I won't sell my Bunnies: Crowe

South Sydney Rabbitohs owner Russel Crowe watches the team from his private box. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

AS if leading the NRL premiership wasn't enough.

South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas has ended speculation about Russell Crowe's ownership of the club, by admitting the Hollywood superstar is committed "long-term" and that he won't be walking away, even if the Rabbitohs were to win this year's grand final.

Crowe's decision to back away from selling his 37.5 per cent share at the end of this season, as he previously mooted last year, comes as NRL CEO Dave Smith praised the Oscar-winning actor for his influence to change the way clubs are run.

Ahead of the Rabbitohs' clash with New Zealand in Perth, Pappas put any conjecture over Crowe's ownership of the club to bed.

"Russell was having some thoughts about moving on," Pappas told The Sunday Telegraph.

"He's now very committed to staying with the club for the long-term. He's enjoying it, he still works very actively for the club behind the scenes.

"There's absolutely no indication from him that anything is going to change and that's the way we like it.

"That's the way our members like it. The reception he gets at home games, is just extraordinary."

Late last year Crowe declared he was preparing to step away from his involvement in the Bunnies.

"It's pretty simple, I have to make more time for my family," he said in November.

"I have loved the responsibility of bringing South Sydney back to being a competitive force."

But as The Sunday Telegraph revealed last weekend Crowe's personal life is back on track.

And while it's since been suggested that Crowe was preparing to re-consider the decision to withdraw his financial investment in the club, Pappas was at pains to ease any doubt from Souths fans that Crowe wasn't going anywhere.

"He did think about moving on and putting his priorities elsewhere, which we all respected at the time," Pappas said.

"We announced that over a 12 to 18 month period he was going to look at slowly disposing of the interest, but that's changed.

"We're very excited that Russell is staying with us for the long-term."

Asked if Crowe's financial input into the club would change if the NRL leaders were to claim this year's premiership, Pappas said: "No. The aim of the club, coach Michael Maguire, the board and Russell is to make this a sustainable club and to usher in a period of success that will not be fleeting.

"We've seen other clubs do that. They rise to the top and they fall down very quickly. That's not what we're trying to do here.

"Everything he does by working with us on major sponsorship deals and being there for meetings with strategic partners and playing the role in our merchandise and all this stuff that he does, all indicate he's here for the long haul.

"But his financial interest, for the moment and for the long-term, he's there to stay."

The Sunday Telegraph has learned Smith recently met with Crowe to discuss the state of the game with the pair agreeing to meet again in the future.

Smith stopped short of declaring Crowe's involvement in rugby league was as significant, if not more so, than trying to keep Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams in the game.

"Russell Crowe along with Peter Holmes a Court and the board at Souths have been fantastic for the game," Smith said.

"The success you see at Souths speaks for itself.

"Russell has brought international profile to the club and the game and he's challenged people to think differently across a number of areas.

"The game's been lucky to have him."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

QLD must maintain rage says Smith

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Queensland Maroon's Skipper Cameron Smith during State of Origin. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

CAMERON Smith has urged Queensland to maintain the rage as the Maroons skipper prepares to record another milestone in the State of Origin decider.

Barring injury, the Maroons will name an unchanged side on Tuesday for Origin III, with selectors satisfied with the squad that thumped NSW 26-6 to square the series in Game Two.

For Smith, the decider carries personal incentive. When he runs onto Sydney's ANZ Stadium, he will become the first hooker in Origin's 33-year history to chalk-up 30 interstate games.

Underlining Smith's feat, two of the game's greatest rakes, Queensland icon Steve Walters and NSW schemer Danny Buderus, played 14 and 21 Origin games respectively.

The Queensland captain claimed man-of-the-match honours in Origin II and he issued a call-to-arms ahead of the decider, warning the Maroons had to improve to clinch an eighth consecutive crown.

"We need to make sure we don't slacken off in Sydney. We need to maintain the hunger," Smith said yesterday.

"I don't see us making any changes... fingers crossed that all the boys get through this weekend's games with no injuries. 

"It would be nice to keep the same side, we had a really good balance and everyone performed really well. 

"There wasn't a player that didn't play well so we need to build on that game. 

"We know already we have to play better than what we did in Brisbane to win this match. The Maroons have a dismal record at Homebush, having won just five of 20 matches at the ground since 1999. 

The Blues outplayed Queensland across the park to clinch the series opener, but Smith insists the 14-6 loss at ANZ Stadium never eroded their self-belief.

"It's a big challenge for us to go to Sydney and try and get a win," he said.

"The Blues will be better at home, there's no doubt about, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"We never lost the belief, we walked off ANZ Stadium knowing we didn't play well and the Blues played extremely well. We just didn't help ourselves with the way we started, our attitude was poor and we lacked energy.

"We looked at a couple of things in game two with our preparation and we rectified that. Hopefully it stays that way for the decider.

"Smith says he isn't concerned about the prospect of being the Queensland skipper that surrenders the Origin crown.

"Not really, I understand the pressure that is on the whole team," he said. 

"I remember last year when I took over the captaincy full-time, a few media guys asked me how would I feel to be the first captain to lose. 

"I dealt with that fairly early. I knew it would go one of two ways, either I was going to be series-winning captain or the first to lose since 'Locky' (Darren Lockyer) retired. 

"I have won two series as captain, I won in 2008 and obviously last year, so personally I am happy with the contribution I have made to the side."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thurston wants Barba at Cowboys

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Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys looks on at 1300SMILES Stadium. Source: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images

JH: IS going down to Sydney to attempt to win the Origin series going to be the toughest challenge of your career?

JT: Definitely. As a team it is the biggest challenge we will face since we went on this run. NSW have some great players and they will be at home. They have found self belief in their team and they now think they can beat us. It is going to be a huge challenge.

JH: Who can stop you from winning Origin III?

JT: Paul Gallen. No doubt. He is their leader and everything comes off the back of him. They get behind him and follow him. He is their biggest threat and when he plays well they play well. We have to stop him because it is hard for the rest to play well when he doesn't.

JH: You could go down as the greatest Origin player ever. How does that feel?

JT: Ha. Ha. I don't think of myself like that. I am grateful to be able to play in the team and play with the greats I have played alongside. I am blessed to play with these blokes.

JH: People were questioning your form earlier in the year. It reached fever pitch following Origin I. How did that feel?

JT: It was probably justified. I wasn't too happy with my footy. When your team is not going great individuals obviously aren't going great either. It was a combination of things. At club level, we have now had a couple of wins and we got the job done in Origin II.

JH: Did the criticism get to you?

JT: Not really. I am my own harshest critic. I know when I play good and I know when I play bad. I also know what I need to work on each week to improve on what might have let me down.

JH: Did you carry an injury into Origin I? There were suggestions you should not have even played.

JT: I was (injured) but I was totally confident in playing that game. My performance had nothing to do with that, it was my defence that wasn't great. That is something that I have been working very hard on over the last few weeks.

JH: You come across as laidback, but are you hard on yourself?

JT: I am always hard on myself. I am always out to do the best for my team and it hurts when I don't. I play for my mates and when I don't play well I am very disappointed. It is very important in my position for me to be playing consistent footy, week-in and week-out. 

JH: It has arguably been the biggest year of your life. You have signed what could be your final contract and also had your first child. Did you at any point lose your football focus. Were you distracted?

JT: Not at all. I suppose all the contract talk started before the All-Stars game and it was just something I had to deal with. I didn't buy too much into it and my manager (Sam Ayoub) took care of all the negotiations.

JH: But you did have to make a tough decision? You had a number of clubs throwing the cheque book at you.

JT: It was a tough decision but at the end of the day I wanted to stay in Townsville. I love this club and town. It is where I am set-up and where I want to stay.

JH: Did you have to ring Phil Gould and tell him you were not going to join Penrith?

JT: It was tough. It was certainly difficult to make that phone call. But that is what I thought was best for my footy and me.

JH: You are the first $1 million a year player. Do you feel pressure to live up to your price tag?

JT: There is always pressure on the best players to perform. Whether you get paid well or not, fans want results and so do coaches. There is always pressure and I have been living with that for a long time. Sometimes I thrive on it and sometimes it gets the better of me. Hopefully I can just keep improving as a footballer.

JH: How have you handled the dramas with the Cowboys? You have been playing under a coach that reportedly could be sacked at any moment?

JT: You just need to keep focused and make sure everyone is doing the little things right. I have been working hard on my game as an individual and I have tried to better those around me by making sure I am doing everything right at training. I lead by example.

JH: You had your first baby last month. Has it changed you?

JT: Definitely. I am loving being a father. It is an experience that I can't describe. It is no doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me. I think fatherhood agrees with me, too, because I have been playing good footy since she came into this world.

JH: Are you a chance to play beyond this contract?

JT: I haven't even thought that far ahead. I won't rule anything out. Life is really good for me at the moment and I love living in Townsville, I am loving being a father and I am really enjoying my football. I couldn't be happier.

JH: I guess your one burning desire is to win a premiership with the Cowboys. Are you going to get to tick that box?

JT: I still believe we can. It is every player's dream to win a premiership and you need things to go your way. Before my time is up at the Cowboys I hope we can deliver a premiership to the people.

JH: There has been a lot of talk about Ben Barba making a move to a Queensland club. Do you want him at the Cowboys?

JT: That is a decision for Benny to make, but if you have a look at the combination we had in the All Stars game, it was pretty good. If he came to the Cowboys I think his game would go to another level and I think I would be able to help with that.

JH: Will you push the club to sign him if he seeks a release?

JT: You always try and recruit the best players and no doubt he is right up there. He would come here and I believe his footy would improve. 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wallabies v Lions: game, set, series

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Reclaiming their crown ... the Lions demolish the Wallabies in the series decider. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

THE Wallabies face an agonising 12-year wait for redemption after an immense display from the British and Irish Lions blew the homeside off the park to reclaim the Tom Richards Cup and end a 16-year series drought.

1 Tries 4
James O'Connor 40'	Alex Corbisiero 2'
	Jonny Sexton 57'
	George North 65'
	Jamie Roberts 69'
1 Conversions 3
Christian Lealiifano 40'	Leigh Halfpenny 3'
	Leigh Halfpenny 58'
	Leigh Halfpenny 70'
3 Penalties 5
Christian Lealiifano 10'	Leigh Halfpenny 8'
Christian Lealiifano 42'	Leigh Halfpenny 13'
Christian Lealiifano 46'	Leigh Halfpenny 16'
	Leigh Halfpenny 26'
	Leigh Halfpenny 52'

Foxsports.com.au recaps the third and final Test between the victorious British and Irish Lions and the Wallabies. Re-live the action with Match Centre, featuring video highlights!

Who said the Welsh couldn't beat the Wallabies?

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THE MATCH

Will Genia's knock-on off the kick-off and the ensuing scrum set the tone for the remaining 79 minutes in the series decider. The Lions opening 20 minutes was the most dominant period of play by either team in the three matches and was ultimately what won them the series. A try to new starting prop Alex Corbisiero and four penalty goals to player of the series Leigh Halfpenny stunned the Wallabies into submission before maligned five-eighth James O'Connor gave the homeside hope, scoring on the stroke of halftime to cut the deficit to nine points at the break. Christian Lealiifano then kicked the Wallabies to within three points but this stirred the caged Lions into life and the flood gates crashed open. First it was five-eighth Jonathan Sexton who sliced through to score, then gigantic winger George North got in on the action and Brian O'Driscoll's replacement, Jamie Roberts, put the icing on the cake for the Lions. The Wallabies were mauled at the scrum and breakdown, only producing two turnovers at the ruck (when George Smith had left the field) for the whole game.

TURNING POINT

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You can argue there were two turning points in the series decider; the opening minute of the match and a missed penalty by referee Romain Poite. With the Wallabies on the attack in the 53rd minute, the Lions managed to turn the ball over but Ben Mowen - who was arguably the Wallabies best - slipped through the ruck, pressuring a Lions player on the ground who refused to release. In the ensuing play, George North pounced on a Jonathan Sexton chip and the five-eighth scored moments later, punching what air was left out of the exhausted Wallabies. But it was the first scrum, and every ensuing scrum for that matter, which won the Lions the Test. Leigh Halfpenny's right leg may have had something to do with it as well.

THE LION KING

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Leigh Halfpenny's boot and his flawless display in the deciding Test was the difference between the two sides. The Welsh sharpshooter earned his player of the series crown with every penalty goal, conversion, clearing kick and backline chime. But it's his ability to judge where his opposition is going to kick that makes him such a special player. He is in a Billy Slater mold. It is so hard to find the grass because of his brilliant positional play, and he will win an open-field kicking battle nine times out of ten. He is a special player.

GATLAND'S GAMEPLAN

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland earned the wrath of a nation when he dropped iconic Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll for the hard-running Welshman Jamie Roberts. Sure, Roberts held his own and scored the Lions fourth try, but it was Gatland's front-row changes that proved to be his masterstroke. Gatland replaced Mako Vunipola and hooker Tom Youngs with Alex Corbisiero and Richard Hibbard after the Wallabies dominated the Lions scrum in game two. Wallabies prop Ben Alexander was sin binned for repeated scrum infringements as the Lions crushed the confidence of the Wallabies scrum. The Lions also employed a North Hemisphere favourite - time wasting or the "giving your huge forwards a rest" tactic.

A STAR IS BORN

In what can only be described as a baptism of fire into the Test arena, Israel Folau pasted with honours. To put it simply, he is a freak of an athlete with the vision to match his physical abilities. Mention must go to Will Genia, arguably the best player in the world. The Wallabies would have lost the series three-zip if it wasn't for the Wallabies halfback.

The Lions tour has everything; history, passion, brutality and skill. I know I'll be watching in 12-years-time.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Horwill finds mentors in ex-captains

Wallaby Captains past and present James Horwill , John Eales and Nick Farr-Jones. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

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TO give James Horwill sense of the magnitude of a series decider against the Lions, the Wallaby captain needs to know about Nick Farr-Jones's ceiling.

Twenty-four long years have passed since Farr-Jones performed the same duty Horwill holds on Saturday;  leading the Wallabies into a packed Sydney stadium before battle with the British and Irish Lions in a third, winner-takes-all Test match.

The game has evolved enormously since 1989 but two things remain unchanged: the bold red Lions jersey and the fact that emotions held at the full-time siren, good or bad, stick with a Wallaby skipper for a long, long time.

"It was a very emotional day," Farr-Jones recalled this week of Australia's third Test, and series defeat, in 1989.

"The loss lingers. Probably more so when the Lions are back again, like now, and the cracks in the ceiling get a bit wider at 2 o'clock in the morning."

Farr-Jones is a considered man, not prone to overstatement, but he swings for the fence when it comes to the Lions.

"It's a big deal. With Rugby World Cups, you can get a second roll of the dice and I was lucky enough to play in two," Farr-Jones said.

"You don't get a second roll of the dice with these guys. As I have said, if I have any regrets, it's that we didn't beat the buggers. It is a big deal, it is a huge deal, and 24 years later it's an even bigger deal."

The emotions on display by Horwill after the second Test win last weekend in Melbourne tend to suggest the big Queenslander can whistle the same tune. But if there were any doubts, a meeting with two Australian rugby icons this week no doubt removed them.

The Daily Telegraph brought Horwill together with Farr-Jones and John Eales this week, the two Wallabies skippers from the previous Lions tours in 1989 and 2001, and the sense of brotherhood was palpable

Eales, who'd only just flown in from Switzerland on business, was keen to show Wallaby solidarity to Horwill after a tough week where the current skipper fought the law for alleged stamping, and won.

For a second time.

"The great thing about James is he's a guy who takes things in his stride," said Eales, who has acted as Horwill's unofficial mentor for years.

"He knows first and foremost, the one thing he has to do, no matter what is happening, is play well on the field, and lead from that aspect.

"He does that really well. He is a guy who clearly people love following. You can tell by the success he's had as a leader, with Queensland and Australia.

"Everyone, past and present, is pleased he is in that position for this game."

Eales had played with Farr-Jones as a young man, and held a similar admiration and friendship with his first Test captain. It is a bond shared not just by old Test captains, however, says Eales. All Wallabies belong.

"It is one of those clubs, it doesn't matter if you've played one Test, or 100 Tests. You are just as important in that club," he said.

Eales led his team into the 2001 series decider at ANZ Stadium, on the same path as Horwill's team: defeat in the first Test in Brisbane, and a revival win in Melbourne in the second.

"Game one was a real shock to the system and game two we had to go out and prove ourselves," Eales said.

"Not only to everyone out there, but to ourselves again also. To prove we still had it. And the win gave us an enormous amount of confidence.

"This team appear to have held confidence all the way through, and I sense they're still improving."

Eales says Horwill remains on keel despite his turbulent fortnight, and Farr-Jones concurs.

"He's a great leader. He's doing a wonderful job, he's leading by example. He's tough, he's uncompromising. It's exactly what you front a leader, like John was, in the second row," Farr-Jones said.

The ex-Wallabies captains stood behind the current one, and the message to the Lions was recorded. The Wallabies past and present are united.

"Outside of World Cups it doesn't get any bigger than this," Eales said.

"Both Eales and Farr-Jones won one of those. Horwill is still young.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pies hammer Blues at the MCG

Travis Cloke ... there are few sweeter feelings than a triumph over your bitter rivals. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Carlton's AFL finals hopes appear doomed after the injury-hit Blues suffered a 41-point loss to arch rivals Collingwood in their round-15 clash on Friday night.

Inspired by Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan who gathered 33 and 41 possessions respectively, Collingwood came from 28 points down late in the first term to win 17.16 (118) to 12.5 (77) in front of a crowd of 78,224 fans at the MCG.

The Magpies improved their win-loss record to 9-5, while the Blues (6-8) remain on 24 premiership points, three games outside the eight.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	13	12	0	1	144.98	48
2	Geelong	13	11	0	2	128.85	44
3	Essendon	13	10	0	3	129.51	40
4	Sydney	13	9	1	3	131.15	38
5	Fremantle	13	9	1	3	124.55	38
6	Richmond	13	9	0	4	124.39	36
7	Collingwood	14	9	0	5	107.84	36
8	Port Adelaide	13	8	0	5	118.17	32
9	West Coast	13	6	0	7	110.02	24
10	Carlton	14	6	0	8	109.19	24
11	Adelaide	13	6	0	7	105.72	24
12	North Melbourne	13	5	0	8	114.25	20
13	Gold Coast	13	5	0	8	90.94	20
14	Brisbane	13	4	0	9	74.34	16
15	St Kilda	13	3	0	10	85.61	12
16	Bulldogs	13	3	0	10	75.19	12
17	Melbourne	13	2	0	11	54.01	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	13	0	0	13	50.16	0

Big men Travis Cloke and Ben Reid dominated up forward for Collingwood, kicking five and four goals respectively.

The Blues kicked only five goals after quarter-time in their heaviest loss of the season.

Carlton suffered a blow when key forward Jarrad Waite limped off with a possible knee or ankle injury at the 17-minute mark of the game, replaced by substitute player Dennis Armfield.

Forward Eddie Betts was also injured during the match.

The Blues were in tremendous form early and produced a seven-goal first quarter to lead by 28 points at the 27-minute mark of the first term.

But as Carlton began to struggle to find a tall target up forward, Collingwood slammed on three goals late in the first term and six to Carlton's one in the second quarter to hold a 24-point advantage at halftime.

The Magpies increased their lead to 47 points after booting four goals to Carlton's one in the third term and the Blues kicked three goals to Collingwood's two in the final term.

Collingwood rested premiership defender Harry O'Brien because of an ankle injury and the former All-Australian has been given several days of personal leave. However media reports have also suggested a rift between O'Brien and coach Nathan Buckley following an argument at training earlier this week.

The Magpies host Adelaide at the MCG on July 12 and Carlton play St Kilda the following night at Etihad Stadium.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

'I will punch them in the face'

Angry ... former England skipper Michael Vaughan had voiced his displeasure at ECB scheduling. Source: AAP

Michael Vaughan has slammed English cricket chiefs over the number of domestic Twenty20 matches being played ahead of the Ashes, saying he would ``punch them in the face'' if administrators tried to justify their actions.

Vaughan, England's captain when they regained the Ashes in 2005 in one of the most thrilling of all Anglo-Australian series, said that "every single player in the country should be playing four-day cricket now,'' in order to give Alastair Cook's men the best possible chance of retaining the urn. 

• No.7: Australia's 329-run opening stand, 1989
• No.8: Warne's hat-trick, MCG 1994-95
• No.9: Michael Slater's century, Lord's 1993
• No.10: Warne, McGrath, Langer retire, 2006-07
• No.11: Gilchrist's majestic 152, 2001
• No.12: England end 24-year drought, 2010-2011
• No.13: Tugga's twin centuries, 1997
• No.14: Boonie's huge beer haul, 1989
• No.15: KP makes a big statement, 2005
• No.16: Mark Waugh's ton on debut, 1990-91
• No.17: Reid destroys England, 1990-91
• No.18: Siddle's birthday bonanza, 2010-11
• No.19: Gough's hat-trick, 1998-99 
• No.20: Tubby's century under fire, 1997
• No.21: Alderman's crash tackle, 1982-83
• No.22: Pigeon takes flight, 2002-03
• No.23: Nasser's toss woes, 2002-03
• No.24: Punter the match-saver, 2005
• No.25: Panesar's batting heroics, 2009
• No.26: Alderman's English mastery, 1981 & 1989
• No.27: Warne's 700th wicket, 2006-07
• No.28: Peter Who? Come in spinner, 1986-87
• No.29: McGrath's magic milestone, 2005
• No.30: Flintoff's fond farewell, 2009
• No.31: David Gower's joyride, 1990-91
• No.32: Flintoff's maiden Ashes ton, 2005
• No.33: Botham's match-winning hundred, 1986-87
• No.34: Gary Pratt's run out, 2005
• No.35: Hussey's Adelaide heroics, 2006-07

Instead there have been no County Championship fixtures for a fortnight, with the first-class competition suspended just days ahead of Wednesday's opening Ashes Test at Trent Bridge while the county Twenty20 tournament starts instead.

As a result, England had to take the unusual step when at home of scheduling a four-day Ashes warm-up against Essex only for that match, in scenes widely condemned as "farcical'', to be stripped of its first-class status midway through when the county brought in replacements after injuries to two of its seamers.

An angry Vaughan said all this could have been avoided, the former Yorkshire batsman telling a Sports Journalists' Association brunch: "I get sick and tired of talking about scheduling but this is the biggest thing that happens in this country, the Ashes series.

"How our schedulers have not been able to produce a round of four-day championship matches leading into an Ashes series is beyond me.

"If I could get any answer from an administrator telling me it's worthwhile us playing Twenty20 now, England playing Essex - and then I think Sussex play in a four-day game starting on Monday in the middle of Twenty20 - I'd punch them in the face. Because they are wrong. Every single county should be playing four-day cricket this week.''

Vaughan added: "England players would be better suited playing a real competitive county match under pressure than they would have been playing Essex.

"England did the right thing because of the scheduling. They thought, 'We can't have the lads playing Twenty20 cricket leading into an Ashes series, we'd better create our own game', so they had to create something.

"I would point the finger at the administrators who come up with the system of our scheduling.

"What happens if we get five injuries in the next week? And we are picking guys that have played Twenty20 cricket -- it is ridiculous.

"England are a good team and I think they have enough to beat Australia whatever happens now but you have got to have the best and most professional system and things like that have got to be better.''

However, an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman, responding to Vaughan's comments, told Friday's Daily Telegraph: "Scheduling isn't about one week. It's about the whole series and the whole summer and we think we've got that right.''

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Team and coach fighting for season

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Broncos centre Justin Hodges gives his teammates a spray after a Storm try. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

JACK Reed suffered a suspected fractured shoulder on Friday night as a 32-0 drubbing in Melbourne turned up the heat on coach Anthony Griffin and left Brisbane fighting to save their season.

6 Tries 0
Jesse Bromwich 3'
Justin O'Neill 13'
Ryan Hinchcliffe 54'
Sisa Waqa 64'
Maurice Blair 71'
Maurice Blair 78'
4 Conversions 0
Cameron Smith 4'
Cameron Smith 14'
Cameron Smith 55'
Cameron Smith 72'

The Broncos received a chilling reality check of their title bona fides at AAMI Park after being shut out by a Storm side that produced the defensive hunger that wins premierships.

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The defending premiers scored six unanswered tries, but of greater merit was their iron-clad defence, which was so desperate Broncos winger Lachlan Maranta was denied three times.

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Inspired by key triumvirate Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, the Storm bolted to a 12-0 lead after as many minutes before delivering the coup de grace with four second-half tries.

The hatchet job left Brisbane lamenting another duck the first time in their glittering 25-year history they have been held scoreless twice in a single campaign.

But Brisbane's impotent attack aside, alarm bells are ringing on other fronts. Last night's thumping means the Broncos must win six of their last eight games to avoid the ignominy of missing the finals for the second time in four seasons.

Queensland's flagship NRL club could finish the weekend floundering in 14th with a 6-10 win-loss record and to compound their plight, Reed faces another extended stint on the sidelines.

The British Test centre hurt his reconstructed shoulder diving for a ball just before crashing into an advertising sign in the 17th minute.

He left the Broncos sheds with his left arm in a sling and will have scans over the weekend.

"He has landed really badly on the shoulder he had reconstructed. He is in a bit of trouble at the moment," Griffin said.

"He's not good ... he is a pretty tough customer so when he comes off you know he's hurt."

Griffin's predecessor Ivan Henjak was sacked after Brisbane failed to make the playoffs in 2010. 

And despite having another two years to run on his contract, Griffin will face a similar fate unless Brisbane can somehow resurrect their season.

The next month will make or break their season, starting with a home clash against the Sharks this Friday night, followed by the bye and daunting road trips to face North Queensland and Newcastle.

The Broncos had a host of promising opportunities last night but Griffin was left to lament Melbourne's superb last-ditch defence.

"It's frustrating," the coach said.

"We just didn't create enough pressure to crack them open, we were too impatient. They saved half-a-dozen tries, but we needed to be a lot more dogmatic about what we wanted to do with the ball.

"It's terribly disappointing that last 15 minutes to concede 16 points. The scoreline in the end ... they were far too good for us."

Skipper Sam Thaiday insisted the Broncos could still make the finals despite their precarious position.

"You never give up hope but it (the finals) is a long way off for us," he said.

"Self-belief is the biggest thing. We were very unlucky to only lose by two points against the Warriors last week. 

"We were taking a step in the right direction but we left all that behind in New Zealand. 

"We just need to start believing in one another and our ability to win games. We need to start getting some belief back." 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Potter firmly at the wheel

Coach Mick Potter at Wests Tigers. Picture: Brett Costello Source: Brett Costello / The Daily Telegraph

As a player Mick Potter was decisive, brave and possessed a good knowledge of the game, just the kind of qualities required to be a successful coach.

Like so many of today's young clipboard holders (they don't really have them anymore but it's quite descriptive) an apprenticeship in the English SuperLeague was a sound initiation but it doesn't take long to find that the NRL is entirely a different proposition.

Just three victories from his opening 10 games, including seven straight losses, suggested a short tenure for the new boss.

However, even in very grim times I felt there were positives coming out of the doom and gloom.

Most importantly Potter never wavered in his belief that they were on the right track and that the club weren't far away from better results. He took every opportunity to publicly display his support of the players.

Not once did he blame a terrible injury run for their predicament, instead saying that despite a wealth of inexperience throughout the squad, that they were capable of better and up to the task.

He did however make an unexpected change and that was to start Benji Marshall as an interchange in their round 10 clash against South Sydney.

Whether this was a disciplinary action is still somewhat clouded.

It obviously caused much debate from those outside the club and added fuel to the rumour that the two were struggling to establish a working relationship.

The coach copped plenty of criticism at the time but in retrospect the 17 minutes that his star playmaker spent on the bench could be the most significant period of Potter's time so far at the club.

Firstly, such a move left nobody in any doubt as to who was the leader of the pack. It showed reputations counted for little and that decisions would be made based on the team, not individuals.

While the Rabbits still went on to win easily that day, a line had been drawn in the sand.

I don't think it's a coincidence that since then Benji's form has certainly picked up, and while he is still a major influence on how they perform and a match-winner in his own right, the contribution is more within a team structure.

For a long time the Tigers biggest strength was also their biggest weakness and that was their propensity to go sideways before they had earned the right by going forward.

Over the past six weeks this has improved to the extent that when moving the ball laterally they are still managing to be going towards the opposition try-line and not just the sideline.

It allows them to still take advantage of the prodigious skill level in the team but in a much more effective manner.

Last weekend we also saw an improved ability to close out a game, another area in which they have consistently struggled.

The final 15 minutes against Melbourne was a template in professionalism in not inviting Storm to mount a late comeback.

By kicking the ball deep into the corners, at times finding touch, Benji and Robbie Farah ground their more fancied rivals into the mud, when a winning lead had been established.

In the past, looking to score more points would often outweigh just playing smart and getting the job done.

In fact, the lone time focus was lost during this period was also a great sign of ownership.

In the 76th minute Benji threw a cut-out pass to the feet of Blake Ayshford 45m out from their own line when the game was under control.

There was space for the centre on the outside of the Melbourne defence and on a dry day, in different circumstances, the pass would have been "on".

At this particular moment it was the wrong play at the wrong time. What impressed was the reaction of Benji who immediately castigated himself in a very clear manner. It showed he understood he had let the team and the game plan down.

A week after the Souths match, Potter made another change of consequence when he moved Adam Blair from the back-row to front-row.

At that time the high-priced import was being blamed for everything from the national debt to global warming.

While still not setting the world on fire, his contribution has improved markedly and he looks much more at home in the middle than working on the edges.

Sitting fourteenth on the ladder shows the Tigers still have a long way to go but four wins from their past five games is definitely a step in the right direction.

Tomorrow they face Cronulla for the second time this season and I'm confident the Sharks will find it a tougher assignment than their 30-6 win in round nine.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

ADP, Ono out of All Stars clash

Sydney FC superstar Alessandro Del Piero will miss the A-League All Stars match. Source: Adam Taylor / News Limited

Alessandro Del Piero and Shinji Ono won't be part of the A-League All Stars side to take on English giants Manchester United.

The two superstars were voted into the team by football fans and an expert panel, but won't be available for the July 20 game at ANZ Stadium.

It is understood that Del Piero, who is still in Europe, will fly straight to Japan for Sydney FC's preseason match against J-League side Sagan Tosu on July 24.

He's then expected to travel back to Italy where he will continue with his own preseason training.

Ono, a key player during the Western Sydney Wanderers' debut season, has returned to preseason training in Sydney earlier than expected.

But there are concerns over his match fitness and the club aren't willing to risk losing him as they seek to defend their minor premiership.

It's a major blow to the All Stars concept and it is understood Football Federation Australia did everything they could to persuade the duo to take part in the game.

Manchester United are undoubtedly the major attraction, but showcasing the best of the A-League is partly what the occasion is about. And Del Piero and Ono, the A-League's highest-profile players, contributed to what was a break-out season for Australian football.

But their absence won't detract from the global attention the game will receive. It will be David Moyes' second match in charge of Manchester United and the spotlight will be on Australia during their week-long visit.

The Red Devils boast some of the biggest names in European football and won last year's Premier League championship.

Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic and Robin Van Persie are among the superstars expected to turn out for the ANZ Stadium blockbuster.

All Stars coach Ange Postecoglou will select the team and there's now an opportunity for more local players to impress on a global stage.

Football fans have one last opportunity to watch the All Stars take on Manchester United live at ANZ Stadium.

UNICEF Australia has launched an online competition giving five fans a chance to win double passes to the sold-out match.

Just write an original football chant in 30 words or less and submit it on the UNICEF website.

Manchester United has supported the children's charity since 1999 and has supported over two-million children.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More