TRI-NATIONS III (2006) NEW ZEALAND v GREAT BRITAIN

[The Piper]

NEW ZEALAND v GREAT BRITIAN

THE HENRY AND ROBBIE PAUL CUP

• This is a game thread only, therefore only game-related posts can be made here. Any other posts may result in loss of points and is at the discretion of the referee.
• Captains must post their entire team (including reserves) before posting and only those players listed may play this round.
• Only original essays, not used in previous games, will be marked by referees.

REP Match rules:
7 posts per team.
Teams allowed 3 reserves each.
Total (including reserves): 10 players per team.

Rules of play: http://f7s.leagueunlimited.com/rules.asp

Full Time: WEDNESDAY 6TH DECEMBER at 9:00PM (SYD TIME)

Venue: The Front Row Stadium

Crowd: TBA
REFEREE:antonius
**The Referee Blows Game On!**

 

[LeagueNut]

The Kiwis take to the field, determined to make amends for a gut-wrenching loss in their previous match ...

NEW ZEALAND

Moonfire
Jesbass
Polar Bob
madunit
[furrycat]
LeagueNut
Murphdogg1

Bench:
warrior123
choc_soldier
Mixmasterreece

Game on!!

 

[Pistol]

Great Britain arrive. We're ready for battle

Pistol (c)
CWBush
Morticia
Crusher
Bartman
Cheesie The Pirate
Master Vippo

Bench

Big Mick
rabs
greeneyed

Its on LN ;-)

 

[[furrycat]]

[furrycat] steps out in front, meows, pees on Pistol, and prepares to lead the Haka.

Ringa pakia
Uma tiraha
Turi whatia
Hope whai ake
Waewae takahia kia kino

Kapo! HI!

Furry: Kapa O Pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau!
Team: Hi aue ii!
Furry: Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei!
Team: Au, au, aue ha!
Furry: Ko Kapa O Pango e ngunguru nei!
Team: Au, au, aue ha!
Furry (slaps Leaguenuts back): I ahaha!
Team: Ka tu te ihiihi! Ka tu te wanawana! Ki runga ki te rangi e tu iho nei, tu iho nei ihi!
Furry: Ponga ra!
Team: Kapa O Pango, aue hi!
Furry: Ponga ra!
Team: Kapa O Pango, aue hi! *perform throat slitting motion* HA...

GAME ON :crazy:

 

[madunit]

madunit takes the first hit up again for the kiwis, and he smashes the poms frontline defence, who were gathered around a small table drinking tea.

Attempting The Question, Why?

Ladies and Gentlemen, today I shall answer the question, “Why has Souths been allowed to continue in the NRL?”

To answer such a question, one must look at many circumstances, situations, historical data, as well as looking at current statistical information to see if there is a justified reason for their continued existence.

First of all, lets look at the history of Souths.

Souths entered the competition in 1908 and were immediately the benchmark that all other teams strived to be, but rarely managed to achieve. Souths won Premierships in 1908, 1909, 1914 and 1918. When they weren’t premiers they were either second or third. After a brief Premiership drought, Souths came back in a big way, becoming Premiers seven times in eight seasons from 1925 to 1932.

Souths again suffered another dry run of titles between 1933 and 1949. When the 50’s hit though, so did Souths, claiming 5 titles in 6 years, before the mighty Dragons took control of the competition.

From the end of the Dragons run til 1989, Souths managed just 4 titles and 5 Grand Final appearances. Souths were Minor Premiers in 1989, but were easily accounted for in the finals series that year, starting them on a horror decade of dismal performances.

From 1990 til today there have been 26 teams in the first grade competition, and only six of those teams have not made a finals appearance, with Souths being the only team that is still in the competition without any finals appearances since 1990. The other five teams have all become extinct.

Since 1990, Souths win percentage is a paltry 24.42%. Worse still, is that since their reintroduction to the competition, they have only won 20.83% of their games.

There are three teams in the history of the first grade competition, that have not managed a finals match in 15 consecutive seasons. They are Parramatta (15 seasons from 1947 to 1961), Souths (15 seasons from 1990 to 1999 and 2002 to 2006) and Penrith (18 seasons from 1967 to 1984).

In their last 15 seasons, Souths have finished the season with five wins or less on nine occasions, four of those since their return. Simply put, pathetic. Teams have averaged 28 points per game against the Bunnies over the last 15 seasons, since their return, Souths have let in an average of 32 points per game.

These figures clearly show that Souths are on a steady decline, which is hard to fathom considering there really wasn’t much further downward for them to go.

The fans and administration can hardly say that they haven’t had good opportunities on the player market either. Since their return to the competition, some of the players they have signed include: Anthony Colella, Jason Death, Glenn Grief, Wade McKinnon, Adam Muir, Adam Peek, Frank Puletua, Russell Richardson, Terry Hill, Shane Rigon, Chris Walker, Bryan Fletcher, Ashley Harrison, Adam MacDougall, Luke MacDougall, Shane Marteene, Ben Walker, Joe Galuvao, Paul Mellor and David Peachey. Players that have been regular first graders for quite a majority of their careers. Some of which had even played for Australia.

Souths even brought in a successful coach from England in Shaun McRae, but the Bunnies soon destroyed his win percentage. Souths have had more coach turnover than any other club since returning to the fray in 2002.

They’ve changed management and sold a majority of the club to an actor. The actor being Russell Crowe, a devout Souths fan, with the same devout disillusionment as fellow Bunny fans, that Souths are on the move up.

If anything, Crowe may well be remembered for making one of the poorest investment decisions ever.


Their on-field record prior to their expulsion was ordinary. Miserly crowd figures and financially struggling. Therefore a just decision was made.

The fans fought gallantly to get their team back in the competition. They succeeded, then after the novelty of their return wore off, the crowds went back to their usual dismal numbers, the wins were harder to come by, the administration changed, coaches coming and going more regularly than at Sydney’s Central Station and the finances still being a big issue.

The team has gone back to the situation they were in the year they were booted, the only difference, this time they are worse off.

Why has Souths been allowed to continue in the NRL? No one knows, I can’t even think of a humorous reason. Souths are a bigger joke than I could ever think up.

750 words, including title

Sources:
Rugby League Annual 2005 by David Middleton
www.leagueunlimited.com

 

[Lossy]

Polar Bob enters the stadium late for the Kiwis, due to a wayward Taxi. The driver sure looked like Pistol. [strokes goatee] Hmmm...

--------------------
After Midnight.

Ricky Stuart woke up in a sweat. The Sharks weren’t going as well as he'd hoped, and there was an uncomfortable element to the job that was giving him nightmares. He hadn’t foreseen Lance Thompson sending him lurid text messages. The image of the fiery ginger had burned into his retina as if staring at the sun. He wondered whether there were other players with such an obsessive-compulsive disorder, or at least one that didn’t manifest into pokie addiction. Thompson was impeccable in person, giving no hint of this trouble, which didn’t fool Ricky. Was such behaviour the real reason Thompson left St George? He fluffed his pillow, lay down, and tried to forget.

Clutching his chest, Chris Anderson was struck with fear. His doctor called the last one a Myocardial Infarction, and so it seemed, until he realised that the familiar feeling was occupationally, not biologically, fatal. Every Roosters coach faces the same thing: John Fordham. Every move he’d made so far was under scrutiny. The honeymoon period at this club seemed more like an intimate get together with bitter ex-partners. If he lasted the night he promised himself he’d call Ricky Stuart, if only for peace of mind. Rubbing his chest again, he felt a little easier.

Atop a penthouse suite of the Meriton World Tower in Sydney, Phil Gould’s hand was not on his heart, but an entirely different area. The well-worn, autographed, Brad Fittler blow-up doll lay beside him. How he loved it so. Gus had three passions in his life: Fittler; his premiership rings; an overwhelming hatred of News Ltd; and Monty Python. “That’s four”, he thought to himself, while adjusting his studded choker. “Well… nobody ever did expect the Spanish inquisition, did they, Brad?” The lights dimmed.

South-West of Sydney, Steve Folkes was in his weights room, pumping only iron. Nothing so unusual, except that he also read, slept, and ate meals in the same room. The team called it “The Bio-Dome.” Leaning against the W106T Paul Chek Triple Crossover machine, he ran over the plan to bring Billy Johnstone back to the Bulldogs. Apart from being a kindred spirit - both believed in functional exercise rather than mirror muscles – the club desperately needed to have someone else to keep Willy Mason in line.

He was just about to start some Swiss-ball squats when a noise startled him. A rustling could be heard outside, followed by light cursing through clenched teeth. Moving swiftly across the floor, he vaulted, bulldog-like across the room toward the window. Multiple Plantar and Dorsiflexion later, his palm shunted it open. Squinting, he could barely see the shadow trawling through the garbage. A pitying sigh slipped past his lips as he turned away. He couldn’t raise his voice to the homeless. Besides, he’d noted a slight pronation while running, which could be related to a muscular imbalance.

The rubbish bin tumbled over and Rebecca Wilson swore. It was the third one she’d sifted through that night… and yet nothing. Nothing. Her last scoop was but a distant memory, and even her bosses had tired of one-trick pony smear tactics, yet, there must be a last hurrah somewhere. Soon she’d be discarded, and have to earn a living posting anonymously on forums as part of a stealth-marketing campaign for some pharmaceutical company specialising in STD creams. She almost cried… almost. Reaching into her pocket, she navigated down the contact list of a mobile phone discovered outside Lance Thompson’s house. Her eyes sparkled, and another text sped to Ricky Stuart. No need to cry after all.

Just over two hours flight away was Ivan Cleary - who didn’t sleep. Perennially laid back to the point of suffering from endorphin deprivation, there was no need. Doc Mayhew at one stage recommended a course of amphetamines, but he’d refused. Pills were found in his food a few times which he’d subsequently removed. It was one of the few times he managed to break into a full-on smirk. When he showed signs of humour the players became unsettled, not knowing what he was thinking. So far, this was one of the best things to come from the monthly calls from Wayne Bennett. He’d come to consider Wayne as a second father, recognising a commonality. There was so much to learn. All he had to offer in return was his time, attention, and to eventually show the laconic one his pictures of Gus and the blow-up doll.

They’d both laugh at that one.

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750 words between the lines, including title, according to the uber word count machine.

 

[Crusher]

Crusher enters the stadium

DaVinci's Code

My Dearest Elizabeth,

If you are reading this letter then I have become yet another victim of the faceless scoundrels who use their religion to hide the real truth and eliminate all those who choose to expose it. What I am about to tell you goes to the very heart of this religion and will bring what we know as the truth to its knees.

Historians would have us believe that the great game of Rugby League was founded in the early 1900’s. For years we have been brainwashed into believing that our glorious code, which some even consider a religion, was conceptualised after a long and bitter feud with Rugby Union. After years of extensive research I will show beyond a shadow of any doubt that our game is in fact over 2000 years old, and that our written history is one of the greatest lies of our time.

The story begins in the dark days of Prague in early 1955, not long after the political turmoil which led to civil disobedience. As a young historian I was mentored by the great professor Hans Neidelsson. He was the greatest religious historian of his era who had travelled the world in search of what he called ‘the religious truth’. He did have his enemies and I fear these extended to the very heart of the Vatican. For it was during a visit to Italy in the winter of 1959 that he died in a car accident as a result of brake failure. This occurred the day after his meeting with senior cardinals of the Church. It was my suspicion of foul play that led me to explore the possibilities that his research did indeed have substance.

For years after, I researched the professor’s notes only to be encountered with dead ends at every turn. Then in early 1965 I made the discovery that has been hidden from the world since the birth of Christ. What I discovered was that religious artists from generation to generation known as ‘the keepers’ had passed down the truth in their greatest works. Fearing religious persecution I now believe that they used subtle hints in their works in the hope that one day someone would make the ultimate discovery. It was on May 13th,, 1965 that Leonardo DaVinci finally spoke to me through arguably his greatest work.

Elizabeth, I can tell you now that it is no co-incidence that ‘The Last Supper’ features 13 people. I have since discovered that this great work is in fact the group of people who conceptualised the very first Rugby League team, destroying the written myth that the game only came about some 2000 years later.

Let me explain how I have come to this conclusion. If you refer to the photo I have sent you, you will notice Figure A has what looks like two gladiators embracing. This bears a remarkable resemblance to what we know today as the Telstra premiership trophy.

Zooming in on Figure B we notice the disciple Peter holding up one finger. Taken with a slow exposure camera you will also notice the words ‘Feldus Gulaus’ come through the canvas. In Latin, this term translates directly to ‘Goal in the Field’. I now know that the significance of Peter holding up the solitary finger represents the proposed number of points for what we now call a Field Goal.

The bottom of Figure C seems to show a representation of a stadium. One can clearly make out the stands and playing surface. More startling than this is that we can see a football in the goal kicking position.

Figure D is an enlargement of the second rectangular brown panel located to the left of the original image. Upon closer inspection we notice a face. This face has religious significance in that it foreshadows the evil that would attempt to destroy the game. I now believe the face represented in this image is Rupert Murdoch.

What I have discovered beyond question is that Rugby League was to be the chosen religion of Christ. The powerful figures of the time crucified him and his followers in order to put a stop to it, and later, the church attempted to cover up the fact that it ever existed. It was ‘the keepers’ who kept the truth alive through their work. This culminated in the greatest work of Leonardo DaVinci.

Elizabeth, I have chosen you as the new ‘keeper’ of DaVinci’s greatest code, Rugby League.

746 words

 

[Master Vippo]

Let the trials begin.

“Lord Johns!” Cried Marcus, trainer of the knights of the order of the Blue and Crimson, “The men sir, they are out of practice, they follow my drills to the letter, but they are itching for battle, and indeed they need to fight, it is my last test to prove they are ready.”

“What say you? Itching for battle are they? And fight the battle they cannot, until they have indeed previously fought a battle. Well fight a battle they shall then. And I know just who we must destroy. For months I have sought revenge on the despicable and treacherous order of the Bronco. They wounded me, near mortally last time we met, and so must their captain and lord feel my boot on his throat, if the men are to respect me once more.” Lord Johns said.

“Scribe!” cried Johns, “come here with your pen and your ink. I shall dictate to you, and try and keep up this time, or again shall you sleep with the dogs.”

“Yes my Lord,” stuttered Brian, pen poised and at the ready.

I, sir Andrew Johns, knight of the order of the Blue and Crimson, grand master of the Steeden, Lord of all that stretches from Energy Australia in the north, to Express Advocate in the south and sometime captain of Australia do greet Lockyer, King of the Golden Boot, knight of the honourable order of the Bronco, ruler of the Queen’s land, and styling himself as national premier, I pray this message finds you well.

For the learning of strategies, the finding of form and to prevent any other malcontent among ourselves or amongst our noble leader, his eminence Gallop, it is our pleasure adventure both the services of myself, ruler of said region, and my finest councillors and knights, in battle. The battle to take place under commonly agreed and laid out regulations, and to be officiated by such a person to be appointed by the guild of referees.

We do urge you to accept this offer on good terms, upon completing afore mentioned battle, we and our knights may begin our plans and tactics to rightfully return the national premiership to ourselves, the rightful heir to this ancient position, from which we were usurped from, unjustly, in unfair battle, by the knee of Bailey. This is the same way in which you, by treachery and unlawful behaviour did usurp Benji, the tiger, from his rightful seat as premier.

For these reasons so stated, we heartily provoke and challenge yourself, and 16 of your chosen knights to join us in said battle. This message is sent to you with our most trusted friend and scholar, Brian, who I have given complete power to determine with yourself and you own scholars the details of date and location of the challenge.

“How did that sound scribe?” Spat Johns

“A most appropriate letter, my Lord,” spoke Brian, “they would indeed be foolish to refuse so well composed a request, though foolish they will be for accepting it!”

“Indeed they are foolish scribe, but fearsome warriors they remain, and don’t you forget it! Now get on your steed and make haste to the Queen’s land, the county on Brisbane. Travel with speed, and return with their response as soon as allowed. The men shall be ready, Milton the fleetfoot, Kurt the lionheart, Jarrod the wise and Steve Simpson, the relentless. We shall indeed be ready” Johns smiled evilly as he repeated himself.

And so bearing the invitation to battle, and carrying the colours of blue and crimson. Why oh why, thought Brian, as he rode into the distance, did I leave my kinsfolk in the land of Parramatta, where the bees would bring you wild honey, and grapes would be brought to you on the vine, by scantily clad maidens. Indeed the land occupied by the order of the Eel was not as magnificent or beautiful, but nor were its lands ruled by an arrogant tyrant. Johns the stupendous? Johns the stupid thought Brian, as he made his plans…


680 words

 

[Murphdogg1]

To Captain or Not to Captain

Tri Nations tournaments 2005 and 2006 have seen a revival in the International game. With many of the young stars in the NRL in the last five years being of New Zealand heritage, Rugby League across the Tasman has been building steadily.

However, in the last two Tri Nations tournaments, it has generally been the elder statesmen of the New Zealand game that have lifted the Kiwis side to glory. ‘Injuries’ and suspension have ruled out young superstars Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall and alike from any involvement in the last two Tri Nations tournaments. To fill the void veterans have stepped in such as Stacey Jones, Nigel Vagana and David Solomona. Combining this with the fantastic leadership of Ruben Wiki, the strong New Zealand showings in the last two tournaments has indeed been based around the experience and guile of established Test players.

However, four of the ‘old brigade’ retired at the end of the 2006 Tri Nations tournaments leaving an obvious void to fill in terms of experience, talent and leadership. With these retirements a shift in focus from New Zealand Rugby League has occurred, looking at the youngsters to fill this void. This is somewhat of a long-term approach, in the thinking that throwing the youngsters into the ‘leadership team’, while possibly hindering the strength of the Kiwis in the short term, would leave the Kiwis in a much better position 2 or 3 years down the track.

This logic is understandable, however the length of time it takes for these young Kiwis to adjust fully to the international scene will be critical to the success of the international game over the next 18 months to two years, and most importantly the 2008 World Cup. The 2006 Tri Nations, in particular has resulted in a new found respect for the international game, at least contests between Australia and New Zealand. What the 2006 Tri Nations showed (the final especially) is that contests between the Trans-Tasman rivals are ultra-competative. This then has now created an expectation of competative games in 2007 and beyond.

This is where the new leadership of the Kiwis is critical. With patrons only recently becoming genuinely interested in the International game, they need more competative games in order to be won over in the merits of inter-country Rugby League. The most important upcoming game in this regard is the 2007 ANZAC Test. There are a number of factors that make this both a critical contest and a tough ask for rookie international players. Recent history has shown that the end of year Tri Nations sees a much more competative New Zealand outfit. With the competition only just underway (five or so rounds), the ANZAC test often sees the Kiwis with half-fit players, combined with the fact that they only have two training runs prior to the contest and it will be played in Australia once again, the likelihood of this game being a nail-biter is minimised.

Additionally the 2007 ANZAC Test will be the only contest in 2007 between Australia and New Zealand with the Kiwis undertaking an All Golds tour at the end of the season to the UK. That so, the New Zealanders have only one opportunity to showcase the merits of International League to the much-skeptical Australian public. With an expectation of a competative match in place, a rookie Captain with very few Tests under his belt such as a Sonny Bill Williams or Benji Marshall could see a similar one-sided affair to the 2006 ANZAC contest.

There are obviously positive signs for the Kiwis as well coming into the ANZAC test, the emergence of genuine test players in the 2006 Tri Nations tournament such as Iosia Soliola, Simon Mannering, Adam Blair and Steve Matai as well as those returning from injury, Paul Whatuira, Jake Webster, David Solomona and Louis Anderson will mean that the Kiwis should have enough depth to name a formidable lineup come April.

However, once again the key is leadership and one feels that handing the captaincy to a veteran player such as a David Kidwell or Nathan Cayless if only for the ANZAC Test could go a long way to ensuring a competative fixture and a continued strengthening of the international game. After this game a youngster can receive the call to captaincy, learning valuable experience on the All Golds tour leading into the 2008 World Cup.

Words - 737

 

[Jesbass]

Conveniently sponsored by Selley's No More Gaps (TM), Jesbass tries to bounce back from his poor first performance while trying to emulate his predecessors Gary Freeman and Stacey Jones...

Filling The Gap (750 words including title)

In the wake of the heartbreaking Kiwis’ 2006 Tri-Nations loss to Australia, three veterans of New Zealand rugby league announced their international retirements. Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones, and captain Ruben Wiki ended their international careers with a combined total of 139 tests between them. Wiki’s personal haul of 55 caps is a world record, and Vagana holds the New Zealand record for most international tries with a total of 19.

But it is Jones, affectionately known as The Little General, who will be missed the most. Many fans and media are concerned with the veritable abyss of talent and experience left by Jones’ departure, but this is not the first time New Zealand rugby league has experienced a sudden loss of a seasoned player in the halves.

The last time was in 1995 when New Zealand had just completed a somewhat unconvincing victory over Papua New Guinea with a 22-6 score line that flattered the Kiwis. This second and final group match at what is known as the Centenary Cup – the World Cup that was held exactly one hundred years after rugby league itself was born – allowed the team to progress through to the semi-finals against tournament favourites Australia.

The team was being guided around by legendary halfback Gary Freeman, who at the time held the record for the most international caps by a New Zealander, with an impressive 46 matches under his belt. He also held the world record for the most consecutive test appearances with a tally of 37, and the most caps as Kiwis captain, with 19.

Despite this, however, New Zealand had struggled in their two group matches. Their weak showing against Papua New Guinea had followed a 25-24 victory over Tonga that had only been decided by a Matthew Ridge drop goal in the dying moments. Even so, it came as a shock to many when coach Frank Endacott dumped Freeman from the side and promoted NRL rookie Stacey Jones to commandeer the side against the reigning world champions.

The teenager performed admirably, pulling New Zealand back from 20-6 down to equalise with only two minutes remaining in the match. Missed opportunities were costly, however, and Australia went on to win 30-20 after twenty minutes of extra time. Even so, an international star had been born.

And now, as Jones hangs up his black and white boots for not the first but probably the last time, let us examine his potential heirs…

Nathan Fien – Despite the controversy of ‘Grannygate’, Fien is likely to be back in the black and white once he qualifies through residency. However, he has played for both club and country in the hooking role, so becoming the Kiwis halfback is highly unlikely.

Lance Hohaia – Unable to cement a starting position for the Warriors, and being shifted between hooker and centre when he does eventually take the field, Hohaia remains a dark horse to take Jones’ place.

Thomas Leuluai – Despite a solid international debut in 2003, Leuluai has escaped the gaze of the selectors since his sixth appearance in the black and white. His skills continue to improve, but his Northern hemisphere location counts against him.

Benji Marshall – Somewhat injury prone and earmarked for the five-eighth position, moving Marshall to halfback would only create other gaps elsewhere.

Robbie Paul – At thirty years of age and rapidly approaching the end of his career, Paul is unlikely to still be playing by the time of the 2008 World Cup, where an established international will be needed.

Marcus Perenara – A somewhat forgotten player, Perenara performed brilliantly in the 2006 Premier League final, proving the difference as Parramatta defeated Newtown 20-19 in extra time. However, a regular first grade position will be needed before he is ready for international football.

Ben Roberts – A Bulldogs rookie with only six first grade matches under his belt, Roberts may prove to be in contention after a solid NRL season in 2007. A noted goal kicker, Roberts may also be able to kill two Kiwi birds with the one stone.

Jeremy Smith – Another rookie and Gary Freeman’s pick for the vacant halfback position, Smith’s move to the Rabbitohs may prove to be a masterstroke as he plays alongside experienced Kiwis in Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell.

Motu Tony – A versatile player who can play anywhere in the backline, Tony’s apparent inability to shake off the ‘utility’ tag and being based in England may count against him.

​

__________________________________________________
​

Sources:
http://groups.msn.com/PNGKumuls/
www.nzherald.co.nz
www.playtheball.com
www.rleague.com
www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=news&id=8270
www.wikipedia.org
www2.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/res/wcup1995.htm

 

[bartman]

After a long season Bartman keeps one eye on the clock, and the other eye nervously on his great grandmother's birth certificate that got him into this Great Britain and Ireland jersey in the first place...

Once upon a time…

Once upon a time there was a place called Sydney…

The settlement of Sydney was established in 1788 by a British naval officer, who arrived there eight months after leaving England. He came over in 11 ships along with around 1300 other people and some provisions to get the place started. Hard to imagine, but true!

When these people started the settlement of Sydney, there were already around 6,000 people living a very different life in the areas nearby. Sydney eventually got bigger and bigger as more new people came across from Britain and those people that were already here started to have children. Sydney grew from a settlement into a town and then into a city in 1842. It’s a very long story about how Sydney first got to know rugby league, play rugby league and watch rugby league - stories we haven’t got time for at the moment.

But it was almost 100 years ago in 1907 when rugby league officially formed in Sydney, and the next year people were able to watch or play their first game of a sport that many people would grow to know and love. Rugby league competitions also began up in Brisbane and then over in Auckland pretty soon after that. Back over in Britain they had been playing “northern union” since 1895, but didn’t get around to officially calling it rugby league until 1922. Hard to imagine, but true!

Once upon a time there was a place that had no knowledge of rugby league, where for hundreds and thousands of years the people had never played or watched rugby league, or had any idea what a rugby ball even looked like but it went on to become one of the strongest cities for rugby league support in the world…

Sydney became a rugby league success story on the back of its spectators that went out to watch and its players that participated, all at a time when owing a television was seen as a luxury for many families. But little did Sydney or rugby league know that one day people would have the choice between going out to a game or staying home and watching it live on their television.

It’s a very long story about how rugby league first got to be on television, how that television coverage has developed over the years, and how the sport ended up entangled as bait in pay-TV and Superleague wars - stories we also haven’t got time for at the moment. But make it on television it sure did, and the biggest games of the season (State of Origin, Grand Final) are regularly listed among biggest rating television programs of each year.

Jump forward around 50 years to this season’s Tri-Nations series, the pinnacle of the elite International representative rugby league season. The best players from the best rugby league countries playing each other at venues in the cities that have the strongest rugby league support. With Sydney’s size as a city and dominance of the composition of the national rugby league competition it made sense to schedule both a regular game and the tournament final for this city’s rugby league fans.

But neither game was sold out. And bigger crowds attended the preliminary games held in Brisbane and Melbourne than attended either game held in Sydney, with even the tournament final attracting less live spectators than the preliminary games held in other Australian cities! This was the first international series hosted for the most part in Australia for many years, and it seems from the live crowds that things have gone backwards?

This is a crisis for the standing of our game particularly in the Sydney sports market that is saturated with other options, where we must now compete for column inches in newspapers during the winter, and where we must compete with the urge created by our television coverage to stay in like a couch potato watching the games on our plasma screens instead of getting out there to be part of the live spectacle of watching the best rugby league players in the world!

Once upon a time there was a place where people used to go out and watch live rugby league - until they decided that it was just easier to stay in and watch it on television. One day there was an international rep game and no one turned up, so all the test matches just stopped happening. Hard to imagine, but…

- - - - -

Words: 750 between the lines

Image and any general factual stuff sourced from the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Fleet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rugby_league
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_league_in_Australia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_League_in_New_Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Rugby_League_Tri-Nations

 

[moonfire]

[FONT=&#44404][FONT=&#44404]Moonfire[/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404]New Zealand[/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404]730 Words[/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404]-------------------------------------[/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404]Oh Woe is Us![/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404] [/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404]Throughout my years of experience as a rugby league fan it has come to my attention that Rugby League suffers a severe case of victimitis. Rugby League fans and officials often run around declaring how hard done by they are from media organisations and other sporting codes. Yet when you look into it in my detail rugby league has not experienced anything unique or special. We as the fans simply over exaggerated issues and in our minds make them more dramatic. This can be attributed to the significant part in our life’s Rugby League plays but this still does the not excuse the damage this does to the sport. If rugby league is to truly become a dominate football code internationally it must first over come its poor-man syndrome.[/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404] [/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404]The most touted line I hear from rugby league fans these days is "we used to be so great before the Super League war" or "Things were on the way up, not down before the super league war". All I can say is get over it! Whilst the war was a significant incident in the history of modern rugby league when taken into context it is merely a blip in the timeline of the code, and doesn't even make a noticeable impact on the history of professional sport. Codes such as NFL, NHL, MLB, Cricket and even rugby experienced rebel competitions. In the NFL and NHL's case the rebel competition lasted several years and was arguably more successful than the super league of 1997. There are currently generations of fans who have only followed Rugby League during the post-war years. To rubbish the code and say it is dieing after 1997 is to disregard and even insult these fans. Rugby League experienced nothing unique in 1997 that other football codes had not experienced. The only difference is League fans and the media's refusal to move on and leave the past in the history books. [/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404] [/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404]Sometimes this act of playing the victim simply makes League appear to be a bunch of hypocrites in the eyes of the rest of the sporting community. Within the last ten years rugby league has experienced many significant losses in playing talent to players who choose to swap codes and play rugby union. Every time League officials and fans have cried foul and accused the ARU of being bullies and other mean nasty names. These responses are rather ironic when considering past league players such as Marc Ellis, [/FONT][FONT=&#44404]Matthew[/FONT][FONT=&#44404] [/FONT][FONT=&#44404]Ridge[/FONT][FONT=&#44404] and Mark Robinson (Okay I am stretching it there). Rugby Union simply continued to focus on their strengths and feed new blood through the ranks. Rugby League is experiencing nothing unique when it suffers player poaching, nor is it fighting a battle for life or death. Whilst we do not want to see league stars running around in union jerseys it is a trend seen across the globe. Even Michael Jordon attempted to play baseball for goodness sake![/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404] [/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404]Have you ever seen the European Super Bowl? Do you know who won the title last year? Then why do league fans care if Americans confuse League with [/FONT][FONT=&#44404]Union[/FONT][FONT=&#44404]? One big criticism of league from within its own ranks is the lack of any real international scene. This has been rapidly improved with the introduction of the Tri-Nations and 2008 World Cup Qualifiers. Aussie Rules has an annual match between two countries every year and yet they celebrate the success stories of the Aussie Rules World Cup. Rugby League will never replace soccer, and the Rugby World Cup score lines often resembled bad cricket games. In the context of things International Rugby League is not as poor as commonly assumed, and league fans need to believe this before another else will.[/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404] [/FONT]
[FONT=&#44404]Rugby League fans and officials must overcome their damaging impression of the code being a bunch of hard done by victims. The code needs to stop looking at other sports with rose tinted glasses and begin to focus on itself. Ueafa is currently looking into altering their refereeing systems during a game to replicate Rugby Leagues captain orientated approach. If other codes can see the positives of our sport then why does it seem too complicated for most fans to do the same? Rugby League is a brilliant sport which will continue to flourish throughout the next century just as successfully as the last.[/FONT]
[FONT=바탕] [/FONT]
[/FONT]

 

[[furrycat]]

Furrycat stops doing the Hokey Pokey Haka Waka and takes a hit up, losing his bra in the contest GO KIWIS :crazy:


Are you feelin’ loyal? Well are you, punk?

Date: September 14th, 2007.
Location: Bullfrogs HQ- CEO’s Office
Time: 11:59am
Pants: Riding up high!

I sit here in my black leather office chair, spinning around until I feel my garlic kebab about to join me on the desk. This is probably the most strenuous thing I’ll have to do today (on par with getting the garlic kebab out the traditional way). I can see my reflection in the name plaque sitting on my desk. My face actually looks unwrinkled, as the words “MALCOLM TOAD” are covering all forty two of them. I look the clock just in time to see the minute hand violently crash into the number twelve. Judgement day is here...The door opens and a figure appears with his hands by his side, and standing at ease. I know what time it is; it’s almost time to draw...

It is a time of the year that I always dread. It seems to get earlier and earlier each year. There are three things in life that are a certainty; death, taxes and players wanting more money for nothing. Why is it that players will go on and on about how happy they are here, but whenever their contract is about to expire, I get to read about how they have fantasies about sniffing George Gregan’s unwashed bum? The thought of one of my players actually contemplating wanting to do that is almost enough to make me gouge out my eye with a spoon and then feed it to my children. Nevertheless, I’m a very kind and thoughtful person, and I’d wash that gouged eye beforehand.

And here we are again; I’m standing here with my pants hitched high, eye to eye with a giant Kiwi beast. Sunny Boy Williamson cracks his knuckles, limping towards me. For a second, I feared he was injured (...again), but it appears Gavin Orifice humping his leg is causing him to walk awkwardly. He stares at me, refusing to blink. I can feel the sweat running into my eyes and over the bridge of my nose, forming a tap that just won’t stop running. He can smell my fear... he knows I’m going to cave in. A smile comes across his face.

I hesitantly take a step forward; he can smell my fear. I try to not look, but he refuses to stop staring. My legs are shaking, my hands feel as if they aren’t connected to my limp body anymore. I see two holsters on each of Sunny’s sides; both .24 calibre ballpoint pens, and they look loaded. I look at my holsters; one containing an extension on his current contract, and the other containing a deal worth over forty five billion dollars a year, unlimited supplies of jelly, bandages, and a night with my wife. I’m not stupid; I know exactly which deal he’ll be gunning for (the same as my wife...), and he’ll use any tactic he can along with Gavin “the humper” Orifice to get his way. I won’t give in, I tell myself, I’m going to stand strong and let this boy know who is the master, and who is the apprentice.

I draw the contract extension from my left holster and fire the first shot, straight at his right knee.
“You haven’t even been able to complete a season yet. Why should I pay you anymore?
The beast appears taken back, and is struggling. I step forward in triumph, but he leaps forward with his right pen and retorts violently with several shots aimed right at my heart.
“I’m the future of this team. Admit it, I draw the crowds, I have the most talent, and I endorse the club the most”.
I can’t give up... I must fight! I scream with all my might and fire as many shots as possible before I realise I am out of ammo:
“If you loved this club as much as you babble on about, maybe you’d show some loyalty and sign for cheaper... for the benefit of the club!”
An eerie silence comes over the room... The beast appears taken back... Is he defeated? He lifts his weary head, and mutters his last words:
“Give me what I want, or I’ll sniff Georgie’s bum”.
Alas, I am defeated. I give him the upgraded contract and he smiles, shaking my hand in triumph.
“It isn’t about the money. I just love the club and am showing my loyalty”
...until next year Sunny.


750 Words

FIIREE UP :crazy:

 

[Pistol]

Pistol takes a run at the line for Great Britain and Ireland

Stumbling and Bumbling: The Stuart Story...
A Tri Nations Deconstruction

Why oh why so many people out in the media keep ramping up Ricky Stuart’s coaching ability is way beyond my grasp. Watching this Tri Nations has really reinforced my belief that this bloke simply can not coach a team of marble players.

Let’s cut back to before the first game of the series. Anthony Tupou was selected in the squad. Tupou is obviously a Stuart boy because from what I have seen of his form this year, he wasn’t within a bull’s roar of being considered for the shortlist, let alone the squad.

Then Tonie Carroll pulls out of the series with an injury. Naturally Australia had bring in someone to replace him in the squad. Who does Stuart turn to? Is it Nate Myles, a starting player for Queensland and Origin winner? Nope. Is it Dallas Johnson who played lock for Queensland in all three games and has been an integral part of Melbourne’s success? Nope. It’s Reni Maitua.. Now, I am not doubting Maitua’s ability to handle Test football, but how could Stuart bypass Origin players in favour of someone who has only one representative fixture under his belt? It doesn’t make any sense.

So Australia goes on and wins the game by 30-18. Australia was solid without being outstanding. Johnathan Thurston was the star of the game. Reni Maitua suffered an injury and was thus ruled for the rest of the Tri Nations. Stuart in his infinite absurdity, brought in a prop to replace him. Was it a prop that featured in the Origin series? Nope. Was it a seasoned pro who could handle Test football on his ear? Oh no, this is Ricky Stuart. He brought in Antonio Kaufusi, a player who is still so green, he would have blended in with the turf.

Now this game was actually one of the better ones. But selections once again proved to be a bullet in the backside of many people who hold a modicum of logic. With Maitua’s injury, Andrew Ryan moved to the starting side and Anthony Tupou was elevated to the bench. What’s wrong with that? He was selected ahead of Sam Thaiday, a Queensland player who played the back half of the season in the starting side for Brisbane. Did I mention he went on to win a premiership? Tupou at best was shuffling between the starting pack and the bench, with the wooden beam holding the advantage. Thaiday only got his start when Mason was ruled unfit.

The cream of on the cake came when the Aussies took on the Brits for the first time. Logic indeed took a holiday here. Ben Hornby came in to replace Thurston. The reasoning behind this pearl of wisdom was to give him a “rest”. Bear in mind Thurston had played the last two rounds of the season, with the Cowboys missing out on the finals. Bear in mind also he was integral to both wins that Australia had at that stage, both with his combination with Lockyer and his goal kicking. Jamie Lyon, a player playing in the Super League, replaced Justin Hodges. Cameron Smith made a swap for Shaun Berrigan. Finally Sam Thaiday was a last minute change for Kaufusi when he pulled out injured. Thaiday was once again behind the green horn.

I was almost glad when Australia lost this game. Stuart’s tactics were enough to make you wince. Smith at one stage was playing in the centres, Hornby was on the wing and Australia looked way out of touch. Hornby is ok at halfback. But the old adage proves true. He is a jack of all trades, but a master of none.

We all know that Australia went on to win the Tri Nations. But they did it the hard way. They won in golden point extra time. The tactics Stuart employed played into the Kiwis hands. You could tell New Zealand wanted it more than the Aussies. They were more intense when the game was on the line. Ironically, it was the player Stuart dropped midway through the Tri Nations that came up with the winning play, Johnathan Thurston.

And so ends the Tri Nations deconstruction. To quote the late great Groucho Marx, “I was so long in writing my review, that I never got around to reading the book.” On a serious note, Australia did just enough to win. But one day, enough won’t be good enough.

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747 words including the title

 

[LeagueNut]

LeagueNut charges forward, straight into a goal-post ...

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LeagueNut (Kiwis)

My day as an Australian

I did a really stupid thing the other week.

There I was, happily spouting optimistic predictions about a certain Kiwis Tri-Nations victory, ignoring any chance of the wrong result … but then I was heard.

I must have been away on the day that my workplace relaxed their hiring laws, as somehow an Australian had managed to infiltrate our team. My cocky boasting of certain victory sang out to him like a siren, and he wandered over with a puzzled expression on his face – as if to say “I know I’m needed here, but why??”

Needless to say, we baited each other all week with non-stop arguments and counter-arguments about which team was better. And it resulted in a typical workplace bet – the loser had to wear the winners team jersey for a day.

Whoopee.

Okay, so my loud mouth had dropped me right in it. But as Chief Wiggum once said, “Don’t write cheques your butt can’t cash” … so I had to step forward and take my punishment.

The worst part wasn’t the fact that I’d lost, or the constant singing of the Australian anthem (interspersed with the occasional verse of “Waltzing Matilda&#8221, or even the Aussie flag that managed to find it’s way into my office. The worst part was that this Aussie chap didn’t bring in a Kangaroo jersey.

(face has been slightly altered to protect my fragile self-esteem)

As soon as the clock struck five, that jersey was whipped off faster than a speeding bullet. And as I skipped off into the evening sunset, I began to wonder about the odd experience of turning my back on my country of birth … even if it was only for a stupid bet, and only for a matter of hours.

If it was so hard for me to take for just one day, how can it be so easy for “professional” Rugby League players to change their national jerseys at will? I’m not talking about club sides here. Heck, if my company’s competitor offered me an extra 50 grand a year, I’d jump at the chance as well. Loyalty can only take you so far before the lure of the almighty dollar takes over. So where’s the line that should cause your heartstrings to snap if you ever considered crossing it?

For me, that line comes in thick and bold whenever you’re thinking about where you came from. For me, that’s New Zealand – pure and simple. Taranaki specifically, but the Bay of Plenty also holds a special piece of me. And there is no way in hell I would ever want to do anything to turn my back on my history.

But if the past few years have taught me anything, it’s that my views are incredibly naïve when it comes to the world of professional Rugby League. Australia or New Zealand? Hey, I’ll just take whichever option comes up first. Or hold out for more “incentive pay”. Or pick the last resort when they come knocking. Either way, I won’t let anything stupid like parochialism get in my way. It’s all a business these days!

But there’s one exception to this rule. While players can qualify for International teams by virtue of the residency rules, this isn’t the case for State of Origin. While it used to be the case that teams were picked based on where the players were plying their trade, this was re-jigged with the launch of the modern Origin series in 1980 to allow players to represent their home states.

There’s no doubt it needed to be done. There was very little spark in the interstate battles before 1980, and the introduction of firm eligibility rules has been an incredible boost that had lead to bigger and better things. State of Origin has become one of the most popular and successful parts of each season. The passion has been embedded through years of battle, and players would give an arm and a leg to play for their state.

And the key difference? Origin footy doesn’t care where you are now, or where you’re going – it only cares about where you came from.

Thanks to some shonky eligibility decisions, International footy has suffered a few dents to its credibility recently. But by using the Origin blueprint, there’s a huge opportunity to move forward and really give our game a strong boot in the right direction.

And personally, I’d love to see it.

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748 words. GO THE MIGHTY KIWIS!!

 

[Cheesie-the-Pirate]

Cheesie-the-Pirate runs on for the Poms (am I allowed to say that?).

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A Centuries Old Debate.

In about three months’ time a very special milestone will be reached. The Sydney Roosters will play the first game in their 100th season For those who like round figures the first game of their 100th season could also see the Roosters chalk up their 1000th victory.

It’s not only the Roosters celebrating their milestone. The New South Wales Rugby League competition and its descendents, the Australian Rugby League and the National Rugby League, will also be embarking on their 100th season. It’s a helluva feat, evidence of the continued central place rugby league plays in the lives of New South Welshmen.

So, it’s time for huge celebrations as our sport celebrates its new-found round number status. Well, perhaps not. A week ago the NRL took the first step towards its 100-year celebrations by revealing a logo for the special season. Great, but closer inspection reveals a minor detail. The logo reads, ‘Centenary of Rugby League 1908-2008’.

Oh dear. Has the NRL marketing department managed to make a gigantic howler in what ought to be a great chance to promote the game?

It all hinges on one word – centenary. What about a centenary means that the NRL wants to celebrate it in 2008 rather than 2007? Perhaps we give the NRL too little credit? It demands investigation.

It doesn’t take much reflection to see that the NRL is not alone in its centenary approach. After all, didn’t we celebrate the bicentenary of European settlement in 1988 and federation in 2001?

So, what’s the story? If 2007 is our 100th season, how can 2008 be our centenary season? The answer lies, conveniently, in your nearest dictionary. The Australian Concise Oxford defines a centenary as a 100th anniversary or an event that occurs every 100 years.

As any kid can tell you, 1908 plus 100 equals 2008. Now, the very first NSWRL game was played on the 20th April 1908. Unless my mathematics skills fail me, I reckon it’ll be 100 years since this event until on the 20th April 2008.

It stands to reason really. If 2007 is the 100th season it’s impossible that the game has been around for a full 100 years. After all, you start your 10th year on your 9th birthday. Anniversaries are for celebrating completed milestones, not ones that are 99% there.

So in effect we have two dates, both with pretty decent claims to being important milestones to celebrate Rugby League’s history. The question is, which should we go for?

Tempting is the obvious solution: celebrate both. Why have one party when you could have two? Unfortunately this stinks of double-dipping and the second celebration might turn out to be a fizzer. It would be like celebrating the new millennium in 2001. You had the right date but everyone has already had their mother-of-a-blowout the year before.

So, perhaps not. Next option; celebrate in 2007, sod the centenary. There’s certainly something to be said for a celebration as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it’s a bit premature. Surely making it to 100 completed years is the more impressive achievement than almost making it. We also probably wouldn’t want to draw attention to the sad fact that only one team can celebrate reaching their 100th season.

The Sydney Roosters have their own special logo for their special season and are sure to have many celebrations in 2007. Good on them and if I were in their shoes I’d do the same. It’s just not the right time for the NRL.

Which brings us back to season 2008. We can celebrate at the most appropriate time; the hundredth anniversary. It’s a helpful bonus that the 1908-2008 figures are much more obvious sell to the public than 1908-2007.

Furthermore we’ll hopefully see a more settled competition. 2007 is exciting because it brings forth many significant changes including a new television contract, Monday night football and of course the Gold Coast Titans. Better to get these improvements in and working perfectly before we use the centenary as a massive promotional tool.

In the end this isn’t a very exciting conclusion. The NRL got it right, there’s no stuff-up here. It is one of those occasions where the game’s administrators have got it right. Which leaves it up to the fans. Enjoy 2007, it’s going to be great. Congratulate the Roosters, they deserve it. But don’t forget to start gearing up for a great celebration in 2008 for the centenary of rugby league in Australia.

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749 words include title.

References:
The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary, 4th Edition 2004
Centenary Season Launched [URL : http://svc002.wic103cx.server-web.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/3695/Default.aspx]

 

[Cheesie-the-Pirate]

Well played Kiwis. Good luck but at 7-5 I think you should make short work out of the victory.

Commiserations fellow Poms. The drinks are on me.

 

[Willow]

Ref Blows Fulltime.

NB: Full time is always 9:00pm (Sydney time) according to the forum clock. This pic of the clock is just a neat gimmick.

 

[Cheesie-the-Pirate]

Thanks ref. You're right. That gimmick is neat.

 

[Pistol]

Well done boys

you all played well.

bugger about ending two short

Well done Kiwis

Good game