Redneck Redfaces

[POPEYE]

There is a real chance that had Daniel Anderson not been a Parramatta tragic he could have led another club to a winning gf by now, his coaching credentials are better than a loose canon Warriors or incompetently administered Eels could ever showcase. If nothing else he is persistent, if he can't coach in a Parramatta maelstrom he's going to try and calm the waters for Taylor.

There's no reason the board should officially go near a player, their main concern is keeping Anderson's piggy bank topped up. Daniel need only consult his scouts and concentrate on discovering talent to pass on to Taylor for assessment. Going to be a most interesting year for the Eels and with luck we may see the watershed of talent to other clubs dry up.

My many years of soapboxing against shit coaching at the Roosters has come to an end, hopefully the Eels will have just their second coming since being born a year before I was. Would have liked to see Arthur coaching the Raiders but wtf . . . shit happens

 

[POPEYE]

I will be just as interested in how the WC will be officiated as the outcome of the matches, hopefully the way the game is refereed in England will be showcased without incident. There will undoubtedly be an uproar of indignation here should the referees appear to flaunt Australia's pedantic showponying methods of adjudicating.

Australia winning or losing the series doesn't interest me as much as our players coming back in one piece nor what our heirachy can learn about establishing humility in referees. At the moment every NRL game consists of two contests, one between the players another between the whistle blowers.

Getting rid of two referees may prove as difficult as repealing the carbon tax but for f**k sake at least take the whistle away from one of them. Why the second referee can't be a subordinate learning the finer points by being the eyes in the back of the head of the man with the whistle is hard to fathom. We just need a linesman on the field with a mouthpiece instead of a flag.

Hayne was awarded the best ref by his peers, it must have been for his acting prowess rather than his managerial ability. There is a lot about Rugby Union I don't like but I despise the f**king holier than thou dominance of manipulative refereeing, now beginning to infiltrate the NRL . . . not necessarily manipulative in favour of a team but definitely in favour of personal limelight.

Take the time to appreciate what I hope is an eye opener of how a game should be adjudicated, try not to dismiss the English style of refereeing with every little f**k up remembering usually they are trying to be innocuous, not obnoxious

 

[POPEYE]

The Daily Telegraph was taken off my desktop many months ago and if it wasn't for Roy Masters the SMH would have followed suit. It's been a few hours since Arthur was announced coach of the Eels and already a f**kwit journalist, Andrew Webster, writes how Steve Sharp should be embarrassed by how he got what he wanted.

I amongst many others who happen to think Arthur is the right man for the job because he's been tutored by coaches who don't put up with f**kwits, Webster probably has qualified somewhere along the line. Parramatta can do no more than change CEO, hire Anderson with autonomy over football operations and make Arthur answerable only to him.

The last thing the Eels need now is someone, anyone, making mountains from molehills because the Chairman of the joint is willing to tread on a few toes. For whatever it's worth I'll support Parramatta, and Wests for that matter, in its endeavour to do exactly what the Roosters have done.

Ironic that journalists think they can get better mileage from a heap of shit than a new vehicle, the trouble with having your head up your arse is you forget your shit stinks. My New Year's resolution when it happens will be to back the Eels and Tigers until the following new year at least

 

[POPEYE]

Calling someone a meathead doesn't necessarily have to be designed as derogatory, especially when referring to blokes who play such a rudimentary game as Rugby League. Nothing to do with talent or even ability to reason off the field, I prefer to use the term in the colloquial sense of describing a player that needs constant prodding to perform at his best.

The blank expression replacing recognition when things don't go as planned is the equivalent of having 'meathead' tatooed on a forehead. The best way for a coach to circumvent the problem is to keep positional pressure on these players, in more ways than one.

Jarryd Hayne is a classical example, his position at fullback has never been under pressure but in the latter half of '09 his standing as pin up boy was threatened by Mortimer and as a result he played out of his skin to prove a point. Mortimer couldn't replicate the fairytale the next year so Hayne went into withdrawal where he's been ever since.

Isaac Luke was playing the house down until Nathan Peats made his intention to move on public, his switching off in this year's final after 20 minutes clearly a sign of lacking pressure. Mortimer again, this time a brilliant ploy by Robbo and not by accident, supplied all the incentive Jake Friend needed to keep his mind on the job the whole year. He improved markedly because of it.

Arthur is going to need a player that takes Hayne out of his comfort zone, just as players like Ferguson, Dugan, Luke Lewis and many more like them need subconscious prodding. Being a meathead doesn't make a bad player, just high maintenance, coaching is more than pointing towards the goalposts.

 

[POPEYE]

Hard to believe Justin Hodges really has Joss Hoffman's interests in mind when he says the bloke is not the right man for fullback because his passing game isn't up to scratch. I'd imagine Hodges, great centre he is when fit, would be protecting his part time arse by assuring the coach Joss will cover his awol's.

I haven't taken enough interest in Hoffman's game to comment on his positional play in defence or his tackling ability but Hodges certainly hasn't been watching Barba if he thinks Joss alone has deficiencies. Methinks Justin wants to put his hand out for half a season and play Origin without the threat of being euthanized, not sure what he expects Hoffman to do when he feels like playing.

To sum it up Hook will have a centre he can't plan around, a fullback anyone can run around and a young bloke expected to cover both given the runaround. Sounds like a f**king schmozzle to me, especially when there might be a 5/8 some people think should be a fullback . . . happy days everyone concerned

Joss is Josh's alter ego

 

[POPEYE]

It's probably because I consider Rugby Union a game made for well-to-do athletes not capable of reaching Rugby League standard that I dismiss the attempt by arsewipes to initiate another 'Immortal' type fallacy by claiming SBW is the greatest dual international of all time. Not saying Sonny Bill is short on stamina, just one exception.

If he sticks around in League past next year and does a whole lot more than sharing equal accolades with Trent Robbinson who is 95% responsible for this year he may become eligible to be mentioned in the same sentence as Michael O'Connor for instance. 'Snoz' played more Union tests, was an integral Kangaroo, an established Origin game breaker, elite point scorer and gf winner.

Ray Price was another handy player that did as well in Union and a whole lot f**king more in League . . . can't imagine SBW sticking around anywhere near long enough to match those two. Imo Williams going around next year is great for League, pity we can't just watch what he is and not read about what he isn't

 

[POPEYE]

Worth the effort to try and understand the mindset of NRL players who have one thing in common with members of old time outlaw motorcycle clubs, most have undergone years of like minded bonding to reach where they are. By that I mean they've learnt to switch off when not in company of bretheren who understand the sacrifices.

You only have to look at the way they interact on the field immediately after a game, if the arsewipes had them wired some conversations would have immeasurable repercussions. I've seen good footballers coached in what the game plan is but it doesn't come into effect unless they put their heads together in it's implementation.

Most interviews you'll witness will have the interviewer giving the impression he's an expert interrogator trying to coerce the right answers from someone who plays the game but mightn't be worldly enough to comprehend the obvious. Some players even come across as moronic if the question is dumb enough.

In reality a lot of players seem reticent because they're attempting to answer questions whilst holding back what they really think, priviledged information shared only amongst those that can keep it to themselves. I've sat with players letting their hair down sharing confidentiality, the game of Rugby League and the blokes that play it are not as complicated as hangers on would like to believe.

 

[bellyache]

England suffered a shock 15-14 loss to minnows Italy in a Rugby League World Cup warm-up match on Saturday -- just a week before the tournament starts.

Italy, who've yet to play in a World Cup, led 10-4 before two tries from Sam Tomkins gave England, the main tournament hosts, a 14-12 half-time lead in Salford, near Manchester.

But a drop-goal from winger Josh Mantellato two minutes from time condemned England to a one-point defeat and left their supporters fearing the worst ahead of next weekend's tournament opener against Australia in Cardiff.

For all they are one of the sport's traditional powers England, or Great Britain as they then were, have not won the World Cup since 1972 with Australia triumphing in the six subsequent editions before the Kangaroos were beaten in the most recent final, by New Zealand in 2008.

A strong England showing is widely considered to be important if the tournament is not going to be a drawn out series of matches leading to an inevitable Australia-New Zealand final.

But in a match watched by Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens, England came off second best albeit they and Italy used 44 players between them.

A first-half rainstorm, bolstered by thunder and lightning, was a sign of the dismal day to come for England as several defensive errors allowed an Italy side, featuring NRL Grand Final winners in Sydney Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello and Aidan Guerra, to build an eight-point lead.

England coach Steve McNamara would have been dismayed by the way defenders fell off the tackle to let St Helens prop Anthony Laffranchi a soft early try and the untroubled way hooker Dean Parata burrowed over for Italy's second.

Mantellato converted both scores before England recovered through a try from centre Carl Ablett in the 19th minute.

Tomkins then took James Roy's fine pass to score his first try before grabbing Gareth Widdop's high kick for his second touchdown.

Kevin Sinfield was off target with his first conversion attempt and hit the post with his second before replacement Widdop was on target when he added the extras following Tomkins's second score to put England in front shortly before half time.

However, England missed chances to press home their advantage and McNamara, presumably conscious of more important matches to come, took Tomkins off 16 minutes from time.

With 11 minutes left, Italy drew level when substitute Ray Nasso kicked a penalty from in front of the posts.

England should have won the match when Widdop broke clear with five minutes remaining but failed to find Rob Burrow, who was up in support.

And when Josh Charnley knocked on inside his own 20-metre area, Mantellato responded by landing a 30-metre drop-goal that gave an Italy side coached by Salford-born Carlo Napolitano a famous victory.


Great Stuff!http://www.nospam13.com.au/forum/images/smilies/cool.png

 

[POPEYE]

The coach's name is something the Italians should be celebrating as well.

Mini under a red/white/green flag . . . perhaps the colours of a future Sydney merger

 

[bellyache]

The coach's name is something the Italians should be celebrating as well.

Mini under a red/white/green flag . . . perhaps the colours of a future Sydney merger

South Sydney Dragons... Very interesting.

Dragon emblem in place of Rabbit..

 

[POPEYE]

Sorry son, couldn't help myself. Imagine Rusty selling cars or Nick a support actor . . . not on

 

[POPEYE]

Main points of interest for me in '14 will be the Tigers and Eels, not that I expect any fairytale climb up the ladder, the effect of proposed infrastructure changes by far more important. Parramatta especially is attempting what will be tantamount to raising the Titanic, scraping away the barnacles a prelude to plugging the holes.

Wests have the lead because there are young potential champions chomping at the bit to play for the joint, which will snowball into pressure for positions, a distant memory at Parramatta. A repeat of the '09 miracle would be the worst that could happen, apparitions are harmful when translated as saviours.

Patience is the key for both teams but the Eels need to establish what Wests have achieved, albeit still only a blueprint but nevertheless professionally architectured, an undeniable enthusiasm from all and sundry for what will happen in the next few years. Doesn't really matter a tuppenny f**k the size of the steps, Parramatta just need to get off their knees and remain upright.

 

[bellyache]

6 sleeps???? RLWC games have already started on 7mate..

 

[POPEYE]

Always had respect for Greg McCallum when he was refereeing and it's no secret I'm a great fan of the way SL is refereed, not surprised that Greg had an influence on the pommie game. One thing for sure he was never a show pony so hopefully he won't appreciate anyone who is, imo the perfect man for referee boss.

Anderson might have taken too much time to reconcile between the way he knew players/coaches think and the way referees want to be portrayed. If McCallum forces the whistleblowers to toe a line set by him we can at least begin with consistency, time to worry about pedantics later.

Could be a case of all's well that ends well, Anderson and McCallum are now both in positions where they can make demands and they have the persona to implement them . . . what happens to people who aren't willing to listen will be the proof of the pudding

 

[The Mad Hatter]

The coach's name is something the Italians should be celebrating as well.

Mini under a red/white/green flag . . . perhaps the colours of a future Sydney merger

The Sydney City c**k-Hares perhaps?

 

[POPEYE]

The Sydney City c**k-Hares perhaps?

Lotsaluck man . . . maybe he won't notice

 

[Big Tim]

Lotsaluck man . . . maybe he won't notice

The Sydney City c**k-Hares perhaps?

Just to make sure he does notice.

 

[POPEYE]

Funny how the older you get so do the off-seasons get longer, should be grateful I suppose when you're trying to slow down time. Even for a gf winner supporter it's only a couple of weeks of euphoria before the abyss. With age comes the realisation that there must be a better way to look at the game itself.

Of course it doesn't matter if you transcend from one sport to another but unfortunatley Boxing and Women's Beach Volleyball is not televised enough to keep me interested in anything other than League. Now I'm becoming even more discerning, used to be a time when all that mattered was the team I supported winning, the process irrelevant.

Dedication has turned to procrastination in the twilight years and I can recommend it for those not wishing to fritter away seasons of League hoping and not enjoying. For instance, treating every game as a gf is not even good enough, each game must be a contest. I hate 'golden point' because it is demoralising, imo a draw if it is hard fought is the epitomy of the best result possible.

Imagine if the entire season had every game a nail biting draw, we wouldn't need finals or any other rigmarole, just a couple of weeks on a respirator. Anyway, back to reality, the games that I'm most looking forward to in '14 will be those that rely on the final whistle for a result. Also with age comes appreciation . . . still, jealous I am of having the time to be one-eyed.

 

[POPEYE]

Too much fuss being made about the players Sheens has selected for the first game imo. Losing this game is nowhere near as important as winning the rest and what I imagine the coach is doing is throwing down gauntlets.

A complacent Jennings for instance would be like having one centre, whereas Tate may not be in better form but never leaves us guessing. If Hayne were to be part of a team that beat England one day he may become a holidayer the rest of the trip, Boyd is always a trier.

Sheens is intent on proving he has been badly treated as an NRL coach and he must win the WC. A win in the first game with his strongest team on paper is no better than a loss or bad performance by the team he has picked. A good win by what we think is a second string team is what Sheens wants but a loss would still serve the purpose.

What better way than either scenario to ensure every player in the squad is determined to prove a point in all remaining games, I think that Sheens wants to be the engineer of a goods train at full speed and doesn't want any passengers. All that remains is for no-one in the crew to dummy spit

 

[POPEYE]

Especially if you're not a fan of getting soap in your eyes and even if you're true blue you'd have to admit James Graham is the equal of any front rower on the planet. Years ago I scoffed at a Pommy sympathiser in another forum who said Graham would walk straight into an Origin team, even when he was playing in England.

Still think I was right at the time but now he has proven himself here I have no doubt had he been playing for Souths or NSW there would have been far different results this year. So, in essence, this post is a replica in meaning of the previous post, except McNamara is the one pretending to play silly buggers.

None of the B Boys are as good as Graham and to lose this first game with a full strength side would be catastrophic for the Poms, so both coaches are playing with fingers crossed and tongue in cheek. Imo the game will be even more tantalising with players on both sides knowing that winning means more than winning, it means playing to secure a position.

The Kiwis on the other hand are interested more in combinations and the longer they go without a loss the better. I'm sure the powers that be want an England/Australia final 'for the good of the game', why else would they give them a good look at each other early. As usual the boys across the ditch are treated as pretenders but I hope they frighten the living f**king daylights out of 'em all