League Newsletter #166
Matthew O'Neill
Edition: 166. (7th for 2001)
Date Sent: Friday March 16.
World of Rugby League: http://rleague.com
IP Address: http://209.69.15.94
Rugby League Forum Community:
http://rleague.com/forum/main.html
Rugby League News Center:
http://rleague.com/newscenter.php
NSWRL/NRL Premiership Results/Venue Search:
http://rleague.com/history/search.php
Rugby League Tipping Competition:
http://rleague.com/tipping
Features this week: Australian News, British News, New Zealand
News, Round 5 NRL Stat Pack, English Super League Round 2,
Weekend Fixtures, Web Links, Summary.
The Weekly Newsletter is a collation of Rugby League News and
Reviews from the previous week.
AUSTRALIAN NEWS
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For more NRL News, visit: http://nrl.rleague.com
--- Steve Carter has been forced out of the Penrith side to play
premiership leaders Canterbury tomorrow night at Penrith Stadium.
The Panthers captain has an injury to his sternum, which he
sustained during the Panthers first win of the season against
North Queensland last weekend. Coach Royce Simmons is yet to make
a decision on who'll replace Carter with Justin Holbrook and Ryan
Girdler the likely five-eighth options. There is also doubt about
second rower Matt Adamson with Simmons reluctant to bring him
back into the side if there is any possibility that he would
inflame his leg injury.
--- Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett has not been able to promise
former Broncos captain Kevin Walters a job when he gets back to
Brisbane after announcing his retirement four games into his a
two-year contract with Warrington. Walters is coming back home
for family reasons and but is expected to find a job somewhere
within Rugby League. He was going to coach Toowoomba this season
but Terry Matterson has instead been handed the reigns. Alexander
Shirvani has written a tribute to Kevin Walters that is well
worth reading:
http://rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=866
--- The Saints injury toll just keep on getting bigger with Trent
Barrett and Andrew Hart almost certain to miss this Sunday's
clash with the Canberra Raiders. Star playmaker Barrett failed to
train yesterday and is rated as extremely doubtful after he broke
down in training on Tuesday. He had an MRI scan on Wednesday
which came up with nothing and despite Barrett's confidence,
Coach Andrew Farrar thinks it is unlikely he will play. Both Ben
Jeffries and Keiran Kerr trained with the side yesterday although
a decision would not be expected until game day on whether or not
they will play. In further bad news, lock Andrew Hart also sat
out training and is not expected to play on the weekend. Utility
Jamie Fitzgerald is expected to take his spot at lock after
training in the position yesterday. Darren Treacy is expected to
come into the side decimated by injuries after recovering from
his own injury which has kept him out of the first four rounds of
the season. Ben Hornby has been named on the bench for Paul
McGregor.
--- Talented Wests Tigers second rower Luke O'Donnell has been
suspended for a week following a high tackle on Brisbane forward
Carl Webb. O'Donnell received better news when he won his charge
against his tackle charge on out of form Broncos back Scott
Prince. In better news for the embattled club, prop forward John
Skandalis was cleared after he was charged with dropping the
knees into Broncos hooker Luke Priddis. Wests Tigers will also be
without Craig Field and Kevin McGuinness who have been stood down
due being tested positive for use of recreational drugs ectasy
and cocaine. The drug taken by either player has yet to be
confirmed. With so much legal mess, it's best to make as little
comment on it until it all comes out. Any big news that hits will
be reported on the website. Below is the latest article on
LeagueHQ:
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/league/news/200103/16/league1.html
--- A name change is set for the Northern Eagles in the next year
or two with two joint venture members from the Manly faction
believed to be keen on the idea. The proposed name change is to
be "Norths Eagles" much in the mould of Wests Tigers where many
fans still say Wests while very few say Norths or Northern. A new
away strip is also on the agenda for the joint venture club with
the current away strip Manly in disguise, even to the point where
a commentator last Saturday referred to Northern Eagles as Manly.
The colours are believed to have little to do with the former
colours of the Bears or Sea Eagles. The Northern Eagles as many
predicted just simply haven't clicked off the field while the
jury is still out on their on-field performances.
--- Canberra coach Mal Meninga won't name the replacements for
suspended props Luke Davico and Ruben Wiki until an hour before
the game. Davico and Wiki were named in the Raiders side for
Sunday's match but will both miss two-weeks Dragons after
pleading guilty to dangerous throw charges brought upon after
their clash with the Sydney Roosters last weekend. My guess is
that two of Sean Rutgerson, Adam Peters or Darren Mapp will come
into the squad with Todd Payten and Ryan O'Hara promoted to the
starting side. The Raiders also suffered another blow when
Anthony Colella broke his hand in two places in during the loss
against the Roosters and will be sidelined for three weeks.
--- Dragons captain Craig Smith has been officially made aware of
the faults in his running style and is taking steps to make sure
he keeps his knees down when he runs. Smith and St George
Illawarra coach Andrew Farrar met with National Rugby League
judiciary commissioner Jim Hall and referees' boss Peter Louis in
Sydney on Wednesday night to discuss his controversial running
style. The Dragons requested the meeting after Smith was rubbed
out for a week on two contrary conduct charges arising from the
round-three meeting with Melbourne at WIN Stadium. It was the
first time the 29-year-old front rower had been suspended for
lifting his knees in a tackle. Farrar thought the meeting was a
worthwhile and productive move
--- Bulldogs duo Brent Sherwin and Braith Anasta are both
expected to play on Saturday night for the premiership leaders
against Penrith but whispers around Belmore yesterday suggest
that there could be a late change to the team. Coach Steve Folkes
gave little away at training today but the big mail is that there
will be a late change to the Bulldogs side with Anasta promoted
to the starting lineup with Sherwin relegated back to the bench.
Anasta who has only played four first grade matches including
three this year, scoring a try in each of those games has just
had a dream season with his performance against the Northern
Eagles last Saturday night one of the finest ever. Sherwin missed
the game against Northern Eagles that gave Anasta a chance in the
five-eighth jumper and he grabbed with both hands but Sherwin's
return saw the boom youngster relegated to the bench.
--- Despite the Bulldogs great start to the season, current
Australian halfback Brett Kimmorley and former Australian
halfback Peter Sterling have done their best to basically
discredit the Bulldogs great start to the season. Kimmorley said
that all the luck went the Bulldogs way and had a parting shot at
the Bulldogs four intercepts during the game. Last week the
Bulldogs steamrolled Northern Eagles by 8 tries to 3 winning
38-18. Sterling believes only four teams can make the grand final
being Brisbane, Sydney Roosters, Newcastle and naturally
Parramatta. Sterling believes the unbeaten Bulldogs won't have
the consistency. Only time will tell.
--- Former New Zealand, Wigan, Manly and Queensland coach Graham
Lowe has thrown his hat into the ring for the Cronulla Sharks
coaching job next season. Lowe said he has recovered from
persistent blood clots which cut short his coaching career and
has been rowing 10km in the last 8-months and the healthiest he
has been feeling for quite a long while. Melbourne's Chris
Anderson is the short odds favourite to get the job with
Castleford's Stuart Raper also a contender. Six coaches have
applied for the Sharks job with Anderson, Raper and Lowe the
three confirmed. Current Sharks coach John Lang is the quiet tip
to coach North Queensland Cowboys next season.
--- Northern Eagles have lost centre Andrew King for two-weeks
after floating bone removed from his left ankle. King's place in
the centres has been taken by Ben MacDougall who is younger
brother of Newcastle and Australian winger Adam MacDougall.
--- This weekend Melbourne Storm coach Chris Anderson will once
again be up against a player he once played with and coached
against. This Sunday the Storm is at Wests Tigers, led by former
Wests and Canterbury five eighth Terry Lamb, in his first season
with the Tigers. Over the years, Anderson has coached against
Andrew Farrar (St George Illawarra) and Steve Folkes (Bulldogs),
while this year he will match up against Lamb (Tigers) and next
weekend at home, Michael Hagan (Newcastle). Anderson said he
vocally endorsed Lamb as a first grade coach once his name put
forward and said he had all the attributes to be a fine coach at
NRL level. For many years Lamb was regarded as the best support
player in the game, a tag many now bestow upon the Storm’s Robbie
Ross.
Article: http://rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=885
--- In some good news for the Dragons, captain Nathan Brown is on
the way back after seriously injuring his neck in a pre-season
trial. Brown during the week completed a weights session with no
dramas. He is expected back on the field in around a month. Still
no news on Shaun Timmins.
--- St George-Illawarra officials took a tour of Wellington's
Westpac Stadium last week in a move which could see the Saints
Round 17 clash with the New Zealand Warriors moved away from WIN
Stadium. National Rugby League Chief Executive David Moffett has
been in Auckland this week discussing the situation with Warriors
Chief Eric Watson and blames the move on a lack of crowd pulling
power that the Warriors hold. Canterbury have already agreed to
move their home clash with the Warriors to Wellington and other
clubs including Parramatta are investigating the financial
benefits of the move. St George had a very successful run in the
nineties taking home games to Adelaide which saw great crowds
turn out and exposed the public to world class Rugby League.
--- Bundy Cup club Norths Devils have lost forwards Wade Fenton
and Glen Turner for six weeks with knee injuries sustained in the
match with Redcliffe last week. Talented young lock Mick Russo
has been promoted from A Grade to replace Turner while Nick
Henderson moves from the bench to take the place of Fenton. The
Devils will also be without Maori World Cup forward Henry
Perenara for tonight's clash with Toowoomba. Perenara will play
for the Melbourne Storm in their NRL match with the Wests Tigers.
However, Norths will be compensated with the return of Paul
Whaturia and Steven Bell from NRL duty.
Thanks to: http://queensland.rleague.com
Round 2 Bundy Cup Preview:
http://queensland.rleague.com/results/2001/preview-2.htm
For more NRL News, visit: http://nrl.rleague.com
Listen to NRL on the Net: http://www.2gb.com
BRITISH NEWS
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For more UK News, visit: http://uk.rleague.com
--- The RFL has refused the NZRL permission for access to New
Zealand players for the Test match against France while they are
likely to be available for the Test against Australia on July 13.
Henry and Robbie Paul, Tonie Carroll, Joe Vagana and Kiwi captain
Richie Barnett are all certain selections in Gary Freeman's Test
side. It's very disappointing to say the least but not really a
surprise with the RFL’s decision being made by Greg McCallum and
Chris Caisley, who both have vested interest in Super League,
especially Caisley who runs the Bradford Bulls and has long been
against the growth of the International game.
--- Rugby League finally said goodbye to one of it's most
courageous five-eighths and most popular personalities with the
playing retirement of Kevin Walters. The laid-back Queenslander
announced his decision to return home to Australia; Warrington
releasing him from contract due to family reasons. The sad events
of recent years made things difficult off the field for Walters,
though he has never shown anything less than true champion heart
and character in dealing with the circumstances which faced him.
Family obviously comes first and if the move to England in any
way unsettled his family life then the decision to return home is
the correct one.
Tribute: http://rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=866
--- The unidentified rugby league player under investigation for
failing a drugs test is believed to be from Super League club
Warrington. Wolves coach Darryl Van de Velde shed some light on
the mystery when he issued a statement, saying: "I understand one
of my players is under investigation for failing a drugs test.
However, we will not be commenting any further on this issue
until the investigation has been completed." No details have been
revealed, but RFL media manager John Huxley confirmed that a
player has failed a test for a banned substance. Rugby League has
always prided itself on its clean image, although former Halifax
stand-off Martin Pearson was last season handed a five-month ban
for taking Ecstasy.
--- This weekend sees the first home game for the Tigers in
Tetley’s Super League VI and once again the Tigers intend to open
up in style. The game itself promises to be a blockbuster in
front of the SKY Sports cameras with the highly fancied Wigan
Warriors being the visitors and a terrific encounter is on the
cards. Off the field the marketing operation is again determined
to be at the forefront of Super League with the Jungle matchday
experience, which for this game, as it is taking place on St
Patrick’s Day, will have an Irish flavour. The paw prints will
again be in evidence with 3,000 already given away and a further
1,000 to be handed out at the match on Saturday.
Article: http://rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=881
--- Bradley Clyde, Brett Mullins and Tonie Carroll will all make
their home debut for the Rhinos on Friday night. The only change
from the side that won at the Boulevard is the inclusion of
second row Jamie Jones-Buchanan, 19 in place of Dave Wrench.
Jones impressed in the first half against Wakefield in the Rhinos
18-14 victory in the Alliance league fixture last night and is
given his chance in the first team squad accordingly. Leeds coach
Dean Lance when interviewed for Headingley Insight doesn't
believe there will be any problems getting his players focused
after the great form in the Challenge Cup. Lance said, "I
certainly hope not and I know that that has not been a problem
with the players in the build up to either this game or the first
round down at London. We have made a pact amongst ourselves to
prove how strong this squad is and we can only do that on a game
night."
Preview: http://rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=877
--- England winger Leon Pryce will make his comeback from surgery
on his shoulder in the Alliance team tonight. Brian Noble will
select from the same squad as last week with Robbie Paul expected
to start at Scrum Half. Spruce, Vaikona, Pryce, Withers, Naylor,
Gilmour, Deacon, H Paul, R Paul, Fielden, Vagana, Anderson,
McDermott, Lowes, Rigon, Forshaw, Peacock, Gartner.
BullsEye: http://rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=876
--- Castleford Tigers coach Stuart Raper has named his 17-man
squad for Saturdays match against Wigan at the Jungle. The main
news is the return to action of Aussie 2nd rower Dale Fritz. Dale
has been absent since August last year after knee ligament
problems. He was a late inclusion in the Alliance team that
played Wigan last night and he came through ok. The full team is:
Richard Gay, Darren Rodgers, Michael Eagar, BJ Mather, Jon Wells,
Danny Orr, Mark Lennon, Dean Sampson, Aaron Raper, Nathan Sykes,
Ian Tonks, Darren Shaw, Adrian Vowles. Subs: Lee Harland, Michael
Smith, Dale Fritz, Gareth Handford.
--- Castleford are busy preparing for another big match at the
Jungle when they tackle Wigan Warriors at 6.05pm this coming
Saturday. Tigers centre BJ Mather is up against his old club
Wigan, where he enjoyed a great deal of success, in this
weekend’s big Tetley’s Super League match. In the latest Tiger
Tails, the club spoke to BJ about his season so far and the
challenge of the Warriors.
Interview: http://uk.rleague.com/showarticle.php?newsID=855
--- Wigan Head Coach Frank Endacott has named his team to face
Castleford Tigers in this weekend’s Tetley’s Bitter Super League
clash at The Jungle. The first team squad to face Castleford
Tigers in Round Two of the Tetley’s Bitter Super League is: Kris
Radlinski, Brett Dallas, Steve Renouf, Paul Johnson, David
Hodgson, Matthew Johns, Adrian Lam, Terry O’Connor, Terry Newton,
Neil Cowie, Denis Betts, David Furner, Andrew Farrell. Subs: Gary
Connolly, Francis Stephenson, Simon Haughton, Mark Smith.
--- Former Brisbane and Australian winger Michael Hancock will
make his Super League debut for Salford tonight against Bradford.
Hancock who played in a record 274 first grade games for Brisbane
has had a tough time since coming to England. Hancock missed
Salford's pre-season friendly at Wigan after catching flu on his
arrival to England and after playing in the Reds' Challenge Cup
defeat by Leigh then contracted shingles. Salford will have six
newcomers making their home debuts in tonight's televised match,
including the much-traveled Bobbie Goulding. But injury robs them
of Jason Nicol, Neil Baynes, Mike Wainwright and Craig Makin
along with Hancock.
--- The future of crisis club Doncaster has been secured
following talks with the Rugby Football League. The Northern Ford
Premiership promotion chasers have lost nearly a third of their
playing staff after cutting wages as part of drastic measures to
curb a mounting financial crisis. But the Dragons have been given
the go-ahead by the League and shareholders to enter into
Creditors Voluntary Arrangement, which effectively ring-fences
the club's £100,000-plus debts and prevents a winding-up order.
--- The Centenary final of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup will take
place at the home of the code that Rugby League split from 106
years ago, Twickenham. The venue holds 70,000 seats and so far
well over 50,000 tickets have been sold with only a handful of
£35 and £45 seats left for those who wont be buying tickets
through the two finalist. This years Silk Cut Challenge Cup will
host two of the four remaining sides. These are St Helens who
will be taking on the Leeds Rhinos at JJB Stadium and the other
is Bradford Vs Warrington at McAlpine Stadium. The semis will be
played on the 31st March - April 1st weekend.
--- The England Under 21 squad will get a chance to prove there
worth when they travel down to South Africa at the end of this
year during November in a two match series against the South
African Rhinos. As a result of new England and Great Britain
coach, David Waite, and RFL Performance Director, Nick Halafihi,
fact-finding mission last week, the series has been fully
confirmed with South African Rugby League president Barry Haslam.
Halafihi also revealed that he opened negotiations with the South
African Rugby League about the possibility of staging a
Tri-Nations tournament between the Rhinos, the England Under 21
team and the French international side who will be in the country
at about the same time as the English side.
--- Leigh are set to challenge former top-flight rugby union
neighbours Orrell to a dual cross-code battle. The Centurions are
considering a proposal to stage a double billing of league and
union games with Orrell in August, rekindling memories of the
ground-breaking clashes between Wigan and Bath in 1996. Leigh,
who knocked Super League club Salford out of the Challenge Cup
last month and have won all 11 matches to set the pace in the
Northern Ford Premiership, are among the most progressive clubs.
They have already established links with leading French side
Villeneuve Leopards and London-based amateurs St Albans, and
coach Paul Terzis is delighted with the latest move to widen
their scope.
--- The marketing department at Wigan Rugby League Club is using
a "horror theme" to promote the massive Tetley’s Bitter Super
League clash between Wigan and the high-flying Leeds Rhinos at
the JJB Stadium on Friday 23 March 2001. Dubbed "Friday Fright
Night", a specially themed advertisement on a local radio station
and a poster depicting Wigan captain Andy Farrell with demonic
looking red eyes will be used to promote the game. On the day of
the game, young fans will be issued with free plastic skull masks
bearing the legend - Wigan Warriors they’re frightening! Even the
matchday announcer and the Wigan Warbabe dancers will be getting
in on the act by dressing accordingly.
Article: http://rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=875
--- Wigan Warriors has struck a deal with Wigan travel company
Latesearch UK Limited to provide travel for the players and
supporters to away fixtures in Super League VI. The Warriors
players will now travel in a top of the range coach, similar to
that used to transport Liverpool Football Club and the England
Rugby Union team. Fans wishing to travel on officially sanctioned
coaches should telephone Latesearch UK Limited on 0800 073 6151.
Travel to The Jungle for Saturday’s match against the Tigers
costs £8. All coaches will have a toilet, tea and coffee
facilities, TV and video. The official coaches will leave from
the Old Gas Showrooms, near Market Street, Wigan at 3.30pm and
will return immediately after the game.
Article: http://uk.rleague.com/showarticle.php?newsID=842
NEW ZEALAND NEWS
---------
--- Year 2001 looked like a year where the RFL where going to
actually help Rugby League grow internationally, I guess we were
wrong. The RFL have done one of the most stupid decision to date,
not allowing any United Kingdom based Kiwis to participate in the
France Vs New Zealand test and maybe even the NZ Vs Australia
Trans-Tasman test which would be played in Wellington this year.
Five automatic selection Kiwis play in the United Kingdom, these
being Robbie Paul, Henry Paul and Joe Vagana from Bradford, Tonie
Carroll from Leeds and Richie Barnett, the captain of the Kiwis,
from London. The RFL’s decision were made by Greg McCallum and
Chris Caisley, who both have vested interest in Super League,
especially Chris Caisley who runs the Bradford Bulls. The only
way this decision could be changed is if the RLIF votes all
against Britain, but this is unlikely to happen for the French
test. The match against Australia they may have more luck.
--- The World of Rugby League’s competition coverage has expanded
once again with the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL)’s Mainland
Super 10 competition been covered via the new New Zealand sub
site. This Saturday (17th) we see the kick off of the South
Island tournament with the West Coast at home taking on Tasman.
Then as we move across to Christchurch we have a super Rugby
League Saturday at RL Park Christchurch with 5 games being played
in New Zealand’s second biggest RL stronghold. The games will be,
Otago Vs Sydnenham, Hornby Vs Eastern, Linwood Vs Halswell and
finally Riccarton Vs Papanui.
More Info: http://nz.rleague.com
--- Round two of the National Bartercard Cup kicks off this
Saturday afternoon at Ericsson No1 with last weeks losers the
Northcote Tigers taking on the Eastern Tornadoes, kick off is at
12:30pm. In other Saturday matches the Mt Albert Lions play
Marist Richmond at Fowlds Park and Ngongotaha play Otoahuhu at
Puketewhero Park, both matches kick off at 2:30pm. Sunday matches
will see the seemingly unbeatable Canterbury Bulls who last week
destroyed Ngongotaha 96-10 playing the Glenora Bears who looked
very strong last week with ex-warrior half Ben Lythe in control.
The game will be played at Harold Moody Park. Porirua will also
play Wainuiomata in Porirua and the Hibiscus Coast Raiders will
play the Manurewa Marlins at Stanmore Bay. All Sunday games kick
off at 2:30pm.
--- The NZ Warriors Bartercard Cup allocation: Ali Lauitiiti -
Otahuhu, Awen Guttenbeil - Mt Albert, Cliff Beverley - Glenora,
Clinton Toopi - Otahuhu, Francis Meli - Marist/Richmond, Henry
Faáfili - Manurewa, Jason Temu - Marist/Richmond, Jerry Seu Seu -
Otahuhu, Jonathon Smith - Otahuhu, Justin Morgan - Canterbury,
Justin Murphy - Eastern Tornadoes, Monty Betham - Otahuhu, Motu
Tony - Marist/Richmond, Nathan Wood - Marist/Richmond, Richard
Utai - Manurewa, Richard Villasanti - Glenora, Richie Blackmore -
Otahuhu, Shontane Hape - Glenora, Stacey Jones - Mt Albert,
Wairangi Koopu - Glenora. No clubs listed for: David Myles, Ivan
Cleary, Jason Death, Kevin Campion, Logan Swann, Mark Tookey.
ROUND 5 NRL STAT PACK
---------
Weekend Teams and Matthew O'Neill's Preview:
http://nrl.rleague.com/news/index.php?articleID=857&view=1
Matthew Hely's Round 5 Preview:
http://rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=878
Next Five Rounds:
http://rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=879
Complete Results Search:
http://rleague.com/history/search.php
Note: Channel Nine times apply for NSW, QLD and ACT only. Pay-TV
times are all AET. All odds quoted are those of SportsTAB.
BRISBANE BRONCOS vs NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Venue: ANZ Stadium. Kick Off: 7.30pm (QLD), 8.30pm (NSW)
TV: 8.30pm Nine, 11.00pm Fox Sports 2, 11.00pm Optus Ch.15
Position: Broncos 3rd, Knights 4th
FootyTAB: Knights 7.5
Match Odds: Broncos $1.45, Knights $2.55
Head to Head: Played 18, Broncos 14, Knights 4
at ANZ: Played 3, Broncos 3, Knights 0
Leading Pointscorer: DeVere 36 (Broncos), Johns 31 (Knights)
Leading Tryscorer: Ikin, Sailor 3 (Broncos), Ryder* 3 (Knights)
First Scoring Trends (Broncos): Try 1 25%
First Scoring Trends (Knights) P/Goal 2 50%
Rleague Pick: Broncos Goal (DeVere)
Win Comp: Broncos $4.00, Knights $7.25
Win Spoon: Broncos $501.00, Knights $201.00
* Not selected to play.
NORTHERN EAGLES vs SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Venue: Brookvale Oval. Kick Off: 5.30pm
TV: 5.30pm Fox Sports 2, 5.30pm Optus Ch.13
Position: Northern Eagles 9th, Roosters 2nd
FootyTAB: Northern Eagles 2.5
Match Odds: Northern Eagles $2.15, Roosters $1.62
Head to Head: Played 2, Roosters 2, Northern Eagles 0
at Brookvale: First match
Leading Pointscorer: Walker 36 (Eagles), Fitzgibbon 24 (Roosters)
Leading Tryscorer: Menzies 3 (Eagles), Cross, Wing 4 (Roosters)
First Scoring Trends (Eagles): Try 1 25%
First Scoring Trends (Roosters) Try 3 75%
Rleague Pick: Roosters Try (Hegarty)
Win Comp: Northern Eagles $17.00, Roosters $5.25
Win Spoon: Northern Eagles $23.00, Roosters $201.00
PENRITH PANTHERS vs CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Venue: Penrith Stadium. Kick Off: 7.30pm
TV: 7.30pm Nine, 11.30pm Fox Sports 2, 11.30pm Optus Ch.15
Position: Panthers 14th, Bulldogs 1st
FootyTAB: Bulldogs 2.5
Match Odds: Panthers $1.72, Bulldogs $2.00
Head to Head: Played 60, Bulldogs 31, Panthers 26, Drawn 3
at Penrith: Played 29, Bulldogs 16, Panthers 12, Drawn 1
Leading Pointscorer: Girdler 26 (Panthers), El-Masri 44
(Bulldogs)
Leading Tryscorer: Wesser 6 (Panthers), El-Masri 4 (Bulldogs)
First Scoring Trends (Panthers): Try 1 25%
First Scoring Trends (Bulldogs) Try 3 75%
Rleague Pick: Bulldogs Try (Patten)
Win Comp: Panthers $23.00, Bulldogs $8.50
Win Spoon: Panthers $19.00, Bulldogs $121.00
CRONULLA SHARKS vs NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Venue: Toyota Park. Kick Off: 7.30pm
TV: 9.30pm Fox Sports 2, 9.30pm Optus Ch.15
Position: Sharks 10th, Cowboys 13th
FootyTAB: Cowboys 13.5
Match Odds: Sharks $1.15, Cowboys $4.75
Head to Head: Played 9, Sharks 8, Cowboys 1
at Toyota: Played 5, Sharks 5, Cowboys 0
Leading Pointscorer: Ferris 20 (Sharks), O'Neill 30 (Cowboys)
Leading Tryscorer: Best 3 (Sharks), Morrison 3 (Cowboys)
First Scoring Trends (Sharks): P/Goal 1 25%
First Scoring Trends (Cowboys) Try 1 25%, P/Goal 1 25%
Rleague Pick: Sharks Goal (Ferris)
Win Comp: Sharks $14.00, Cowboys $251.00
Win Spoon: Sharks $51.00, Cowboys $1.53
WESTS TIGERS vs MELBOURNE STORM
Venue: Leichhardt Oval. Kick Off: 4.00pm
TV: 4.00pm Fox Sports 2, 4.00pm Optus Ch.13
Position: Wests Tigers 8th, Storm 6th
FootyTAB: Wests Tigers 3.5
Match Odds: Wests Tigers $2.35, Storm $1.52
Head to Head: Played 2, Storm 2, Wests Tigers 0
at Leichhardt: First Match
Leading Pointscorer: McGuinness* 20 (Tigers), Lavea 24 (Storm)
Leading Tryscorer: McGuinness* 20 (Tigers), Watts 3 (Storm)
First Scoring Trends (Tigers): P/Goal 2 50%
First Scoring Trends (Storm) Try 1 25%, P/Goal 1 25%
Rleague Pick: Storm Try (Ross)
Win Comp: Wests Tigers $26.00, Storm $17.00
Win Spoon: Wests Tigers $16.00, Storm $23.00
* Not available for selection indefinitely
PARRAMATTA EELS vs NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Venue: Parramatta Stadium. Kick Off: 4.00pm
TV: 8.00pm Fox Sports 2, 8.00pm Optus Ch.15
Position: Eels 5th, Warriors 7th
FootyTAB: Warriors 13.5
Match Odds: Eels $1.15, Warriors $4.75
Head to Head: Played 7, Eels 5, Warriors 2
at Parramatta: Played 5, Eels 4, Warriors 1
Leading Pointscorer: Taylor 34 (Eels), Cleary 32 (Eels)
Leading Tryscorer: Hodgson, Moodie 3 (Eels), Meli 2 (Warriors)
First Scoring Trends (Eels): Try 2 50%
First Scoring Trends (Warriors) P/Goal 1 25%
Rleague Pick: Eels Try (Richards)
Win Comp: Eels $4.75, Warriors $121.00
Win Spoon: Eels $501.00, Warriors $3.40
CANBERRA RAIDERS vs ST.GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Venue: Bruce Stadium. Kick Off: 6.00pm
TV: 6.00pm Fox Sports 2, 6.00pm Optus Ch.13
Position: Raiders 11th, Dragons 12th
FootyTAB: Dragons 4.5
Match Odds: Raiders $1.47, Dragons $2.50
Head to Head: Played 4, Dragons 4, Raiders 0
at Bruce: Played 2, Dragons 2, Raiders 0
Leading Pointscorer: Schifcofske 39 (Raiders), Bartrim* 18
(Dragons)
Leading Tryscorer: Croker, Schifcofske, Vainikolo 2 (Raiders),
Ainscough, Riddell, Roberts 2 (Dragons)
First Scoring Trends (Raiders): Try 2 50%, P/Goal 25%
First Scoring Trends (Dragons): Try 3 75%
Rleague Pick: Dragons Try (Roberts)
Win Comp: Raiders $34.00, Dragons #13.00
Win Spoon: Raiders $16.00, Dragons $23.00
* Out through injury
ENGLISH SUPER LEAGUE ROUND 2
---------
Friday March 16
Salford vs Bradford at the Willows, 8.00pm
Leeds vs Wakefield at Headingley, 8.00pm
St Helens vs Huddersfield at Knowsley Road, 8.00pm
Saturday March 17
Castleford vs Wigan at the Jungle (Wheldon Road), 6.05pm
Sunday March 18
Warrington vs Hull FC at Wilderspool, 3.00pm
Halifax vs London at the New Shay, 6.00pm
Predictions:
Bradford by 26.
Leeds by 38.
St Helens by 42.
Wigan by 10.
Hull FC by 8.
Halifax by 4.
Round Two Comments:
Three matches stand out for me being those on Saturday and
Sunday. While I think Wigan will beat Castleford, I do think the
Tigers will give them a scare before the class of Wigan players
such as Johns, Farrell, Lam and Renouf shine through.
The Sunday matches will be most interesting and can go either
way. Warrington will be rocked this week with the news of Kevin
Walters retirement and with Jason Smith in fine form, Hull should
come away with a vital away win. London led Leeds 18-nil and
still lost by 32-points going down 50-18. London despite all the
big off season buys just can't play as a team and my special of
the week is Halifax.
No contest in the Friday night matches with Bradford, St Helens
and Leeds (all Challenge Cup semi-finalists) expected to win very
easily.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
---------
Fixtures for other competitions:
NSWRL First Division Round 1:
Saturday March 17
Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters at Brookvale Oval, 3.45pm
Newtown Jets vs North Sydney Bears at Henson Park, 4.30pm
Cronulla Sharks vs North Qld Cowboys at Toyota Park, 5.30pm
Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs at Penrith Stadium,
5.45pm
Sunday March 18
Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights at Parramatta Stadium,
1.50pm
Balmain Tigers vs Wests Magpies at Leichhardt Oval, 2.00pm
Canberra Raiders vs St.George-Illawarra at Bruce Stadium, 2.30pm
Queensland Bundy Gold Cup Round 2:
Friday March 16
Toowoomba Clydesdales v Norths Devils at ANZ Stadium.
Saturday March 17
East Coast Tigers v Burleigh Bears at Langlands Park.
Wynnum Seagulls v Central Comets at Kougari Oval.
Logan City Scorpions v Wests Panthers at Meakin Park.
Sunday March 18
Redcliffe Dolphins v Souths Magpies at Dolphin Oval.
Bye: Ipswich Jets.
New Zealand Bartercard Cup Round 2:
Weekend of March 17-18
Eastern Tornados v Northcote Tigers
Glenora Bears vs Canterbury
Porirua vs Wainuiomata
Ngongotaha vs Otahuhu
Mt Albert vs Marist Richmond
Hibiscus Coast vs Manurewa
New Zealand Super 10 Round 1:
Saturday March 17
Otago vs Sydneyham RL Park, Christchurch
West Coast vs Tasman West Coast
Hornby vs Eastern RL Park, Christchurch
Linwood vs Halswell RL Park, Christchurch
Riccarton vs Papanui RL Park, Christchurch
Northern Ford Premiership:
All matches Sunday March 18, kicking off 3.00pm
Batley v Whitehaven
Chorley Lynx v York
Keighley v Barrow
Leigh v Gateshead
Oldham v Sheffield
Rochdale v Dewsbury
Swinton v Featherstone
Widnes v Doncaster
Workington v Hunslet
Results Bulletin: http://rleague.com/results/
WEB LINKS
---------
Existing rleague.com domain websites:
NRL: http://nrl.rleague.com
UK: http://uk.rleague.com
Queensland: http://queensland.rleague.com
WARL: http://rleague.com/warl
International: http://worldcup.rleague.com
New Zealand: http://nz.rleague.com
Bulldogs: http://bulldogs.rleague.com
Dragons: http://dragons.rleague.com
Sharks: http://sharks.rleague.com
Raiders: http://raiders.rleague.com
Panthers: http://panthers.rleague.com
Wests Tigers: http://weststigers.rleague.com
Broncos: http://rleague.com/clubs/brisbane
Wallpaper: http://rleague.com/wallpaper.html
Tipping: http://rleague.com/tipping
SUMMARY
---------
Thankyou to everyone for remaining a part of the World of Rugby
League Newsletter setup since it was first setup in October 1997.
Anyone who would like to write match reports and feature articles
for the website, please feel free to get in touch with myself.
The World of Rugby League is a supporters orientated voluntary
website and is keen to get as many as possible helping make a
positive contribution to our great game.
Kindest Regards,
Matthew O'Neill
Email address: mailto:mat...@rleague.com
Rugby League site: http://rleague.com
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Without their help and support, the World of Rugby League and the
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