Before I start today I need to lay two things on the table – I don’t like publicly bagging teams (or players) when they’re down and the Gold Coast Titans are not my favourite team. As a Broncos fan they are public enemy number one. But they are in a key rugby league area and we need them doing well.
Now, onto Mat Rogers ‘shock return’.
Rat Returns
If you missed it, Mat Rogers announced on Tuesday night he would be returning to the Titans for the remainder of the 2011 season ONLY. By my count, that’s nine games. Based on what we’ve seen for the opening two-thirds of the competition the Titans are the worst team in the NRL this season. They are all but out of Finals contention – they would need to win a bare minimum of seven games and so far they’ve plodded along to jag four.
Bringing back a 199 game veteran, who was a good player in his day but no world-beater, is bizarre. I heard the players wanted him back and that’s great, but jeez it’s a slap in the face to at least three players I can think of.
Young Guns
If I’m a young guy at the Titans trying to crack it into first grade, doing all the extras to learn how to be a playmaker, plugging away in the lower grades ... and see this guy come back, I’m pissed off. The 2011 season is gone and it’s a perfect time to bring in a five-eighth to learn alongside Scott Prince and prepare for next year.
Instead they’re bringing back an old fella who’s had his day and for what? Because the senior players like him?
What about a guy called Luke Capewell who has played 40 NRL games and was signed at the Titans this year to play five-eighth or fullback? He is plugging away in the Queensland Cup and barely been given a chance to string two or three NRL games together.
Then there’s an 18 year old named Jordan Rankin who was good enough to debut at age 16 for the Titans! Again he’s a fullback or half but how does he take his game to a new level in the 20’s?
The biggest one for me is Beau Henry ... he signed mid-year at a time when he was playing NRL for the Newcastle Knights EVERY WEEK at five-eighth. The reason he left was because of Wayne Bennett. He couldn’t get a start at the Dragons and realised since Bennett didn’t want him there, he won’t want him next year at Newcastle.
The guy hasn’t been sighted in a month which for me is almost unacceptable. I understand the coach wanted him to learn the Titans ‘style’ but let’s be honest – that style is terrible in 2011!
How about throwing him in there and see how he goes? Henry was playing perfectly fine at the Knights and only left because of the new coach.
Only Exception
Scott Prince is a good halfback, not in great form, but he has the experience to guide and teach a young, hungry partner. A Capewell, Henry or Rankin could learn plenty by playing NRL next to Prince for the rest of this season. Even if the results aren’t great, throw in a pre-season and some confidence and you could have the makings of a premiership-winning side next year.
How are these guys going to learn a thing by watching Prince and his old mate Rogers running around together? Even if Rogers doesn’t play in the halves, he is still taking a spot in the side from a young guy.
The only justification I could see would be if Prince had suffered a season-ending injury. Then yes, there is huge value in having Rogers come in and guide one of these young kids.
Sometimes you have to take a chance even if it hurts for the time being. Look at Brisbane last year and now look at them ... Hoffman, Yow Yeh, Glenn to name a few. All will be Test players at the end of the season.
Look at Manly with Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans, plus Trent Hodkinson the year before. They took a huge risk and threw those guys into the NRL to sink or swim. It hurt early but now Foran is a New Zealand player, Hodkinson is developing into a real general and Cherry-Evans will probably be rookie of the year.
Parra’s Retirement Village
When the Eels signed Carl Webb, Chris Walker, Paul Whatuira and Chris Hicks for this season everyone was questioning why! These guys all had their moments in impressive careers but were all past their best. Most in the NRL community agree it was the wrong move – of those four guys Webb sort of plays NRL now, but no huge minutes. Walker is way down in the pecking order but further down is Hicks – who hasn’t played NRL at all. Whatuira has since retired.
However this Rogers thing takes the cake.
I really can’t understand how this helps a team rebuilding for next season – especially when they already have a few older guys holding onto spots and the youngsters toiling away in the Queensland Cup or Under 20’s.
TIPPING
Tips – Broncos, Bulldogs, Souths, Dragons, Canberra
Last Week – 4/8
Total –71/116 (61%)
Sorry for the long one this week, the issue just really annoyed me! For the record I think the Taylor suspension was too harsh but he was correctly ruled out of Origin III next week. Want to chat please leave a comment, email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com) or Tweet me (@keyto316).
Enjoy the Decider next week (Go Queensland),
Keyto
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Qld Teams Rd 17 - Maroons name Hodges as Taylor suspended
After two years Justin Hodges will finally wear the Queensland jersey again having been named to replace centre Dane Nielsen for the Origin Decider.
Hodges was the Blues public enemy number one when a series of brawls erupted in the final minutes of the third game in 2009 – a match won by NSW after Queensland had already secured the series.
Having missed the entire 2010 season with an Achilles injury, Hodges returned to the Australian side in May before tearing his hamstring just days before Queensland named their Origin I side.
Rookie Nielsen impressed in his two matches but was forced to make way for the proven Hodges while centre partner Greg Inglis looks set for a huge match next week.
Nielsen has been retained on a five man bench with the 18th man to be confirmed in the next few days.
In the only other change Jacob Lillyman has been recalled after David Taylor accepted a dangerous throw charge.
Taylor will risk a 5 match suspension and contest the grading but no matter the result, his poor record ensures Taylor will miss Origin III on July 6.
Lillyman was solid without being spectacular in Origin I and was replaced by the more explosive Taylor for the return game in Sydney.
The match is being built as one of the biggest in Origin history with Queensland celebrating Darren Lockyer’s final Origin match while a rejuvenated Blues hope to end the longest Origin drought in history and halt five years of series losses and misery.
The Maroons are in camp on the Sunshine Coast and will head to Brisbane early next week.
Suncorp Stadium will be sold out and the Origin Decider kicks-off live on Channel Nine at 8pm Wednesday week.
Battered Broncos
Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has been forced to name hooker Andrew McCullough and utility Ben Hunt on the bench as a heavy injury and representative toll strikes the side.
Normally just one would be included on a four man bench, but Griffin told the club’s website they were down to bare minimum players for Friday’s match with Parramatta.
McCullough and Hunt were suspended by the club for an off-field public nuisance charge two weeks ago and played Queensland Cup while the Broncos lost 12-14 to the Rabbitohs in Perth last weekend.
Kurt Baptiste has retained the starting hooker position forcing McCullough to the bench while Hunt, who has played hooker this year but prefers the halves, will return from a finger injury.
That leaves Mitchell Dodds and Dave Hala as the only recognised forward rotations for the Eels match in Sydney.
Dodds and starting prop Nick Kenny are returning from shoulder injuries while Ben Te’o (fractured arm) and Dane Carlaw (knee) could play in Round 19 following a bye next week.
Shane Tronc (neck) and Josh McGuire (eye) are still sidelined indefinitely but the Broncos did receive a boost with Scott Anderson announcing today he had re-signed with the club for a further two years.
Centre Jack Reed could spend some time in a back-row this week that includes Matt Gillett, who played 38 minutes against Souths in his first game back from a foot injury, and the impressive Dunamis Lui.
Dane Gagai returns to the wing while Corey Norman starts at five-eighth after spending last weekend’s match unused on the bench.
Alex Glenn again captains the Broncos and will hope to stay unbeaten after leading the side to a 25-24 golden point win over Canberra in his captaincy debut.
With a bye to follow, victory over the Eels could see Brisbane leap into the top four by the time their next game rolls around.
The Broncos are currently in fifth position while the Eels are languishing in 14th, two wins outside the top eight.
Friday’s match with Parramatta is live on Channel Nine with kick-off at 7:45pm.
Payne’s Break
Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne hopes this weekend’s bye followed by a Monday night match will ensure he misses no more than two NRL games after breaking his hand.
Payne suffered the injury early in North Queensland’s 20-30 loss to Penrith on the weekend and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks.
Former Knight Cory Paterson made his debut for the club on the weekend playing Queensland Cup for feeder team Northern Pride.
He will be available for NRL selection against his former club Newcastle in Round 18 as could the injured Scott Bolton (calf).
Star centres Willie Tonga and Brent Tate will also be close to full fitness come the July 11 fixture as the Cowboys strive for a top four finish.
Tonga injured his shoulder in Origin I while Tate is yet to debut for North Queensland after suffering a serious knee injury representing Australia last October.
Given Tate’s history of serious knee and neck injuries, it is thought he may ease his way back through the Queensland Cup competition.
Queensland representatives Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott will be given a break before the Cowboys launch a massive assault at the Finals.
Bye, bye Titans?
Gold Coast are guaranteed two points this weekend with their second bye to possibly lift them off the foot of the ladder.
However not even those gift points seem likely to push the Gold Coast towards the top eight with their inept performance last weekend summing up their year.
The Titans have had their worse season in their short history which hit rock bottom on the weekend with a record 12-36 loss at Skilled Park to Cronulla.
The Sharks have struggled to score points in recent seasons but easily racked up six tries to hand the Titans their worst loss at Skilled Park.
In some positive news young protégé Jordan Rankin played his first NRL match in three years since debuting as a 16 year old.
He impressed at fullback and should push for NRL selection for the remainder of the season.
Forward Brenton Lawrence, 26, realised his dream with a strong debut performance against the Sharks.
Former Newcastle five-eighth Beau Henry has yet to be sighted at NRL level for the Titans despite switching to the club a number of weeks ago.
Centre Joseph Tomane has announced he will join rugby union team ACT Brumbies from next season with the Titans already locking in Jamal Idris and Beau Champion to play in the centres next year.
The Titans next fixture is against the Warriors in New Zealand on Friday week.
Queensland vs. NSW, Origin III, Wednesday June July 6th, 8pm, (Channel Nine, live).
Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), Darius Boyd (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos), Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos), Darren Lockyer (c) (Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Ashley Harrison (Gold Coast Titans) Interchange: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos), Jacob Lillyman (Warriors), Ben Hannant (Brisbane Broncos), Dane Nielsen (Melbourne Storm) – One to be omitted. Coach – Mal Meninga.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Eels, Friday 7:45pm, (Channel Nine, live)
Josh Hoffman, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Gerard Beale, Dane Gagai, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Nick Kenny, Kurt Baptiste, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn (c), Dunamis Lui, Matt Gillett. Interchange: Andrew McCullough, Ben Hunt, Mitchell Dodds, David Hala.
Hodges was the Blues public enemy number one when a series of brawls erupted in the final minutes of the third game in 2009 – a match won by NSW after Queensland had already secured the series.
Having missed the entire 2010 season with an Achilles injury, Hodges returned to the Australian side in May before tearing his hamstring just days before Queensland named their Origin I side.
Rookie Nielsen impressed in his two matches but was forced to make way for the proven Hodges while centre partner Greg Inglis looks set for a huge match next week.
Nielsen has been retained on a five man bench with the 18th man to be confirmed in the next few days.
In the only other change Jacob Lillyman has been recalled after David Taylor accepted a dangerous throw charge.
Taylor will risk a 5 match suspension and contest the grading but no matter the result, his poor record ensures Taylor will miss Origin III on July 6.
Lillyman was solid without being spectacular in Origin I and was replaced by the more explosive Taylor for the return game in Sydney.
The match is being built as one of the biggest in Origin history with Queensland celebrating Darren Lockyer’s final Origin match while a rejuvenated Blues hope to end the longest Origin drought in history and halt five years of series losses and misery.
The Maroons are in camp on the Sunshine Coast and will head to Brisbane early next week.
Suncorp Stadium will be sold out and the Origin Decider kicks-off live on Channel Nine at 8pm Wednesday week.
Battered Broncos
Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has been forced to name hooker Andrew McCullough and utility Ben Hunt on the bench as a heavy injury and representative toll strikes the side.
Normally just one would be included on a four man bench, but Griffin told the club’s website they were down to bare minimum players for Friday’s match with Parramatta.
McCullough and Hunt were suspended by the club for an off-field public nuisance charge two weeks ago and played Queensland Cup while the Broncos lost 12-14 to the Rabbitohs in Perth last weekend.
Kurt Baptiste has retained the starting hooker position forcing McCullough to the bench while Hunt, who has played hooker this year but prefers the halves, will return from a finger injury.
That leaves Mitchell Dodds and Dave Hala as the only recognised forward rotations for the Eels match in Sydney.
Dodds and starting prop Nick Kenny are returning from shoulder injuries while Ben Te’o (fractured arm) and Dane Carlaw (knee) could play in Round 19 following a bye next week.
Shane Tronc (neck) and Josh McGuire (eye) are still sidelined indefinitely but the Broncos did receive a boost with Scott Anderson announcing today he had re-signed with the club for a further two years.
Centre Jack Reed could spend some time in a back-row this week that includes Matt Gillett, who played 38 minutes against Souths in his first game back from a foot injury, and the impressive Dunamis Lui.
Dane Gagai returns to the wing while Corey Norman starts at five-eighth after spending last weekend’s match unused on the bench.
Alex Glenn again captains the Broncos and will hope to stay unbeaten after leading the side to a 25-24 golden point win over Canberra in his captaincy debut.
With a bye to follow, victory over the Eels could see Brisbane leap into the top four by the time their next game rolls around.
The Broncos are currently in fifth position while the Eels are languishing in 14th, two wins outside the top eight.
Friday’s match with Parramatta is live on Channel Nine with kick-off at 7:45pm.
Payne’s Break
Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne hopes this weekend’s bye followed by a Monday night match will ensure he misses no more than two NRL games after breaking his hand.
Payne suffered the injury early in North Queensland’s 20-30 loss to Penrith on the weekend and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks.
Former Knight Cory Paterson made his debut for the club on the weekend playing Queensland Cup for feeder team Northern Pride.
He will be available for NRL selection against his former club Newcastle in Round 18 as could the injured Scott Bolton (calf).
Star centres Willie Tonga and Brent Tate will also be close to full fitness come the July 11 fixture as the Cowboys strive for a top four finish.
Tonga injured his shoulder in Origin I while Tate is yet to debut for North Queensland after suffering a serious knee injury representing Australia last October.
Given Tate’s history of serious knee and neck injuries, it is thought he may ease his way back through the Queensland Cup competition.
Queensland representatives Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott will be given a break before the Cowboys launch a massive assault at the Finals.
Bye, bye Titans?
Gold Coast are guaranteed two points this weekend with their second bye to possibly lift them off the foot of the ladder.
However not even those gift points seem likely to push the Gold Coast towards the top eight with their inept performance last weekend summing up their year.
The Titans have had their worse season in their short history which hit rock bottom on the weekend with a record 12-36 loss at Skilled Park to Cronulla.
The Sharks have struggled to score points in recent seasons but easily racked up six tries to hand the Titans their worst loss at Skilled Park.
In some positive news young protégé Jordan Rankin played his first NRL match in three years since debuting as a 16 year old.
He impressed at fullback and should push for NRL selection for the remainder of the season.
Forward Brenton Lawrence, 26, realised his dream with a strong debut performance against the Sharks.
Former Newcastle five-eighth Beau Henry has yet to be sighted at NRL level for the Titans despite switching to the club a number of weeks ago.
Centre Joseph Tomane has announced he will join rugby union team ACT Brumbies from next season with the Titans already locking in Jamal Idris and Beau Champion to play in the centres next year.
The Titans next fixture is against the Warriors in New Zealand on Friday week.
Queensland vs. NSW, Origin III, Wednesday June July 6th, 8pm, (Channel Nine, live).
Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), Darius Boyd (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos), Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos), Darren Lockyer (c) (Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Ashley Harrison (Gold Coast Titans) Interchange: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos), Jacob Lillyman (Warriors), Ben Hannant (Brisbane Broncos), Dane Nielsen (Melbourne Storm) – One to be omitted. Coach – Mal Meninga.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Eels, Friday 7:45pm, (Channel Nine, live)
Josh Hoffman, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Gerard Beale, Dane Gagai, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Nick Kenny, Kurt Baptiste, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn (c), Dunamis Lui, Matt Gillett. Interchange: Andrew McCullough, Ben Hunt, Mitchell Dodds, David Hala.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thurston, Swapsies and live TV
Hi there NRL fans and boy, didn’t I hit a few nerves last week! I got more hate mail from NSW fans than I had all season. Thanks for that! Now bring on Origin III and six in a row for the mighty Maroons. A team that, rightfully so, will have the world’s best halfback on deck for the Decider.
Ref Bumps
Probably 95 per cent of rugby league fans agreed Johnathan Thurston shouldn’t have had a case to answer at the NRL judiciary last night. His collision with the referee was a nasty one, but it was an accident.
No player should be suspended for making such contact with a referee. Yes it’s unfortunate but with the game happening at such a frantic pace there will be malfunctions at the junction from time to time.
The one incident that comes to my mind was earlier this year when the Roosters Todd Carney made a break and smashed into the referee in a head on collision. Carney didn’t really side-step and definitely didn’t put the brakes on. He ploughed straight through him! And everyone laughed about it!
Such collisions are usually unavoidable and a case of wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe players could be fined for multiple offences, but no one goes out there with a goal to take out an official.
There was a case where an Under 20’s player was sent off and suspended for ‘dropping a shoulder’ into the ref following a penalty. That was a correct decision. But that’s where it ends.
Anything else is unfortunate but something we can laugh at. Players and officials apologise to each other, check they’re not hurt and we can all get on with the game.
Player Trading
This year more than any other seems to have more and more players switching clubs before the June 30 deadline. My club hasn’t been affected so maybe I am speaking out of school a bit; but I’m largely ok with this. If guys can get a better deal in a mutually beneficial arrangement then I say go for it.
What has been disappointing is the Newcastle Knights almost giving up on this season. This is NOT the case with the players, coaches or fans but some of the management decisions have been bizarre to say the least.
Letting Beau Henry leave was a huge one. Also telling a lot of players to not bother showing up next year can’t be easy.
But just all the talk of next year is uncomfortable as well.
Newcastle have a decent side this season and if they focus all their energy on hitting their potential then there’s no reason they can’t make the final eight in 2011.
Channel Nine
I’m a big fan of Channel Nine’s rugby league coverage but some of their decisions this year are questionable. Already we’ve seen them delay Friday night football for a royal wedding and neglect to show the Suncorp Stadium double-header live.
Now this week the NRL hits Perth on Friday night but again Nine are not showing the game live on the east coast ... kick-off is scheduled for 9pm (7pm WA) but delaying it 30 minutes, to a standard 7:30pm local slot, would allow a live broadcast back to the east coast following the first game.
I think the WA time zone is the biggest positive an NRL side based in the region has going for them.
The two hour delay allows east coast networks to broadcast live games usually on a back-to-back format, as seen by both the AFL and Super 15.
Friday night was a perfect opportunity to see how the east coast NRL audience would take to this on free-to-air television. Instead, Channel Nine has stuffed it and we’ll get a regular broadcast full of commercials for the second game.
The new television deal must see every game available live on regular free to air, free to air digital channels or Fox Sports.
TIPPING
Tips – Bulldogs, Broncos, Titans, Canberra, Warriors, Panthers, Roosters, Dragons
Last Week – 5/7
Total –67/108 (62%)
I’ve gone mainly for upsets this weekend – and have no confidence in any of them, apart from Warriors. If you wish to discuss please email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com), tweet (@keyto316) or comment below.
Cheers,
Keyto
Ref Bumps
Probably 95 per cent of rugby league fans agreed Johnathan Thurston shouldn’t have had a case to answer at the NRL judiciary last night. His collision with the referee was a nasty one, but it was an accident.
No player should be suspended for making such contact with a referee. Yes it’s unfortunate but with the game happening at such a frantic pace there will be malfunctions at the junction from time to time.
The one incident that comes to my mind was earlier this year when the Roosters Todd Carney made a break and smashed into the referee in a head on collision. Carney didn’t really side-step and definitely didn’t put the brakes on. He ploughed straight through him! And everyone laughed about it!
Such collisions are usually unavoidable and a case of wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe players could be fined for multiple offences, but no one goes out there with a goal to take out an official.
There was a case where an Under 20’s player was sent off and suspended for ‘dropping a shoulder’ into the ref following a penalty. That was a correct decision. But that’s where it ends.
Anything else is unfortunate but something we can laugh at. Players and officials apologise to each other, check they’re not hurt and we can all get on with the game.
Player Trading
This year more than any other seems to have more and more players switching clubs before the June 30 deadline. My club hasn’t been affected so maybe I am speaking out of school a bit; but I’m largely ok with this. If guys can get a better deal in a mutually beneficial arrangement then I say go for it.
What has been disappointing is the Newcastle Knights almost giving up on this season. This is NOT the case with the players, coaches or fans but some of the management decisions have been bizarre to say the least.
Letting Beau Henry leave was a huge one. Also telling a lot of players to not bother showing up next year can’t be easy.
But just all the talk of next year is uncomfortable as well.
Newcastle have a decent side this season and if they focus all their energy on hitting their potential then there’s no reason they can’t make the final eight in 2011.
Channel Nine
I’m a big fan of Channel Nine’s rugby league coverage but some of their decisions this year are questionable. Already we’ve seen them delay Friday night football for a royal wedding and neglect to show the Suncorp Stadium double-header live.
Now this week the NRL hits Perth on Friday night but again Nine are not showing the game live on the east coast ... kick-off is scheduled for 9pm (7pm WA) but delaying it 30 minutes, to a standard 7:30pm local slot, would allow a live broadcast back to the east coast following the first game.
I think the WA time zone is the biggest positive an NRL side based in the region has going for them.
The two hour delay allows east coast networks to broadcast live games usually on a back-to-back format, as seen by both the AFL and Super 15.
Friday night was a perfect opportunity to see how the east coast NRL audience would take to this on free-to-air television. Instead, Channel Nine has stuffed it and we’ll get a regular broadcast full of commercials for the second game.
The new television deal must see every game available live on regular free to air, free to air digital channels or Fox Sports.
TIPPING
Tips – Bulldogs, Broncos, Titans, Canberra, Warriors, Panthers, Roosters, Dragons
Last Week – 5/7
Total –67/108 (62%)
I’ve gone mainly for upsets this weekend – and have no confidence in any of them, apart from Warriors. If you wish to discuss please email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com), tweet (@keyto316) or comment below.
Cheers,
Keyto
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Qld Teams Rd 16 - Broncos trio return in the West
Justin Hodges is ‘certain’ to play while Corey Parker and Matt Gillett should return to face South Sydney at Perth’s nib Stadium on Friday night.
It will be the Broncos first trip to Western Australia in more than 10 years and their media department have guaranteed Hodges will start at right centre.
He was a late withdrawal from last week’s 21-14 victory over the Dragons but if Hodges gets through the Rabbitohs match, he will likely force his way into the Maroons side for Origin III.
Hodges will mark up against Queensland star Greg Inglis in what should be a perfect audition for the Origin Decider.
The Broncos will also welcome back Parker, who picked up a minor groin injury in Origin II, while Gillett could play his first match in 10 weeks.
Gillett has been named on the bench following a foot injury and will hope to rediscover the form that saw him being talked about as a Queensland contender for this year’s Origin series.
Hooker Andrew McCullough and utility Ben Hunt, who was scheduled to return from a finger injury, will play Queensland Cup after the club suspended them following a public nuisance charge last weekend.
Their omission sees Kurt Baptiste get his first start after a handful of impressive matches from the bench while Corey Norman has been retained in the utility role.
Gerard Beale has moved to the left wing to accommodate Hodges, forcing Dale Copley into the 18th man role.
Props Mitchell Dodds and Nick Kenny were not considered due to shoulder injuries.
The Perth trip is a South Sydney initiative and is likely to draw close to the 20,000 capacity crowd for the Rabbitohs ‘home’ match.
Friday’s match kicks off at 9pm Queensland time and will be shown on delay from 9:30pm on Channel Nine.
Titans resist changes
Despite languishing at the bottom of the ladder with Finals aspirations all but gone, Titans coach John Cartwright has stuck largely with the same squad for this weekend’s match with Cronulla.
NSW back-rower Greg Bird is the only change to the side following last week’s ordinary 8-31 loss to the Rabbitohs.
Bird failed to back up from Origin II and replaces young prop Ryan James in the side.
James, one of the few bright sparks for the Titans 2011 season, faces eight months recovery and rehabilitation for a serious knee injury.
Like the rest of the team, James will shift his focus to the start of the 2012 season with Gold Coast likely needing to win an absolute minimum eight of their remaining 12 games to be any chance this year.
That run would have to start against Cronulla at Skilled Park on Saturday with the Titans second bye to follow next week.
Anthony Laffranchi will start at prop with Michael Henderson dropping back to a six man bench.
Brenton Lawrence has been named in the expanded squad for a possible NRL debut while Luke O’Dwyer could also return.
Five-eighth recruit Beau Henry has not been included for the Sharks match.
The Titans are undefeated at home against Cronulla and will likely formally recognise Scott Prince registering his 250th match last weekend.
Saturday’s match kicks-off at 5:30pm and will be live on Fox Sports.
Cowboys fight judiciary
North Queensland and Maroons halfback Johnathan Thurston will front the NRL judiciary tomorrow night in an attempt to overturn a two game suspension that will see him miss Origin III.
Thurston was charged yesterday for making contact with referee Matt Cecchin in last week’s 30-10 win over the Warriors.
The incident occurred as Warriors halfback James Maloney broke the line and scored a try in the 23rd minute.
While the collision was a heavy one, vision seems to suggest Thurston had eyes for the player and the contact was accidental.
Thurston apologised to a smiling Cecchin immediately after the incident and his charge came as a shock to most in both Queensland and New South Wales.
His hearing will start at 6pm tomorrow and if cleared, Thurston will play for the Cowboys against Penrith on Sunday.
Thurston will be joined at the judiciary by team mate Tariq Sims who hopes to beat a one match ban for a high tackle.
Sims is seeking a downgrade which would make him free to play the Panthers.
North Queensland will have Glenn Hall back from a one game suspension for the away clash which sees Gavin Cooper back in the centres and Will Tupou omitted.
Prop James Tamou missed the Warriors game with a shoulder injury but has been named in the side to return.
The Cowboys will be forced to re-shuffle their side if either Thurston or Sims are suspended at the judiciary.
Michael Morgan and Isaak Ah Mau will come into the mix but that decision likely will not be made until later in the week.
Sunday’s match is live from Penrith on Fox Sports with kick-off listed at 2pm.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Rabbitohs, Friday 9pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 9:30pm)
Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Kurt Baptiste, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Corey Norman, Matt Gillett, Dunamis Lui, Dave Hala, Dale Copley, (one to be omitted).
Gold Coast Titans vs. Sharks, Saturday 5:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Preston Campbell, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Anthony Laffranchi, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Michael Henderson, Bodene Thompson Ben Ridge, Brenton Lawrence, Luke O’Dwyer (two to be omitted).
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Panthers, Sunday 2pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Ben Jones, Gavin Cooper, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Joel Riethmuller, Aston Sims, Leeson Ah Mau.
It will be the Broncos first trip to Western Australia in more than 10 years and their media department have guaranteed Hodges will start at right centre.
He was a late withdrawal from last week’s 21-14 victory over the Dragons but if Hodges gets through the Rabbitohs match, he will likely force his way into the Maroons side for Origin III.
Hodges will mark up against Queensland star Greg Inglis in what should be a perfect audition for the Origin Decider.
The Broncos will also welcome back Parker, who picked up a minor groin injury in Origin II, while Gillett could play his first match in 10 weeks.
Gillett has been named on the bench following a foot injury and will hope to rediscover the form that saw him being talked about as a Queensland contender for this year’s Origin series.
Hooker Andrew McCullough and utility Ben Hunt, who was scheduled to return from a finger injury, will play Queensland Cup after the club suspended them following a public nuisance charge last weekend.
Their omission sees Kurt Baptiste get his first start after a handful of impressive matches from the bench while Corey Norman has been retained in the utility role.
Gerard Beale has moved to the left wing to accommodate Hodges, forcing Dale Copley into the 18th man role.
Props Mitchell Dodds and Nick Kenny were not considered due to shoulder injuries.
The Perth trip is a South Sydney initiative and is likely to draw close to the 20,000 capacity crowd for the Rabbitohs ‘home’ match.
Friday’s match kicks off at 9pm Queensland time and will be shown on delay from 9:30pm on Channel Nine.
Titans resist changes
Despite languishing at the bottom of the ladder with Finals aspirations all but gone, Titans coach John Cartwright has stuck largely with the same squad for this weekend’s match with Cronulla.
NSW back-rower Greg Bird is the only change to the side following last week’s ordinary 8-31 loss to the Rabbitohs.
Bird failed to back up from Origin II and replaces young prop Ryan James in the side.
James, one of the few bright sparks for the Titans 2011 season, faces eight months recovery and rehabilitation for a serious knee injury.
Like the rest of the team, James will shift his focus to the start of the 2012 season with Gold Coast likely needing to win an absolute minimum eight of their remaining 12 games to be any chance this year.
That run would have to start against Cronulla at Skilled Park on Saturday with the Titans second bye to follow next week.
Anthony Laffranchi will start at prop with Michael Henderson dropping back to a six man bench.
Brenton Lawrence has been named in the expanded squad for a possible NRL debut while Luke O’Dwyer could also return.
Five-eighth recruit Beau Henry has not been included for the Sharks match.
The Titans are undefeated at home against Cronulla and will likely formally recognise Scott Prince registering his 250th match last weekend.
Saturday’s match kicks-off at 5:30pm and will be live on Fox Sports.
Cowboys fight judiciary
North Queensland and Maroons halfback Johnathan Thurston will front the NRL judiciary tomorrow night in an attempt to overturn a two game suspension that will see him miss Origin III.
Thurston was charged yesterday for making contact with referee Matt Cecchin in last week’s 30-10 win over the Warriors.
The incident occurred as Warriors halfback James Maloney broke the line and scored a try in the 23rd minute.
While the collision was a heavy one, vision seems to suggest Thurston had eyes for the player and the contact was accidental.
Thurston apologised to a smiling Cecchin immediately after the incident and his charge came as a shock to most in both Queensland and New South Wales.
His hearing will start at 6pm tomorrow and if cleared, Thurston will play for the Cowboys against Penrith on Sunday.
Thurston will be joined at the judiciary by team mate Tariq Sims who hopes to beat a one match ban for a high tackle.
Sims is seeking a downgrade which would make him free to play the Panthers.
North Queensland will have Glenn Hall back from a one game suspension for the away clash which sees Gavin Cooper back in the centres and Will Tupou omitted.
Prop James Tamou missed the Warriors game with a shoulder injury but has been named in the side to return.
The Cowboys will be forced to re-shuffle their side if either Thurston or Sims are suspended at the judiciary.
Michael Morgan and Isaak Ah Mau will come into the mix but that decision likely will not be made until later in the week.
Sunday’s match is live from Penrith on Fox Sports with kick-off listed at 2pm.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Rabbitohs, Friday 9pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 9:30pm)
Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Kurt Baptiste, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Corey Norman, Matt Gillett, Dunamis Lui, Dave Hala, Dale Copley, (one to be omitted).
Gold Coast Titans vs. Sharks, Saturday 5:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Preston Campbell, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Anthony Laffranchi, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Michael Henderson, Bodene Thompson Ben Ridge, Brenton Lawrence, Luke O’Dwyer (two to be omitted).
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Panthers, Sunday 2pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Ben Jones, Gavin Cooper, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Joel Riethmuller, Aston Sims, Leeson Ah Mau.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Fire Up Blues Fans!!
The New South Wales Blues comprehensively outplayed Queensland last night to send the 2011 Origin series to a massive Decider. I was in Sydney for the game and can tell you not one NSW fan even dared to suggest to me they WOULD win the series. Come on Blues!! You’re in this up to your eyeballs and it’s time to give it to us Queenslanders and let us know you’re coming to get some in Brisbane.
Sydney Experience
For the third game in two years I travelled down to Sydney, wearing my Queensland jersey, on Origin day to support my team. I was in enemy territory but you wouldn’t know it. I was at the airport and Central Station yet hardly saw anyone in anything remotely like a Blues jersey. I received two ‘go the Blues’ jeers and one was a very weak effort from a teenage girl.
We were the only Queenslanders on a packed bus, which spent 45 minutes stuck in traffic, and got no heat whatsoever. No NSW fans told us to piss off home or how badly we were going to get beaten by.
There was some decent banter at the stadium but nothing like any Blues fan would cop in Brisbane.
I thought NSW dominated pretty much the entire match last night. It was a different game to Origin I and the Blues had a team to suit. They also gave Queensland absolutely nothing in the second half and recorded easily their best win in five years. Full credit must go to the Blues because they were determined to leave the stadium with a win and settled for nothing less.
Post-Match
Having just been humbled and out-played, following a far from perfect win in Origin I, my band of Queenslanders were expecting to cop plenty on the way home. Again there was a packed bus and then a pub trip. But there was nothing hostile from the fans.
Of course there was plenty of “did you see that game tonight” going on ... but that was almost ALWAYS followed by “you guys will win Game Three”.
What sort of attitude is that Blues fans?!?
You tell us Maroons that you got us tonight and you’re going to smash us in Origin III. Tell us you’re taking this series and our domination is over. Tell us the last five years mean nothing in 2011 and why this Blues team is guaranteed to beat us at Suncorp Stadium.
Shit, even if you don’t believe it tell us anyway!! Show the same belief the coach and players do. Show that sheer arrogance and lack of respect Queenslanders do! This is Origin and any words are legal!
Loser Mentality
After mingling with the fans last night, plenty who disappointingly don’t proudly wear their NSW jerseys, I came to the conclusion there is a Loser Mentality amongst a lot of supporters.
This is certainly not in the actual footy team or in legends like Phil Gould, but amongst the public and even the media there is.
I compare it to some of the AFL teams. I had a Richmond supporter tell me at the start of the season that winning four or five games would be a successful year. ARE YOU SERIOUS BRO? Winning the Grand Final is a successful year and anything less is disappointing.
The Sydney media is too quick to talk about how good the Queensland side is with all the Australian players and future Immortals etc. There’s no hiding that fact but please NSW show a bit of faith!
Drop that Loser Talk and show confidence in your team. I’m yet to see a game of rugby league that isn’t a two horse race and there’s no reason you can’t take the 2011 series. So Fire Up and tell us Maroons all about it. Get us thinking and second-guessing our team; don’t pump us up with “you will probably win next time”.
You see, Maroons already know we’ll probably win next time. But we don’t need to hear that from you so sing us a different tune!
In the mean time we will hit back with the Five-NIL taunt but that will mean diddly squat if the Blues take the 2011 series.
Queensland Comparison (1995)
I know every single Queenslander remembers the 1995 series triumph. Despite a patched up team, minus all the star players, the Maroon fans never conceded we had no chance.
There’s no way we dared give the Blues more confidence. We had belief in our team and entered every match expecting to win it. After Origin I no Maroon would have told the enemy “don’t worry, you will win the next two.”
They’re more likely to have said, “You Blue p**fs are f***ed now”.
Origin is a battle between two passionate teams with two massive sets of fans, so Blues don’t ever give us an inch! Next time you see a Queenslander walking around, you tell them how you’re mob is coming to Brisbane to ruin Locky’s party.
We’ll tell you about the last five years, but you’ll at least get us thinking again.
TIPPING
Tips – Broncos, Souths, Panthers, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Melbourne, Manly
Last Week – 2/5
Total –62/101 (61%)
Blues fans let me know what you think! Tell me how much you’re going to win Origin III by, I dare you! Comment below, email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com) or find me on Twitter (@keyto316).
Go Queensland,
Keyto
Sydney Experience
For the third game in two years I travelled down to Sydney, wearing my Queensland jersey, on Origin day to support my team. I was in enemy territory but you wouldn’t know it. I was at the airport and Central Station yet hardly saw anyone in anything remotely like a Blues jersey. I received two ‘go the Blues’ jeers and one was a very weak effort from a teenage girl.
We were the only Queenslanders on a packed bus, which spent 45 minutes stuck in traffic, and got no heat whatsoever. No NSW fans told us to piss off home or how badly we were going to get beaten by.
There was some decent banter at the stadium but nothing like any Blues fan would cop in Brisbane.
I thought NSW dominated pretty much the entire match last night. It was a different game to Origin I and the Blues had a team to suit. They also gave Queensland absolutely nothing in the second half and recorded easily their best win in five years. Full credit must go to the Blues because they were determined to leave the stadium with a win and settled for nothing less.
Post-Match
Having just been humbled and out-played, following a far from perfect win in Origin I, my band of Queenslanders were expecting to cop plenty on the way home. Again there was a packed bus and then a pub trip. But there was nothing hostile from the fans.
Of course there was plenty of “did you see that game tonight” going on ... but that was almost ALWAYS followed by “you guys will win Game Three”.
What sort of attitude is that Blues fans?!?
You tell us Maroons that you got us tonight and you’re going to smash us in Origin III. Tell us you’re taking this series and our domination is over. Tell us the last five years mean nothing in 2011 and why this Blues team is guaranteed to beat us at Suncorp Stadium.
Shit, even if you don’t believe it tell us anyway!! Show the same belief the coach and players do. Show that sheer arrogance and lack of respect Queenslanders do! This is Origin and any words are legal!
Loser Mentality
After mingling with the fans last night, plenty who disappointingly don’t proudly wear their NSW jerseys, I came to the conclusion there is a Loser Mentality amongst a lot of supporters.
This is certainly not in the actual footy team or in legends like Phil Gould, but amongst the public and even the media there is.
I compare it to some of the AFL teams. I had a Richmond supporter tell me at the start of the season that winning four or five games would be a successful year. ARE YOU SERIOUS BRO? Winning the Grand Final is a successful year and anything less is disappointing.
The Sydney media is too quick to talk about how good the Queensland side is with all the Australian players and future Immortals etc. There’s no hiding that fact but please NSW show a bit of faith!
Drop that Loser Talk and show confidence in your team. I’m yet to see a game of rugby league that isn’t a two horse race and there’s no reason you can’t take the 2011 series. So Fire Up and tell us Maroons all about it. Get us thinking and second-guessing our team; don’t pump us up with “you will probably win next time”.
You see, Maroons already know we’ll probably win next time. But we don’t need to hear that from you so sing us a different tune!
In the mean time we will hit back with the Five-NIL taunt but that will mean diddly squat if the Blues take the 2011 series.
Queensland Comparison (1995)
I know every single Queenslander remembers the 1995 series triumph. Despite a patched up team, minus all the star players, the Maroon fans never conceded we had no chance.
There’s no way we dared give the Blues more confidence. We had belief in our team and entered every match expecting to win it. After Origin I no Maroon would have told the enemy “don’t worry, you will win the next two.”
They’re more likely to have said, “You Blue p**fs are f***ed now”.
Origin is a battle between two passionate teams with two massive sets of fans, so Blues don’t ever give us an inch! Next time you see a Queenslander walking around, you tell them how you’re mob is coming to Brisbane to ruin Locky’s party.
We’ll tell you about the last five years, but you’ll at least get us thinking again.
TIPPING
Tips – Broncos, Souths, Panthers, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Melbourne, Manly
Last Week – 2/5
Total –62/101 (61%)
Blues fans let me know what you think! Tell me how much you’re going to win Origin III by, I dare you! Comment below, email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com) or find me on Twitter (@keyto316).
Go Queensland,
Keyto
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Qld Teams Rd 15 - Maroons prepare for wet Sydney
Queensland will face a sold out crowd and an expected soggy track as they aim to secure their sixth consecutive Origin series tomorrow night.
The Maroons have had a trouble-free build up to Origin II and arrived in Sydney this afternoon.
As was the case for both games last year, Sydney is in the midst of heavy rain which will likely result in a wet and cold night.
Having won both those matches, the conditions will not faze the Maroons as they look to again re-write the record books.
Jacob Lillyman has finally arrived back from New Zealand after being caught up in the volcanic ash chaos on the weekend and will be Queensland’s 18th man.
The game will be Darren Lockyer’s final Origin in Sydney while maligned centre Greg Inglis will be out to prove his championship qualities.
Origin II kicks off at 8pm tomorrow and will be broadcast live into Queensland and New South Wales on Channel Nine.
Broncos name guns
Brisbane will field their strongest possible team for Friday night’s clash with the league-leading St George-Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium.
For the first time this year, coach Anthony Griffin named Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday alongside fellow stars Ben Hannant, Jharal Yow Yeh and Corey Parker to back up 48 hours after a representative match.
In another huge boost for the club, Justin Hodges is poised to return from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for a month.
Leading Rookie of the Year candidate Jack Reed moves to the interchange bench after an impressive match in the forwards during last weeks’ 25-24 golden point win over Canberra.
Injuries largely forced Reed into the backline to start the year, where he excelled, but he is seen as a player who can also play in the back row.
In other changes Dale Copley returns to the wing with Dane Gagai moving back to the Under 20’s and Shea Moylan to the Queensland Cup.
Prop Nick Kenny has been named 18th man while utilities’ Corey Norman and Kurt Baptiste complete the extended bench.
Three players will drop out of the squad on Friday after the Origin players have been assessed.
The Dragons have also named a full strength side for what should be a marquee match with both sides firmly entrenched in the top half of the competition.
The match will be broadcast live on Channel Nine into Queensland and New South Wales with the telecast starting at 7:30pm Friday.
Prince records 250th
Gold Coast halfback Scott Prince will celebrate his 250th NRL match when his side plays South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
Captain Prince, in his 14th season, has spent time at North Queensland, Brisbane and Wests Tigers before linking with the Titans for their inaugural 2007 season.
The Titans scored a much needed 28-14 win over a depleted Dragons side last week and coach John Cartwright has stuck with the same side.
He has included representative duo Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird in the 19 man squad with both players to be evaluated following Origin II.
New recruit Beau Henry, signed for the rest of this season through to 2013 from Newcastle, began training with the Titans this week.
The five-eighth could prove to be an excellent purchase with the Titans struggling to find a regular halves partner for Prince following Mat Rogers’ retirement last season.
However the Titans have lost impact forward Sam Tagaetese who has joined Cronulla immediately for the rest of this year and beyond.
Gold Coast currently sits in 14th position and need to build on last week’s victory if they are to challenge for a top eight finish.
In a rare double, two Queensland sides will play separate Friday night matches this week with the Titans match against Souths replayed on Channel Nine following the Broncos game.
Hall suspended
Cowboys second-rower Glenn Hall has been suspended for one match following a high tackle in last week’s 4-24 loss to Manly.
His high tackle, plus another incident earlier in the year, was enough to rule him out following an early guilty plea.
Scott Bolton will take Hall’s back-row position for Saturday night’s match against the Warriors at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
New recruit Cory Paterson, signed mid-season from Newcastle, is in the final stages of recovery from a knee injury and was not considered for this week.
Centre Antonio Winterstein is awaiting scan results for a pectoral injury suffered against Manly with coach Neil Henry telling the club’s website the former Bronco could be out for as little as four weeks or the rest of the season.
As ended up being the case last week, Ben Jones will start in the centres while Gavin Cooper also finds himself in the backs with Brent Tate (knee) and Willie Tonga (shoulder) still at least a month away.
Will Tupou, a regular winger or centre, has been named 18th man while Michael Morgan and Joel Riethmuller have been retained.
Morgan played halfback last week and will fill the utility role on the bench while Riethmuller, a back-rower, played 18 minutes in his NRL debut last week.
The Cowboys and Warriors have a history of entertaining and sometimes heated affairs but this will be their first match at Dairy Farmers Stadium since Round 6, 2008.
It will be live on Fox Sports with kick-off at 7:30pm Saturday.
Queensland vs. NSW, Origin II, Wednesday 8pm, (Channel Nine, live).
Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Dane Nielsen, Greg Inglis, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Ashley Harrison Interchange: Cooper Cronk, Corey Parker, Dave Taylor, Ben Hannant. 18th Man – Jacob Lillyman, Coach – Mal Meninga.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Dragons, Friday 7:45pm, (Channel Nine, live)
Josh Hoffman, Dale Copley, Gerard Beale, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Jack Reed, Dunamis Lui, Mitchell Dodds, Dave Hala, Nick Kenny, Corey Norman, Kurt Baptiste (three to be omitted).
Gold Coast Titans vs. Rabbitohs, Friday 7:45pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 9:30pm)
William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Preston Campbell, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Ryan James, Bodene Thompson Ben Ridge, Luke O’Dwyer, Greg Bird (two to be omitted).
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Warriors, Saturday 7:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Ben Jones, Gavin Cooper, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Scott Bolton, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Michael Morgan, Joel Riethmuller, Aston Sims, Leeson Ah Mau, Will Tupou (one to be omitted).
The Maroons have had a trouble-free build up to Origin II and arrived in Sydney this afternoon.
As was the case for both games last year, Sydney is in the midst of heavy rain which will likely result in a wet and cold night.
Having won both those matches, the conditions will not faze the Maroons as they look to again re-write the record books.
Jacob Lillyman has finally arrived back from New Zealand after being caught up in the volcanic ash chaos on the weekend and will be Queensland’s 18th man.
The game will be Darren Lockyer’s final Origin in Sydney while maligned centre Greg Inglis will be out to prove his championship qualities.
Origin II kicks off at 8pm tomorrow and will be broadcast live into Queensland and New South Wales on Channel Nine.
Broncos name guns
Brisbane will field their strongest possible team for Friday night’s clash with the league-leading St George-Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium.
For the first time this year, coach Anthony Griffin named Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday alongside fellow stars Ben Hannant, Jharal Yow Yeh and Corey Parker to back up 48 hours after a representative match.
In another huge boost for the club, Justin Hodges is poised to return from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for a month.
Leading Rookie of the Year candidate Jack Reed moves to the interchange bench after an impressive match in the forwards during last weeks’ 25-24 golden point win over Canberra.
Injuries largely forced Reed into the backline to start the year, where he excelled, but he is seen as a player who can also play in the back row.
In other changes Dale Copley returns to the wing with Dane Gagai moving back to the Under 20’s and Shea Moylan to the Queensland Cup.
Prop Nick Kenny has been named 18th man while utilities’ Corey Norman and Kurt Baptiste complete the extended bench.
Three players will drop out of the squad on Friday after the Origin players have been assessed.
The Dragons have also named a full strength side for what should be a marquee match with both sides firmly entrenched in the top half of the competition.
The match will be broadcast live on Channel Nine into Queensland and New South Wales with the telecast starting at 7:30pm Friday.
Prince records 250th
Gold Coast halfback Scott Prince will celebrate his 250th NRL match when his side plays South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
Captain Prince, in his 14th season, has spent time at North Queensland, Brisbane and Wests Tigers before linking with the Titans for their inaugural 2007 season.
The Titans scored a much needed 28-14 win over a depleted Dragons side last week and coach John Cartwright has stuck with the same side.
He has included representative duo Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird in the 19 man squad with both players to be evaluated following Origin II.
New recruit Beau Henry, signed for the rest of this season through to 2013 from Newcastle, began training with the Titans this week.
The five-eighth could prove to be an excellent purchase with the Titans struggling to find a regular halves partner for Prince following Mat Rogers’ retirement last season.
However the Titans have lost impact forward Sam Tagaetese who has joined Cronulla immediately for the rest of this year and beyond.
Gold Coast currently sits in 14th position and need to build on last week’s victory if they are to challenge for a top eight finish.
In a rare double, two Queensland sides will play separate Friday night matches this week with the Titans match against Souths replayed on Channel Nine following the Broncos game.
Hall suspended
Cowboys second-rower Glenn Hall has been suspended for one match following a high tackle in last week’s 4-24 loss to Manly.
His high tackle, plus another incident earlier in the year, was enough to rule him out following an early guilty plea.
Scott Bolton will take Hall’s back-row position for Saturday night’s match against the Warriors at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
New recruit Cory Paterson, signed mid-season from Newcastle, is in the final stages of recovery from a knee injury and was not considered for this week.
Centre Antonio Winterstein is awaiting scan results for a pectoral injury suffered against Manly with coach Neil Henry telling the club’s website the former Bronco could be out for as little as four weeks or the rest of the season.
As ended up being the case last week, Ben Jones will start in the centres while Gavin Cooper also finds himself in the backs with Brent Tate (knee) and Willie Tonga (shoulder) still at least a month away.
Will Tupou, a regular winger or centre, has been named 18th man while Michael Morgan and Joel Riethmuller have been retained.
Morgan played halfback last week and will fill the utility role on the bench while Riethmuller, a back-rower, played 18 minutes in his NRL debut last week.
The Cowboys and Warriors have a history of entertaining and sometimes heated affairs but this will be their first match at Dairy Farmers Stadium since Round 6, 2008.
It will be live on Fox Sports with kick-off at 7:30pm Saturday.
Queensland vs. NSW, Origin II, Wednesday 8pm, (Channel Nine, live).
Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Dane Nielsen, Greg Inglis, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Ashley Harrison Interchange: Cooper Cronk, Corey Parker, Dave Taylor, Ben Hannant. 18th Man – Jacob Lillyman, Coach – Mal Meninga.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Dragons, Friday 7:45pm, (Channel Nine, live)
Josh Hoffman, Dale Copley, Gerard Beale, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Jack Reed, Dunamis Lui, Mitchell Dodds, Dave Hala, Nick Kenny, Corey Norman, Kurt Baptiste (three to be omitted).
Gold Coast Titans vs. Rabbitohs, Friday 7:45pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 9:30pm)
William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Preston Campbell, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Ryan James, Bodene Thompson Ben Ridge, Luke O’Dwyer, Greg Bird (two to be omitted).
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Warriors, Saturday 7:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Ben Jones, Gavin Cooper, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Scott Bolton, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Michael Morgan, Joel Riethmuller, Aston Sims, Leeson Ah Mau, Will Tupou (one to be omitted).
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Betting, Canberra and Origin II
Hi all, it’s been another busy week in rugby league and today I wanted to share my thoughts on a few of the issues generating a bit of chatter.
NRL Betting
Next year all betting regulations and promotions will be changed with the most notable difference to be the removal of live odds at games and as part of the television coverage. I have to say – I have absolutely no problem with seeing fluctuating odds pop up during the games. In fact I think it’s great!
I like to have a couple of small bets on the weekend but that’s not because Ray Warren feeds me some juicy odds midway through Friday Night Football. Are we fair dinkum here in thinking that a commentator doing a live read is going to force people to gamble? If that’s the case then you’ve got massive problems and need some help.
For those who say it’s a bad influence on children – PLEASE!! Surely 90 per cent of the children watching the football have a parent, guardian or role model in their life who can guide any future choices they make on gambling.
I’ve found that older people seem to have problems with these live odds while for the younger generation, like me, it has very little affect on the overall broadcast. Personally I think it enhances the telecast. The odds are just another way of analysing the game in my opinion and don’t detract away from it. The same way tackle counts or penalty stats are flashed up throughout the match.
At times society is far too precious and eventually, we’ll end up with no sponsorship and therefore no sport or entertainment events. What’s next?? Ban alcohol sponsorship because it encourages people to get on the piss? Ban McDonalds from sponsoring a team because it encourages people to eat it?
This isn’t an NRL decision I know but fair dinkum we need to wake up sometimes and recognise the fact that adults make their own decisions and children should be guided by their parents.
Campo and Canberra
Terry Campese seems destined to play only 5 minutes of the 2011 season with his comeback from a knee injured gazumped by a torn abductor muscle. He has since ruled himself out for the season and I don’t think it is entirely bad. Campese is a great player but it takes everyone 18 months to get over the type of knee injury he suffered last year.
Don’t believe me, ask Darren Lockyer.
The Raiders need to learn to win without him anyway so that when he does comes back; Campese can be the touch of class to the whole outfit rather than a one man rock band.
This season won’t be great for wins and losses but already I think it’s going to be the making of Josh McCrone in the halves. I have always liked him but he was second fiddle to Campo last season. Now he will be able to complement the star and 2012 will look promising.
Monday Origin
As a fan, I love Origin on a Wednesday night. The tradition, build up and event is perfect in my opinion. But I understand it can be a tough ask for the players. Having Origin as a standalone event over three weekends per season is not an option. We tried it recently and everyone was bored with no football until Sunday night.
If Wednesday night is a major problem for the players then I think Monday is a good compromise. My one concern though is the build up – not that one week isn’t enough to get a team ready, but the extras added to the tactics and combinations.
A huge part of Origin is meeting the fans – especially those in the schools or hospitals outside the major cities. Both sides will always spend time during the series doing various coaching clinics and the like so I hope this does not become a victim of renewed scheduling.
Origin II Teams
The Queensland side picked itself and Dave Taylor was definitely worthy of his position. It’s bad luck for Jacob Lillyman, who didn’t let anyone down, but the stronger attacking option was the way to go.
As for the Blues ... I’m a bit mystified at a few things. We heard before the series that only specialists would be picked yet for Origin II they’ve gone with just TWO genuine front-rowers and a rookie centre who has barely played a game of NRL in that position.
Paul Gallen plays like a prop so I can understand that one but for mine they’ve missed a trick by leaving Jarryd Hayne on the wing and overlooking Jamal Idris. As a Queenslander, I’d be more worried seeing Hayne at fullback, Will Hopoate on the wing and Idris in the centres.
But that’s not my problem to worry about.
TIPPING
Tips – Dragons, Manly, Brisbane, Warriors, Roosters
Last Week – 4/8
Total –60/96 (63%)
Thanks for reading and if you have any thoughts please share them by commenting below. Or you can chat to be directly via email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com) or Twitter (@keyto316).
Enjoy your weekend,
Keyto
NRL Betting
Next year all betting regulations and promotions will be changed with the most notable difference to be the removal of live odds at games and as part of the television coverage. I have to say – I have absolutely no problem with seeing fluctuating odds pop up during the games. In fact I think it’s great!
I like to have a couple of small bets on the weekend but that’s not because Ray Warren feeds me some juicy odds midway through Friday Night Football. Are we fair dinkum here in thinking that a commentator doing a live read is going to force people to gamble? If that’s the case then you’ve got massive problems and need some help.
For those who say it’s a bad influence on children – PLEASE!! Surely 90 per cent of the children watching the football have a parent, guardian or role model in their life who can guide any future choices they make on gambling.
I’ve found that older people seem to have problems with these live odds while for the younger generation, like me, it has very little affect on the overall broadcast. Personally I think it enhances the telecast. The odds are just another way of analysing the game in my opinion and don’t detract away from it. The same way tackle counts or penalty stats are flashed up throughout the match.
At times society is far too precious and eventually, we’ll end up with no sponsorship and therefore no sport or entertainment events. What’s next?? Ban alcohol sponsorship because it encourages people to get on the piss? Ban McDonalds from sponsoring a team because it encourages people to eat it?
This isn’t an NRL decision I know but fair dinkum we need to wake up sometimes and recognise the fact that adults make their own decisions and children should be guided by their parents.
Campo and Canberra
Terry Campese seems destined to play only 5 minutes of the 2011 season with his comeback from a knee injured gazumped by a torn abductor muscle. He has since ruled himself out for the season and I don’t think it is entirely bad. Campese is a great player but it takes everyone 18 months to get over the type of knee injury he suffered last year.
Don’t believe me, ask Darren Lockyer.
The Raiders need to learn to win without him anyway so that when he does comes back; Campese can be the touch of class to the whole outfit rather than a one man rock band.
This season won’t be great for wins and losses but already I think it’s going to be the making of Josh McCrone in the halves. I have always liked him but he was second fiddle to Campo last season. Now he will be able to complement the star and 2012 will look promising.
Monday Origin
As a fan, I love Origin on a Wednesday night. The tradition, build up and event is perfect in my opinion. But I understand it can be a tough ask for the players. Having Origin as a standalone event over three weekends per season is not an option. We tried it recently and everyone was bored with no football until Sunday night.
If Wednesday night is a major problem for the players then I think Monday is a good compromise. My one concern though is the build up – not that one week isn’t enough to get a team ready, but the extras added to the tactics and combinations.
A huge part of Origin is meeting the fans – especially those in the schools or hospitals outside the major cities. Both sides will always spend time during the series doing various coaching clinics and the like so I hope this does not become a victim of renewed scheduling.
Origin II Teams
The Queensland side picked itself and Dave Taylor was definitely worthy of his position. It’s bad luck for Jacob Lillyman, who didn’t let anyone down, but the stronger attacking option was the way to go.
As for the Blues ... I’m a bit mystified at a few things. We heard before the series that only specialists would be picked yet for Origin II they’ve gone with just TWO genuine front-rowers and a rookie centre who has barely played a game of NRL in that position.
Paul Gallen plays like a prop so I can understand that one but for mine they’ve missed a trick by leaving Jarryd Hayne on the wing and overlooking Jamal Idris. As a Queenslander, I’d be more worried seeing Hayne at fullback, Will Hopoate on the wing and Idris in the centres.
But that’s not my problem to worry about.
TIPPING
Tips – Dragons, Manly, Brisbane, Warriors, Roosters
Last Week – 4/8
Total –60/96 (63%)
Thanks for reading and if you have any thoughts please share them by commenting below. Or you can chat to be directly via email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com) or Twitter (@keyto316).
Enjoy your weekend,
Keyto
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Qld Teams Rd 14 - Inglis and Taylor back in Maroon
Greg Inglis has overcome injury and Dave Taylor is back in favour as Queensland aim to wrap up their sixth consecutive Origin series in Sydney next week.
The inclusions of the Rabbitohs duo are the only changes to the side that opened the series with a 16-12 win at Suncorp Stadium two weeks ago.
Inglis will take his customary left centre position after Willie Tonga suffered a shoulder injury in Origin I.
After bravely battling through the game, scans later revealed Tonga faced a minimum six weeks on the sideline, ruling him out of the remainder of the series.
Inglis’ timely return last weekend from a hip injury was perfect for Queensland with the star an automatic selection based on his superb Origin record.
Teammate Taylor faced a different battle with three barnstorming displays for the Rabbitohs forcing his way into the Queensland team at the expense of Jacob Lillyman.
After being named 18th man for Origin I despite playing all games last year, a determined Taylor starred for South Sydney in matches against the Warriors, Panthers and Storm.
While performing well in Origin I, Lillyman now finds himself 18th man for Origin II with the explosive Taylor providing a better attacking weapon.
For the first time in recent memory Queensland will have to combat a near sold out Homebush crowd with just over 1,000 tickets remaining earlier today.
The Maroons will head into camp on the Sunshine Coast before flying down to Sydney early next week to complete preparations.
Laffranchi returns
Former representative forward Anthony Laffranchi returns from a long injury spell to try and lift the Gold Coast Titans from the doldrums.
The Titans were awful at times in their 10-23 loss to Penrith last week with their fourth straight defeat leaving them anchored near the bottom of the table.
Coach John Cartwright yesterday withdrew from his assistants’ role with the NSW team to focus on his club side.
Laffranchi, a foundation Titan approaching 200 NRL games, has been a key component of their success in previous seasons and has been named in the starting side to face the depleted Dragons on Friday night.
In his final year at the club before heading overseas, Laffranchi has been hampered by injury and been restricted to just three games in 2011.
He has been named to return from an ankle injury alongside regular back-row partner Mark Minichiello – who brings up 100 NRL games for the Titans this weekend.
Minichiello joins injured hooker Nathan Friend as the only players to reach that milestone for the club.
Laffranchi replaces Greg Bird while Luke O’Dwyer moves to lock to cover Ashley Harrison with both players away on Origin duty.
In other changes Clinton Toopi and Joseph Tomane form a new look centre pairing while William Zillman returns to fullback with Preston Campbell named at five-eighth.
Bodene Thompson drops back to the bench, Sam Tagaetese has been omitted and Esi Tonga will play Queensland Cup.
Brenton Lawrence, a 26-year-old forward, has been named 18th man for what could be his NRL debut following a strong season with the undefeated Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Queensland Cup.
The Titans face a must win match against the ladder-leading Dragons in Sydney with their opponents minus six Origin stars and the injured Matt Cooper.
Friday’s match is live on Channel Nine into Queensland from 7:30pm.
Cowboys name young guns
Rookie halfback Michael Morgan faces the monumental task of wearing Johnathan Thurston’s halfback jersey in Saturday night’s match against Manly at Brookvale Oval.
Morgan played four NRL matches last season but has spent most of 2011 in the Under 20’s competition.
However he replaced James Segeyaro on the bench in last Sunday’s 40-24 victory over the Raiders in Canberra.
Fellow rookie Segeyaro returns to the interchange bench alongside Roosters recruit Ben Jones.
After playing the opening two games of the season in a utility role, Jones dropped back to the Queensland Cup to bide his time.
He has been named on the bench to face the in-form Sea Eagles but has the ability to cover anywhere in the backline or hooker.
It is possible Jones could replace Gavin Cooper in the centres with Cooper moving into his preferred back-row position.
Ashton Sims gets a start in the front row with Matt Scott away on Maroons duty while hooker Aaron Payne or fullback Matt Bowen is likely to captain the side.
With both sides missing key representative stars the battle between 3rd and 4th on the ladder will be a watered-down affair.
However the Cowboys will be aiming to extend their three game winning streak and complete a 2011 double over Manly following a 22-20 win in Round Eight.
The match is live on Fox Sports from 7:30pm Saturday.
Glenn captains Broncos
Alex Glenn will lead a young Broncos side, minus five Origin stars plus a host of others to injuries, in Sunday’s match against Canberra at Suncorp Stadium.
Glenn captained the Brisbane 2008 Under 20’s side, also coached by Anthony Griffin, to a Grand Final loss to the Raiders.
Griffin has named Glenn to lead a side almost unrecognisable from that which easily defeated Cronulla 34-16 in Sydney last weekend.
Dane Gagai and Shea Moylan come onto the wings with Dale Copley moving into the centres.
Moylan has been named twice for his NRL debut this season as cover for Jharal Yow Yeh following the Test Match and Origin I.
However on both occasions Moylan has had to step aside on game day with Yow Yeah backing up for the Broncos.
Moylan will play this weekend while Corey Norman also returns to the NRL to partner Peter Wallace in the halves.
Potential rookie of the year Jack Reed moves from the centres to lock forward with injuries to Ben Te’o and Matt Gillett forcing Griffin into the change.
Reed has spent time in the forwards during his time with Brisbane Norths in the Queensland Cup and will also have the experienced Dane Carlaw in the starting pack.
Nick Kenny returns from a shoulder injury and should start at prop while Dunamis Lui is set to play his second NRL game of the season off the bench.
Fullback Josh Hoffman made a successful return from injury last week but props Shane Tronc (neck) and Josh McGuire (eye) are still sidelined.
Gillett (foot), Justin Hodges (hamstring) and Ben Hunt (finger) could return in the next few weeks but Te’o (arm) is still a month away.
Brisbane sits alone in 5th position while the Raiders occupy last spot, with their Round 2 loss to the Broncos sparking an eight match losing streak.
The match is live on Fox Sports from 2pm Sunday.
Queensland vs. NSW, Origin II, Wednesday June 15th, 8pm, (Channel Nine, live).
Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), Darius Boyd (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Dane Nielsen (Melbourne Storm), Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos), Darren Lockyer (c) (Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Ashley Harrison (Gold Coast Titans) Interchange: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos), Dave Taylor (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Ben Hannant (Brisbane Broncos). 18th Man – Jacob Lillyman, Coach – Mal Meninga.
Gold Coast Titans vs. Dragons, Friday 7:45pm, (Channel Nine, live)
William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Preston Campbell, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Luke O’Dwyer. Interchange: Matthew White, Ryan James, Bodene Thompson Ben Ridge, Brenton Lawrence (one to be omitted).
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Manly, Saturday 7:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Antonio Winterstein, Gavin Cooper, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Michael Morgan, Ashton Sims, Aaron Payne (c), James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Ben Jones, Scott Bolton, Leeson Ah Mau.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Canberra, Sunday 2pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Josh Hoffman, Dane Gagai, Dale Copley, Gerard Beale, Shea Moylan, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Nick Kenny, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn (c), Dane Carlaw, Jack Reed. Interchange: Kurt Baptiste, Dunamis Lui, Mitchell Dodds, David Hala.
The inclusions of the Rabbitohs duo are the only changes to the side that opened the series with a 16-12 win at Suncorp Stadium two weeks ago.
Inglis will take his customary left centre position after Willie Tonga suffered a shoulder injury in Origin I.
After bravely battling through the game, scans later revealed Tonga faced a minimum six weeks on the sideline, ruling him out of the remainder of the series.
Inglis’ timely return last weekend from a hip injury was perfect for Queensland with the star an automatic selection based on his superb Origin record.
Teammate Taylor faced a different battle with three barnstorming displays for the Rabbitohs forcing his way into the Queensland team at the expense of Jacob Lillyman.
After being named 18th man for Origin I despite playing all games last year, a determined Taylor starred for South Sydney in matches against the Warriors, Panthers and Storm.
While performing well in Origin I, Lillyman now finds himself 18th man for Origin II with the explosive Taylor providing a better attacking weapon.
For the first time in recent memory Queensland will have to combat a near sold out Homebush crowd with just over 1,000 tickets remaining earlier today.
The Maroons will head into camp on the Sunshine Coast before flying down to Sydney early next week to complete preparations.
Laffranchi returns
Former representative forward Anthony Laffranchi returns from a long injury spell to try and lift the Gold Coast Titans from the doldrums.
The Titans were awful at times in their 10-23 loss to Penrith last week with their fourth straight defeat leaving them anchored near the bottom of the table.
Coach John Cartwright yesterday withdrew from his assistants’ role with the NSW team to focus on his club side.
Laffranchi, a foundation Titan approaching 200 NRL games, has been a key component of their success in previous seasons and has been named in the starting side to face the depleted Dragons on Friday night.
In his final year at the club before heading overseas, Laffranchi has been hampered by injury and been restricted to just three games in 2011.
He has been named to return from an ankle injury alongside regular back-row partner Mark Minichiello – who brings up 100 NRL games for the Titans this weekend.
Minichiello joins injured hooker Nathan Friend as the only players to reach that milestone for the club.
Laffranchi replaces Greg Bird while Luke O’Dwyer moves to lock to cover Ashley Harrison with both players away on Origin duty.
In other changes Clinton Toopi and Joseph Tomane form a new look centre pairing while William Zillman returns to fullback with Preston Campbell named at five-eighth.
Bodene Thompson drops back to the bench, Sam Tagaetese has been omitted and Esi Tonga will play Queensland Cup.
Brenton Lawrence, a 26-year-old forward, has been named 18th man for what could be his NRL debut following a strong season with the undefeated Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Queensland Cup.
The Titans face a must win match against the ladder-leading Dragons in Sydney with their opponents minus six Origin stars and the injured Matt Cooper.
Friday’s match is live on Channel Nine into Queensland from 7:30pm.
Cowboys name young guns
Rookie halfback Michael Morgan faces the monumental task of wearing Johnathan Thurston’s halfback jersey in Saturday night’s match against Manly at Brookvale Oval.
Morgan played four NRL matches last season but has spent most of 2011 in the Under 20’s competition.
However he replaced James Segeyaro on the bench in last Sunday’s 40-24 victory over the Raiders in Canberra.
Fellow rookie Segeyaro returns to the interchange bench alongside Roosters recruit Ben Jones.
After playing the opening two games of the season in a utility role, Jones dropped back to the Queensland Cup to bide his time.
He has been named on the bench to face the in-form Sea Eagles but has the ability to cover anywhere in the backline or hooker.
It is possible Jones could replace Gavin Cooper in the centres with Cooper moving into his preferred back-row position.
Ashton Sims gets a start in the front row with Matt Scott away on Maroons duty while hooker Aaron Payne or fullback Matt Bowen is likely to captain the side.
With both sides missing key representative stars the battle between 3rd and 4th on the ladder will be a watered-down affair.
However the Cowboys will be aiming to extend their three game winning streak and complete a 2011 double over Manly following a 22-20 win in Round Eight.
The match is live on Fox Sports from 7:30pm Saturday.
Glenn captains Broncos
Alex Glenn will lead a young Broncos side, minus five Origin stars plus a host of others to injuries, in Sunday’s match against Canberra at Suncorp Stadium.
Glenn captained the Brisbane 2008 Under 20’s side, also coached by Anthony Griffin, to a Grand Final loss to the Raiders.
Griffin has named Glenn to lead a side almost unrecognisable from that which easily defeated Cronulla 34-16 in Sydney last weekend.
Dane Gagai and Shea Moylan come onto the wings with Dale Copley moving into the centres.
Moylan has been named twice for his NRL debut this season as cover for Jharal Yow Yeh following the Test Match and Origin I.
However on both occasions Moylan has had to step aside on game day with Yow Yeah backing up for the Broncos.
Moylan will play this weekend while Corey Norman also returns to the NRL to partner Peter Wallace in the halves.
Potential rookie of the year Jack Reed moves from the centres to lock forward with injuries to Ben Te’o and Matt Gillett forcing Griffin into the change.
Reed has spent time in the forwards during his time with Brisbane Norths in the Queensland Cup and will also have the experienced Dane Carlaw in the starting pack.
Nick Kenny returns from a shoulder injury and should start at prop while Dunamis Lui is set to play his second NRL game of the season off the bench.
Fullback Josh Hoffman made a successful return from injury last week but props Shane Tronc (neck) and Josh McGuire (eye) are still sidelined.
Gillett (foot), Justin Hodges (hamstring) and Ben Hunt (finger) could return in the next few weeks but Te’o (arm) is still a month away.
Brisbane sits alone in 5th position while the Raiders occupy last spot, with their Round 2 loss to the Broncos sparking an eight match losing streak.
The match is live on Fox Sports from 2pm Sunday.
Queensland vs. NSW, Origin II, Wednesday June 15th, 8pm, (Channel Nine, live).
Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), Darius Boyd (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Dane Nielsen (Melbourne Storm), Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos), Darren Lockyer (c) (Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Ashley Harrison (Gold Coast Titans) Interchange: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos), Dave Taylor (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Ben Hannant (Brisbane Broncos). 18th Man – Jacob Lillyman, Coach – Mal Meninga.
Gold Coast Titans vs. Dragons, Friday 7:45pm, (Channel Nine, live)
William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Preston Campbell, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Luke O’Dwyer. Interchange: Matthew White, Ryan James, Bodene Thompson Ben Ridge, Brenton Lawrence (one to be omitted).
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Manly, Saturday 7:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Antonio Winterstein, Gavin Cooper, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Michael Morgan, Ashton Sims, Aaron Payne (c), James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Ben Jones, Scott Bolton, Leeson Ah Mau.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Canberra, Sunday 2pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Josh Hoffman, Dane Gagai, Dale Copley, Gerard Beale, Shea Moylan, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Nick Kenny, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn (c), Dane Carlaw, Jack Reed. Interchange: Kurt Baptiste, Dunamis Lui, Mitchell Dodds, David Hala.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The enigmatic Michael Ennis
Here in Queensland, right now in the middle of State of Origin, Blues hooker Michael Ennis is Public Enemy number one. He’s taken the mantle from a cleaner captain Paul Gallen and Titans regular Greg Bird to be the most despised player on the field. Not just here, plenty of NRL fans (and players) from all clubs agree. But I like the cut of his jib and would hate to see him change.
The ‘Grub’
Thousands of NRL fans refer to Ennis as a ‘grub’ that bends the rules as much as possible, almost to the point of ‘cheating’. He sledges, he niggles, he taunts and he WINS. Sure he flies close to the wind but these are the tactics that made Michael Ennis an Origin player.
Yes it can backfire and sometimes he goes too far and gives away a penalty, but ultimately he is trying to gain his team an advantage. It’s not as if Ennis is going out head-hunting or eye gouging his opponents. He’s taunting them from close range and maybe stepping on a few fingers but this is professional sport and you have to do anything (legal) to gain an advantage.
His sledge on Parramatta’s Nathan Hindmarsh earlier in the season must have been world class. It was so good the normal unflappable Hindy changed direction and chased after Ennis to give him a pounding – school yard style! After the match Hindmarsh was professional enough to let it stay on the field and I heard him on Triple M shortly after saying he would have no problem catching up with Ennis for a beer once their careers are over.
‘New Shoes’
I’ve heard that a few of the Broncos used to call their former team mate ‘new shoes’ because he was uncomfortable to wear first up. I have no idea how popular or not Ennis was at my club but it is true he was best man at Corey Parker’s wedding. The two have since thrown down a couple of times on the field but I’m sure are still mates off it.
Wayne Bennett holds Ennis in high regard and in the NRL, there can’t be too many greater endorsements. He got Ennis to Brisbane and there were whispers that Ennis could link with Bennett at Newcastle next year.
While Ennis was here he had a couple of ordinary injuries and it wasn’t until his final season that we really saw the best of him. But off the field he was really good and often spotted at schools and hospitals or elsewhere in the community.
Off the field
When you see Michael Ennis doing his media work or any activity away from the on-field battles it’s not hard to tell he is a humble family man with a huge heart. So often it seems Ennis uses his profile to try and light up someone’s day or promote a good cause.
Shortly before the death of young Sam Faust it was Michael Ennis who became the face of a campaign to send Sam overseas for treatment. Ennis spoke so highly of his mate and tried all he could to raise some funds. No one at the Bulldogs or the NRL told Ennis he had to do this, it was his own work. Ennis used his profile to help his mate.
Ennis won me over earlier this year when he came to Queensland with the Bulldogs team to help with the flood clean up. Check this article out:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/tragic-day-ennis-broke-down-and-cried/story-e6frfgbo-1225992951563
I challenge anyone to read that and tell me Michael Ennis isn’t anything but a decent guy.
Not just footballers
Like every other NRL fan I have my favourites and the guys I can’t stand. For me there’s a big influence off the field. I know some guys like doing extra work and that’s fine – I’m not going to bag those we don’t see or don’t have the time to do it.
But any player who comes across as a decent person off the field is a winner to me. I’m not going to name any names but I have a group of players I have all the time in the world for and a list of guys I wouldn’t mind shipping off overseas and hope to never see again.
Human decency is still the biggest factor in footballers I cheer for and Michael Ennis is near the top of that list.
TIPPING
Tips – Dragons, Broncos, Titans, Manly, Warriors, Raiders, Storm, Tigers
Last Week – 5/7
Total – 56/88 (64%)
That’s it for the week; email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com), tweet (@keyto316) or comment me below.
Cheers,
Keyto
The ‘Grub’
Thousands of NRL fans refer to Ennis as a ‘grub’ that bends the rules as much as possible, almost to the point of ‘cheating’. He sledges, he niggles, he taunts and he WINS. Sure he flies close to the wind but these are the tactics that made Michael Ennis an Origin player.
Yes it can backfire and sometimes he goes too far and gives away a penalty, but ultimately he is trying to gain his team an advantage. It’s not as if Ennis is going out head-hunting or eye gouging his opponents. He’s taunting them from close range and maybe stepping on a few fingers but this is professional sport and you have to do anything (legal) to gain an advantage.
His sledge on Parramatta’s Nathan Hindmarsh earlier in the season must have been world class. It was so good the normal unflappable Hindy changed direction and chased after Ennis to give him a pounding – school yard style! After the match Hindmarsh was professional enough to let it stay on the field and I heard him on Triple M shortly after saying he would have no problem catching up with Ennis for a beer once their careers are over.
‘New Shoes’
I’ve heard that a few of the Broncos used to call their former team mate ‘new shoes’ because he was uncomfortable to wear first up. I have no idea how popular or not Ennis was at my club but it is true he was best man at Corey Parker’s wedding. The two have since thrown down a couple of times on the field but I’m sure are still mates off it.
Wayne Bennett holds Ennis in high regard and in the NRL, there can’t be too many greater endorsements. He got Ennis to Brisbane and there were whispers that Ennis could link with Bennett at Newcastle next year.
While Ennis was here he had a couple of ordinary injuries and it wasn’t until his final season that we really saw the best of him. But off the field he was really good and often spotted at schools and hospitals or elsewhere in the community.
Off the field
When you see Michael Ennis doing his media work or any activity away from the on-field battles it’s not hard to tell he is a humble family man with a huge heart. So often it seems Ennis uses his profile to try and light up someone’s day or promote a good cause.
Shortly before the death of young Sam Faust it was Michael Ennis who became the face of a campaign to send Sam overseas for treatment. Ennis spoke so highly of his mate and tried all he could to raise some funds. No one at the Bulldogs or the NRL told Ennis he had to do this, it was his own work. Ennis used his profile to help his mate.
Ennis won me over earlier this year when he came to Queensland with the Bulldogs team to help with the flood clean up. Check this article out:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/tragic-day-ennis-broke-down-and-cried/story-e6frfgbo-1225992951563
I challenge anyone to read that and tell me Michael Ennis isn’t anything but a decent guy.
Not just footballers
Like every other NRL fan I have my favourites and the guys I can’t stand. For me there’s a big influence off the field. I know some guys like doing extra work and that’s fine – I’m not going to bag those we don’t see or don’t have the time to do it.
But any player who comes across as a decent person off the field is a winner to me. I’m not going to name any names but I have a group of players I have all the time in the world for and a list of guys I wouldn’t mind shipping off overseas and hope to never see again.
Human decency is still the biggest factor in footballers I cheer for and Michael Ennis is near the top of that list.
TIPPING
Tips – Dragons, Broncos, Titans, Manly, Warriors, Raiders, Storm, Tigers
Last Week – 5/7
Total – 56/88 (64%)
That’s it for the week; email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com), tweet (@keyto316) or comment me below.
Cheers,
Keyto
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