Redneck Redfaces

[bellyache]

FIJI, Easts, Kane Evans... Bump!

 

[POPEYE]

I hope you're ironing out the bumps, haven't seen you for a while. Seems Rick Stone, another of your wannadogoods is relishing his role and as I said before many players are reciprocating in the Cup due to his tutelage.

Rick is also fortunate to have Petero in his corner and let's hope the big bloke is never lost to the game. I'll be barracking for Fiji, Australia doesn't need me to cheer them across the line, hopefully the score is respectful of the effort and the people on a tiny speck in the Pacific . . . I can feel a tear welling

 

[POPEYE]

This time of year for a League supporter is equivalent to a teenager being grounded, we probably wish the WC finals would be a 4 team round robin just to prolong the inevitable. The forum is in a doldrum with threads surviving about relegation, threats from other codes and all sorts of trivia, spare a thought for a soc trying to keep a backwater thread alive.

Relegation/expansion is always good for a stop gap conversation so maybe taking the hypothetical to the nth degree may pass the time. Suppose the ARLC was working towards something more auspicious than just spreading the game in Australia and was imagining itself presiding over the southern hemisphere. The WC could be a catalyst for establishing a conference between hemispheres.

You have to get to my age before realising how little time is encapsulated in 10 years, about the career of a League player, how hard would it be to imagine given the right circumstances for Cam Smith to spend that time based in Fiji. If the ARLC were to leave most of the existing clubs to carry on as they are and a select few to step up to a Union type comp how would it be compiled.

Nationality would mean sfa, all the best players would be striving for a spot anywhere the available money would take them, a well administered salary cap the regulator if necessary. Naturally existing satelite clubs in Australia plus a couple of new ones would have preference. Samoa/Tonga/Fiji should be represented and hopefully South Africa, not sure about a temultuous NG, possibly 2 teams from NZ.

Maybe 14 or 16 teams and it doesn't matter where they get their players from at the beginning but hopefully much more localised talent would be uncovered than there is at present. The only shitfight would be in Sydney and possibly between Brisbane and Gold Coast but since the best League players know no boundaries who gives a f**k.

Of course there would be an uproar by a large proportion of the current generation of supporters but time heals everything and League would overnight dispell any threat from AFL/Soccer and really take the battle to Union. Hard to imagine the island nations not being able to fill a 25k stadium once belief was realised.

Players wanting to be the best in the world would have to become jetsetters or potter around in local competitions . . . which would remain strong with the promise of international stardom the carrot. It would be up to the Poms to encourage more teams from it's European neighbours and again, under the right circumstances and regulation it wouldn't be beyond the imagination to see Cam Smith playing for a team based in Italy . . . he has the 5 o'clock shadow for it

League could get the jump on Union by recognising not only the East, West and North coast of Australia but by snaring the Pacific Islands. Can't be done if League remains domiciled in Australia with teams scratching around like chooks trying to avoid the man carrying the axe

 

[POPEYE]

If Slater is ok for the WC final and since Hayne has 'proven' himself at centre, will he partner Inglis. Supporter uproar before will be nothing compared to the crescendo after if Australia loses, Sheens will have to come home on a refugee boat so it's not a likely scenario.

I selfishly want Jarryd to play in the final to prove a point I've been making for years that he is not a fullback's arsehole and could have been by now a legendary centre. Add to that the fact I wouldn't be upset if the Kiwis won so I've got nothing to lose if Australia does and would be supplied a 'told you so' if Hayne contributes to a win.

No pressure for me when I sit down to watch the final but what if in the semi Hayne and Tate have blinders, Inglis is subdued and Slater makes himself available for the next game. Top that off with a bunch of Bati forwards imagining themselves kangaroos and will break bones to prove it.

Anyone thinking only the Poms and Kiwis find themselves on the brink of no return should spare a thought for Sheens who must not only win two games in a row but will be made to take full responsibilty for any loss and can only expect 'a foregone conclusion' from the arsewipes if he comes home triumphant.

 

[POPEYE]

Not many red haired indigenous players running around and I was surprised to recollect that it was way back in '10 when Ben Jones surprised by his great performance in that year's All Stars game. Been a rocky road since then and apparently now he's stopped for repairs in Parramatta, no guarantees but if Arthur is going to be the coach League needs him to be he has to be capable of handling a restoration.

The bloke from Orange topped in orange will have all mid westerners in his corner as he trials for the Eels, hopefully he gets a run and shows what he did in All Stars just needs the right coaching to bring out his best. If by chance he succeeds it makes you wonder how many potentially good players get tossed with the bathwater.

In '10 he was probably hit on the head by Brian Smith's white stick after been tripped over by Blind Freddy previously and then found himself a paper cowboy in a Henry whirlpool. Any player that shows a glimpse of being good should be given a look in . . . the too hard basket is way too convenient for pretentious coaching

 

[bellyache]

Not many red haired indigenous players running around and I was surprised to recollect that it was way back in '10 when Ben Jones surprised by his great performance in that year's All Stars game. Been a rocky road since then and apparently now he's stopped for repairs in Parramatta, no guarantees but if Arthur is going to be the coach League needs him to be he has to be capable of handling a restoration.

The bloke from Orange topped in orange will have all mid westerners in his corner as he trials for the Eels, hopefully he gets a run and shows what he did in All Stars just needs the right coaching to bring out his best. If by chance he succeeds it makes you wonder how many potentially good players get tossed with the bathwater.

In '10 he was probably hit on the head by Brian Smith's white stick after been tripped over by Blind Freddy previously and then found himself a paper cowboy in a Henry whirlpool. Any player that shows a glimpse of being good should be given a look in . . . the too hard basket is way too convenient for pretentious coaching

Eels have also aquired Bureta, the powerhouse #2 for the Tomahawkes..

 

[POPEYE]

Eels need to get tough before they worry about winning, I'm all for the Cronulla approach, gather a team of wannabes and instill an 'us against them', be f**ked with the 'we're hard done by'mentality. The Sharks are trendsetters for the underprivileged and are showing more character than the more illustrious Dragons at the moment. Parramatta need to follow the Shire's lead

 

[bellyache]

Eels need to get tough before they worry about winning, I'm all for the Cronulla approach, gather a team of wannabes and instill an 'us against them', be f**ked with the 'we're hard done by'mentality. The Sharks are trendsetters for the underprivileged and are showing more character than the more illustrious Dragons at the moment. Parramatta need to follow the Shire's lead

The penrith tigersharks have signed a team full of internationals and origin players and come up with nothing.. Oh ahh yep, your takin the piss again..:lol:

 

[POPEYE]

Not taking the piss, you overestimate the value of Cronulla players individually, Fifita and maybe Gallen I wouldn't mind in Melbourne, the rest you can have. Again, your idea of nothing is a bit harsh, I think for the players they've got and the turmoil they're in they did at least as well as the Roosters or any other team.

Admittedly the Kiwis were a bit shaky last night and although Georgie B gave away the penalty that lost the game England must now realise they need to send more players south to do exactly what NZ had to do . . . play in the NRL.

Australia would have learned sfa in their trial game but my guess is Hayne will partner Inglis and Slater will play in the final.

 

[POPEYE]

It would have to be a foregone conclusion that Civinoceva's expertise will lead to a comfortable career connected in some capacity with the NRL, I would of thought that he will make a great club CEO in the future. Probably couldn't expect his family to relocate to Fiji but how good would it be if he administered the game for a country that means so much to the future of League.

Who else could be regarded as arguably equal to the best players ever and have a persona that Fijiians would accept, maybe not a volatile country like PNG but still can be reactionary to change. Money and recognition has seemingly ceased to be an obstacle overnight and the opportunity mustn't be ignored.

Petero, or someone of equal standing, should be paid by the NRL if not by the IRL to get the most from the new sponsorship even if he has to do it based in Australia, it would be a shame to see it wasted on incongruent fiddle faddling by local do gooders

 

[POPEYE]

Not very optimistic about a radical change to Origin but talks about scheduling are still in the media so you never know. Although I'm addicted to the spectacle of Origin imo it's outlived it usefulness as a concept originally conceived just to make Qld feel as though they contributed to the game, NSW was never expected to face capitulation.

Ironic that Australia has become the 'old NSW' and the rest of the League World has become the 'old Qld', Origin has disadvantaged everyone except its participants. Equivalent to the affect a real Jurassic Park would have it has dismissed everything else as insignificant while at the same time created a threatening danger. Add to that the fact it is acidic to Australia's own premier competition.

Rugby League in the real world now has to find a way to combat what narrow minded people see as Australia's super hero type superiority when in reality we have the same advantage NSW had over Qld before 1980. No rocket science involved, just plain old fashioned f**king arrogance running wild.

A way has to be found to give England, NZ and whatever combinations of the rest of the League world an equal opportunity to practice the game at its highest level. Having a World Cup and more foreign players apprenticed in the NRL is a step forward, albeit not significant enough.

Unfortunately, because Australia is allowed to select by way of survival of the fittest and the rest have to manage with whatever is available Rugby League as a whole would be better off if Origin was scrapped altogether. Can't seriously handicap all the horses except the favourite and expect anyone with even a modicum of intelligence to cheer it across the line.

 

[POPEYE]

According to a scribe Tomkins was outplayed by Locke so why waste money importing the Pom to the Warriors. My guess is Tomkins would outplay Locke 8 out of 10 and would play 50% more games. Luke Lewis can play the game as well as any when he remains in an upright position and Hayne can be remarkable when he puts his mind to it.

One day Johnson plays the best he can and the next he does a Benji at his worst. When Mick Cronin was running around he was overshadowed on occasion but he would be the first picked in any team of mine. My pet hate in discussions is not taking into consideration a player's consistency when it is needed.

The only way NZ is going to beat Australia is if Isaac Luke doesn't do what he did for Souths in the final, die in the arse when it counts. Johnson can outplay Cronk if he doesn't kneejerk once every 2nd set and Locke may surprise himself against Inglis/Slater. The Kiwis do have a few consistency addicts like Bromwich, Foran and RTS but Ad-lib will have to be man of the match for them to win.

If the Kiwis complete the jigsaw Cleary will have got them there and if they f**k it up Kearney is the man, it will be said. Two equally talented teams will run out, let's hope attention span has nothing to do with the result

 

[Cloudsurfer]

When people realise what the role of a head coach is (or should that be if they ever do) Kearney might get some kudos...knowing who to surround yourself with is more important than doing all the work yourself.
Oz will win this because some will be over-awed, some outplayed, some just don't have the top two inches under fatigue, and some will go missing (revert to type). If Oz shut down Luke and Foran and Bromwich is not emulated, the rest will be chaotic - RTS may not even get an opportunity. Let's see if wonderboy can save the day all on his own then.

 

[POPEYE]

NZ have one great advantage, they only have to get it right now and again, expectation will always play second fiddle to a miracle. Rugby League needs to give NZ/Eng a chance to match Origin so the onus of expectation rules out sympathy

 

[POPEYE]

Anyone born mid way through last century as was I would have developed short and curlies around the same time the Saints were becoming legendary, reading how Dugan wants to take on a leadership role stirs the memories. No matter how the Dragons have faired since then the red V will always be the most recognised symbol in the game.

It may be just a figment of archaic imagination but to be selected to play for St George seemed to be a privilege. The younger Gasnier imo would have been nowhere near as glamorous in any other jersey, an average centre at best. A new 100kg Duges could behave himself and become another Inglis but more importantly he could do it wearing the emblem of the gods.

 

[POPEYE]

Bad vibes are like hemorrhoids, appear much more easily than they can be dismissed, usually in my case when I want a team to win and the vibes are against it I can just about put money on disappointment. The WC final tonight however as far as I'm concerned cannot be affected by pessimism because I don't care who wins.

There's the usual 'may the best team win' spiel that protagonists of 'the game itself is paramount', of which I'm one, however of most importance to me is how the game is refereed. Imo Mr Silverwood's method of adjudication is akin to gulping a breath of air when drowning was thought inevitable.

There can be only good vibes that he will have his normally inconspicuous great game, penalties will be forced not searched for and the game will be won by the mob who can keep up the pace. King Richard has shown he's not keen on letting the video ref make decisions and who can blame him, let's hope we don't see any f**kups out of his control.

Imo the bloke should be the singular man in control of Origin games, both States cry foul about inept refereeing when the answer is a plane flight away. Swap one of our shitfighters for him for whatever period Origin occupies and then there can be little doubt the best team will win.

I hope I haven't put the mockers on him for tonight . . . it would be a rare event the vibes haven't forseen

 

[POPEYE]

Australia's combinations in attack and defence are too well practiced for the Kiwis to have pulled off a win and they needed 17 to score more than they did. Congratulations to the Pommie crowd and Silverwood could never have kept so many arrogant at this level players back the 10 any better than he did without blowing the pea out . . . great game by him, Klein is not who I once thought he was.

Special mention above the usual for Parker and Boyd, would've been easier to pick a player that didn't stand out, Inglis's defence might have been missed by anyone who says he was quiet and maybe Hayne might finally be established in his proper position.

 

[POPEYE]

Imo Cam Smith is the best player I've ever seen, just an opinion arrived at by trying to remain objective, what appears certain though is he is the best Captain the game's ever had in my memory.The way fellow players are drawn to him is exemplified by their attempt to drown him with champaign, he is the epitome of camaraderie with unequalled talent at the job he's asked to do a bonus.

Cronk, Thurston and Slater are clearly the best players in their positions, achieved mostly by talent but in part because Smith them gives them the opportunity and encouragement to shine. As a result peripheral players such as Inglis, Hayne, Morris and Boyd can dive off the highest platform and make icons of themselves and the forwards never need look over their shoulders.

People like to compare the 82's with the 13's, by circumstances a red phone booth to an iphone . . . a time machine and 12 months with Smith leading the Invincibles the result would be on the bounce of the ball

 

[POPEYE]

Fmd I hate shortsighted complicity, why doesn't Nathan McGuirk stop treating supporters like McJerks and fess up. The only reason Origin has to keep the same f**ked up scheduling is because the NRL is dictated to by the media's penchant for optimum profit.

How dumb must he think supporters are when he utters " . . . the NRL has instead focussed on ensuring its marquee games will not clash with rounds where clubs are without their representative players". Why doesn't he just tell it like it is, the media have paid for commitments and not even the wellbeing of the game that butters their bread will allow any deviation.

Why the f**k should a club ever intentionally be deprived of it's superstars, only Nostradamus could tell which 'canon fodder' teams are going to follow the script and not unearth stars of their own when least expected. Fair enough to admit nothing can be done but to drown us in gobblygook is pathetic.

It appears like most lamebrained decisions they are made by men too lamebrained to come up with a way to appease the media and not treat supporters who want their clubs at full strength like morons. If a player is a superstar he's paid enough to play extra games if that's all the f**king idiot McGuirk says is the solution.

It's befuddling to imagine a situation where having stand alone weekends for Origin supplemented by badly needed practice for up and coming Island nations is not better than the morose offerings from undermanned teams. I would rather watch Samoa and Tonga reproduce what was arguably the best game of '13 than sit through ho hum shit from disadvantaged NRL teams.

The unfortunate truth is Rugby League is being dictated to by a media that can't see the forest for the trees and the NRL who live in a one room log cabin

 

[POPEYE]

Love a good scenario and as a fan of science fiction it's easy to imagine a future where League was played yonks ago, relegated to the archives like all 'grinding' games. Insurmountable issues such as concussion litigation and player burnout have seen all gladitorial sport gone the way of the ancient Romans.

The new media money spinner is the fabulous Rugby League Nines, born in Auckland, NZ, and over the years spread to countries that the old dragonian game couldn't interest. A game so fast that being tackled with the ball is considered a sign of weakness, unloads considered obligatory so gang tackles obsolete.

Concussion a rare occurence that means instant removal as all nine players must be as sharp as a tack at all times, any contact above the shoulder is an instant 5 minute sin bin. Players have become almost regimented to the optimum height, weight and shape so that positions are readily interchangeable, speed and line breaking the overriding criteria. Thankfully the sport called 'Union' is still available for men who's bodies are not up to standard requirements.

The old game can still be seen around some local watering holes where men talk of the time when it was epitomised by something called Origin, played between two states of one country, a self centred regime that stifled the significance of all other competitions. Slow and dangerous it's hard to imagine how a crowd of people could sit through 80 minutes of wrestling on the ground and haphazard regulation.

Yes, hard to imagine a game that had time for thuggery, holding a player in a tackle while another tried to incapacitate by diving at legs, not to mention the incredulous stoppages. The period it took for the Nines to relegate the old game must have been excrutiating but the end result is now saleable to all countries