The Broncos halfback was involved in the opening two tries, both scored by Melbourne winger Anthony Quinn, and repeatedly isolated Queensland fullback Billy Slater with long kicks at the end of sets or forced an in-goal restart.
Wallace was ably assisted by five-eighth Greg Bird, a controversial selection ahead of Braith Anasta. Read more League HQ
Click STATE of ORIGIN for Tickets, Travel and Accomodation.
Bellamy gives new boys a gold star - NSW selectors face a dilemma if Kurt Gidley is fit for Origin II after his replacement, Peter Wallace, starred in last night's series-opening win at ANZ Stadium.
Blues get kicks out of Wallace - AFTER spending a week in camp being schooled by Andrew Johns, it was little wonder that, having turned in such a dominant State of Origin debut, Peter Wallace was then compared to the game's greatest halfback.
Click for RLCM's Junior Coaching Book 2
Two tries on debut for Anthony: where else but Quinn's land? - Match Report: When it came, it came late, in the 68th minute with Anthony Laffranchi frolicking in the autumn mist of ANZ Stadium to bury the matchwinning try.
No Lockyer, no Prince, no chance - Analysis: Some people might say Queensland just couldn't handle favouritism, but the truth is that a NSW side prepared by the No.1 coach in the game - Craig Bellamy - was much more ready for State of Origin I than they were, writes Greg Prichard.
Click for RLCM's Junior Coaching Book 2
Baby Blues hold tight to draw first blood - THEY came, they saw, and quite remarkably, their team conquered. Facing the prospect of being stripped of State of Origin matches, NSW fans largely responded, and facing the prospect of a third series defeat, the Blues returned the favour.
Mal's sidekick Henry talks a good game - NEIL HENRY was the dominant voice in Queensland's coaching box last night, directing the plays and calling the shots.
Click Brian Canavan NSWRL Coaching Conference for short video clip.
Saved by the Bellamy: coach breathes fresh life into tired team - Roy Masters: The 2008 Origin series may well prove to be one carved out of the hope that a promising lad of 22 will become a brilliant on-field leader in just nine days.
Key moments - 4th min TRY First blood to the Blues. Winger Anthony Quinn dives over untouched on debut after a slick back-line move triggered by a cut-out pass from Greg Bird to Ryan Hoffman, whose one-handed off-load is plucked out of the air by Brett Stewart. Read more League HQ
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We don't want Sonny Bill: O'Neill - Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill says the ARU has no interest in trying to entice rugby league superstars Sonny Bill Williams and Mark Gasnier to switch codes. However he has foreshadowed possible raids on the NRL's new under-20 competition.
While admitting both Williams and Gasnier would be "sensational" rugby players, O'Neill said today the ARU was more intent on investing in younger talent than competing against the cashed-up European clubs already vigorously pursuing that high profile pair.
"We're just not interested in them, full stop," O'Neill told a press conference in Sydney.
"It's not about affordability. It's about concentrating our own investment dollars in our own backyard.
"One of their (the NRL's) initiatives that I really applaud is their under-20 competition and, if we're going to concentrate our talent scouts anywhere, it will be on the under-20 competition.
"(That is) really what's been happening for years between the two codes.
"I think the earlier you can pick up talent ... where the skills in rugby league and rugby union are very similar, we're moving away from that top end of the market and concentrating on getting in a bit earlier."
O'Neill admitted there was merit in union signing high-calibre league players, but suggested it was not really viable given the ARU's current financial position.
The ARU last month announced a worrying $8.4 million loss for the 2007 calendar year and, in a watershed moment for professional rugby, invited private investors to buy shares in the four Australian Super 14 clubs.
"We saw considerable benefits come out of (high profile converts) Wendell (Sailor), Lote Tuqiri - we're still seeing benefits out of Lote; he's having a great year - and Mat Rogers, but the investment dollars are now going back into the game," O'Neill said.
"I saw (NRL boss) David Gallop this morning say that a number of rugby league clubs in Sydney are under the pump financially.
"And we've announced recently that we're introducing private equity. Look, we're in the same market. We're not the same size sport as rugby league or AFL, but certainly we suffer from the same pressures.
"So our available investment dollars are going back into grassroots and growing our own talent." Read more League HQ
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Bramley Look To Cast a Spell over the Wizards - This Saturday the Bramley Buffaloes travel over the Pennines to take on the unbeaten Warrington Wizards, at Wilderspool, Kick off 3:30 pm, in what should be a keenly contested game, between two of the Co-operative Rugby League Conference National leagues unbeaten sides.
This is the third contest between the two sides so far this season, with honours even so far in the Northern Rail Cup. In the League the Wizards are 3rd behind the Buffaloes and next weeks opposition, Celtic Colts, with a game in hand.
Bramley Coach Paul Cook said, "Wilderspool is nice wide pitch which suits our style of play well, we've gone to Wilderspool and won before and we'll look for a good performance this weekend."
"The new guys i've brought in are going well and there are a couple of them still to make their debuts, we will be picking from strength again," continued Cook.
Kevin Till is in contention to make his first Buffaloes appearance after signing on loan from Hunslet, but Steve Mead and Paul Coates are still unavailable. Bramley Buffaloes
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BARLA GREAT BRITAIN & BRITISH POLICE SHARE SIXTY POINT THRILLER - BARLA Great Britain and the British Police produced a classic encounter in their Skanska Cup clash played on Leigh East's ARLFC's 3g pitch at Leigh Sporting Village with sixty points being racked up, but the teams couldn't be separated after eighty minutes. The Police had the better of the opening minutes and Danny Atherton missed the penalty 35 metres out in front of the posts after three minutes.
BARLA got a huge present on nine minutes to take a 4-0 lead as centre John Patrick (Cockermouth) intercepted as the ball was going down the line to race 70 metres to the corner. Scrum half Steve Illingworth missed the conversion but made no mistake with three minutes later when a superb move was finished off by BARLA man of the match fullback Lee Gudor (Siddal) for a 10-0.
BARLA began losing possession regularly forcing the final pass and the Police continued taking the game to them with Atherton and scrum half Adam Newton working in tandem for their forwards and backs. They were rewarded on 23 minutes following a 40/20 with centre Andy Eastham drove over from the play the ball in the corner for the first of his brace and Atherton made it 10-6.
The Police stung BARLA with two converted tries in two minutes just before half time. On 34 minutes following back to back penalties the Police fired a grubber into the wide ingoal. As BARLA failed to clear loose forward Dan Rotherham touched down for the first of his double. On the next set the Police raced downfield with some superb running rugby and Eastham went in for his second and was allowed to go under the posts. Atherton kicked both goals to make it 18-10.
It could have been worse for BARLA on the stroke of half time, pressing forward Newton intercepted with a clear run in front of him. He sprinted away only to be foiled by a superb chase and classic rear tackle by Gudor to prevent a certain six pointer.
Whatever BARLA Head Coach John Fieldhouse said at half time it certainly worked as within the opening minutes of the half they were back in it. From their restart kick they forced the Police into touch and from the scrum on the fourth tackle second row forward Simon Stephens drove through the gap to make it 18-14.
BARLA cut loose running in three tries in seven minutes. Centre Kyle Amor (Hensingham) crossed the whitewash on 48 minutes followed four minutes later when stand off John McMullen (Wigan St Judes) found Patrick from a scrum to speed through a gap for his second and fifth try in two games for his side.
On the next set on 55 minutes following a barnstorming 40 metre run from substitute Luke Varley (Castleford Panthers) the Police were penalised and on the second tackle Varley crashed through. Ryan Robb (Kells) converted two of the three tries and BARLA led 30-18.
The Police came back forcing BARLA to defend their line on five back to back sets. The BARLA defence held firm but were finally pierced by the Police six minutes from time following penalties and two drop outs.
On their second fifth consecutive set influential hooker Kieron Maddocks forced his way through BARLA defenders from close range to score and it was game on.
Two minutes later the game was level following a penalty for ball stealing by Patrick. The Police went downfield and Rotherham had it all to do as he scored a superb effort in the corner. Newton added the extras with a superb touchline conversion with his second conversion in as many minutes.
In the final minute the Police blew a winning chance after regaining possession of the ball choosing to run the ball instead of going for a drop goal. As they got up to play the ball in front of the posts the referee blew for full time to the relief of BARLA.
BARLA Great Britain Head Coach John Fieldhouse said, "I thought fullback Lee Gudor was our best man today and he was quite outstanding at fullback especially with that superb tackle on half time to save a certain try.
"It's definitely a point lost tonight because I prepare to win every game and I have not won the two points that I was expecting but I will take nothing away from the Police they deserved their one point and it could have been two for them so you might say a one point gained but I say one point lost.
British Police Head Coach Jon Hamer said, "In the state of the development of the side it was a welcome draw, obviously I would have been more delighted with a victory but to take BARLA close at this level in our preparation to come up with a draw was great for us, brilliant.
"What was pleasing for me in the first half was our completion rates 90% which is superb whereas BARLA were struggling to hold the ball in the first half and any team having so much ball can do something with it. Although BARLA were guilty of it in the first half we were guilty of it in the second half and it didn't get better for us until the final twenty minutes.
BARLA GREAT BRITAIN: 1. Lee Gudor (Siddal), 2. Danny Smith (Shaw Cross Sharks), 3. John Patrick (Cockermouth), 4. Karl Amor (Hensingham), 5. Eugene Swift (Wigan St Judes), 6. John McMullen (Wigan St Judes), 7. Steve Illingworth (West Bowling), 8. Craig Wilson (Millom), 9. Paul Brown (Shaw Cross Sharks), 10. Trevor Penrose (Skirlaugh), 11. Richard Owen (C) (Wigan St Patricks), 12. Simon Stephens (Leigh East), 13. Anthony Broadhead (Thornhill Trojans), 14.Leon Brennan (Leigh East), 15. Ryan Robb (Kells), 16. Luke Varley (Castleford Panthers), 17. Tom Sibley (Millom), 18. Matty Myers (Shaw Cross Sharks), 19. Dean Balmer (Leigh Miners Rangers), 20 Jimmy Rogers (Saddleworth Rangers).
Tries: Patrick 2, Gudor, Stephens, Amor,Varley, Goals: Robb 2, Illingworth.
BRITISH POLICE: 1. Richard Whitehouse, 2. Jamie Brentley, 3. Danny Adams, 4. Andy Eastham, 5. Phil Green, 6. Danny Atherton, 7. Adam Newton, 8. Stuart Meeks, 9. Adam Fogerty, 10. Mike Kearns, 11. Mark Elvridge, 12. Chris Sheffield, 13. Dan Rotherham, 14. John Barratt, 15. Kieron Maddocks, 16. Alan Clark, 17. Phil Irish, 18. Paul Carmody, 19. Mark McIntyre, 20. Steve Brown.
Tries: Eastham 2, Rotherham 2 Maddocks, Goals: Atherton 3, Newton 2Read more BARLA
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Richard Agar is excited - Richard Agar is excited by the prospect of turning around the fortunes of Hull. The club's slide from being Challenge Cup winners in 2005 and Grand Final runners-up two years ago to 11th place in engage Super League cost Australian coach Peter Sharp his job this week. Sharp's assistant Agar, the 36-year-old former Dewsbury and Rochdale stand-off, has been placed in charge of the side for the visit of St Helens on Sunday and he is likely to remain as caretaker coach for the rest of the season.
That will give him the opportunity to stake a claim for the role on a permanent basis and he insists he is ready for the challenge.
"I've always said I want to make the most of my ability, whether that's as an assistant coach or a head coach," he said.
"If the job comes my way, I'm more than willing to take it on. I feel that I have had a good grounding in the game, not just since I've been at Hull but right from my childhood."
Agar, whose father Allan coached Featherstone to Challenge Cup glory in 1983, was seen as the natural successor to Sharp when the former Manly boss was appointed as John Kear's successor just over two years ago.
"A lot of people close to me to whom I look for advice, particularly in times like this, feel it's a natural progression for me," he said.
"That's the way Peter feels as well. He feels it's time I was pushed out of the nest, so to speak, and he thinks I'll learn to fly.
"It's not my decision. I'm not going to advertise myself for the job but I'm willing to sit down with the club about a way forward.
"I wouldn't envisage much change between now and the end of the year but I'm due to meet the chief executive later this week to find out the direction the club want to take.
"If they want to hear my thoughts, all well and good.
"It's important at the moment to let the dust settle and try and re-group and regather our focus for a very important match."
Sunday's clash with Saints is followed by a trip to Bradford in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup and an away game against champions Leeds.
Agar added: "My main focus is lifting everybody's spirits again and regaining the focus on what is important, which is winning games for us.
"Our next month is a month of tough fixtures and the injuries make it doubly tough but I'm not afraid of it. It's all about challenges and I've got confidence in this bunch of players.
"It would be foolhardy of me to come and make wholesale changes, even if we could. We're literally filling the spot to make the team up.
"I still think we've got a good enough team to go out there and perform but we are shuffling the decks a little bit in terms of selection."
Agar received a timely boost today with Great Britain forward Garreth Carvell and utility player Graeme Horne both passed fit for Sunday's game.
Their return will help offset the loss of loose forward Richard Whiting, who will miss the rest of the season with a broken leg, although Hull also have injury doubts over other players.
Carvell, who missed the autumn Test series against New Zealand with a neck injury, damaged knee ligaments in the opening game of the season and has been forced to witness Hull's tormented campaign from the sidelines.
"It's been a long time coming," he said. "Getting injured in the first game of the season was a massive disappointment and I'm just thrilled to be back.
"It's been frustrating, especially watching the boys produce some patchy performances.
"I've been working for this for 14 weeks and I want to get my first game under my belt and pick up some form."
Meanwhile, Carvell was tight-lipped over rumours linking him with a move to St Helens when his current contract runs out at the end of the year.
"I'm out of contract and there are a lot of rumours going around," he said. "It's between me and the club." Read more Sporting Life
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Functions - Anniversaries - Reunions
50th Anniversary - Southlakes Junior Rugby league Football Club
Date Friday, 27th June 2008 - Venue: Dora Creek Workers Club, Minnie St, Dora Creek 2264
Time 6.30pm - Dress Cocktail / Lounge Suit.
Tickets - $35.00 per head [Food/Entertainment]
Tickets available from the Brian Finlay
(Ph: 02 49705956 Home, 02 49731203 Work)
No tickets will be sold on the night please order your tickets from Brian before the night.
Date, Saturday 28th June 2008 - Will be celebrating rugby league with home game for the whole club. Come along and enjoy the day marking our 50th year. Click Southlakes JRLFC
40th Anniversary - Valley United Spartans JRLFC
Date Saturday, 7th June 2008 - Venue Miramare Gardens 289 Mona Vale Rd, Terrey Hills.
Time 6.30pm - Dress Cocktail / Lounge Suit.
Tickets - Tables of 10 = $1200.00 or $120 per head
[Food/Beer/Wine/Softdrink/Entertainment]
Tickets from the Harbord Beach Hotel Ph: 02 9905 3434 or harbordhotel@...
Steve Woodley (Mob: 0418 628 853 or wooders1971@...)
RSVP Friday, 16th May 2008 - Limited transport has been arranged for departure at 11.30pm. Valley United Spartans JRLFC Online
Newtown Rugby League Football Club - Official Centenary Dinner.
The Newtown RLFC is staging a special event to celebrate the club's centenary. All Bluebags and Jets - players, officials and supporters - are invited to bring their wives and partners and join us on Saturday, July 5th at the Petersham Town Hall, Crystal Street, Petersham.
Highlights of the night will be the announcement of the Newtown RLFC Team of the Century plus other awards, and also a special performance from Tim Freedman from the Whitlams.
The players, the games, the friendships and the enduring spirit will be honoured as we pay tribute to all those who have helped shape the Newtown story of the past one hundred years.
Date: Saturday, 5th July 2008 - Time: 7.00pm for 7.30pm.
Venue: Petersham Town Hall - Price: $165.00 per ticket.
RSVP: 20th June 2008 - Bookings and prior payments are essential.
Contact: Stuart McCarthy, Newtown RLFC - Phone: 0447 046 516 and 1300 36 36 90 - Email: smccarthy@...
Read more Newtown Jets Online
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Central Hunter "Power" Under 18's
Applications for the following positions with the Central Hunter "Power" Under 18's program for 2009 are now being called for.
The "Power" is a joint operation between the Central Coast Rugby League and the Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League and contest the NSW Country Championships on an annual basis.
The positions of Coach, Selectors, First Aid Officers and Trainers are now open for 2009.
The football program runs from March to April however the Coach and Selectors would be expected to be active in both areas through the latter part of the 2008 season as well as the 2009 pre-season.
Applications in writing stating relevant qualifications and experience to;
The Regional Committee,
PO Box 1717,
Gosford, NSW, 2250.
Applications close 4th July '08.
Nyngan RLFC Seeks Players Urgently
Due to injuries within the club Nyngan RLFC are seeking any players interested in joining our First Grade team for 2008.
They will required to commence ASAP.
Nyngan play in Group 11 which is based in western NSW.
Work opportunities maybe available to interested players.
Anyone interested please contact debbiem@...
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RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2008 TOURS AND TRAVEL PACKAGES
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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.
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Click STATE of ORIGIN for Tickets, Travel and Accomodation. THE RUGBY LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
We are proud to be the only travel company that specialises in the "Greatest Game of All". We bring vast experience of sending fans, just like you, as well as teams to the biggest games in Australia and abroad. As always, all of our tours come with our guarantee of providing you, the Rugby League fan, with the best value official packages in the market.
We now offer our STATE of ORIGIN 2008 tour packages comprising of :- Tickets, Travel and Accomodation for - Game Two Brisbane - Game Three Sydney. This year we have a great range of travel packages for all three games of the series. All travel packages are Officially Licenced and include your choice of hotels, match ticket and a Rugby League Experience gift.
Click for
HOTEL OPTIONS, PRICES AND BOOKING FORM
STATE OF ORIGIN 2 QUEENSLAND V NSW - WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE 2008 - SUNCORP STADIUM BRISBANE The only match in Queensland this year will mean that Suncorp Stadium will be bursting at the seams. This package consist of one night accommodation with your choice of properties to suit your budget and taste. PACKAGES FROM $457.00
STATE OF ORIGIN 3 NSW V QUEENSLAND - WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2008 ANZ STADIUM, HOMEBUSH BAY With all players looking to put their hands up for the Australian World Cup squad there will be no love lost in what could be the series decider. Get your mates together for this one night package with your choice of accommodation and optional tours and excursions. PACKAGES FROM $329.00
The 2008 STATE of ORIGIN Packages will not last long so please book early!
For more Rugby League Tour and Travel information click on the links below.
1 - UK CHALLENGE CUP FINAL - For those fans who want a once in a lifetime trip Challenge Cup Final at the world famous Wembley Stadium. Contact THE RUGBY LEAGUE EXPERIENCE PHONE: 1300 885 718 FAX: 02 9283 5898 EMAIL: tours@...
Click for 2 NRL GRAND FINAL - THE ULTIMATE GRAND FINAL EXPERIENCE CELEBRATE A CENTURY OF THE GREATEST GAME OF ALL AT THE 2008 NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE GRAND FINAL SUNDAY OCTOBER 5 ANZ STADIUM, HOMEBUSH BAY -
Our very popular Ultimate Grand Final Experience is for all fans of our game who are looking for that total Grand Final experience. The atmosphere and excitement of the weekend starts off with the Thursday night attendance at the Channel 9 Footy Show Grand Final Special, then builds as we have our exclusive " behind the scenes" tour of ANZ Stadium.
Our "Legends of League" Grand Final Harbour Cruise is a truly special day where you will lunch with some of the greats of our game. The weekend finishes off with the great spectacle of the NRL Grand Final complete with luxury coach match transfers.
Click for 3 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2008 The Rugby League Experience (RL Experience) is an Official Travel Agent for the Rugby League World Cup 2008.
We also have years of experience organising School and Club overseas playing tours and Club "End Of Season" trips so contact us for a quote for any Rugby League travel and we'll be happy to help.
THE RUGBY LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
POSTAL ADDRESS: P.O BOX 7345 ALEXANDRIA 2015
LOCATION: Unit 25, 110 Bourke Rd Alexandria 2015
PHONE: 1300 885 718 FAX: 02 9283 5898
EMAIL: tours@...
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Suite 1F First Floor Trust House 3070 Gold Coast Hwy
Surfers Paradise Queensland Australia 4215
Tel: +61 7 5538 9377 Facsimile: +61 7 5538 9388
Email: rlcm@...
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